The Battle for the Nine-Tails (1)

The next day.

Uchiha Izuna and his group rose early, leaving behind letters for Hyuga Hiashi, Neji Hyuga, and Hinata Hyuga.

Uchiha Izuna had penned the contents himself. While each letter differed in wording, the core message remained the same: this departure was merely temporary, and once they had achieved greatness, there would be no further need for secrecy.

Sarutobi Compound.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was strolling through his home, teasing his birds in a leisurely mood, when an Anbu ninja suddenly appeared and knelt before him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clicked his tongue, his good mood shattered. He glanced at the Anbu, then summoned a servant to take the birdcage.

The servant accepted the cage and retreated slowly. Once he was gone, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the ninja. "Follow me. This is not the place to talk."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and led the Anbu ninja toward a secluded corner.

"Kakashi, what could possibly be so urgent that you've come to find me at the crack of dawn? Has something happened to Naruto?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

Hatake Kakashi, son of Hatake Sakumo, the genius of Konoha and a leader of the younger generation, had been assigned by him alongside Yamato to guard Naruto.

With his strength and Yamato's Wood Release to suppress the Tailed Beast, they could ensure that Naruto would be subdued the moment he went berserk!

"Lord Hokage, no. It is just that early this morning, Lord Shimura Danzō led Root ninjas toward the home of Naruto Uzumaki."

"I ordered Yamato to use Wood Release to block them and called upon my subordinate Uchiha Itachi to assist. Time is of the essence; I ask that you depart immediately, or Lord Shimura Danzō will kidnap the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails!"

Hatake Kakashi spoke calmly, his eyes devoid of emotion. At this stage, he was still immersed in the warped philosophy that his father was a failure—a ninja who could not complete his mission.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not notice Kakashi's strangeness, but his words sent shockwaves through his heart.

"Shimura Danzō, how dare he! As an advisor to the Hokage, he is openly attempting to seize the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Does he wish to rebel?" Veins bulged on Sarutobi Hiruzen's neck.

He knew of Shimura Danzō's ambition and even admired it, but he would never allow anyone to challenge his authority, not even his closest friend, because he alone was the Hokage.

"Kakashi, take this token and summon the Anbu forces. You must arrive before Shimura Danzō succeeds!"

"I am leaving at once!" As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not forget to don his Third Hokage robes and Hokage Hat.

He roared, "Asuma Sarutobi, come out! Stop sleeping! Something has happened!"

Asuma Sarutobi slowly emerged from his room. "I say, old man, why all the racket so early in the morning? Oh? Kakashi, you're here too!"

Kakashi gave a slight nod, bowed to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and vanished.

Seeing Kakashi's efficiency compared to his own disappointing son, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a surge of frustration. "Hurry and follow me to Naruto's house."

"Your Uncle Danzō has lost his way and intends to control the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails for his own ends!"

At these words, Asuma Sarutobi instantly sobered. "Father, I will go ahead." With that, Asuma Sarutobi's figure flickered and vanished, clearly realizing the gravity of the situation.

The Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails was the village's secret weapon and could not be lost. Moreover, that child was the only bloodline left of the Fourth Hokage; he could not sit idly by.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. That was more like it! That was the son of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen charged toward Naruto's home, his eyes burning with determination.

Near Naruto's home.

Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane, squinting at Yamato. "What is this, Yamato? You intend to stop me? To stop your old superior?"

"Lord Shimura Danzō, my apologies. A ninja's mission is to obey, to follow the orders of their direct superior!"

"Senior Kakashi is my superior. He ordered me to block you here, and I must execute that order!" Yamato said earnestly. As he spoke, he channeled his chakra and formed hand seals: Snake-Rat-Dog-Tiger!

"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!" No sooner had he spoken than a massive wall of wood encased every path leading to Naruto's home.

"If you refuse a toast, you shall be forced to drink a forfeit!" Shimura Danzō snorted coldly and raised his hand.

Root ninjas surrounded the Wood Locking Wall and began forming seals. Shimura Danzō dropped his hand.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!" "Water Release: Water Shockwave!"

"Lightning Release: Earth Flash!" "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"...

A chaotic barrage of ninjutsu erupted. Though they lacked a coordinated strategy, their goal was singular: to kill the traitor Yamato!

The traitor who dared to defy Lord Shimura Danzō and disobey his orders!

In an instant.

Behind the Wood Locking Wall, Yamato felt a sweetness in his throat as blood sprayed out, but he did not yield, bracing himself against the wood.

"Ha! Come and get me!" Yamato increased his chakra output, causing the damaged wall to grow and regenerate frantically.

Shimura Danzō watched this with a dark expression. It was all Hiruzen's fault, using high-sounding excuses to take away the only test subject for Wood Release.

Although Yamato's strength was inferior to that of Hashirama Senju, he was the only successful product of Wood Release in over a decade.

If he could only get his hands on Yamato's flesh and blood, he was confident he could replicate more Wood Release ninjas, perhaps even pushing the technique further to reach the level of the First Hokage.

Alas, all of this was ruined by Hiruzen's shortsightedness and womanly benevolence! He had ruthlessly extinguished the chance for Konoha to return to its peak.

Shimura Danzō felt his rage burning. He commanded, "All of you, move aside! A bunch of trash, unable to even break through a defective Wood Release!"

The Root ninjas immediately cleared a path. Shimura Danzō stepped forward, looking at the wall with contempt.

He formed seals with his right hand: Rat-Snake-Horse-Dog. "Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"

Shimura Danzō leaned back, inhaled, extracted his chakra, and spat out a projectile of compressed wind, firing it toward the Wood Locking Wall!

The high-density, concentrated Wind Release: Vacuum Cannon tore through the air, hurtling straight toward the Wood Dome!

BOOM!

The Wood Dome was blasted with a gaping hole, and the attack, its momentum unchecked, surged forward to strike Yamato.

Yamato's pupils constricted as the immense force sent his body flying, embedding him deep into the wall of his own Wood Dome until he lost consciousness.

Shimura Danzō offered a disdainful smirk. Though I may be old, I am far from weak!

Shimura Danzō commanded, "In one fell swoop, shatter the Wood Dome!"

"Yes!" x10086

The Root operatives swiftly executed the order, and with the loss of Yamato's chakra support, the Wood Dome became incredibly fragile.

In the span of just two breaths, the Wood Dome was pulverized, reduced to nothing but dust.