Tenzō

When Yukimi charged into the depths of the cave with Kakashi and Yatsuhashi, Sano Yuji was already long gone.

Several messy beds were all that remained at the scene.

"The children... Sano Yuji moved them all."

Gota said dejectedly, "As agreed, we were only responsible for abducting the children and holding them here.

Then members of Root would come to collect them. Sano Yuji had come by to pick them up several times before."

"I know where he went!"

Yukimi suddenly looked up. "I secretly followed him once.

It's a secret laboratory hidden deep in the mountains. I can take you there!"

Since Gota needed to stay behind and reassure the rest of the clan,

Yukimi led the other two to the secret laboratory.

Along the way, Yukimi was like a happy little bird, chirping away as she asked Yatsuhashi questions.

Because Yatsuhashi had been so gentle when helping stabilize her condition, she wasn't afraid of him at all.

"Big Brother Yatsuhashi, you're so amazing now!"

She had completely forgotten the danger they'd just faced. "How did your eyes turn red just now?"

Yatsuhashi looked at the little girl, who had once been nothing but skin and bones but had now regained her color,

and felt his heart soften. He patiently answered her childish questions.

He also told her about the Uchiha Clan's unique Kekkei Genkai.

"Is it like the curse of the Iburi Clan?"

Uchiha Yatsuhashi nodded. "The Iburi Clan's ability to turn into mist is probably an unstable Kekkei Genkai, too."

Yukimi leaped with excitement when she heard this. "Then I'll become a ninja as amazing as you, Big Brother Yatsuhashi, and protect my clan!"

A gentle smile touched Yatsuhashi's lips. "Then you'll have to train hard!"

Meanwhile, a very different scene was unfolding in Danzo's secret laboratory.

Sano Yuji had cast genjutsu on the children,

and they were now sealed inside a scroll, sleeping peacefully.

After handing the scroll to a Root jonin wearing a dark vest,

he complained irritably, "Didn't I tell you to move everything a long time ago? Why haven't you finished yet?"

A masked Root jonin was directing his men as they carried things. He replied coldly,

"How can we move so many delicate instruments and experimental records at the drop of a hat?

I've already reported to Lord Danzo. The Root members sent to reinforce us will arrive soon.

Then we'll just have to kill Kakashi and the others on the spot, and blame everything else on that rogue, Orochimaru."

As the two were talking, a childish yet icy voice came from the laboratory entrance.

"What a bunch of useless fools."

A figure slowly walked in. He was small, but wore a uniform specially made for Root.

The newcomer was Tenzō of the Iburi Clan, Yukimi's younger brother.

Because Uchiha Yatsuhashi had intervened back then, Tenzō had not died from rejection during the Hashirama Cell Transplantation Project.

Instead, he had inherited the First's power perfectly.

But the experience had also drastically changed his personality. He believed he was burdened with a dark destiny,

and saw himself as the savior who would rescue the Iburi Clan.

Sano Yuji was about to retort, but the Root jonin stopped him.

"Sano, this is Tenzō, an elite jonin recently promoted by Lord Danzo.

He inherited the First's Wood Release perfectly."

Sano Yuji looked at Tenzō, who was clearly powerful, and reluctantly fell silent.

Tenzō glanced at Sano Yuji, his eyes full of disdain.

"You're useless. I told you to stall them. Why did you lead them right to the laboratory?"

Even as he reached the laboratory entrance, Tenzō had sensed Yatsuhashi and the others approaching nearby.

"What did you say?!"

Sano Yuji roared in anger and was about to retort, but Tenzō had already raised his hand.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

He slammed his palm against the ground, and several enormous, sharp wooden spikes burst through the earth!

In the blink of an eye, they pierced Sano Yuji's body.

"Ugh..." Sano Yuji looked down at the wooden spikes in his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

But the spikes that had pierced Sano Yuji didn't stop there.

The next moment, they began growing and splitting wildly inside him.

The life drained from Sano Yuji completely.

The Root jonin beside him cried out in shock and anger. "Tenzō! What are you doing?!"

"Hmph."

Tenzō snorted. His eyes beneath the mask were utterly devoid of feeling.

"Lord Danzo's orders were to leave no one alive."

His tone was as casual as if he were crushing an insignificant ant.

"A useless fool like him doesn't deserve to live. We can just pin all the evidence on that rogue, Orochimaru, afterward."

The Root jonin didn't dare say anything more and quickly packed up and sealed the remaining experimental equipment.

These things were essential to the Hashirama Cell Transplantation Project,

and far more important than the life of a traitor.

Just as Tenzō was about to destroy every trace of the laboratory,

Yatsuhashi, Kakashi, and Yukimi arrived.

The Root jonin looked at Kakashi and the others.

He prepared to retreat with the scroll. "Tenzō, stop them!"

Kakashi was about to give chase, but Tenzō had already blocked his way.

Yukimi looked at the masked boy. "Tenzō! Big Brother Yatsuhashi said Lord Hokage would help the Iburi Clan!"

Tenzō's eyes narrowed slightly beneath his mask as his gaze fell on the familiar Uchiha, Yatsuhashi.

He could sense an extremely terrifying power within this Uchiha,

an aura that made even him tremble.

"Looks like you've gained an incredible power, too."

Tenzō sneered. "We don't need anyone else to help us. I'm the savior of the Iburi Clan!"

"You think you have the power to save our clan..."

Tenzō pointed arrogantly at Yatsuhashi. "Then let's see whose power is greater!"

Uchiha Yatsuhashi glanced back at Kakashi and said quietly, "Captain, go after the children and the records. I'll handle things here."

A fighting spirit rose in him, too.

Yatsuhashi wanted to test whether his Mangekyō Sharingan or this Wood Release was stronger.

Besides, if Kakashi stayed, he might discover the secret of Yatsuhashi's Mangekyō, and that would be trouble.

Kakashi gave Yatsuhashi a long look, then chased after the Root jonin.

After all, as a ninja, completing the mission came first.

He silently vowed, Hang in there, Yatsuhashi. Wait for me to come back!

Now only Uchiha Yatsuhashi and the arrogant, unruly boy Tenzō remained in the laboratory.

"Yukimi," Yatsuhashi said softly, "step back."

Yukimi looked at Yatsuhashi with concern, then obediently took cover behind him.

"Big Brother Yatsuhashi, be careful!"

Then she called out to Tenzō, "Tenzō, don't forget how Big Brother Yatsuhashi treated us!"

"Hahahaha! Don't worry, Sis. I'll hold back!"

Tenzō laughed wildly. The ground around him seemed to answer his call,

as countless trees began bursting out of it.

"Come on, Uchiha Yatsuhashi!"

"Show me you're worthy of making me fight seriously!"

In an instant, the entire laboratory was swallowed by the wildly growing trees,

and countless thick branches twisted toward Uchiha Yatsuhashi like giant serpents!