Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal

The Sharingan opened behind the mask. Six shuriken flew from his hand, clashing with a metallic clang.

Strangely, the six shuriken zigzagged through the air, darting left and right at Akashi's fingers' command, as nimble as snakes. They not only blocked the opponent's attacks but also curved around to counterattack.

The dazzling clash of ninja tools even surprised Danzo.

Night Owl held his breath and drew his Ninja Blade with his other hand. "Wire. It's wire!"

He knew what it was, but could only make out a few fine strands in a flash of reflected light. Once they moved at high speed, his eyes couldn't keep up with them.

Tanuki hurriedly backed away, too. "How can ninja tools turn in midair?"

Just as they were marveling at this, Akashi released his hand and formed Hand Seals in one smooth motion—Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson!

Flames instantly enveloped the scattered shuriken. As they raced toward the two men, they trailed fiery red tails like a peacock spreading its feathers.

Night Owl used a jutsu: Earth Style: Earth Wall.

A tall wall surged up from the ground, blocking the chaotic assault of flames and ninja tools.

Tanuki was no pushover either. He formed Hand Seals and spat out water bullets. Flying at high speed, they could leave craters in the ground, and a direct hit on a ninja's body would deliver a powerful impact.

The rapid-fire barrage packed a punch.

Akashi formed Hand Seals. "Then let me say hello, too!"

The water bullets shot toward his face. His fingers flashed through the seals, completing the "Tiger" sign, and the chakra he had gathered in his mouth burst forth. A massive fire dragon, infused with highly compressed chakra, soared into the air.

Flames blazed and heat waves rolled. Its scorching body twisted through the air and "swallowed" the water bullets whole.

Water was supposed to overcome fire, but against such an overwhelming assault, the tiny water bullets melted away like drops of sugar.

The moment Danzo saw the fire dragon, his pupils contracted.

It wasn't how quickly Akashi had formed the Hand Seals, nor how rare the jutsu was. It was that the fire dragon was simply... enormous!

Fire Release techniques generally weren't very difficult.

So if they were both B-rank ninjutsu, and I could use it while you could use it, wouldn't they have the same power?

The difference lay in control and chakra. An ordinary person's Fire Release might amount to a small flame, while Madara Uchiha's might become a sea of fire!

Akashi's Great Dragon Fire Technique contained a vast amount of chakra, stunning Night Owl and Tanuki.

"Where's your Water Release?!"

"It can't stop it! My Water Release can't possibly stop it!"

"Get out of the way..."

Boom!

The fire dragon slammed into the rocks. The heat expanded and burst into a cloud of smoke as countless pieces of stone flew everywhere. Lightning-like cracks split the ground, and several flames flickered in the gap.

Danzo's expression darkened. "The intel was wrong. This guy's far beyond Chunin level."

He only had a two-tomoe Sharingan, and he was still an Uchiha...

Danzo had experienced the terror of the Uchiha firsthand ever since he was a child, following his teacher.

As the Second Hokage had said, they could never let their guard down around the Uchiha.

If he got the chance, he would bring the Uchiha to an end! Ambition burned in his steadily declining body, giving rise to a strange sense of purpose.

Danzo felt young again.

He looked at Akashi, then at the battered Night Owl and Tanuki, and couldn't help gritting his teeth and cursing under his breath. "Useless."

The blast sent the two men flying. They landed hard, each in a different spot, and even their Ninja Blades fell to the ground.

By all rights, they were both genuine Chunin.

And they thought they could give him a little warning?

Akashi sneered inwardly and walked over to Night Owl. "We're all newcomers. You went easy on me. I look forward to working with you."

"Thanks," Night Owl rasped.

Akashi reached out to help the man on the ground up. But the Sharingan keenly spotted a small movement from the other man's free hand, and his brow furrowed.

The other man was hiding a Kunai in his left hand.

"Don't you know any better than that?"

