Root once held immense power within Konohagakure.
After all, it was an old organization that could be traced back to the early years of Hiruzen Sarutobi's tenure as Hokage.
However, after Danzō was killed by Uzumaki Naruto, Root was officially disbanded by Tsunade.
In a sense, Naruto had indirectly helped Tsunade.
As long as Root existed, Tsunade would face resistance whenever she tried to implement new policies in Konoha.
Moreover, Danzō had been Tsunade's senior.
She couldn't beat him, couldn't scold him, and couldn't openly deal with him.
But now, everything was different.
Danzō was dead, and Root was gone.
At least, on the surface.
Former members of Root still remained.
Having been deeply brainwashed by Danzō, they firmly believed that Root was the true foundation that kept Konoha functioning.
A tree could only absorb nutrients effectively by rooting itself deep in the soil.
Relying on sunlight alone would only lead to malnutrition.
With that twisted belief, the remnants of Root gathered of their own accord.
They attempted to rebuild Root from the shadows.
But Tsunade was no fool.
She would never allow another organization capable of influencing the Hokage's authority to emerge within Konoha.
Naturally, the Root remnants harbored deep resentment.
Taking advantage of Tsunade's departure—along with many of Konoha's top combat forces—they made their move.
They seized control of the Hokage Building and plundered large amounts of confidential information.
The surprise attack also allowed them to take over the barrier control room.
Inside, panicked voices rang out.
"Who are you?! Don't you know this is a restricted area?!"
The man who entered wore a black cloak and ignored the barrier ninja entirely.
He calmly instructed the two people beside him, "Fū, Sai—guard the entrance."
After Fū Yamanaka and Sai left, the man lifted his hood, revealing a face already showing signs of age.
Yet his presence was extremely faint.
Even after years of serving in Root—and once acting as Danzō's personal guard—almost no one recognized him.
In truth, being a guard in Root was equivalent to being groomed as a successor.
At the Five Kage Summit, the guards of each Kage were essentially the next generation of leaders.
And yet, almost no one remembered him.
This was likely related to his bloodline ability.
Aburame Ryūma stared at the barrier ninja before him and said coldly,
"Konoha has been invaded. Activate the defensive barrier immediately."
Konoha's barriers were divided into two types.
One was a sensory barrier, which was always active to detect intruders.
The other was the defensive barrier, which would only be activated during a full-scale invasion—and required direct authorization from the Hokage.
The barrier ninja exchanged glances.
"Senior," one of them said hesitantly, "without the Hokage's command, we can't activate it."
Aburame Ryūma calmly delivered the excuse he had prepared.
"Hokage-sama has already departed for a conference in the Land of Snow."
"The remnants of Kumogakure have incited the rogue ninja Orochimaru and Sunagakure. There's no time to wait for orders."
Faced with this explanation, the barrier ninja had no choice.
The defensive barrier was activated.
A massive chakra barrier enveloped Konoha.
Aburame Ryūma glanced at the sky and exhaled softly.
Only by sealing Konoha could it truly be controlled.
Even if the Hokage returned, entering the village would be difficult.
But suddenly—
Footsteps echoed behind him.
These were not Fū Yamanaka's or Sai's.
Aburame Ryūma spun around sharply.
A spiky-haired Uchiha youth walked toward him.
It was Sasuke.
Aburame Ryūma frowned. "Brat, how did you get in?"
He recognized Sasuke.
An orphan of the Uchiha Clan with decent talent.
Later, Uzumaki Naruto had personally recommended him to Jiraiya.
After receiving Jiraiya's guidance, Sasuke's strength had grown enormously.
Had he already dealt with Fū and Sai?
But there had been no sounds of battle.
At this moment, Sasuke himself was confused.
He had been sleeping at home when he heard voices in the courtyard.
When he stepped outside, he saw a man standing with his back to him.
That familiar silhouette dragged him back to the nightmare of that night.
Sasuke's expression twisted with fury.
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun violently as he roared,
"Uchiha Itachi! I trained all this time just to kill you!"
Uchiha Itachi?
What the hell?!
Aburame Ryūma was completely baffled.
Before he could react, Sasuke launched a barrage of ninjutsu.
Even with his calm temperament, Aburame Ryūma nearly cursed out loud.
Is this kid insane?!
Forced to respond, Aburame Ryūma engaged Sasuke in combat.
Their kunai clashed several times.
Sasuke sneered coldly.
"Uchiha Itachi, it looks like your eyes are already going blind. Overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan will destroy an Uchiha."
"Without it, you're only fit to play with sewer insects."
Aburame Ryūma: "…"
How do you know I have a Sharingan?
And what the hell is a Mangekyō?
Aburame Ryūma had inherited part of Danzō's legacy—including transplanted Sharingan.
Strength mattered more than anything.
As long as he could prove that Konoha couldn't function without Root, rebuilding it would be worth any price.
He lifted his eyepatch.
A three-tomoe Sharingan stared back at Sasuke.
At the same time—
On the rooftop outside.
Two figures stood silently.
Fū Yamanaka and Sai lay unconscious nearby.
They weren't dead—just knocked out.
Uchiha Itachi spoke calmly to the middle-aged Sasuke.
"Your genjutsu control is impressive."
Sasuke's heart stirred slightly, but he asked,
"The Aburame Clan's insects are troublesome. If Sasuke gets contaminated—"
Itachi interrupted calmly.
"Don't worry. After all, he—"
Before he could finish—
Two figures burst out of the building.
Sasuke was enveloped in a crimson Nine-Tails chakra cloak, the scorching energy burning his skin.
Any insect that dared approach was instantly incinerated.
Aburame Ryūma fled desperately, screaming for help.
But when he rushed into the forest, his heart sank.
Every Root member stationed nearby was dead.
Damn it!
Forced to face Sasuke alone, Aburame Ryūma's expression collapsed.
His insects were completely suppressed by the Nine-Tails chakra.
Though he had the Sharingan and solid taijutsu, it wasn't enough.
Sasuke seized an opening, pinned him down, and tore him apart.
Under normal circumstances, Sasuke would never have killed "Itachi" so easily.
But the Nine-Tails' chakra had already clouded his mind.
After Aburame Ryūma's death—
A massive red chakra blade extended from behind Sasuke.
It pierced straight through his chest, forcibly extracting the fragment of the Nine-Tails.
Sasuke collapsed, unconscious.
"It seems we underestimated his strength," the middle-aged Sasuke said quietly.
"This Root leader was supposed to be training prey. We didn't expect an Aburame."
"And Sasuke just happened to have the Nine-Tails."
Itachi looked at the restrained fragment of the Nine-Tails and said,
"Sasuke is not suited to be a Jinchūriki—especially not even a fragment."
Naruto's figure flashed through his mind, giving him a headache.
That man was far too careless—actually giving a portion of the Nine-Tails to Sasuke.
Though it proved their bond, the Nine-Tails was stronger as a whole.
Still, Itachi knew Naruto would never attack Konoha.
He said calmly, "I'll return you to your main body."
The fragment immediately bristled.
"You brat of the Uchiha Clan! This old man advises you not to meddle! This old man is willing to assist Sasuke!"
Send it back to Kurama?
That would be worse than death!
All that hard-earned chakra would vanish in an instant!
Itachi: "?"
The middle-aged Sasuke added quietly,
"It's a complete one, but its strength seems to have been weakened."
Seeing the fragment baring its fangs, Itachi subconsciously replied,
"I see… Even if you're small, you can still be useful."
Nine-Tails Fragment: "…"
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