Upon seeing those ninjas, Senshi felt his nerves go numb.
Damn it—aren't those from Konoha's Root? Has Danzo set his sights on this shipment?
At that thought, a hint of delight flickered across Senshi's face.
Huh, a big job's landed in my lap?
Just as he was about to turn and say something, he saw Mizunai eagerly jump down from the carriage. He rushed toward that group of shinobi as though greeting family.
They clearly recognized Mizunai as well. Once he got close, the squad leader at the front stepped forward.
"Mizunai, where's the goods?"
Mizunai greeted him warmly.
"They're on the wagon."
The Root squad leader continued his questioning:
"Are they still alive?"
"Alive, alive, of course. When have I ever let you down?"
Mizunai had worked with Root before, so he was well-versed in the process. While he conversed with the few Root members, several of his subordinates hefted a large trunk off one of the wagons.
Seeing how their client was cozying up to the newcomers, Senshi clicked his tongue in regret.
Too bad—they aren't here to cause trouble. Feels like that's not right…
Caravans typically had many such large crates filled with precious goods—gold, silver, gems, that sort of thing. But this time, Senshi guessed wrong.
When the trunk was opened…inside was a pale-skinned, beautiful, red-haired girl wearing glasses. She looked about ten years old. Judging by that bright red hair, she was almost certainly a descendant of the Uzumaki clan—just like him.
Once they brought out the box, the Root operatives immediately went over to check. Mizunai boasted:
"This girl is the 'cargo' Lord Danzo specifically requested. And she's not just any ordinary Uzumaki. She possesses an incredible healing ability: most injuries can be healed just by biting her. I spent a lot of effort extracting her from Kusagakure."
As Mizunai prattled on, Senshi stared, stunned.
Kusagakure? Healing ability? Uzumaki?
He had a sneaking suspicion about her identity, which left him very surprised.
"Karin? How did she end up in Root's hands? Didn't she show up later for the Chūnin Exams in Konoha?"
Of course, Mizunai had no intention of clarifying that for Senshi. He took two steps closer to the Root members.
"Sirs, not only have I brought Lord Danzo's target, I even have an extra surprise."
With a smug look, Mizunai pointed straight at Senshi.
"He's also from the Uzumaki bloodline. And he's extremely powerful—far beyond an average Uzumaki. Who knows? He might already have awakened the special ability that Lord Danzo wants. I hope that, in light of how well this job turned out, Lord Danzo will grant me official status as a citizen of the Land of Fire."
Mizunai was a businessman driven by profit. Over the years, Konohagakure had thrived, and by extension the Land of Fire had grown ever stronger. Born in the backwaters of the Land of Grass, Mizunai dreamed of moving to the Land of Fire—even if it meant selling out Kusagakure's interests.
The Root squad leader didn't give an immediate response. Mizunai's identity wasn't in question; the only problem with him was that he was a refined egotist. But for Root, that could actually be an advantage: so long as he posed no threat to Konoha and could help Root protect the village, feeding him some scraps would make him a very handy tool—and one that could be sacrificed any time.
Of course, if not for Senshi's presence, this entire convoy might well have been annihilated by Kakuzu. But now, Mizunai and the Root members were making no effort to hide their plans from Senshi. They clearly thought that, backed by Konoha's operatives, there was no reason to sneak around.
Senshi, standing at a short distance, heard them loud and clear.
Good grief! That bastard Mizunai is actually trying to treat me like cargo, too?!
The Root squad leader by Mizunai's side didn't immediately attack; he simply scrutinized Senshi with a keen gaze, focusing especially on his red hair, then gave a satisfied nod.
"Not bad. Lord Danzo will take your request into serious consideration."
Mizunai felt that, with those words, his acceptance into the Land of Fire was practically guaranteed.
Elated, he glared at Senshi and said:
"A worthless wandering ninja. A greedy idiot. Did you really think I hired you because I admired your abilities? Ha! You fool! And you dared swindle me out of two hundred thousand ryō? Now I'll show you my money doesn't come free!"
None of the Root members bothered to contradict him. Mizunai wasn't qualified to order them around, of course, but he was shamelessly borrowing their authority. Danzo wanted Uzumaki clan survivors, and if Senshi was indeed one such survivor—someone Mizunai had 'brought along'—then Root was more than happy to take him as well.
Sensing the hostility in their eyes, Senshi felt half amused, half annoyed.
These small-fry—didn't they see Kakuzu wiping out entire squads without breaking a sweat? And they still think they can mess with me?
It wasn't that Senshi held any personal grudge; he just knew that Root specialized in espionage, data theft, stirring up rebellion in small countries, and fomenting strife within Konoha itself. But in terms of individual combat prowess? Aside from Danzo himself, few among them could hold their own against a real threat. If they'd faced Kakuzu, they would have been wiped out. Now they planned to capture him?
Sure enough, the five or six Root ninja began to fan out, encircling him, but it brought Senshi no sense of pressure—only frustration at the way Mizunai and the ninjas stared at him like he was just another piece of merchandise.
"Tch. I'm a hired hand, not for sale."
Root agents always acted with swift decisiveness. They clearly had no desire to exchange insults. As they closed in, the squad leader spoke in a frosty tone:
"Subdue him and take him back to Lord Danzo."
At his signal, the other ninja moved.
Clang!
With a sharp ring, their short swords slid from their scabbards, and they charged Senshi at high speed.
Knowing Senshi was no pushover, Mizunai still yelled:
"Everyone, help the Konoha ninjas! Take him down! Anyone who helps capture Uzumaki Senshi gets ten thousand ryō!"
Although Senshi could casually earn two hundred thousand, to the regular guards and hired mercenaries, ten thousand ryō was a considerable sum—especially easy to earn with "the famed Konoha ninjas" in front. It felt almost like picking money off the ground. Without hesitation, they followed suit.
Senshi could only shake his head, half annoyed, half amused.
So that's how it is—these guard dogs have such short memories. Have they already forgotten the terror they felt at Kakuzu's hands?
And as for Root, if they'd really analyzed how he'd just battled Kakuzu, they should have realized his true level.
Swish, swish, swish!
His thoughts were cut short by three shuriken flying toward him, each tagged with an explosive note. The shuriken came fast, but Senshi moved faster still—like a streak of lightning.
Boom, boom, boom!
The three explosive tags detonated on empty air. Senshi was no longer there; he was already moving at top speed. The Root members strained their eyes but could only barely glimpse the blur of his motion.
In the next instant, a pained cry rang out. One of the Root ninjas had Senshi behind him, delivering a thunder-charged punch.
Seeing his teammate in trouble, another Root member acted decisively—hands flashing through seals:
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
Clearly, he hailed from the Yamanaka clan. But the moment he cast his jutsu, his eyes went wide.
"What's going on?"
He couldn't figure out why his secret technique had failed to take control of Senshi's body.
Poof!
Senshi burst into white smoke.
A clone?!
Before that Yamanaka could form more seals, Senshi's real body appeared beside him, chopping into his neck with a lightning-charged hand. The man's eyes rolled back; he coughed up blood and slumped to the ground.
Senshi's lightning-enhanced figure flickered through the battlefield, leaving afterimages in his wake. Against the combined force of Root, caravan guards, and random hired ninjas, his massive chakra reserves and physique—rivaling the Raikage's—let him hold the upper hand effortlessly.