As Whitebeard's words fell, more than a dozen figures appeared in different directions.
Each one wore a mask slightly different from those of the Anbu.
Some stood on the eaves.
Others squatted on utility poles.
Their masked eyes all focused on Whitebeard, showing no discernible emotion.
The air...
It was filled with killing intent!
Kakashi, assigned by the Third Hokage to watch over Naruto, knew he had been discovered by Whitebeard early on, but he hadn't shown himself, always staying hidden near Naruto.
But now, he had no choice but to reveal himself again.
Kakashi stood on the balcony of Naruto's residence.
First, he glanced back at the sleeping Naruto.
Then he looked at the group of Root ninjas.
"They don't come with good intentions," Kakashi muttered to himself. "But it looks like they're not targeting Naruto, but that Whitebeard. What is Danzo up to?"
Kakashi had no good opinion of Danzo, and most normal ninjas in Konoha shared that sentiment.
The things "Root" had done...
Everyone had heard of them.
"Kakashi Hatake." Suddenly, a voice came from not far away. The speaker was one of the Root ninjas: "This is under orders from Lord Danzo. If you interfere, we will treat you as an enemy too."
Kakashi's face turned cold, and his tone was displeased: "Are you threatening me?"
"Interpret it however you like."
The Root ninja's response was exceptionally cold.
Like he had no emotions.
More like a machine.
"Gu la la la! So, white-haired kid, you're not with them, huh? But they seem to know you. What's with all the chaos in this Konoha village?"
Even an elite Jonin would be cautious when surrounded by a dozen Root ninjas, fearing becoming a helpless target.
But Whitebeard showed no caution.
Not the slightest bit of seriousness.
Whitebeard glanced around, his smile only growing wider: "Gu la la la! Just a dozen people? Not even enough to warm me up!"
"Arrogant." Among the Root ninjas, the leader's tone was icy: "Lord Danzo has ordered that the Jinchuriki must not fall into the hands of an outsider. All unstable factors must be eliminated... Kill him!"
Instantly!
Sharp sounds of shuriken cutting through the air echoed in the night. Countless shuriken were flying, their trajectories hard to follow in the dark.
Several Root ninjas quickly formed hand signs.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!!"
In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath Whitebeard turned into a muddy swamp, his massive body slowly sinking.
His movements seemed restricted.
The dense swarm of shuriken closed in.
Whitebeard stood unmoved!
Clang, clang, clang——
A series of metallic clashes echoed as sparks flew from Whitebeard's skin, the shuriken bouncing off his body!
"Gu la la la! Even the Navy's cannonballs couldn't leave a mark on me. These little darts are too weak."
Whitebeard laughed loudly. Under the shocked gazes of the Root ninjas, he lifted his foot and broke free from the swamp.
"Ninjas are quite interesting. Not only can you spit fire and water, but you can also control earth?" Whitebeard swung his sword powerfully.
Buzz——
This swing violently disturbed the air, and the terrifying wind pressure caused the nearest Root ninjas to pale. This strike was as powerful as a Wind Release technique!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!!!"
Thick earth walls rose from the ground, but the wind pressure from Murakumogiri shattered them into pieces!
The Root ninjas are hiding behind the walls.
Were sent flying by the force.
Suddenly!
Whitebeard reached back quickly, catching a Root ninja trying to ambush him. The crushing grip made the ninja drop his blade in pain.
"Kid, my back can't have any scars!"
Crack!
The sound of bones breaking was chilling.
Whitebeard let go, and the Root ninja fell like a sack of meat—Whitebeard's first kill in the shinobi world.
As for the psychological burden of killing?
None at all.
Has the great Whitebeard never killed anyone?
Don't be ridiculous!
"Damn..." The expressions under the masks of the Root ninjas finally showed a slight change, a very unpleasant one.
They regrouped in a tacit understanding.
"Fire Release: Flame Meteor!!"
The Root ninjas at the front simultaneously used Fire Release, the blazing flames combining into a massive A-rank technique, setting half the street ablaze.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!!"
The Root ninjas at the back quickly supplemented with Wind Release techniques, making the raging flames even more terrifying, spreading to nearby buildings.
Some Konoha civilians, still asleep, were suddenly awakened by the noise outside.
When they impatiently opened their eyes.
They were terrified.
——The building was on fire!!!
What a huge fire!!!
"Are these people insane?" Kakashi's expression changed drastically. He knew that if he didn't act, the raging flames would reach Naruto's place. Were these Root members out of their minds?
Kakashi quickly formed hand signs: "Water Release..."
But he stopped after forming just one seal.
Because he witnessed something unforgettable.
Right before his eyes.
"Masked brats, you've gone too far." Whitebeard's eyes flashed with killing intent. As the world's strongest man, recognized by the sea, he didn't care about such attacks hitting him. After all, he was curious about the level of these ninjutsu, wondering if they could break through his defense.
But if their attacks might endanger Naruto, Whitebeard would never forgive them.
He...
Had already lost many family members in the war at Marineford.
Now, in this shinobi world.
He couldn't lose another!
Facing the oncoming flames, Whitebeard's right fist began to glow with a vibrational aura.
His killing intent erupted like a tsunami!
Making people feel like they are floating on the sea!
Whitebeard lightly punched!
And struck!
For the first time, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit shone brilliantly in the shinobi world. White cracks spread from Whitebeard's fist, covering a vast area in an instant.
Crack——the sound of shattering glass echoed, the fierce wind and flames abruptly halted, and the Root ninjas' movements froze.
The next moment!
The ground shook violently! The intense vibrations tore the earth apart, buildings began to crack, and the entire Konoha village felt the tremors!
The combined Fire and Wind Release technique was shattered in an instant!
The tremor force reached the Root ninjas, who couldn't react in time.
Boom!!!!!
Their bodies exploded like a string of firecrackers.
——They were directly shattered!!
Blood splattered!
Killed instantly!
...
...