"Summoning: Baku!"
With the same bandage as Danzō wrapped around its forehead, a giant elephant-like creature appeared instantly in front of everyone.
"This is… Danzō-sama's Summoning Beast!"
A Root ninja, who had begun to worry after Danzō-sama's repeated failures, shouted in surprise.
As soon as the Baku appeared, it immediately opened its bloody mouth toward Kakashi.
A terrifying suction force roared from the creature's maw.
The gale it created turned into a hurricane, pulling Kakashi toward its jaws before he could dodge.
"It worked! You are truly worthy of being Danzō-sama!"
A young Root ninja couldn't help but cheer at the sight.
"Hmph, how could Lord Danzō lose? When we return, you will be punished for doubting him!"
Aburame Tatsuma snorted.
"Yes!"
The Root ninja bowed instantly, not daring to speak again.
"I never thought Danzō's Summoning Beast would be a Baku!"
"According to the Encyclopedia of Summoning Beasts, the Baku feeds on dreams. It devours and recreates them. A dangerous Summon indeed!"
Shisui frowned slightly at the sight.
"Who cares about the Baku? Kakashi's not going down that easily."
Tobi's tone carried absolute confidence.
"Haha, of course."
Shisui smiled faintly. He believed it too.
At the same time, Danzō allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk.
"Hmph… after all your arrogant talk, you get swallowed like a rookie fresh out of the Academy?"
He turned to walk toward Tobi.
Kakashi was only the appetizer. Tobi was the main course.
"Rasengan!"
Boom!
Just as Danzō turned, Kakashi emerged silently from the ground behind him, slamming a Rasengan into his back.
"Ugh—!"
Under the spiraling force, Danzō's internal organs were crushed. He coughed blood mixed with fragments of tissue — clearly a fatal blow.
At the same time, the Baku, having just swallowed Kakashi's lightning clone, was roasted to a crisp from the inside and dispersed in a puff of smoke.
Logically, the Baku shouldn't have gone down that easily. Unless it secretly hated Danzō and used this as an excuse to escape.
Kakashi didn't press the attack. Instead, he retreated quickly, scanning his surroundings.
Sure enough, before everyone's eyes, the dying Danzō vanished — replaced by an uninjured version appearing out of thin air.
"You don't seem surprised?" Danzō asked, frowning at Kakashi's caution.
"Oh, you mean Izanagi?"
Kakashi's tone was flat. "With your hand seal speed, did you think turning your back would hide it? You're slower than Iruka-sensei on grading day."
"What?!"
"You… how do you know Izanagi? And even if you did, how could you be sure I can use it?!"
Danzō's voice was sharp, demanding to know who leaked the information.
"Oh, a man named Masashi Kishimoto told me."
Kakashi shrugged.
"Masashi… Kishimoto? An Anbu operative? A Root traitor?"
The surrounding Root members tensed, dread creeping in.
"No, impossible. A Root ninja can't betray me!"
Danzō shook his head.
"Tsk, tsk… such faith. I bet it's because of your little 'Seal of the Tongue Eradication' trick. But tell me — what if Minato-sensei decided to break it? Y'know, Hokage, master of sealing?"
Kakashi's tone was deliberately casual, but the jab was razor sharp.
Danzō's pupils shrank. Minato mastering Uzumaki sealing techniques meant even his Root wasn't fully safe. After this, he'd have to purge and rescreen his forces.
But first — kill Kakashi.
He drew two shuriken, spinning them between his fingers, and infused them with Wind Style chakra.
The spinning blades screamed through the air, ready to slice Kakashi in half.
At the same time, Danzō pulled out a kunai, flooding it with Wind chakra until it became a razor edge.
Wind Style: Shuriken and Wind Style: Vacuum Sword.
Kakashi's thoughts moved quickly. Apart from his sealing techniques, Danzō had now used nearly all his special skills.
"In that case…"
Hundred Healings Mark — Release!
Kakashi activated the mark while scattering over ten Flying Thunder God kunai into the air.
Swish!
The moment the wind shuriken were about to hit, Kakashi vanished — reappearing behind Danzō via a marked kunai.
"Rasengan!"
Boom!
A second direct hit.
He didn't use Chidori — no reason to risk direct contact with someone likely to use the Self-Binding Curse Seal.
This time, Danzō immediately used Izanagi again, his form flickering as he reset the damage.
Because he lacked Uchiha blood, even with Hashirama cells, Danzō's Izanagi lasted only one minute.
And without the massacre ever happening, he didn't have a stockpile of Sharingan — only a few precious eyes.
Kakashi didn't fight him head-on during the invincibility period, instead vanishing via Flying Thunder God each time Danzō lunged.
The seconds ticked away.
Finally, the invincibility ended — the second Sharingan on his arm closed permanently. Now only Uchiha Kagami's eyes remained.
"Get ready!" Danzō barked.
But his order got no response.
He turned — all twenty-plus Root ninja stood frozen, eyes vacant.
"Genjutsu?!"
Panic rippled through him. Who could snare so many at once?
His gaze swept the field — and met a pair of spinning, four-pointed Mangekyō.
Blood dripped from those eyes.
"Uchiha… Shisui?! You've awakened your Mangekyō?!"
To be continued....
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