Counterattack Begins with Clearing Out Root

The Root Ninja had long ceased to see themselves as human, so they naturally no longer felt emotions such as fear. But that did not mean they were immune to genjutsu.

Just as now, they could still be restrained by genjutsu and left unable to move; they simply did not suffer the added torment of emotion.

Yet under the current circumstances, the Root Ninja's behavior as Tool People became a Light in the Dark Night. Everyone else had fallen under genjutsu, but they alone remained standing. Not only were they still standing, their faces remained utterly expressionless. There was no need to verify it—beings with no emotional fluctuations whatsoever were undoubtedly Root.

Even if there were some fish that slipped through the net among those who had fallen, they certainly would not be Shimura Danzō's diehard loyalists. Letting them go did not matter.

From this, it seemed that if the Uchiha Clan truly united and launched a surprise attack on Konoha, Konoha would suffer a devastating loss. The current situation was proof enough. In an open area with no cover, a single Sharingan genjutsu left the Anbu who met its gaze unable even to send a Signal Warning.

What was more, this was genjutsu enhanced by Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. There was even less chance of resistance.

Therefore, when they had suspected the Uchiha Clan, it had indeed been necessary for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other higher-ups to dispatch Anbu to monitor them. They simply had never imagined that Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu could reach such a level.

Minagawa Uchiha led the Vanguard Team here. When he saw the Anbu already controlled by Uchiha Itachi, he could not help admiring the other man's genjutsu prowess.

Because he had trained for too short a time, he had only just begun studying genjutsu. He could only rely on the Sharingan's innate hypnotic ability to cast it.

However, after discovering the essence of Mangekyo genjutsu such as Tsukuyomi, he believed that his future genjutsu abilities would surpass everyone's. Even Infinite Tsukuyomi would not affect him.

Without further thought, seeing that all the team members were standing by behind him, he directly gave the order:

"Knock out every Anbu lying on the ground. Kill every one still standing!"

Although the surrounding Uchiha Clan members did not understand this strange order, none of them objected. Shinobi were originally people who existed only to complete missions, not to mention Uchiha Fugaku had already explained things to them beforehand.

Thus, without hesitation, they stepped forward and knocked out all the fallen Anbu. Just as they were about to attack the remaining Root members still standing, Uchiha Itachi released the genjutsu restraints.

When it came to having a Heart of Stone, perhaps no one in the Ninja World besides Obito Uchiha could compare to Uchiha Itachi. As long as someone obstructed the convictions in his heart, he could act against anyone. The only person he might show even a little mercy toward was likely his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.

Even with his beloved younger brother, he had once considered using Kotoamatsukami to alter his will for the sake of protecting Konoha. Naturally, someone like him would not pity these Radical Faction clan members. Since he intended to teach them a lesson, he would not offer them the slightest help from the start.

When the many Radical Faction Uchiha Clan members saw Uchiha Itachi release the genjutsu restraints, they did not feel betrayed. Instead, every one of them became exceptionally excited, drew their kunai, and charged at the Root Ninja who had just regained consciousness.

In the minds of these Uchiha, pumped full of adrenaline, killing motionless wooden posts was the greatest insult to them. Only real, blade-to-blade combat like this could demonstrate their worth and show their strength and excellence.

Minagawa Uchiha did not stop them. After all, they were all clan members who had awakened their eyes. Moreover, these Root Ninja had only just broken free from the genjutsu, while the Uchiha had seized the initiative. Naturally, they would not suffer major casualties before attacking the Root Base, so he let them do as they pleased.

Sure enough, the battle ended quickly. With the initiative in their hands, the Sharingan, such an exceptional Kekkei Genkai, held every advantage in close-quarters combat.

In the final count, only two Two-Tomoe clan members had died, though quite a few clan members had been injured.

This was something that could not be avoided. The moment these Root Ninja regained consciousness, they knew their mission had failed. With their utterly inhuman style of conduct, they naturally squeezed out every last bit of strength in desperation, hoping to take down a few enemies with them. Against such life-risking tactics, injuries were inevitable.

Even though he understood this, Minagawa Uchiha naturally would not miss such a rare opportunity to knock some sense into these Dragon King clan members.

He angrily shouted for everyone to assemble. The Uchiha Clan members, who had still been somewhat pleased with themselves, came before Minagawa Uchiha in confusion.

"Trash. You had the initiative, and you still suffered casualties. Look at yourselves—most of you are injured.

"Didn't you all think you were impressive? Weren't you clamoring for a coup d'état by force, saying you wanted one clan to fight one village?

"What? Is your so-called revival of the Uchiha Clan built on wishful thinking? Or are you relying entirely on the Mangekyō Sharingan of the three of us? Then what use are you? To cheer us on?

"Then who are you putting on that arrogant display for? Self-Comfort? Or do you feel honored by relying on others?"

This series of questions that struck at their souls instantly made the Radical Faction clan members, who had been smug after taking down so many Root members, lower their heads in shame. Of course, there were also some who stiffened their necks and glared angrily at Minagawa Uchiha.

"What? Still unconvinced? Fine. Next, we'll directly attack the Root Base. Its defenses are tighter, and it is their Home Ground. More importantly, in a complex place like that, Itachi's genjutsu cannot secure the initiative for you as it did now. Let me see what you're capable of."

"Heh. I hope you remember this: Itachi's strength and mine have nothing to do with you. We will not help you under those circumstances either. See yourselves clearly. Our strength is ours; it is not something for you to rely on in your arrogance and overconfidence. Everyone has weak times. Weakness will not make people look down on you, but arrogance will eventually bring Bad Consequences."

"I hope you all live long enough to see the Uchiha rise again. That's it. Move out."

He nodded to Uchiha Itachi. Uchiha Itachi understood immediately and led the team toward the Root Base, while Minagawa Uchiha fell behind the group and silently created two clones that headed deeper into Konoha.

Uchiha Itachi noticed it and turned to look toward Minagawa Uchiha. Minagawa Uchiha offered no explanation, merely gave Uchiha Itachi a reassuring look before pushing off the ground and catching up.

Uchiha Itachi pondered briefly, seeming to understand something. The tension in his expression instantly faded, as though he had cast off his final burden. A Determined Look filled his face as he continued charging toward the Root Base at the front of the group.