Less than half an hour later.
Three figures emerged from the bustling capital of the Land of Fire.
As Tsunade, Shizune, and Kiyoshi walked along a shaded forest path, the chirping of birds from all around began to fall silent.
An invisible aura of killing intent filled the air.
The silence was oppressive.
The master and her two students exchanged knowing glances without a word.
Without warning—
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
Immediately, from all directions within the forest—
Swish! Swish! Swish…
Countless shuriken and kunai sliced through the air.
A dense barrage hurtling toward them.
Some kunai were even tied with sizzling, sparking explosive tags.
"Wood Release: Domed Wall Jutsu!"
Kiyoshi's face remained calm.
Without even forming a seal, he raised his right hand.
Shhh…
Thick wooden pillars sprouted from the ground.
Under the astonished gazes of the Root operatives lurking around them, the wood rapidly formed a large, oval-shaped shield, securely surrounding the three of them.
Boom! Boom!
Flames shot skyward.
Thick smoke rolled up in waves.
The sound of explosions reverberated through the forest.
"What?"
"Is that… Wood Release?"
"This… is impossible."
One Root ninja after another froze, their eyes wide in shock.
Even Danzo, hidden in the shadows, couldn't keep his gaze from narrowing as he murmured in disbelief, "Wood Release? That kid…"
How could he not be familiar with Wood Release?
Root had previously obtained a successful subject from Orochimaru's lab, a child who had survived after integrating the First Hokage's genes.
Though this subject's Wood Release was incomparable to the First Hokage's, it was still stronger than an average Kekkei Genkai.
Unfortunately, the Third Hokage eventually discovered the experiment and took the child from Root.
But that was beside the point.
Danzo's right arm.
Not only did it contain the First Hokage's cells, but it also held multiple Sharingan to balance the First's volatile power and keep it stable.
As a result, he, too, could use Wood Release.
"So, that's why Tsunade suddenly returned to the village… because Ishikawa Kiyoshi awakened Wood Release…"
Hidden in the shadows, Danzo's eyes flashed with understanding.
His gaze grew hotter by the second.
Unlike the experimental subject "Yamato," Kiyoshi had most likely awakened Wood Release on his own.
With Senju blood and the power of Wood Release.
No wonder he had such immense chakra at just eight years old.
His future potential was indeed limitless.
"If I could recruit him, a genius like that would be an unstoppable asset." Danzo's excitement bordered on madness.
He was determined to bring Kiyoshi under his command.
Wood Release—the power that once unified an era of chaos under the First Hokage's rule—was potent enough to humble even the Tailed Beasts with their seemingly endless chakra.
For someone so young to wield such talent.
It was certain his Wood Release abilities would only grow more formidable.
Suppressing his excitement, Danzo ordered in a chilling tone, "Go. Follow the plan."
"Yes!"
One after another, black-clad figures sprang into action.
In waves, they surrounded the area clouded by black smoke, at least a dozen of them.
Disguised with peculiar masks, they bore no symbols of affiliation to Konoha.
They looked entirely unrecognizable as members of Root.
As the smoke cleared, the large, oval shield formed by thick wooden beams remained, covered in embedded shuriken and kunai.
Even the powerful explosive tags had only left the surface slightly scorched.
It hadn't been damaged in the slightest.
Shh…
Wooden planks reinforced with chakra, as strong as steel, began to expand outwards.
Inside, Kiyoshi, Tsunade, and Shizune stood unharmed.
"Who are you people?" Tsunade's face was dark with anger.
The anger was real.
But the claim of ignorance was not. Not knowing who they were simply meant she could fight without holding back.
"Attack!"
The lead Root member's eyes were cold.
Without hesitation, he brandished a sharp ninja blade and charged forward.
More than ten Root members followed suit, their killing intent filling the air.
"Damn it!"
Tsunade's fury seemed to erupt.
Clenching her fair, delicate fists, she smashed one into the ground with merciless force.
Boom! Boom!
A deafening roar sounded.
The earth cracked and splintered for several meters around.
Large chunks of debris shot out, pushing back the approaching Root members.
Tsunade, who looked so delicate and fragile, now displayed a terrifying strength that sent cold chills down their spines.
Shhh!
Swift as lightning, Tsunade charged forward.
A Root member standing too close couldn't dodge in time and took a direct punch.
"Ahhh!" He screamed, flying like a cannonball into the forest depths.
A succession of crashing sounds followed as tree after tree snapped from his impact, stirring clouds of dust.
"What?"
It all happened in an instant.
The other Root members hadn't even regained their balance, let alone reacted in time to support him.
Root wasn't unaware of Tsunade's abilities—they knew she possessed monstrous strength and formidable taijutsu.
But seeing it up close left them sweating with fear.
Each one was utterly shaken.
This level of violence meant any contact could be fatal.
There was no way to engage her in close combat.
"You lot, prepare to die here!" Tsunade pressed her advantage, charging toward another Root member.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Blade of Wind!"
"Lightning Style: Lightning Flash!"
By now—
The Root members, having regrouped around the forest, sprang into action.
They quickly wove hand signs, launching their jutsu at Tsunade.
Whoosh… Swish… Giant fireballs, sharp wind blades, and bright lightning strikes.
All flew towards Tsunade from every direction.
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