Ambush! Encountering Root Members Again

"Damn the Akatsuki!"

He clenched his fists and said coldly, "You had better hope I don't find out that Yugito's unknown fate has anything to do with you!"

Meanwhile, in the Ninja World!

No matter how the Fourth Mizukage tried to cover it up, the news of the Kaguya Clan's rebellion in Kirigakure had already spread throughout the Ninja World.

Naturally, it immediately caused quite a sensation!

The Kaguya Clan (also known as the Taketori Clan) was to Kirigakure what the Uchiha Clan was to Konoha.

The amount of attention the Uchiha Clan's downfall had garnered back then was exactly how much attention the Kaguya Clan's rebellion was attracting now.

"No way, the Kaguya Clan actually rebelled?"

"What is going on here! First the Uchiha, now the Kaguya—is war about to break out again?"

"What are the 'Kage' of the Five Great Ninja Villages thinking? Why are they all sabotaging their own strength?"

No one could understand it!

But when one thought of the recent death of Orochimaru, and then recalled the earlier incident involving the two rogue ninjas of Konoha, the 'Demon' Zabuza's failed assassination of the Mizukage and subsequent defection, as well as the desertion of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, many small nations were suddenly struck by a terrifying sense of impending doom.

Could it be that war was truly descending once again?

This caused the once-peaceful Ninja World to suddenly descend into panic.

Certain regions that were already unstable became even more chaotic.

It truly felt like a storm was brewing.

And this wind of turmoil naturally blew into Amegakure a few days later.

Fruit Development Progress: 61%

"The 'windmill' of the Ninja World is finally being turned by the 'wind' of the situation, stirring up 'waves' in the stagnant pool of public opinion!"

Emerging from the scalding 'Lake Sea' and looking up at the sky—which had finally cleared only to be blanketed by dark clouds once more due to his training—Uchiha Ye couldn't help but sigh: "The 'wheels' of reality are increasingly breaking free from the 'tracks' of the plot, racing forward recklessly!"

This turmoil was originally supposed to be triggered by the 'Konoha Crush Plan,' launched by the now-deceased Orochimaru five years later in Konoha Year 61.

But now!

It had been brought forward to the end of Konoha Year 56!

"That makes sense; the Konoha Crush Plan can no longer happen, so the deviation in the plot is perfectly logical!"

He put on his clothes, tied his hair into a small ponytail at the back of his head, and set off on his journey to the Land of Water.

Without a doubt!

Compared to the route of Land of Rain—Land of Rivers—crossing the sea—Land of Fire—Land of Whirlpools—crossing the sea—several small islands—Land of Water, the route of Land of Rain—Land of Fire—crossing the sea—Land of Water was much faster and more efficient.

Of course, the only drawback was the certain probability of encountering Konoha ninjas in the Land of Fire.

But clearly!

Uchiha Ye and the six members of Deidara's group were not people who could be stopped by a few Konoha ninjas.

Therefore, the six of them chose the faster route without hesitation.

"Passing through the Land of Fire again?"

In the underground space of the Root Division in Konoha, Shimura Danzo's eyes flickered: "Since that is the case, let me test your strength a little, Uchiha Ye!"

"It will also make it easier for me to have enough intelligence gathered for when I eliminate you in the future!"

Uchiha Ye possessed such mysterious abilities, yet had experienced the despair and trauma of the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night; he would inevitably harbor resentment toward Konoha.

To prevent him from taking revenge on Konoha in the future and causing irreparable loss and damage, he decided it was his duty to eliminate this threat in advance!

As for why the Masked Man had revealed this information to him, he knew it clearly!

It was nothing more than an attempt to use his hand to probe the bottom line of Uchiha Ye.

But it didn't matter!

He had reached an agreement with the Masked Man: whoever eliminated Uchiha Ye would have to provide the other with certain benefits.

He wasn't worried that the Masked Man would dare to keep it all for himself!

He was actually hoping that the Masked Man would be the one to strike first and eliminate Uchiha Ye.

This way, he could still sit back and reap the benefits.

After leaving the Land of Rain and arriving in the Land of Fire, the oppressive, damp, and cold atmosphere that had followed them the entire way gradually dissipated.

To avoid unnecessary attention during this trip, Uchiha Ye and the other five split into three groups of two, each taking a different route to eventually rendezvous at Hengbing Port in the Land of Water.

However!

While walking toward a certain forest, Uchiha Ye, who had been chatting idly with Sasori of the Red Sand, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What is it?" Sasori of the Red Sand asked upon seeing this.

Of course, he immediately understood the situation. Judging by the way Uchiha Ye was staring straight into the forest ahead, there was no doubt that an enemy lay in wait.

"A few little mice have arrived! And they're coming straight for me!" Uchiha Ye sneered. "Brother Sasori, just take a rest for a moment."

As he spoke, he addressed the forest ahead: "Come out, everyone! Aren't you worried about being bitten by the venomous insects in there?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than eight figures rushed out, surrounding Uchiha Ye in a circle. With their peculiar painted masks and Konoha Anbu attire, their identities were unmistakable.

Root!

"How is it this group again?" Sasori of the Red Sand, standing to the side, couldn't help but complain. "Are they obsessed with you?"

Of course, complaining was one thing, but Sasori of the Red Sand quickly realized the crux of the problem. Their movements had been leaked. Otherwise, how could members of Konoha's Root have ambushed them here with such precision? This made him very unhappy, as it meant there was a traitor in the organization.

"Attack!"

The Root members didn't waste any time with chatter and launched their assault immediately. All eight were at the level of Jonin, and judging by their demeanor, they were clearly well-prepared.

Have they mastered some trump card capable of inflicting real damage on me?

In all honesty, it wasn't that he looked down on these people; as long as he maintained his elemental state, they couldn't do anything to him. He believed that since they were sent here, it was impossible for them to be ignorant of his abilities. If they could still calmly surround him, they must have something to rely on.

"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"

Two of the masked members, one tall and one short, simultaneously spat out surging waves of water, forcing Uchiha Ye to either retreat or counter rather than simply relying on elemental immunity.

As expected, they know how to restrain me! Uchiha Ye realized instantly.

With his Observation Haki activated, he immediately sensed the two figures attacking from behind, their bodies radiating a strange fluctuation.

Sealing jutsu... Having studied the Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals, Uchiha Ye naturally understood the source of that eerie fluctuation. Are they planning to use this method to cut off my elemental ability? Or perhaps to seal my powers entirely so they can inflict physical damage on me?

He suspected they might be attempting both.

Therefore!

He immediately deduced the general objective of this group.

Do they want to use this opportunity to probe for detailed intelligence on me, so that certain people can target me in the future?

With that thought in mind, he immediately shouted to Sasori of the Red Sand, who was not far away, "Brother Sasori, please step aside!"

Upon hearing this, Sasori of the Red Sand naturally understood Uchiha Ye's intentions at once.

After all, having partnered with Uchiha Ye for so long, there was still a certain level of tacit understanding between them.