A valley outside the Root base.
Numerous Uchiha jonin gathered here.
"From this moment on, no passage is permitted within a five-kilometer radius of the Root base."
Uchiha Yao turned his head, his icy gaze sweeping over several elite jonin in the ranks.
"You twenty will form the first line of defense and seal off the perimeter."
"Any spies attempting to approach, whether ANBU or flies from other clans, knock them all out and detain them."
"I do not want our operation disturbed by irrelevant spectators."
"Yes!"
Twenty figures instantly became afterimages, vanishing into the shadows on either side of the valley.
Uchiha Yao turned his gaze back toward the underground entrance, where Konoha's deepest darkness lay dormant.
"The rest of you, come with me."
"Root definitely has more than one entrance and exit."
"If any fish slip through the net and escape from Root—"
"Dispose of them on the spot."
"Yes!"
Several dozen more figures scattered in all directions, monitoring the entire area where Root was located.
A purge of Root had begun.
A force of elite Uchiha jonin began entering the outskirts of the Root base, slaughtering Root's ninja.
Root was a labyrinthine complex, and the Uchiha were unfamiliar with the terrain below. The best approach was to force Root's ninja out.
First clear the perimeter, then use fire. The massive clouds of smoke would drive every rat inside out.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shot to his feet, his face filled with disbelief.
"What did you say?"
"Fighting... A large-scale battle has broken out near the Root base?"
The ANBU kneeling on one knee reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Yes, Third Hokage."
"According to the sensory unit's report, the Chakra signatures in that area are enormous. At least... more than a hundred jonin are present."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body