As he gripped Night Owl's hand, Akashi suddenly yanked hard. Night Owl, who had been about to get up, didn't expect the sudden force and lost his balance. A flash of white shot straight toward him.

Akashi snatched up the Ninja Blade on the ground and ran it through his arm!

Squelch!

Blood gushed out. The Kunai fell from his trembling hand with a crisp clatter.

Night Owl immediately let out a pained scream. "Aaaah!"

Tanuki, who had retreated to the side, stared in shock.

But he was next. Akashi opened his mouth and spewed fireballs again. Red flames bombarded the area like cannonballs, sweeping around in a circle!

That's right—sweeping!

The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique rained down like a meteor shower, covering such a wide area that there was almost nowhere to hide.

Tanuki fled in disarray, using the terrain for cover.

Danzo calmly watched. His old face turned from green to purple with frustration—not only had he misjudged Akashi, but these two members he had taken in were about as useful as Tsunade trying to do the splits.

They'd even failed at a sneak attack. They had no shame!

If all the Root members were like this, how could he compete for the Hokage Position? Forget becoming Hokage—he might not even be able to keep his position as an elder advisor.

"That's enough!"

At the shout, both sides stopped fighting.

Flames flickered everywhere across the ground, leaving devastation in their wake. Night Owl lay on the ground, moaning softly as he endured the pain, while Tanuki looked utterly disheveled, singed by the fire.

Akashi, on the other hand, stuck to his thrifty principles and had already begun collecting the ninja tools.

"Tanuki, take him back to rest."

The cold voice carried a hint of anger. Anyone could hear the displeasure in it.

The ninja codenamed Tanuki didn't dare say a word. He immediately hoisted Night Owl up and pulled out his Ninja Blade. Blood spurted from the wound, making Night Owl cry out in alarm. "No, don't..."

"Sorry."

Tanuki realized he had made a mistake and put the blade back in.

Night Owl stared at the hole in his arm, his eyes almost bulging out of his mask. "You... missed..."

With that, he passed out.

The two deep wounds were side by side, and blood poured from them, splattering the ground.

Akashi's Sharingan faded. "Does this count as a workplace injury? Looks like I'll need two new teammates."

Danzo: "..."

He had planned to give Akashi a sharp warning and keep the Uchiha from getting too arrogant.

But the plan had gone completely awry.

Not only had two members been injured, but he hadn't accomplished his goal and had become a laughingstock.

Danzo felt stifled.

But he couldn't lose face. He had to maintain his image.

"Well done," Danzo praised him insincerely. "That's how Root's ninja should be: decisive and ruthless. You've got the hang of it."

With a few words, he managed to save face, once again acting as if everything was under his control.

He glanced upward. "Next, I'm going to put some confidentiality measures in place."

Akashi shuddered.

He suddenly realized what those so-called confidentiality measures meant.

At that moment, Danzo raised his arm.

Two masked figures rushed over, including the Aburame Clan ninja from earlier. They surrounded Akashi from either side and stepped forward to restrain his hands.

Faced with such numbers, Akashi couldn't fight back.

"Lord Danzo, there's no need for this, is there?"

"Root is buried beneath Konoha's branches. We must be cautious. Every ninja who joins must be absolutely loyal, even if that loyalty has to be forced."

Danzo leisurely approached him and slapped a Cursed Seal onto his chest.

Black markings instantly spread across Akashi's body, locking him in place and leaving him unable to move. Taking advantage of the moment, Danzo applied another Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.

"If you reveal any of my secrets, the Cursed Seal will immediately punish you. So you'd better not say anything you shouldn't, and simply follow my orders."

Danzo spoke with confidence. "Controlling you is as easy as can be."

As he finished speaking, the black markings gradually faded.

The two Root ninja leaped away, and Akashi regained the ability to move. He suppressed the anger burning in his heart with reason. "Looks like I don't have a choice."

"At least you know what's good for you."

Danzo gave a quiet snort and turned to leave with his subordinates. Their figures soon disappeared from sight.