Naruto: Choosing from Birth — Chapter 26

That sinister bastard had casually dragged all of Konoha onto his side, then proceeded to flatter them.

As he spoke, he formed hand seals. Before he had even finished speaking, a Wind Release came hurtling over.

The horn of attack had sounded.

Water Release: Water Bullet!

With his Sharingan active, Uchiha Yuto had also been secretly preparing a ninjutsu. He swiftly unleashed the technique he had been building up for some time.

Boom!

The massive water sphere collided with the Vacuum Wave and exploded instantly, spraying water everywhere.

"Minato, if you believe us, use Wind Release to support me!"

Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!

Uchiha Cheng only had enough Chakra left for one final Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, so he poured all of it into this technique.

Watching the two sides suddenly begin fighting, Minato recalled his first encounter with Uchiha Cheng and Kushina and chose to trust Uchiha Cheng.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

The already formidable Fire Dragon Flame Bullet was strengthened by the Wind Release.

Wind fueled the fire, and fire lent force to the wind!

Flames soared from the left, center, and right, encircling everyone on the other side as they writhed madly like ferocious dragons.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!"

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!"

Walls of mud and stone rose from the ground one after another on the opposite side.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

The enormous flames combined with the massive water sphere from earlier, creating violent hot steam that was then blown forward by the Wind Release. Though it was blocked off by the Earth Release, it temporarily stopped the other side from closing in.

"Retreat!"

Uchiha Cheng scooped up Kushina and darted into the forest, with Minato Namikaze quickly following behind.

Uchiha Yuto stayed behind to cover their retreat.

After racing back along their path for ten minutes, Danzo and the others, skilled in assassination and pursuit, gradually caught up.

After all, there were three children in the group, and Uchiha Cheng was carrying another person besides.

"Young Masters, go on ahead. I'll stop them."

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!

Small fireballs shot from Yuto's mouth, under his control as they bombarded the approaching enemies.

Uchiha Yuto had already resolved himself to die. All he wanted was to buy more time, so that Young Master Cheng could return to Konoha and seek the clan's protection.

"So you've made up your minds to declare war on Konoha? Everyone! Target ahead: kill without mercy!"

Danzo once again employed psychological warfare, hoping to leave them burdened with doubts during battle and afraid to fight with their full strength.

Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!

Wind Release: Thousand-Faced Wind!

Water Release: Starch Syrup Capture Field!

A barrage of ninjutsu swept toward them!

"Other than Lord Third, who dares represent all of Konoha?"

A sharp shout rang out from afar, accompanied by a huge blade of Chakra that slashed fiercely into the battlefield!

The ninjutsu in its path was crushed and torn apart by that blade of energy, which seemed to pierce heaven and earth!

A silver-haired figure took all the attacks head-on, standing before Uchiha Yuto and the others.

The upright figure held a short blade gleaming with white Chakra.

Though he made no further move, his powerful presence—like a blade pressed against one's back—weighed down on everyone like a mountain.

One after another, Anbu from the Hokage faction wearing animal masks such as tengu, foxes, and pandas arrived behind him.

As the Anbu captain, the silver-haired figure at the front was the only one not wearing a mask. His distinctive custom white Chakra short blade, coupled with his astonishing swordsmanship that had reached its peak, made him as dazzling as the bright moon in the night sky, impossible to ignore.

A legendary ninja who had participated in countless missions of every scale and had become an Anbu captain at seventeen.

During the Second Shinobi World War in the original story, the enemy had even declared that if they encountered him, they could abandon their mission and return directly to their village to report back, showing just how terrifying his strength was.

He was the legend of an era—the Konoha White Fang!

PS: Thanks to Frost's Lingering Sorrow for the monthly vote, flowers, and 100 reward! Thank you for the support.

"Hatake Sakumo!"

Danzo's eyes radiated a chilling gloom.

Damn it! Konoha's reinforcements had arrived so quickly, and he had yet to seize a single useful bargaining chip.

It seemed those two subordinates had died for nothing. Not only had they accomplished nothing, the Uchiha would likely refuse to let the matter rest.

He had been too hasty this time. He hadn't expected that Uchiha brat to be so troublesome.

Otherwise, against an inexperienced brat—and with the element of surprise—he should have captured him with ease.

Useless trash!

There would be plenty of opportunities. It seemed he would have to remain hidden in the shadows and lie low for a while longer.

There was no point in continuing this confrontation.

"Very well. I'll remember you!" Danzo shot Hatake Sakumo, who had ruined his plans, a vicious glare before turning and waving his hand. "Retreat!"

"Lord Danzo, please come with us to the Hokage's office."

Hatake Sakumo spoke calmly.

"I'll go. I'll meet that old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi alone—but not now."

With that, Danzo led the members of Root and swiftly vanished into the dense forest.

Hatake Sakumo did not stop them. He merely watched their departing figures with a deep gaze.

"Um, Lord Hatake? Who were they?"

Minato Namikaze watched Danzo's group leave and asked in confusion.

That strange group had immediately tried to kill them on sight, yet the moment Konoha's reinforcements arrived, they had retreated without hesitation. He had thought they would at least stay and argue.

"They..."

Hatake Sakumo looked at the somewhat disheveled group before him. Tonight's experience might leave a great impact on these children.

Perhaps it would help them mature more quickly. Or perhaps...

"They are Konoha's Root!"

What was Root?

Konoha's dark side.

Roots buried deep beneath the earth, drawing nourishment for Konoha.

They consisted of absolutely loyal "killing machines," carrying out dirty, exhausting work unknown to the public.

But that could not serve as an excuse for them to act without restraint. Once roots broke through the surface, they had to endure the ravages of sun, moon, wind, and rain.

Hatake Sakumo did not elaborate further.

"We will investigate the truth as quickly as possible. Please come with me to the Hokage's office. The Hokage himself must decide this matter."

"Alright! Also..."

Uchiha Cheng agreed, then stepped out from behind the others and approached Hatake Sakumo. He bowed solemnly.

"Lord Hatake, thank you for the strike that came to our aid just now! I, Uchiha Cheng, owe you a favor."

Hatake Sakumo smiled, about to say that it was merely his duty.

Yet as he looked at the young Uchiha before him, he sensed an unusual presence rising from beneath that serious expression. The two children of the same age beside him were far inferior by comparison.

As if compelled by some unseen force, he returned the bow with equal solemnity, then shot away like lightning.

Perhaps one day, he really would need this boy's help?