The embers of battle had yet to fully fade from the hastily cleared woodland clearing. The Anbu under Kakashi's direct command were efficiently processing the scene, examining bodies and gathering evidence. The ninja in the One-Eyed Mask, "Snake Fang," remained unconscious after being grievously wounded by the Lightning Blade, but he had already been secured with powerful seals.
Ling sat beneath a tree, leaning against its trunk. Shizune's medical chakra flowed like gentle water, repairing his damaged chakra pathways. His face was still pale, but his eyes had regained their sharpness. Yamato and Neji stood guard beside him, their vigilance undiminished.
Kakashi crouched beside Snake Fang, faint sparks of lightning dancing around his fingertips as he carefully examined the black Cursed Seal on the ninja's body, which belonged to no known school. "Cold and corrosive... its energy shares the same origin as the Netherworld Marsh, but its structure is more sophisticated. It looks like a version developed specifically for combat." He rose, his voice carrying an icy certainty. "These aren't remnants of Root left inside Konoha. After Danzo died, Lady Tsunade personally led a thorough purge. Root was uprooted from the village. Every known member is either dead or imprisoned, and the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal stopped functioning long ago."
He turned a stern gaze on Ling and the others. "These are Root remnants from outside the village-diehard loyalists Danzo stationed at secret external bases. They slipped back into the Land of Fire and ambushed us with precision... which means they not only retain considerable fighting strength, but also have intelligence channels we know nothing about."
Ling slowly steadied his breathing before speaking. "They knew we were returning from the Netherworld Marsh with important intelligence. The ambush site was carefully chosen, too. Their objectives were clear-seize the intelligence, and... eliminate