The next day
Uchiha Izuna and the others got up early and left letters for Hyuga Hiashi, Neji Hyuga, and Hinata Hyuga.
Uchiha Izuna had written each letter himself. Their contents differed, but they all shared the same central message: this parting would only be temporary. Once they had made names for themselves, there would be no need to keep hiding.
Sarutobi Compound
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still strolling around his home, teasing his birds and enjoying himself, when an Anbu Ninja suddenly appeared and knelt before him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen clicked his tongue. His good mood had been completely ruined. He glanced at the Anbu, then called a servant over and handed him the birdcage.
The servant took the cage and slowly withdrew. Once he had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the Anbu. "Come with me. This isn't the place to talk."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and led the Anbu Ninja to a secluded corner.
"Kakashi, what could be so urgent that you came to see me first thing in the morning? Has something happened to Naruto?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.
Hatake Kakashi, Hatake Sakumo's son, was Konoha's Copy Ninja and one of the leading figures of the younger generation. He and Yamato had been assigned to watch over Naruto.
With Kakashi's strength and Yamato's Wood Release, which could suppress a Tailed Beast, they could ensure Naruto would be subdued as soon as he lost control!
"Lord Hokage, no. But Lord Danzo set out for Naruto Uzumaki's house with Root Ninja first thing this morning."
"I had Yamato use Wood Release to hold them back, and called my subordinate Uchiha Itachi to help. Time is short. Please leave at once, Lord Hokage, or Lord Danzo will kidnap the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Hatake Kakashi spoke calmly, his eyes devoid of emotion. Even now, he was still trapped in the twisted belief that his father had been a good-for-nothing, a worthless ninja who couldn't complete a mission.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't noticed anything unusual about Kakashi. But his words had sent shockwaves through him.
"Shimura Danzo! How dare he! He's only the Hokage's aide, yet he's openly trying to seize the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Is he trying to start a rebellion?" The veins on Sarutobi Hiruzen's neck bulged.
He knew. He knew Shimura Danzo was ambitious, and he admired that about him. But he would never allow anyone to challenge his authority—not even his closest friend. Because I'm the Hokage.
"Kakashi, take this token and gather the Anbu Ninja forces for me. Make sure you reach Naruto before Shimura Danzo does!"
"I'm leaving right now!" As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen made sure to put on his Third's ceremonial robe and Hokage Hat.
He shouted, "Asuma Sarutobi, get out here! Stop sleeping! We've got trouble!"
Asuma Sarutobi slowly came out of his room. "Old man, what are you yelling about so early in the morning? Huh? Kakashi, you're here too!"
Kakashi gave a slight nod, bowed to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and vanished in a flash.
Seeing how briskly Kakashi had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to his own good-for-nothing son, irritation rising. "Hurry up and come with me to Naruto's house!"
"Your Uncle Danzo has lost his way and wants to control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki for his own use!"
At that, Asuma Sarutobi instantly sobered up. "Dad, I'll go on ahead." With that, Asuma Sarutobi vanished in a flash, clearly understanding the gravity of the situation.
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was the village's secret weapon and could not be lost. Besides, that child was the only surviving blood relative of the Fourth Hokage. He couldn't just stand by.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Now that was more like it! That was more like a son of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rushed toward Naruto's house, determination in his eyes.
Near Naruto's house
Shimura Danzo leaned on his cane and narrowed his eyes at Yamato. "What is it, Yamato? You're going to stop me? Stop your old superior?"
"Lord Danzo, I'm sorry. A ninja's duty is to obey—to follow the orders of his direct superior!"
"Senior Kakashi is my superior. He ordered me to stop you here, so I have to carry out his orders!" Yamato said seriously. He focused his chakra and formed Hand Seals: Snake–Rat–Dog–Tiger!
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!" As soon as the words left his mouth, a massive wooden wall blocked every path into Naruto's home.
"You refused the wine and chose the punishment!" Shimura Danzo sneered and raised a hand.
Root Ninja gathered around the wooden wall and began forming Hand Seals. Shimura Danzo lowered his hand.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball!" "Water Release: Water Shockwave!"
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow." "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough"...
All kinds of ninjutsu flew in chaotic succession. Though they had no plan prepared in advance, they all shared one goal: kill Yamato, the traitor!
The traitor who dared betray Lord Danzo and disobey his orders!
In an instant
Behind the Wood Locking Wall, Yamato felt sweetness in his throat and spat out blood. But he didn't give up. He braced the wall with both hands!
"Ha! Come at me!" Yamato poured in more chakra, making the damaged Wood Locking Wall rapidly and furiously regrow.
Shimura Danzo's face darkened at the sight. It was all Hiruzen's fault. He'd used all those high-minded excuses to take away the only successful Wood Release experiment.
Yamato was no match for the First, Hashirama Senju, but he was the only successful Wood Release subject in over a decade.
If Danzo could get his hands on Yamato's flesh and blood, he was confident he could create more Wood Release Ninja. He might even be able to advance Wood Release further, to the level of the First.
But all of it had been ruined by Hiruzen's shortsightedness and soft-heartedness! He'd ruthlessly snuffed out Konoha's chance to return to its former glory.
Shimura Danzo was consumed with rage. "All of you, move aside! You're a bunch of useless fools who can't even break through a defective Wood Release!"
The Root Ninja immediately cleared a path. Shimura Danzo stepped forward and looked at the Wood Locking Wall with contempt.
He formed Hand Seals with one hand: Rat–Snake–Horse–Dog. "Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere!" (Sexy Sun Bro)
Shimura Danzo leaned back, inhaled, gathered chakra, and spat a hundred-year-old wad of phlegm from his mouth—no, a cannonball of wind—straight at the Wood Locking Wall!
The highly compressed, dense white Wind Release vacuum cannon tore through space and shot toward the Wood Locking Wall!
Boom!
The Wood Locking Wall was punched through. The attack kept going, heading straight for Yamato.
Yamato's pupils contracted. The force sent him flying, embedding him in the wooden wall he had created. He lost consciousness.
Shimura Danzo gave a scornful smile. "I may be old, but I'm not useless!"
Shimura Danzo barked, "Keep up the momentum and smash the Wood Locking Wall!"
"Yes!" x10086
The Root Ninja swiftly carried out his orders. Without Yamato's chakra to sustain it, the Wood Locking Wall became extremely fragile.
In just two breaths, it shattered into powder.
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