While Danzo and Minato were busy helping Kushina master the Nine-Tails' power, a commotion broke out outside the Root.
Several masked ANBU members, citing concerns that the Hokage and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki might be in danger, attempted to force their way into the Root.
Masked figures, including Yamashiro Aoba, Yamanaka Fu, and Rado Namiashi, stood at the entrance of the Root, blocking the ANBU ninja who were trying to enter.
"Lord Danzo has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the Root without permission!" declared the leader of the ANBU, his tone turning grim.
He pulled out a document from his pocket and said coldly, "I am the ANBU Commander, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and I demand to inspect the Root, a subordinate branch of the ANBU!"
After Minato took office, out of respect for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had not immediately removed Shinnosuke from his position as ANBU Commander. Thus, the Root was technically still a part of the ANBU, serving as a training division for new ANBU members.
According to regulations, Sarutobi Shinnosuke did have the authority to inspect his subordinate facilities.
But what was the Root? It was the stronghold of Danzo, the "Darkness of the Shinobi" and the Hokage's advisor. The members of the Root were fiercely loyal, and none of them took Shinnosuke's warning seriously.
It was always the Root that conducted forced inspections of others. The idea of being inspected themselves was absurd!
Thus, Yamashiro Aoba had no intention of backing down. He simply repeated, "Lord Danzo has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the Root without permission!"
Shinnosuke grew anxious. "I am here under the orders of the Hokage and the two advisors! Are you planning to defy your superiors?"
As the ANBU Commander, Shinnosuke's anger unleashed a terrifying killing intent. However, the Root ninja remained unmoved. Yamashiro Aoba even asked curiously, "Where is the Hokage's written order?"
As far as he knew, the Hokage was currently inside the Root. How could he have issued orders to the ANBU?
Shinnosuke's expression stiffened. Before he could respond, an elderly voice rang out.
"It was I who gave the order!"
The ANBU ninja surrounding the Root entrance parted, and the former Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, appeared with the two advisors.
He stared at the Root, sensing the malevolent chakra of the Nine-Tails emanating from within. This made Hiruzen's expression grave.
There was nothing wrong with wanting to control the Nine-Tails' power. But Danzo's haste could lead to disaster!
With Minato also inside, any mishap could deal a devastating blow to the entire village of Konoha!
This was why Hiruzen was so tense.
Seeing Hiruzen appear, Rado Namiashi and the others exchanged glances. But Yamashiro Aoba, the leader, stood firm. "Lord Third, Lord Danzo has ordered that no one is allowed to enter, no matter who they are."
Hiruzen's face darkened at Aoba's defiance. "Do you know what Danzo is doing? One misstep, and the entire village could be doomed!"
Hiruzen's stern words were meant to persuade the Root ninja to step aside. Unfortunately, Yamashiro Aoba remained unmoved, simply repeating, "Lord Danzo has ordered that no one is allowed to enter without permission."
Feeling the growing intensity of the Nine-Tails' chakra inside, Hiruzen knew he couldn't delay any longer. "If that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
Without hesitation, Hiruzen activated the Body Flicker Technique, preparing to force his way into the Root. Following his lead, the ANBU ninja, including Shinnosuke, also sprang into action.
Hiruzen's Body Flicker was incredibly fast. Before Yamashiro Aoba and the others could react, he was already at the entrance of the Root.
This was the power of a Hokage. Even as a former Hokage, Hiruzen's speed was far beyond what ordinary Root ninja could handle.
Fortunately, the Root had more than just ordinary ninja. There was also a certain spandex-clad youth.
"You dare defy Lord Danzo's orders? Feel the burning power of youth!!"
With a loud, hoarse shout, Might Guy appeared, launching a flying kick to block Hiruzen.
"Root Whirlwind!"
Might Guy's kick came down mercilessly, forcing Hiruzen to dodge with a quick sidestep. Instead of retaliating, Hiruzen said, "Guy, Danzo is doing something extremely dangerous. I must stop him!"
