Uchiha's Warning

Late at night, when all was still, the Root Organization base was like a dormant beast. Ling used the cover of darkness to approach the barrier node without a sound.

[Barrier analysis complete]

[Weak point: unstable energy supply in the southeast corner]

[Recommendation: use Lightning Release to disrupt it]

Ling gathered Lightning Release chakra at his fingertip and precisely touched it to the barrier node. The barrier rippled slightly, opening a gap just large enough for one person to pass through.

The inside of the base was cold and damp, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant. Ling activated his Sharingan, seeing through the darkness as clearly as in daylight.

Footsteps came from the end of the corridor. Two Root members were on patrol. Ling held his breath and pressed himself into the shadow of the wall.

"I heard Lord Danzo was furious today."

"No kidding. The mission failed, and their identities were exposed..."

After the two had gone far away, Ling continued deeper in. Following the map provided by the system, he soon found Danzo's office.

The office was empty, but Ling could sense lingering chakra. Danzo had only just left.

He found a document on the desk, recording various plans targeting the Uchiha. The most striking entry was one concerning "Kotoamatsukami."

[Forbidden ocular jutsu information detected]

[Kotoamatsukami: the strongest genjutsu, able to manipulate another person's will without being noticed]

[Warning: this jutsu is extremely dangerous]

Ling's heart chilled. Danzo really was scheming to seize the power of the Sharingan.

Just then, the system alarm suddenly rang out:

[Trap activation detected]

[Type: sealing barrier]

[Effect: spatial lockdown]

Sealing runes suddenly lit up on all four walls of the office, trapping Ling inside. Danzo's figure stepped out from the shadows, smugness in his single eye.

"I finally waited you out, Uchiha Ling."

Several Root members appeared at the same time, surrounding the office completely.

"Did you think I would be utterly unprepared?" Danzo sneered. "From the moment you entered the base, you were under my surveillance."

Ling looked at him calmly. "You want the power of the Sharingan that badly?"

"The Sharingan is the Hidden Leaf Village's power," Danzo said righteously. "It should serve the village, not be monopolized by individuals."

"What a high-sounding excuse." Ling swept his gaze over the barrier around them. "So you use methods like this?"

Danzo raised his bandage-wrapped arm. "For the sake of the Hidden Leaf Village, any method is justified."

The bandages loosened, revealing an arm embedded with Sharingan. A full ten Three-Tomoe Sharingan gave off an eerie glow in the darkness.

"Do you see? This is the Uchiha's true value." Danzo's single eye was filled with fanaticism. "Your power should serve a greater purpose."

Ling felt a wave of disgust. For the sake of power, this man had completely lost himself.

"You have no right to speak of the Hidden Leaf Village." Ling's Sharingan began to spin. "The glory of the Uchiha will not be defiled."

Lightning Release chakra erupted around him, and the Two-Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly. With the system's assistance, he found the barrier's weak point.

"Lightning Release: Chidori Sharp Spear!"

A spear of lightning stabbed straight into the barrier node, and the sealing runes began to crack. Danzo's expression changed, and he immediately gave the order:

"Seize him!"

The Root members surged forward. But Ling was even faster, his Lightning Flash Body letting him weave through the crowd like a ghost.

"Too slow."

The Two-Tomoe Sharingan precisely caught every enemy's flaw. Each time his kunai swung, a Root member fell.

Seeing this, Danzo finally made his move in person. He formed seals rapidly and used a jutsu that made one's hair stand on end:

"Izanagi!"

Ling's pupils contracted sharply. This forbidden jutsu could turn damage unfavorable to oneself into a dream, at the cost of permanently losing one Sharingan.

Under Izanagi's protection, Danzo completely gave up on defense and attacked madly. All of Ling's attacks were like striking a phantom.

"It's useless!" Danzo laughed wildly. "Before Izanagi, any attack is futile!"

But Ling noticed that every time Izanagi activated, one Sharingan on Danzo's arm permanently closed. This jutsu's duration was limited.

[Izanagi analysis complete]

[Remaining duration: 47 seconds]

[Recommendation: stall for time]

Ling changed tactics and began fighting while moving. Lightning Flash Body let him maneuver nimbly within the cramped space, and all of Danzo's attacks missed.

"Is running all you can do?" Danzo roared.

"45... 44... 43..." Ling counted silently in his heart.

The instant the countdown reached zero, another Sharingan on Danzo's arm permanently closed. Izanagi's effect vanished.

"Now!"

Ling unleashed his full power, Lightning Release and Fire Release intertwining on his blade:

"Lightning-Fire Dual Release: Flame Lightning Burst!"

The enormous explosion sent Danzo flying, slamming him hard into the wall. When he struggled to get up, Ling's kunai was already pressed against his throat.

"This is the final warning." Ling's voice was icy. "If you dare set your sights on the Uchiha again, it won't be this simple next time."

Danzo's single eye was full of venomous hatred, but in the end, he did not dare make another move.

Ling put away his kunai and turned to leave. Before stepping out of the office, he looked back one last time:

"Remember this. The dignity of the Uchiha will not be trampled."

When he left the Root Organization base, the system prompt sounded:

[Hidden mission completed: intimidate Danzo]

[Reward: Izanagi analysis data]

[Warning: this jutsu comes at a tremendous cost. Use with caution]

Ling looked up at the night sky and let out a long breath. This confrontation had come to an end for now, but he knew Danzo would not let it go at that.

The road ahead was still long.

(End of Chapter Forty-Two)