Root Base · Underground chamber
Dim candlelight cast wavering shadows across the walls, and the air reeked of damp mildew and an indefinable sense of oppression.
Danzo sat at the head of the room, the bandaged half of his face hidden in shadow. Only his single eye gleamed with a cold light in the gloom.
"One battalion," he said in a low voice, as though speaking to himself. "Thirty elite Root operatives."
Before him, Aburame Torune knelt on one knee. The candlelight reflected in his dark glasses, leaving his expression unreadable.
Behind him, thirty dark figures stood in silent ranks, like thirty soulless statues.
"That is nearly half the elite force at my disposal." Danzo's gaze settled on Aburame Torune.
"This time, you will lead them."
Aburame Torune bowed his head slightly. "Yes."
Danzo took a scroll from inside his robe and spread it across the table.
It was densely packed with every piece of intelligence they had on Hyuga Tianyi.
Every line was written in code, with countermeasures noted alongside it.
"This is the detailed intelligence on him." Danzo ran a finger over the scroll.
"Our informant on the front lines has already tampered with the Eight-Tails.
Your insects will be able to track him."
Aburame Torune took the scroll, scanned it quickly, and tucked it inside his robe.
Danzo clapped his hands. Four figures emerged soundlessly from the darkness and knelt behind Aburame Torune.
Unlike ordinary Root operatives, they wore long black robes with red sealing runes embroidered on the cuffs. Featureless white masks covered their faces, leaving only two hollow eyes exposed.
"These four can erect a spatial barrier." The corners of Danzo's mouth lifted slightly.
"The Fourfold Sealing Formation specifically counters the Flying Thunder God Technique. Once the barrier is activated, space within a radius of