But the current Might Guy was not the same as before. Facing the former Hokage, he said firmly, "I believe in Lord Danzo. No matter how dangerous the situation, as long as Lord Danzo is here, everything will be fine!"
Seeing the once lively and obedient Might Guy so devoted to Danzo, Hiruzen couldn't help but lament the Root's powerful brainwashing techniques.
"Then I'm sorry."
Hiruzen had no time to waste on correcting Might Guy's mindset. He quickly formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Hiding in the Swamp Technique!"
A large area of yellow swamp appeared, trapping Might Guy and several other Root members.
Without hesitation, Hiruzen used the Body Flicker again, bypassing the trapped ninja and charging toward the Root's entrance.
But Might Guy wasn't about to give up so easily.
"No one can stop Lord Danzo! Feel the power of youth!"
"Eight Gates Released Formation, Sixth Gate, open!"
In an instant, Might Guy's skin turned red, and steam erupted from his body. His eyes glowed with a fierce red light!
"Ahhhhh!"
With a roar, the energy bursting from Might Guy's body blasted away the surrounding swamp. He then leaped forward, chasing after Hiruzen at incredible speed.
Fortunately, the ANBU ninja were no pushovers. Shinnosuke immediately stepped in front of Might Guy, wielding a long staff to block his attack.
The result was Shinnosuke being sent flying over ten meters, his hands numb from the impact.
"What kind of monster is this?" Shinnosuke muttered in disbelief, staring at the steam-covered Might Guy.
There was no record of such a person in the ANBU files!
But at least he had managed to delay Might Guy, allowing his father to reach the Root's interior.
Once inside, Hiruzen should be able to stop Danzo, right?
Shinnosuke thought.
But he was wrong.
Because inside the Root, waiting for Hiruzen, were the five terrifying members of the Earth Branch.
Ryoma, Shisui, Kakashi, Pakura, and Kakuzu.
All five wore specially crafted animal masks, their gazes locked firmly on the former Hokage.
"Lord Danzo has ordered that no one is allowed to enter," warned Aburame Ryoma, standing in the center.
If Hiruzen didn't stop, they wouldn't hesitate to attack, even if he was the former Hokage.
Under Ryoma's warning, Hiruzen finally came to a halt.
He could feel immense pressure from the five individuals before him. Each of them posed a significant threat!
For a veteran Kage-level shinobi like himself to feel this way, it was clear that these five were among the elite of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
At the very least, they were top-tier jōnin, possibly even Kage-level.
Hiruzen recognized three of them: Aburame Ryoma, Uchiha Shisui, and Hatake Kakashi.
These three were part of Danzo's known forces.
But the other two were equally formidable, making the situation even more complicated.
In a one-on-one fight, Hiruzen feared no one. But facing five opponents of this caliber, even he had to tread carefully.
Danzo, where did you find so many talented individuals?
Hiruzen was puzzled.
But the most pressing issue was stopping Danzo!
"I am the Third Hokage of Konoha. I order you to step aside!" Hiruzen declared coldly, his voice filled with authority and presence, as if he were still the Hokage.
Unfortunately, in Aburame Ryoma's eyes, only Danzo's orders were absolute.
Thus, under his command, a swarm of kikaichū beetles began to spread from his body.
Following his lead, Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, preparing both Susanoo and Amaterasu.
Kakashi, too, was ready to unleash his Chidori.
Pakura had already positioned herself behind Hiruzen the moment he entered, ready to surprise the former Hokage with her Scorch Release.
As for Kakuzu, the former bounty hunter, he was eager for a fight.
Ever since his defeat by Hashirama Senju decades ago, he had been itching to challenge another Hokage.
He refused to believe that every Hokage was as monstrous as Hashirama!
As the two sides faced off, the tension in the air grew palpable.
Fortunately, a voice broke the silence, calming the situation.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, what brings you to my Root?"
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