Kill Muzan

Danzo believed Muzan should understand Root's position within Konoha. In some respects, its authority even surpassed that of the Hokage. They were Konoha's darkest side, reaching places ordinary people could never touch.

He extended a hand toward Muzan, intending to invite him into Root.

As Konoha's master of brainwashing, Danzo's loyal subordinates were all won over by that silver tongue of his.

Fortunately, Muzan knew Danzo was a selfish and self-serving man. His claim that he would give Root to Muzan was probably true, but the power would still remain under Danzo's control at that time.

I'm a transmigrator, for crying out loud! How could I possibly live under someone else's thumb forever?!

Pah!

It would be perfect to raise the banner and declare, "Cleanse the ruler's side!"

"I still refuse. Even if I can never stand in the sunlight, I am completely different from you people in Root."

Muzan's words left Danzo standing there in a daze.

Dreams were alluring, but reality was cruel. He had thought Muzan would join him, yet the other party had actually refused.

"Why refuse? You should know that in Konoha, I am the only one who can help you!"

"I can make you one of Konoha's higher-ups and grant you control over part of its power. Orochimaru and Sakumo cannot help you achieve that!"

Having been rejected, Danzo was rather angered. Yet after saying those words, he quickly calmed down. He merely stared at Muzan, though killing intent had already risen in his heart.

Since he could not be used by me, he could only be killed, lest Konoha raise a fierce tiger. Once that tiger left its cage, it would deal Konoha a devastating blow.

The atmosphere grew exceedingly delicate, and both of them could sense the other's killing intent.

But Danzo did not attack directly. This was the Forest of Death, yet Anbu were not scarce in the surrounding area. It was wartime, and the village's defenses had been raised to another level.

"Since that is the case, you had better be prepared to bear the price of failure."

"You should know that this world never lacks geniuses!"

After saying that, Danzo left the Forest of Death.

Muzan remained where he was, his brows tightly furrowed and his expression grave.

Danzo's words were tantamount to a final ultimatum. Muzan did not know what methods he intended to use.

It was a challenge for Muzan, and he needed to make preparations in advance.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly caught a faint, mixed scent. He could sense someone nearby following him, and a cold smile curled across his lips. He had not expected Danzo to act so quickly.

Yet after observing the area for a full circle, Muzan still failed to find any trace of the other party.

As expected of Root. The weakest person sent this time was at least as strong as Sky Fox.

Muzan did not return home immediately. His affairs should not drag Kakashi into this. He hoped Danzo would not be foolish enough to threaten his family, or Muzan would teach him what cruelty truly meant!

Raising his head slightly, he could still see a sliver of the setting sun in the distance.

"It will be night soon. I hope you can give me a few surprises."

Night was the domain of Man-Eating Demons. He could use his power without restraint then.

Root was also waiting for nightfall. There would be fewer people in the Forest of Death then, and they had prepared something in advance.

When the final glimmer of twilight vanished with the sunset, the black night that represented death shrouded the sky above them.

"They came well prepared."

Muzan saw a barrier appear overhead. The other side had directly used sealing techniques to isolate the area, then created a scene with genjutsu.

Danzo had used assassination tactics more than once to eliminate people who threatened his authority. But this time, he had misjudged his target. If Muzan killed them all, Danzo would definitely receive quite the surprise.

He just hoped Danzo did not have any ailments of old age. Otherwise, Muzan worried that what he did would send Danzo to Konoha Hospital, only for Danzo to need Muzan to treat him afterward.

"Come out, everyone. I have been waiting for you for a long time." Muzan's voice rang out as he gripped one side of his clothing and fiercely flung it open, revealing a neat ninja outfit beneath.

He heard rustling sounds from all around, but could not see the enemy. Had they been frightened into not daring to show themselves?

"Something's wrong!"

Muzan sensed chakra spreading through the surroundings. There was no way the enemy had enough people to form a sea of bodies, yet he then noticed specks of fluorescent light.

The enemy had arrived!

"The Aburame Clan?"

Aburame Torune? No! He was still a child at this time and did not possess the ability to assassinate him.

"Still, these bugs are truly troublesome."

He had once seen Aburame Koji's insects gather into an ocean of bugs. Any ordinary ninja unable to hold them back would be devoured completely. No wonder they had dispatched members of the Aburame Clan to target him.

They could simply declare him missing; they would not even need to dispose of the body.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique!"

Muzan intended to use flames to drive away the insects, but in reality, they were not afraid of the flames at all. Instead, they could devour chakra, causing the fire to gradually weaken.

"As expected of insects raised by the Aburame Clan. As a clan of secret insects, any family that had been passed down since the Warring States Era possessed its own formidable strengths."

The other side placed enormous pressure on Muzan, but he believed he could kill them!

Muzan's hand seals grew faster and faster, to the point that afterimages could be seen between his fingers, until he formed the final seal.

"The flames were extinguished by them because they were not strong enough!"

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

It was one of the more destructive B-rank ninjutsu. Especially when fueled by Muzan's chakra, it erupted with even greater power. At that moment, even the area concealed by the barrier was dyed crimson.

The intense heat distorted the surrounding air and space. The forest ahead was reduced to ashes under the blazing flames!

Though the chakra insects could withstand the flames, they had their limits. Clearly, Muzan's strength had exceeded those limits, and the dense sea of bugs was torn open by him!

The three people behind the insects saw this, and their pupils contracted!

"This intensity of flame... are you kidding me? Is this really something a teenager can achieve?!"

"No wonder he is valued by Lord Danzo. That Fire Release technique alone already surpasses many Uchiha clansmen. We must kill him, or he will definitely become a disaster for Konoha!"

"That's right! For Konoha's sake, we must kill him without fail!"

Without the insects concealing them, the three emerged from the forest behind them. The one in front was the expert controlling the insects, a member of the Aburame Clan.

Of the three, Muzan had only figured out the strength of one so far.

"This is somewhat troublesome."

Their coordination was likely more than ordinary elite jonin could withstand. Using such a team to kill Muzan without fail, Danzo truly was a sly old bastard with meticulous planning.