Crisis, Danzō's Assassination Order, Root Assassination Squad Attacks

The Root base was as cold and gloomy as ever.

Shimura Danzō listened to his subordinate's detailed report on Uchiha Yao, his expression extremely grim.

"Saburo Yano... actually fell to a twelve-year-old brat?"

"According to intelligence, Uchiha Yao demonstrated exquisite control over Fire Release and Lightning Release Ninjutsu during the battle. He also independently suppressed Saburo Yano's poison outbreak. His team members coordinated seamlessly, and all of them possess Chūnin-level strength," a Root ninja reported in a low voice.

Danzō's expression darkened further upon hearing this.

"His growth is too fast... far beyond this old man's expectations."

"Composite ninjutsu... flawless completion of an A-rank mission..."

"This Uchiha Yao is no longer merely 'worthy of attention.' He is an uncontrollable variable!"

"His wings have yet to fully grown, yet he is already this troublesome. If allowed to continue growing, he will surely become a grave threat in the future!"

Killing intent burst forth in Danzō's eyes!

"We can wait no longer," Danzō said slowly. "Deliver my order. Send out Root's elite assassination squad and make certain Uchiha Yao is eliminated in secret!"

"Remember, make it clean and decisive. Leave behind no evidence pointing to Root or to this old man!"

"Yes, Lord Danzō!" Several Root ninjas accepted the order and departed.

As the sun set, it dyed the sky a magnificent orange-red.

Uchiha Yao and his team had just completed another B-rank mission, successfully wiping out a bandit group that had been preying on merchant caravans.

The consecutive high-intensity missions had left all of them somewhat exhausted.

"At last, we can head back and get some proper rest," Uchiha Kai said with a smile, stretching lazily.

"When we return this time, we'll disband and rest for a week," Uchiha Yao said with a smile as he looked at the weary group.

"Wonderful! Long live the captain! This time, I'm going to sleep in for days," Uchiha Rin cried out joyfully.

Just then!

Warning! Warning! A fatal threat to the host has been detected!!!

Hostile target: Shimura Danzō's Root elite assassination squad (three Jōnin, one of whom is an elite Jōnin)!

Threat level: Extremely dangerous!!!

The system's alarm exploded through his mind like a clap of thunder!

Uchiha Yao's pupils instantly contracted to pinpoints!

"Enemy attack!!!" Uchiha Yao roared out the warning!

Before his words had even faded!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!

Dozens of kunai and shuriken glinting with lethal cold light shot in like a torrential downpour from every direction!

"Spread out! Form up!" Uchiha Yao shouted sharply.

Though Rin, Tetsu, and Kai were shocked by the sudden attack, their long-standing coordinated training allowed them to react immediately!

The three quickly scattered, standing back-to-back in a simple defensive formation!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp sound of weapons colliding rang out without end!

Uchiha Yao's gaze was icy as his Two-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, taking in the trajectories of every incoming projectile!

The kunai in his hand danced continuously, knocking aside each lethal hidden weapon!

"They're from Root!" Uchiha Yao's heart sank!

The situation was extremely dire. If things went badly, they might all die here today—himself and his three teammates alike.

"They actually sent an assassination squad right away... Danzō, you really think highly of me!" Yao's eyes were filled with icy killing intent!

The instant the first wave of hidden weapons was barely blocked, the surrounding scenery suddenly underwent a strange transformation!

The once-clear forest began to twist and blur!

Countless illusory figures emerged from every direction, charging toward them!

"Genjutsu!" Uchiha Tetsu muttered, immediately attempting to break it.

But this genjutsu was of a very high level. Uchiha Tetsu failed to dispel it and suffered a backlash, immediately coughing up blood!

"Watch your footing!" Uchiha Rin suddenly cried out!

The ground beneath their feet had somehow turned as muddy as a swamp, restricting their movements!

Immediately afterward, several figures darted out from among those illusory shadows, clearly targeting Rin, Tetsu, and Kai!

Their purpose was obvious: eliminate Uchiha Yao's teammates first.

"Bastards!" Uchiha Yao roared!

How could he tolerate his teammates being harmed before his eyes?!

"Lightning Fire Rasengan!"

A crimson-blue Chakra sphere instantly condensed in Uchiha Yao's palm and blasted fiercely into the warped genjutsu space!

"Fire Release: Majestic Flame Song Technique!"

Boom!!!

Violent Chakra erupted!

The powerful impact forcibly tore a massive opening through that intricate composite genjutsu!

The real scene reappeared!

All three Root ninjas were Jōnin!

And the leader, the ninja wearing a wolf-face mask, radiated Chakra fluctuations that clearly marked him as an elite Jōnin!

His strength far surpassed that of an ordinary Jōnin!

"Hmph, your reaction isn't bad. You actually managed to break my Crimson Mist Illusion Array," the wolf-masked Root elite Jōnin snorted coldly.

"You three retreat immediately. I'll stay behind and cover you!" Uchiha Yao immediately ordered.

Clearly, with the strength of his three teammates, even the slightest mistake in this situation would mean being killed instantly.

He simply could not look after so much by himself.

Only by getting them to retreat first would he have a chance—whether to fight or to escape.

"Captain, we'll stay with you!"

The three spoke in unison.

"Follow orders! Retreat! They're all Jōnin. You're too weak—if you stay, you'll only distract me!"

"But, Captain—" Uchiha Rin tried to say more, only to be immediately cut off by Uchiha Yao's shout.

"Leave quickly. Only once you're safe will I have a chance to get away."

"If you stay, we'll only all die here together."

Hearing this, the three teammates stopped arguing and immediately leaped toward the forest.

"This ends here! Uchiha Yao!"

The wolf-masked elite ninja rapidly formed hand seals with both hands!

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

The ground beneath Uchiha Yao instantly transformed into a vast quicksand swamp. Its powerful suction sought to swallow him whole!

At the same time, the other two Root Jōnin attacked from the left and right, toward Uchiha

Uchiha Yao was instantly plunged into a deadly encirclement!

Facing the combined assault of three Jōnin, one of them an elite Jōnin, Uchiha Yao felt unprecedented pressure!

"So this is Root's elite... they truly live up to their reputation!"

But Uchiha Yao felt not the slightest fear!

"You want to kill me, Uchiha Yao? You... aren't qualified!"

Uchiha Yao's killing intent surged! The two tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly.

"Today, you're the ones who'll die. Come on, Root scum!"