The Root Ninja had long ceased to see themselves as human, so they naturally no longer felt emotions like fear. But that did not mean they could not be caught in genjutsu.
Just as now, they could still be restrained by genjutsu and left unable to move. They simply lacked the added torment of emotional suffering.
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 the genjutsu, but they alone remained standing. Not only were they standing, but their faces remained utterly expressionless. There was no need to verify it—beings without the slightest emotional fluctuation were undoubtedly Root.
Even if there were a few fish that slipped through the net among those who had fallen, they certainly were not people absolutely loyal to Shimura Danzō. Letting them go did not matter.
From this, it seemed that if the Uchiha Clan truly worked together to launch a surprise attack on Konoha, Konoha would indeed suffer a tremendous loss. Just like now, out in the open, one Sharingan genjutsu was enough to keep the Anbu who met its gaze from even sending a warning signal.
What was more, this was genjutsu enhanced by Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. There was even less chance of resistance.
Thus, when they had suspected the Uchiha Clan, it had been necessary for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other higher-ups to send Anbu to monitor them. They simply never expected Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu to reach such a level.
Minagawa Uchiha led the Vanguard Team here. Seeing the Anbu already controlled by Uchiha Itachi, he could not help but marvel at the other's genjutsu abilities.
Because he had trained for too short a time, he had only just begun to study genjutsu. He could only rely on the Sharingan's innate hypnotic abilities to cast it.
However, after discovering the essence of Mangekyo genjutsu such as Tsukuyomi, he believed that his genjutsu abilities would one day surpass everyone's. Even Infinite Tsukuyomi would not affect him.
No longer dwelling on it, he saw that the group of team members behind him were already standing by and directly gave the order:
"Knock out every Anbu on the ground. Kill all those still standing!"
Although the surrounding Uchiha Clan members did not understand this order, they voiced no objections. Ninja were inherently people who existed only to complete their missions, and Uchiha Fugaku had already explained things to them beforehand.
So they did not hesitate, stepping forward to knock out all the fallen Anbu. Just as they were about to attack the remaining Root members who were 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. So long as someone obstructed the convictions in his heart, he could bring himself to act against anyone. The only person he might show even the slightest mercy toward was probably his younger brother, Second Pillar.
Even for the younger brother he loved most, 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 had never planned to offer even the slightest help.
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 grew incomparably excited, drawing kunai and charging at the Root Ninja who had just regained consciousness.
In the minds of these Uchiha, who seemed pumped full of adrenaline, killing motionless wooden stakes would have been their greatest humiliation. Only fighting with real blades like this could demonstrate their worth and display 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 of the genjutsu, while they had seized the initiative. Naturally, there would not be significant casualties before they attacked the Root Base, so he let them do as they pleased.
Sure enough, the battle ended quickly. With the initiative in their hands, an outstanding Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan held every advantage in close combat.
In the final tally, only two Two-Tomoe clan members had died, though quite a few had been injured.
This was something that could not be avoided. The moment these Root Ninja regained consciousness, they knew their mission had failed. Given their utterly inhuman methods, they naturally squeezed out every last bit of strength in a desperate attempt to take down a few enemies. Injuries were inevitable in such a life-risking style of combat.
Even though he understood that fact, Minagawa Uchiha naturally would not miss such a rare chance to knock some sense into these Dragon King clan members.
He angrily shouted for everyone to assemble, and the group of Uchiha Clan members who had still been feeling pleased with themselves came before Minagawa Uchiha in confusion.
"Trash! You had the initiative, yet you still suffered casualties. Look at yourselves—most of you are injured, too.
"Didn't you all think you were so impressive? Weren't you shouting about launching a coup d'état by force, about using one clan to fight one village?
"What? Does your so-called revival of the Uchiha Clan rely on empty fantasies? Or does it rely entirely on the three of us and our Mangekyō Sharingan? Then what use are you? To cheer for us?
"Then who are you putting on those arrogant expressions for? Self-comfort? Or do you think relying on others is something glorious?"
This series of questions that struck at their very souls instantly made the Radical Faction clan members, who had been smug over killing so many Root members, lower their heads in shame. Of course, some still stiffened their necks and glared angrily at Minagawa Uchiha.
"What? Still unconvinced? Fine. Next, we will directly attack the Root Base. Its defenses are tighter, and it is their home ground. More importantly, in such a complicated place, Itachi's genjutsu cannot secure the initiative for you as it did now. Let me see what you are capable of."
"Hmph. I hope you remember this: Itachi's strength and mine have nothing to do with you. We will not help you in that situation, either. See yourselves clearly. Our strength is ours; it is not something for you to use as the basis of your arrogance and overconfidence. Everyone has times of weakness. Weakness will not make others look down on you, but arrogance will eventually face the consequences."
"I hope all of you live long enough to see the Uchiha rise. That's enough. Move out."
He nodded to Uchiha Itachi. Uchiha Itachi understood at once and led the team toward the Root Base, while Minagawa Uchiha fell behind the group and silently sent two clones toward the depths of Konoha.
Uchiha Itachi noticed it and turned to look in Minagawa Uchiha's direction. Minagawa Uchiha offered no explanation, merely gave Uchiha Itachi a reassuring look before pushing off with his feet and catching up.
Uchiha Itachi pondered briefly, seemingly realizing something. The tension in his expression instantly melted away, as though he had laid down his final burden. A determined look spread across his face as he continued charging at the front toward the Root Base.
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