Danzo's Advance

The night was black as ink. In the backyard of Songfeng Pavilion, at the edge of Yunosato, the lights in the private courtyard had already gone out. Everything was quiet, yet the air was thick with tension.

Like a shadow blending into the night, Uchiha Shaoyu silently vaulted over the courtyard wall and landed without a sound.

Uchiha Lianhuo, who had been keeping watch from the shadows, immediately stepped forward and said in a low voice.

"Shaoyu-sama, you're back."

"Mm."

Shaoyu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard.

Uchiha Tiehuo, Qianying, Ling, Mei, and the others had all gathered outside the main hall. Everyone had changed back into dark clothing suited for movement, their ninja tool pouches full and their expressions solemn.

Even the youngest, Shisui, had been awakened. He was fully dressed and carrying a small backpack. Sleep still lingered on his face, but he struggled to keep his eyes alert as he stayed close to Uchiha Ling.

"Are you packed?" Shaoyu asked.

Uchiha Lianhuo, who had overseen the preparations, immediately answered.

"Yes, Shaoyu-sama. All luggage has been packed, supplies have been distributed, the inn bill has been settled, and no obvious traces were left behind. We can depart at any time."

Uchiha Mihuo also stepped forward and said in a grave voice.

"Lord Shaoyu, we've checked the surroundings again. There's no unusual activity for now, but those people we encountered while purchasing supplies may draw attention. We truly shouldn't remain here for long."

He did not ask about what Uchiha Shaoyu had just gone to do. As a qualified subordinate, he did not need to know everything his boss was doing.

"Good."

Uchiha Shaoyu did not waste words and gave his orders directly.

"Move out. Follow the planned route, leave the Land of Hot Water overnight, and enter the Land of Lightning."

"Lianhuo, Mihuo, continue guarding the front and rear. Tiehuo, Qianying, watch the flanks and erase our tracks. Ling, look after Shisui. Everyone, maintain maximum vigilance and pick up the pace."

"Yes!" everyone answered in low unison, without the slightest delay.

Thirteen figures, like well-trained panthers, silently leaped out of the inn courtyard one after another and swiftly vanished into the deeper darkness and forests beyond the town.

They moved faster than they had on the way here, their destination clear.

Less than half an hour after Uchiha Shaoyu and his group left Yunosato.

On another hidden mountain path leading toward the Land of Hot Water, nine figures were racing forward at astonishing speed.

They were all dressed in uniform, unmarked dark-gray bodysuits and wore animal masks. Their auras were cold and murderous, and they moved in seamless, silent coordination.

The leader wore a mask as well. His body was slightly hunched, yet he was no slower than the others. In fact, he faintly set the pace for the entire team. It was none other than Shimura Danzō!

The eight behind him were the only eight jōnin Root had left, personally brought out by him for this operation!

To ensure he could catch and capture Uchiha Shaoyu, who might possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, along with those eleven precious Sharingan, Danzo had staked the sharpest assets at his disposal.

Root was not yet the Root it would become later. It did not have so many bloodline-limit ninja drawn from the major clans, and his future right-hand men, Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune, were not yet under his command.

Danzo was currently in the awkward position of having too few people to use. Although Root possessed great authority, its pool of talent was far inferior to the Anbu.

In his eyes, ordinary Root members and even chūnin would only be walking to their deaths or slowing everyone down against Uchiha rogue ninja of that level.

According to Danzo's own intelligence network, Uchiha Shaoyu possessed a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Aside from Uchiha Shaoyu, there were two jōnin with Three-Tomoe Sharingan, while the rest were chūnin with Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

He alone was enough to handle three jōnin. As for the other chūnin, wouldn't his subordinates be able to crush them with ease?

It was true that Uchiha Clan ninja were nearly invincible against opponents of the same rank. One chūnin could fight two, or even three, chūnin. But the gap between a jōnin and a chūnin was not something the Sharingan could bridge.

Danzo had every confidence in the difference between their strengths. He had invested no small amount of resources into these Root ninja.

Now, he would catch up to those Uchiha as quickly as possible.

"Pick up the pace!"

Danzo's voice came through his mask, carrying barely restrained impatience and coldness.

"According to Root intelligence from the border checkpoint in the Land of Hot Water, a group of travelers displaying traits consistent with ninja entered the country yesterday evening, heading toward Yunosato! We cannot let them cross the Land of Hot Water!"

"Yes!"

The eight Root jōnin answered in unison, their speed rising once more.

Like tireless machines, they used their chakra efficiently for travel and concealment.

Danzo's lone eye glinted with terrifying cold light behind his mask, his heart filled with determination to succeed.

Uchiha Shaoyu... that damned brat!

Not only did he take those precious Sharingan, he also slapped me in the face and got Hiruzen to cut my funding, destroying my prestige!

If that brat isn't eliminated, I, Danzo, will never know peace! And those Sharingan... I must have them!

And those Uchiha who fled with him—their eyes will all become precious resources for Root's growth and the realization of my great ideal!

As long as I kill these Uchiha, I can tell the village that the battle was too fierce and their Sharingan were destroyed. Even if the Uchiha Clan figures something out, they won't be able to do anything to me.

And once I have over a dozen pairs of Sharingan, I'll be able to use Izanagi more times. Perhaps even Hiruzen won't be my match then. As long as I kill Hiruzen too, I'll become Hokage...

Hehehehe...

You innately evil Uchiha brats... this time, let's see where you can run! Danzo thought viciously, the frequency of his steps quickening.

He could practically see himself personally capturing Uchiha Shaoyu, gouging out that pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan, wiping out the other defectors in one sweep, and using their eyes to arm Root. Then, with this achievement and power, he would turn back and make that indecisive Sarutobi Hiruzen pay!

No, I shouldn't arm Root after all. I should arm myself first. My own strength is what matters most. As for Root, I can have Hiruzen sign the order and recruit bloodline-limit ninja for us.

The nine ghostlike figures tore through the air in the deep night, charging straight toward Yunosato.

They were almost on the same timeline as Uchiha Shaoyu's group, who had only just departed.

But they were slightly faster than Uchiha Shaoyu's group. After all, they were all jōnin, while Shaoyu's team had many chūnin dragging down their speed.

Moreover, Uchiha Shaoyu's group needed rest, while Danzo and these Root ninja were ruthless men who could go days and nights without sleep, eating nothing but Soldier Pills.