The setting sun was like blood, gradually swallowed by the horizon.
In the dense forest, only a dull blue-gray gloom remained.
"Let's stop here."
"According to the intel, a group of four led by Kakashi will pass through here."
"Tenzo, begin."
Several mysterious figures dressed in black robes and wearing masks turned to look at their companions.
"Understood."
The black-robed man named Tenzo jumped down from a tree. He formed hand seals, pressed one hand against the ground, and gazed ahead with a detached, expressionless look.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique."
Rumble~
Rumble~
The ground trembled. Massive trees thrust up from the earth, their gnarled branches tangling together.
The forest had already been full of towering trees. Now, ancient trunks stretched across it, weaving into a sealed, shadowy natural prison in an instant.
"Excellent. The dense forest will block our view and muffle the wind, making it easier to set everything up."
The thickening canopy swallowed all the light. Darkness and gloom closed in, shadows lurking everywhere, as if every inch concealed a deadly intent.
"Stick to the plan. Get ready."
The black-clad figures split up, suppressing their presence before vanishing into the darkness to wait for their prey.
Tenzo slowly sank into the tree trunk, his expression conflicted.
Danzo's orders were clear:
Use his Wood Release to create a dense forest and set an ambush. Deliberately create a bloody scene to trigger Tsunade's Hemophobia, then kill the target and take the body back to Root's secret base.
As for the others, they only needed to retrieve Kakashi's Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
As for Uchiha Kazuhiko, they were to use Sealing Jutsu to restrain his chakra and take him alive.
Tenzo didn't understand.
They were all shinobi of Konoha, and one of them was the renowned Legendary Sannin. Why had he been