After resolving the issue with Qingyan, Reiki rejoined the group.
"Reiki, you…"
"It's fine. That monster retreated on its own."
"Hyuga-sama, is everything okay?"
Reiki glanced at Hyuga, noticing the serious expression on her face. Ever since he arrived, she had seemed troubled—frustrated yet mostly helpless.
"I recognize some of these ninjas," Hyuga said solemnly. "They… they joined the Root organization."
She turned to look at Asuma, remembering the incident in the Hokage's office when two girls had attacked Danzo over a previous conflict. Now, things were even more blatant. These ninjas had come straight for Asuma with intent to kill. Two attacks in such a short time—what was happening among the village's higher-ups? Could the rift between the current Hokage and Danzo have grown so severe?
The Hyuga clan had never been involved in such high-level disputes, but when Konoha was troubled, no one was immune from the consequences.
"The Root organization?" Reiki muttered, eyeing the intact corpses scattered around. Some bodies were nearly unrecognizable, blasted by the light rock hammers, yet their combat tactics and coordination indicated they were indeed from the Root.
Why would they target Asuma? Danzo wasn't known for such recklessness. Even if there were political games between him and Hiruzen Sarutobi, he wouldn't employ such overt measures, especially with Morishita present. A mission led by Morishita would need at least four elite combat teams for a thorough elimination, leaving no evidence behind. The attackers just now were only of average Jounin level.
"Did something happen during the fight on your side?" Morishita appeared, carrying a mangled corpse.
The sight of bodies made Morishita's expression darken. He had only stepped away to retrieve a scroll. How had this escalated so quickly? The enemy clearly had precise intelligence.
"Members of the Root organization attacked Asuma," Hyuga explained, detailing the skirmish and mentioning Qingyan.
"The Root organization? And a monster?" Morishita groaned, realizing he had missed critical events.
"Let's return to the village," he decided. "Bring the bodies too." He summoned a sealing scroll and stored the corpses.
---
**Konoha Ninja Village**
With a resounding *boom*, the door to the Root organization was kicked open.
"Hiruzen?" Danzo's eyes widened in surprise. "You—"
Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi punched him, sending him sprawling. He said nothing, raining down blow after blow with fists like boulders. Danzo, caught off guard, couldn't retaliate.
The Root members who rushed over froze in place. Normally, they would have intervened, but this was the Hokage himself. They stood paralyzed, unsure what to do.
Half an hour later, Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped back, fists still clenched. "Out! All of you!" he barked at the Root members.
Danzo, bruised and struggling to sit up, echoed, "Everyone out."
Relieved, the Root members vanished.
"Danzo, today I'm not here as the Hokage," Sarutobi said, glaring. "Why did you target Asuma?"
Danzo often skirted the rules with small schemes, but Hiruzen tolerated it, even turned a blind eye to Danzo's dealings with Orochimaru. He knew Danzo had his reasons. But this? This was too much. Twice now, Danzo had targeted Asuma. How could Hiruzen explain this to the family? He could only hope Asuma would stay silent upon his return. Otherwise, the organization would face serious consequences.
Danzo blinked, taken aback. "During this time, I've been focused on monitoring the Uchiha and Orochimaru's progress. I've had no time to attack Asuma. Besides, isn't he out on a mission?"
Hiruzen threw a crumpled report at Danzo. "Then explain this!"
It was the intelligence Morishita had relayed: six Root members attacking Asuma's team, confirmed by both Hyuga and Asuma, who stated that the attackers had declared their intention to kill Asuma. Reiki had also been on the team, with Morishita momentarily separated to retrieve a scroll.
The mention of a "monster" barely registered with Danzo as he scanned the report. His mind buzzed. Six Root members targeting Asuma's team? He frowned. If he had planned it, he would admit it, but this wasn't his doing.
Danzo reached for a list. "Here, these are all the Root members currently on missions. Two teams are assigned to the River Country. One of them is mentioned in the report."
"Blade?" Danzo's expression shifted as he retrieved another document. "Wait, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen looked confused as Danzo pulled out more paperwork. He knew Danzo's character well—if the man denied something, it was worth listening.
"Found it," Danzo said, pointing at the list. "Blade's brother was hospitalized after a confrontation involving Reiki and Tsunade. The attackers' true target wasn't Asuma—it was Reiki."
He handed the list to Hiruzen, showing the relationships and motivations behind the attackers.
Hiruzen's doubts began to clear. Danzo was telling the truth.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 410 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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