Sakumo immediately noticed a critical point: before they had set out, the Third Hokage had already deployed all of Konoha's Anbu. This meant one very obvious thing: these people were not the Konoha's Anbu that he knew. Before heading to the Third Ninja World War, Konoha had not wanted him involved in the conflict, sensing the Third Hokage's strong apprehension about him, which prevented him from contributing to the village.
Back then, the Third Hokage made a suffocating decision—to send the village's Anbu into battle first. Anbu, typically tasked with covert operations, were not suited for open battlefields. Despite their ability to conceal themselves, they couldn't fully operate as assassins amidst large numbers, leading to almost complete decimation of Konoha's Anbu, with only two surviving. Now, facing individuals masked as Anbu, if they were not Anbu, then what could they be?
Sakumo's mind raced with this question.
"Root!"
Sakumo couldn't help but exclaim, realizing these ninjas belonged to Danzo's Root organization. Many ninjas present were unaware of Root, but for Sakumo, this was hardly a secret. As a significant figure in Konoha, he knew of Root's dark dealings, though he held no considerable power or official authority.
His tone was grave, and Sakumo captured everyone's attention, including the oncoming Root ninjas. The Root ninjas, recognizing Sakumo, also seemed to understand the situation had become problematic. The Konoha ninjas, however, freshly recalled from their roller-coaster of emotions, steadied themselves, sensing complexity in the unfolding events.
The situation was complex indeed!
Konoha's ninjas had thought they couldn't endure another twist. They longed for a peaceful return to Konoha to restart their once-neglected rigorous training. Yet, they found themselves adapting to continuous upheavals.
Momentarily, having faced so much recently, the Konoha ninjas calmed down, devoid of complaints. They awaited Sakumo's next words, their gaze turning cold and serious as they faced the Root ninjas.
"Why are Root ninjas out on a mission?" Sakumo demanded loudly, his foreboding sense growing. Root's usual protocol involved internal village affairs; they were kept from leaving Konoha or operating in the open. This unusual activity suggested a significant issue.
Whoosh!
The Root ninjas stopped momentarily, their gazes scanning the Konoha ninjas through their mask slits, searching. This unmasked scrutiny made the Konoha ninjas feel like commodities under evaluation—a group of wealthy buyers contemplating purchases.
"Continue searching," commanded one of the Root ninjas, implying the mission was paramount, and they must locate Minato, dead or alive, ensuring he does not return alive to the village.
Whoosh! Without lingering, the Root ninjas resumed their swift movement, crossing paths with the Konoha ninjas without further interaction.
"Wait!" Sakumo shouted, but his call was ignored. If these were regular Konoha ninjas, they would have stopped at his command. But Root only answered to Danzo, especially when their mission was critical.
Almost instantly, the Root ninjas vanished, leaving behind a trail of silhouettes. Known for their speed, they were already out of reach, leaving the tired Konoha ninjas unable to pursue.
"Damn it!" Sakumo clenched his fists, realizing the gravity of the mission the Root was on. He suspected they were tasked with something significant, given their urgent departure and the inability of any single person, including himself, to stop them.
"Sakumo-sama, who are these people?" The inquiring ninja spoke up again, drawing all eyes to Sakumo, including Aoba, who was disguised among them.
"They are Root ninjas!" Sakumo said gravely, aware of the dangers Root represented. He knew details he couldn't share openly, as they involved Konoha's deepest secrets.
"They are out on a mission," Sakumo continued, conflicted about how much more to say. His discomfort was palpable, knowing too much could mislead these ninjas.
"From their scrutiny, it seemed they were searching for someone among us, indicating one of us was their mission target."
"But…"
"They didn't find them!"
"With this development, I deduce that the Root's target is among our forces but not present here."
The conversation paused, but the implication was clear.
"Namikaze Minato!"
"Minato!"
"Is it Minato?!"
"Or Kushina?"
"It must be either Minato or Kushina!"
The Konoha ninjas stirred, their expressions turning solemn as they grasped the implications. Minato and Kushina were the only ones not among them. Given Sakumo's analysis, the Root's mission involved someone from their ranks, leading to one unsettling conclusion: All issues pointed toward Namikaze Minato.