"Just pretend you didn't see anything and leave. Now. Got it?" The three Root members threatened Naruto, who stood in front of the ANBU.
Naruto glanced at Uzuki Yugao's conspicuous purple hair and put on a righteous expression.
"Can't do that. You're trying to kill a comrade. I have to ask why first—how could I just turn around and leave?"
The male Root member beside them seemed to relent and said in a lowered voice, "That makes sense. We're pursuing a traitor to the village."
Naruto refused to give an inch, blocking them firmly. "Then where's the evidence? What makes you say she's a traitor?"
The last Root member finally lost his temper. He drew a strange-looking longsword from behind his back and said impatiently, "What a pain. Kill him too."
Hana Inuzuka and Izumi Uchiha, hiding behind a rock, hurriedly covered their mouths in fright.
"Wait!" The lead Root member's expression darkened as he stared at Naruto. "This guy is a Jinchuriki!"
The Root member who had just been about to attack immediately froze in place.
Fuck, what rotten luck. Why did we run into something like this?
Rumors of Naruto going berserk and wiping out a batch of Root members had long spread through Root. The Root members killed by Naruto were nearly a fifth of their total. It was fucking bizarre.
Now the higher-ups had issued a strict order: stay far away whenever they saw Naruto. Everyone knew the kid was like a powder keg—one spark, and he exploded.
The lead Root member hurriedly explained, "We're not saying she's definitely a traitor, but the scroll in her hand can prove who the traitor is. Hand over the scroll, and we'll leave immediately."
Uzuki Yugao forced herself to stay conscious and demanded with difficulty, "What are you planning to do after getting the intelligence?"
A Root member sneered and raised the broadsword in his hand. "Is there even a need to ask? Enemies of the village must face divine punishment! We will continue to uphold Konoha's order by the rules of darkness."
Uzuki Yugao was so furious that even her voice changed. "You have no authority to act on your own! This secret letter must be submitted to Lord Hokage! Only Lord Hokage can deliver a fair judgment!"
The female Root member across from her smiled. "A fair judgment? How naïve. There is only death for those who betray the village."
Uzuki Yugao argued loudly, "Those who betray the village may have their own hardships! Lord Hokage's intention is to thoroughly investigate the truth and deal with it fairly!"
Listening to both sides trade barbs, Naruto thought it over and found something increasingly off. The scene before him felt strangely familiar.
Naruto calmed his mind and spoke to the Nine-Tails within him. "Kurama?"
Kurama's voice emerged with the tone of someone enjoying a show. "Now you think to ask?"
Naruto's expression darkened slightly as he asked heavily, "How many people are watching this place?"
Kurama chuckled inside Naruto. "Five. Four in one group, plus your Captain Yamato."
Naruto cursed inwardly. This fucking third exercise really had been tailor-made for him.
No wonder the ANBU could have run anywhere, yet they had specifically crashed into him.
This was simply a replica of the test Hiruzen Sarutobi had once used on Itachi Uchiha and Shisui!
On one side, Root directly eliminated traitors for the sake of the village. On the other, ANBU submitted the intelligence and let Hiruzen Sarutobi handle it with his preachy nonsense about love and reform.
Put bluntly, they wanted to see which side Naruto leaned toward so they could decide how to deal with him in the future.
Once he understood that, Naruto was speechless. Is something wrong with that old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi? I'm only seven years old.
Then he remembered that Itachi Uchiha had apparently been tested at the same age. Naruto no longer needed to panic. As long as he made his stance clear, he did not need to worry about his life at all.
At first, he had been considering whether to reveal his Sharingan and save Uzuki Yugao, playing the hero rescuing the beauty. Now it seemed there was no such thing as a hero rescuing a beauty. Sure enough, grown women were all liars.
Then he thought of it again—if the secret of his Sharingan were exposed, neither Hiruzen Sarutobi nor Danzo would let him off.
Thinking of that, Naruto could not help cursing at Kurama. "Fuck you, Kurama. You nearly got me killed."
Kurama mocked him sarcastically in his mind. "Who told you to use me to pick up girls? As you would put it, don't underestimate a humble thing. I'm the mighty Nine-Tails, yet all I do for you is this cheap crap. Besides, wouldn't it be better if you were exposed? Weren't you planning to subdue the Akatsuki and become a rogue ninja anyway?"
Naruto rolled his eyes furiously. "Subduing the Akatsuki requires equal strength! If I went over there at my current level, I'd just be delivering myself to their table!"
Well, well. He had been worrying that the Nine-Tails would be the hardest to catch, but it had delivered itself right to their doorstep.
But now that he knew this scene had been specially staged by Hiruzen Sarutobi for him, Naruto was completely unruffled.
He suddenly shouted at the three Root members, "Shut up! I live and die with Lord Hokage! If you want to kill her, you'll have to get past me first! Gate of Life, open!"
Naruto roared. His entire body flushed red as green chakra steamed off him, and before the three Root members could react, he charged straight at them.
The three Root members: "???"
"What the fuck!"
Before you continue