Shimura Danzō hid behind a tree and stared up at the enormous Wooden Statue, his gaze blank.
He had set out early and was the first to reach this battlefield, arriving at a remarkably opportune moment.
Almost the very second after he arrived, the enemy launched an attack.
Hiss... had something gone wrong with my plan?
As Shimura Danzō dodged the Wooden Thorns beneath his feet, his mind began racing.
Wood Release on this scale couldn't possibly be the work of my Root subordinates. So this was... Black Zetsu?
Black Zetsu had attacked again, and his target was-the Rinnegan!
Right, Xihuo had shared that intelligence. Black Zetsu had two targets: the tailed beasts and the Rinnegan!
His face instantly went pale.
So Black Zetsu had exploited my plan to capture Longjian Senju?
Tch, someone had turned my own scheme against me!
Fury simmered in Shimura Danzō's heart as he watched Dan Katō lead several people in retreat, an unbroken Sea of Trees pursuing them.
He formed hand seals and unleashed successive bursts of Wind Release. Sharp gusts sliced through the rain and tree trunks, slowing the Wood Release assault and covering their retreat.
The Rinnegan must not fall into Black Zetsu's hands!
"Abort the plan! New objective-cover Longjian's retreat!"
Standing on a jutting boulder, he issued orders to his Root ninja.
Shimura Danzō raised his head and locked eyes with [Black Zetsu], who sat in the center of the Wooden Statue's chest. His gaze was razor-sharp, and he looked ready to stake his life on delaying Black Zetsu's pursuit of Longjian.
He flicked his hand, sending a kunai fitted with an explosive tag flying in an instant.
[Black Zetsu] watched the kunai with interest. He rather admired Danzō's courage in stepping forward and thought he could give him a chance