Inside the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen was using the Telescope Technique to observe the scene where Root ambushed Kairen.
When he saw that Kairen hadn't used his Smoke Release kekkei genkai at all since the battle began, he gave Danzo a slightly impressed look.
"I didn't expect you to predict that boy's kekkei genkai would malfunction today, and even get intelligence about when it would happen. Your information network really spreads far and wide!"
"…"
Danzo's mind was full of question marks. Predict? His ass.
Moku Kairen had publicly insulted him atop the Hokage Rock and even defeated three of his Jōnin.
Yesterday, acting on impulse, consumed by hatred, he had ordered Root to organize an ambush and had one of his clan's successors lead the charge to chop Kairen into pieces.
Now that he had calmed down, he could only sigh at his own foolishness.
To launch an ambush against Moku Kairen at such a wrong time and place—such a crude tactic—would surely make his old rival look down on him.
Now that Kairen hadn't shown any signs of his Smoke Release kekkei genkai, Danzo secretly sighed in relief, then smiled mysteriously at his three old comrades, as if revealing the depth of his schemes.
"Watch. Without that kekkei genkai that makes him immune to physical attacks, that brat won't last long."
Mitokado Homura said regretfully, "What a pity. Kairen inherited the Second Hokage-sama's talent for jutsu. If only he were loyal to the village…"
When the Second Hokage was mentioned, the atmosphere grew heavy.
They, the unfilial disciples, had reduced the great Senju Clan to a single survivor—Tsunade. And now, just when another rare descendant had appeared, they were about to kill him too.
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head in guilt and let out a long sigh.
"I'm not worthy of being Tobirama-sensei's disciple!"
Danzo sneered.
"Spare me the theatrics. What's done is done. Sensei wanted to merge all ninja clans into Konoha—how could that ever be possible?!"
"We all have our own clans behind us. How could we live like those commoners? If Sensei was unkind, we can't be blamed for being disloyal!"
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane exchanged doubtful glances. They could sense that the two of them were hiding something shameful.
But then they shook their heads. Even if Sarutobi and Danzo had done something unforgivable, it wasn't their place to interfere.
The four of them quietly watched the scene within the crystal ball, silently waiting for Kairen's death.
...
In another corner of the Forest of Death, Orochimaru observed the battle through the vision of a white snake, a puzzled look in his eyes.
Why couldn't Moku Kairen use his kekkei genkai?!
"Is this a kekkei sickness? How did Danzo get intel on this? Seems I've underestimated that old man!"
Orochimaru analyzed silently. The stronger a kekkei genkai, the greater the risk of kekkei sickness—an inevitable backlash of nature.
But rather than fear it, Orochimaru grew even more interested. How could one pursue true power without paying a price?
He continued to watch closely, intending to capture Kairen when he was at his weakest.
That was what one would call a snipe and a clam fighting—so the fisherman profits.
...
Under Kairen's control, a torrent of concentrated alcohol surged through the air like a water dragon, then suddenly ignited—turning into a blazing, lifelike fire dragon.
"ROAR—!"
The fiery dragon roared as it charged toward the poisoned ninja.
Am Earth Release ninja appeared instantly, slamming both hands onto the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A wall of solid earth rose from the ground, blocking the fire dragon's advance.
Kairen raised his hand, and the dragon curved upward, then dove down again, engulfing the Earth Release ninja completely.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
The Earth Release ninja hurriedly teleported away in desperation, but the fire dragon followed relentlessly.
Kairen swung his arm, and the dragon accelerated—wrapping around the Earth Release ninja and instantly burning off one of his arms.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
A nearby Suiton ninja spewed out torrents of water, attempting to extinguish the flames on his comrade.
"Foolish!"
Kairen sneered coldly. This was alcohol fire—pouring water on it would only dilute the alcohol. The flames would continue until all the ethanol evaporated.
In other words, alcohol flames couldn't be put out by water. Only by burying them in earth and cutting off oxygen could one smother the fire.
Before everyone's eyes, the Earth Release ninja's body was engulfed in flames. He screamed to the heavens in agony.
"AAAAHHHH—!"
The searing pain consumed him until he was reduced to a pile of charred remains.
The surrounding Root ninjas glanced at the scene, then averted their eyes, showing not a flicker of emotion.
That was Root—emotionless, heartless Root. Root shinobi were nothing but tools to complete missions, even at the cost of their comrades' lives.
Shimura Naoto was an exception among them. He frowned. Fifteen Jōnin besieging one boy—and yet one of their own had already been killed.
But beside him, Nara smirked slightly.
"That brat's starting to gasp. His chakra's dropping."
Shimura Naoto narrowed his gaze.
Kairen's bare chest heaved rapidly. His gray shirt had long been discarded, and several bruises marked his skin.
Fighting fifteen Jōnin had clearly drained his chakra, and he had to stay constantly alert for Root's iron weapons coated in poison.
Chakra was, after all, the manifestation of stamina. Such large-scale exertion was rapidly depleting it.
Fortunately, his body contained Senju Clan cells, and the Nine-Tails' chakra was continuously replenishing him, allowing his chakra to recover swiftly.
He glanced up at the clear sky—it was about 8:00 a.m. He just needed to hold out for another hour.
Once the system upgrade was complete, with a mere thought he could slaughter everyone before him.
Seeing Kairen panting, Shimura Naoto's heart filled with joy.
Moku Kairen wasn't made of steel. He could tire, he could bleed.
And anyone who could be wounded could die.
He waved his hand sharply.
"Everyone, attack! Use your full strength and show this brat what Root truly is!"
In the middle of several Jōnin stood the illusionist Jōnin of the Kurama clan—Root codename: Kurama. He formed hand seals and cast a Genjutsu on Kairen.
A wave of invisible spiritual energy surged into Kairen's mind, and his eyes went blank for an instant.
Without the system's protection, Kairen's brain was highly susceptible to Genjutsu.
But his Ninja Basic Skills were solid. In a flash, he found a way to break Kurama's illusion.
By disrupting his own chakra flow—the most direct method being the Eight Gates.
Kairen's body tensed; both fists clenched. His chest vibrated like a bellows, rumbling loudly.
"AH—!"
He roared, his body flaring with power like a Saiyan's energy burst. The four chakra gates within him opened one after another, unleashing a torrent like a flood smashing through a dam.
"Eight Gates: First Gate of Opening—Open!"
"Second Gate of Rest—Open!"
"Third Gate of Life—Open!"
"Fourth Gate of Pain—Open!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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