"Kakashi, go first. Don't throw your life away for me."
A's voice was low but firm as he looked at Kakashi, concern flickering in his eyes.
"A, don't worry—I'll get you out. I won't let them cage you again."
Gripping Chidori tightly, Kakashi stared down the advancing Root operatives.
A's heart warmed. Was this… the bond of true comradeship? It was nothing like the cold, empty loyalty of Root.
"What insolence… to ignore the authority of Root!"
A Root shinobi snarled. Ever since its formation by Danzo, Root was feared and untouchable. Never before had someone stormed their base so brazenly. If Kakashi walked away today, it would be a humiliation Root could not afford.
Kakashi didn't bother responding. Their words were irrelevant.
"Arrogant brat!"
The Root operative lunged, but he wasn't alone. Danzo had already given the order. Five Root ninjas with extraordinary speed had flanked Kakashi, clearly taijutsu specialists—silent, swift, and lethal.
But physical fighters? Kakashi had sparred with Guy for years. Their taijutsu was second to none.
These Root operatives' attacks felt almost sluggish in comparison.
The six men closed in.
Three fists, three kicks, from multiple angles—an overwhelming assault.
Kakashi smirked. Too close.
Chidori.
"Guh!"
"Argh—!"
The room burst with piercing blue lightning as Kakashi's Chidori exploded outward in all directions. Crackling energy paralyzed the six Root shinobi, their bodies convulsing violently before slamming to the ground, immobilized.
One strike.
Six defeated.
The remaining Root members hesitated, their expressions darkening.
Danzo's face was grim, jaw clenched tight. His mind churned with conflict. Should he act personally?
"Hmph… so the brat of the Hatake clan has become this formidable. Damn it. He should've been erased earlier. Now he's a liability."
Danzo's regret was palpable.
"A, stay behind me. I'll handle the rest."
Kakashi's tone was light, but his eyes were sharp. He stood like a wall.
Danzo? Root?
It didn't matter.
Watching Kakashi's back, A felt something stir deep within him—a strange sense of safety. This was trust.
"Secret Technique: Insect Jade!"
Suddenly, a swarm of chakra-devouring insects burst from a Root operative—a member of the Aburame clan.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Aburame… female?"
Insects that could consume chakra were always troublesome—normal chakra stood no chance unless it carried a unique quality, like that of a Tailed Beast. Sadly, Kakashi's chakra wasn't extraordinary in that way.
But insects… are weak to fire, aren't they?
Kakashi formed hand seals.
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!
A stream of dragon-shaped flames shot from Kakashi's mouth, engulfing the oncoming swarm. The stench of burning insects filled the air.
The Root shinobi—a young Aburame woman—flinched. Years of cultivation wiped out in seconds. Kakashi didn't hesitate.
The fight took place in a narrow Root corridor—too confined for large-scale ninjutsu. Precision was key.
But Kakashi thrived in tight quarters. His taijutsu, kenjutsu, and elemental ninjutsu flowed like water. A predator within a square foot.
"Danzo-sama, Kakashi answers directly to the Hokage. If this continues, it will be hard to justify to Lord Hiruzen."
One of Danzo's aides whispered urgently.
Danzo's brow furrowed. "Even if Hiruzen himself came to my Root, he wouldn't walk out unscathed!"
"Still so reckless, Danzo."
That voice—
Danzo turned sharply.
Descending from above, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, landed lightly in front of Danzo. Hokage's Anbu fanned out around the room. The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Kakashi relaxed slightly. With Hiruzen here, there was no need for more bloodshed.
"Explain yourself, Hiruzen!" Danzo snapped.
"Danzo, I know you've never liked Kakashi," Hiruzen said coldly, "but that does not give you the right to execute Konoha's loyal shinobi."
Danzo glared. "Kakashi trespassed in Root. He must be detained!"
"Oh? Then it was a misunderstanding. I ordered Kakashi to find you. You lied about being absent. He had no choice but to break in."
Hiruzen's voice cut like a blade. For a moment, he was no longer the aging Hokage, but the feared Professor of Ninjutsu.
Danzo exhaled slowly. "...Misunderstanding. That's all it was."
He saw the trap now. Hiruzen had anticipated everything. Fighting here would only backfire.
"The matter with Kakashi is resolved. Now let's talk about A."
Hiruzen walked over to Kakashi, then turned back to Danzo. "You know what Wood Release means to Konoha. With the Nine-Tails growing stronger, we need it more than ever. And now I learn you've hidden a Mokuton shinobi in Root. That is unacceptable."
"You're suggesting I give A to you?" Danzo's voice was low and bitter.
Danzo had trained A in secret—A was his trump card. Hiruzen demanding him so casually was like tearing out Danzo's heart.
"I understand your investment, Danzo. But A's potential will do more good in the Hokage's direct Anbu. You must sacrifice your pride—for the village."
The Hokage's Anbu stepped forward, their presence menacing. The pressure was undeniable.
Kakashi tensed. He could feel the tension crackling around them.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. His mind raced through contingencies.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"Fine," he said. "Take A. He's yours now."
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