The rapidly spinning vortex generated immense destructive force, pulling the Root ninjas in the water little by little until they sank to the bottom. At this moment, they clearly understood that once they were dragged into the water by a powerful Water Release ninja, they would completely lose any chance to resist and would be at his mercy.
" Earth Release - Earthquake Core".
In the water, the Earth Release Jonin from the Root Earth Release Jonin Hand Seals. As a price, most of his Chakra was instantly extracted. However, the effect of the Ninjutsu was also very significant. The ground began to rise irregularly. The sudden change in terrain caused the stable rotating vortex to collapse uncontrollably, and the huge pulling force was interrupted for a moment.
Taking advantage of the brief period of safety, the two stronger Root ninjas dragged the Earth Release Jonin and forcibly swam out of the huge water vortex. As for the remaining three Earth Release ninjas, they could only pray for their own fate.
" Lightning Release: Earth Flow ".
" Wind Release: Wind Blows Through the Blaze."
The crackling lightning followed the water flow straight to Naoki Senju's location, while sharp Naoki Senju Wind Blade blocked his escape and jumping space. If combined with Earth Release and a sneak attack by assassin ninjas, Danzo's plan might have a tiny chance of succeeding.
Unfortunately, the assassin ninja's throat had been crushed, and his body had been torn apart by the aftershocks of the battle. The Earth Release Jonin's Chakra was also nearly depleted, and he was at his last gasp.
"The leader's plan is going to fail. It seems we have no choice but to prepare for the worst."
After assessing the situation, Sai in the air stopped observing the battlefield and instead controlled the ink-wash eagle to fly to the ground, where Neji and Rock Lee had been knocked unconscious.
But before he even landed, Sai heard a powerful shout:
" Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"
How could it be so fast...? That was the only thought that flashed through Sai's mind.
Even though Sai controlled the Ink Eagle to dodge immediately, the attacker's speed far exceeded Sai's. The Ink Eagle was kicked and shattered, turning into ink that spilled all over the ground. Even Sai, who was on the eagle's back, was instantly kicked away.
His chest caved slightly from the kick, Sai coughed up a mouthful of sweet blood. Preliminary assessment indicated that at least three of Sai's ribs were broken.
However, after kicking the enemy away, Might Guy did not rush to pursue, but instead went to check on his disciple's injuries.
Fortunately, aside from the two Kunai wounds, Rock Lee had no other obvious injuries. Neji in slightly worse shape, but not seriously.
After settling his two disciples, Might Guy began searching for the enemy who had been kicked away, eventually finding Sai behind a boulder.
"Cough cough... cough."
At this moment Sai's right hand was trembling as he painted a traditional Chinese ink painting of a hawk. He coughed up blood from time to time. The moment he was kicked, Sai felt as if his internal organs and soul were about to be kicked out of his body. Death had never been so close to him.
Might Guy released the Eight Gates Released Formation, and the turbulent Chakra throughout his body calmed down. His hair, which had been standing on end due to the air currents around him, fell back down, returning to his usual watermelon rind hairstyle.
Kicking aside the half-finished painting by Sai, Might Guy said seriously:
"I will report the Root's attack on the Konoha Ninja to the Lord Hokage truthfully. Therefore, by providing the information you possess, the Lord Hokage will consider leniency."
Sai chose to answer with silence. Root ninjas are driven by missions, erasing all superfluous emotions, including the instinct for survival. Moreover, due to the Cursed Seal of the Tongue, Root ninjas cannot reveal any information about Konoha or Root.
"Still unwilling to talk? Then go to the Interrogation Department of the Anbu and confess."
Might Guy was neither skilled in interrogation nor interested in it, and besides, he had a temporary disciple waiting for his rescue.
" Teacher Guy, it's not that they're unwilling to talk, it's just that the Root ninjas have all been cursed with Cursed Seal of the Tongue, so they can't speak."
" Naoki! How could you...?"
Might Guy stared in shock at Senju Naoki, who was completely unharmed except for slightly curly hair and Naoki Senju wet clothes, with two other 'corpses' dragging behind him, who also appeared to be Root members.
"Just a few Root ninjas. This isn't the first time we've had an assassination attempt like this. Teacher Guy, you'll have to get used to it."
Naoki Senju casually replied that the Lightning Release ninja had completely abandoned defense and evasion, charging forward with a ball of lightning, successfully creating a result through this suicidal attack, electrifying him thoroughly, even curling his hair, and then the Lightning Release ninja was killed.
Might Guy nodded, somewhat bewildered. "Used to being assassinated? What kind of person would be used to being assassinated? And Naoki, what exactly did you do to Root repeatedly trying to assassinate you?"
"How is Tenten doing?"
"Ah? Oh... Tenten is fine, she just fainted temporarily. She'll be alright once she wakes up."
The amount of information was too much, Might Guy's single brain was overloaded, unable to process everything.
Although many questions remained, Might Guy did not ask them directly, as the complex situation was already giving him a headache.
Naoki Senju is the younger brother of Sannin, one of the Legendary Tsunade, and a member of the Senju Clan. Although the Third Hokage granted Genin, he also assigned him the task of monitoring Naoki. However, Danzo of Konoha High Command, actually sent Root to assassinate Naoki...
Even the hot-blooded (and somewhat cerebellar) Might Guy sensed a conspiracy and decided it was best to consult Kakashi first. After all, Kakashi was his lifelong rival and best friend, and this kind of question would surely be no challenge for Kakashi.
It wasn't until sunset that Rock Lee, who was in the best physical condition, rubbed his head and struggled to wake up. The first thing he did upon regaining consciousness was to stand up and be on guard against any potential enemies around him, but he only saw Might Guy and Naoki.
" Guy-sensei, what about those unidentified enemies?"
Might Guy pointed to the side, where Sai and two other Root ninjas were in a deep coma due to their severe injuries and lack of treatment. The Root ninjas who were responsible for restraining Might Guy had several bones broken by kicks and were rendered incapacitated before being quietly killed by the ruthless Naoki Senju.
Might Guy chose to remain silent. Although Root was a subordinate department of Anbu, it had little to do with the Hokage and only obeyed the Root leader, Shimura Danzō. As a member of the Hokage's faction, Might Guy certainly wouldn't meddle in other people's business or protect the Root ninjas.
What's more, these Root ninjas also injured his disciples.
Rock Lee was deeply shocked. Such a powerful enemy was easily defeated by Teacher Guy. But the next second, Rock Lee remembered what Teacher Guy had said before he fainted: the power of youth.
" Guy-sensei, please impart the power of youth to me!"
" Rock Lee, are you sure you're ready?"
"Of course, I want to defeat a genius like Neji, but even more so, I want to protect Neji in dire situations!"
"Cough cough cough--"
Rock Lee's loud declaration of love made Neji, who was standing to the side pretending to Neji, unable to keep up any longer, and he woke up coughing loudly.
"Great, Neji, you're finally awake."
"Yeah, if he doesn't wake up soon, it'll be hard to explain. I don't need your protection." Neji pushed away Rock Lee who was leaning towards him with a look of disgust.
" Neji, you are my eternal rival and best friend. Don't you want to be protected by your best friend of youth?"
"I'm not your best friend, and you can't possibly protect me!" Neji felt like dying at that moment. That damned Naoki Senju was still smirking! He should never have accepted the challenge from that thick-browed guy...