Wood Release: Silent Killing Binding Technique! Torune's Clone Instantly Killed

"Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one."

Chiba watched the Root ninja rushing at him, a smile curling across his lips.

His hands rapidly formed seals as chakra surged through his body like a tidal wave.

"Wood Release: Silent Killing Binding Technique."

He called out in a low voice.

Rumble...

The ground began to tremble again as countless thick wooden stakes shot up from beneath the earth.

The stakes moved with incredible speed, like massive green pythons weaving through the forest.

The few Root ninja charging in front had no time to react before they were tightly bound by the wooden stakes.

Crack.

The sound of shattering bones was exceptionally clear in the silent forest.

"Agh!"

Cries of pain rose one after another. The stakes were not only hard, but immensely powerful.

Once caught, there was no breaking free. They could only let the Wood Release drain away their chakra.

Torune Aburame's eyelids twitched wildly as he watched the scene.

"Is this the power of Wood Release?"

He tried to retreat with the Body Flicker Technique, but a wooden stake had already appeared behind him.

Smack.

The stake lashed across his back like a whip, sending his entire body flying.

Torune Aburame spat out a mouthful of blood in midair before crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Captain!"

Several Root ninja wanted to go help him.

But even more wooden stakes burst from the ground and bound them all as well.

In the blink of an eye, of the more than thirty Root ninja, only Torune Aburame remained lying on the ground.

Everyone else had been strangled to death in midair by the wooden stakes, utterly silent.

Chiba walked up to Torune Aburame and looked down at him.

"That's it?"

Chiba shook his head, his face full of disappointment.

"This is Danzō's elite?"

"Looks like Konoha's standards of education have really fallen. No wonder each generation is worse than the last."

Chiba sighed.

Torune Aburame struggled to stand, but several bones in his body had been broken, leaving him unable to exert any strength.

"Senju Chiba, don't get cocky. Lord Danzō won't let you off."

He gritted his teeth, blood still staining the corner of his mouth.

"He won't let me off? I wasn't planning to let him off either."

Chiba sneered.

"Go back and tell Danzō to wash his neck and wait. I'll be returning to Konoha soon."

"When the time comes, I'll personally visit Root's underground chambers and expose every one of his dirty secrets."

Chiba stared at him, his eyes brimming with killing intent.

"You won't be able to enter Konoha. The village barrier will detect you."

Torune Aburame said through gritted teeth.

"A barrier? That thing is no more durable than paper to me."

Chiba dismissed it.

"Alright, you can get lost now."

Chiba controlled the wooden stakes and released Torune Aburame.

Torune Aburame gave Chiba a deep look, clutched his chest, and fled miserably into the depths of the forest.

Tsunade stepped forward, her expression complicated as she looked at the wooden stakes and corpses scattered across the ground.

"Chiba, you really have grown stronger."

She spoke softly, a trace of gratification flashing through her eyes.

"Of course. Otherwise, how could I be your creditor?"

Chiba turned toward Tsunade and smiled.

"Come on, Auntie. The obstacles on the road have been cleared. Next, we return to Konoha."

Chiba placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Return to Konoha... are you really ready?"

Tsunade looked at him, concern in her eyes.

"I'm ready. And we're in luck. Those old fossils in Konoha will soon learn what the wrath of the Senju means."

Chiba smiled confidently.

"Auntie, when you saw me use Wood Release just now, did you think I looked cool?"

Chiba leaned closer and asked.

"Cool, my ass. You're nowhere near as good as Great-Grandfather."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, though the corners of her mouth still rose slightly.

"Great-Grandfather's been dead for who knows how many years. What's the point of always comparing me to him? I'm the head of the Senju now."

Chiba curled his lips.

"You little brat, you aren't even the head yet and you're already this arrogant. Just wait until we get back to the village. We'll see what you do then."

Tsunade smacked him irritably.

"What can I do? Meet soldiers with generals, dam water with earth."

Chiba shrugged.

Besides, I have the system. What am I afraid of?

Chiba silently added in his heart.

"Chiba, what should we do with these bodies?"

Shizune asked softly from the side.

"No need to do anything. Leave them for the beasts in the forest, or let Danzō's people come collect their own corpses."

Chiba did not even glance at the bodies.

"They were Root members anyway. No one will know if they die."

Chiba continued.

"But won't this completely enrage Danzō?"

Shizune was somewhat worried.

"So what if he's enraged? He wanted my life from the start. Am I supposed to be polite to him?"

Chiba sneered.

"Shizune, you're just too kind. When dealing with enemies, you have to be as ruthless as an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves."

Chiba patted Shizune on the head.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Shizune sighed and said no more.

The three continued onward. Moonlight spilled across the forest, lighting the path ahead of them.

Konoha lay ahead.

"Come on, Auntie. Let's go home."

Chiba took Tsunade's hand. This time, she did not pull away.

"Home... I hope that place can still be called home."

Tsunade looked into the night ahead, her voice somewhat heavy.

"Don't worry. With me here, that place will sooner or later become our domain."