Chapter 161: The Discovery of Root
Hoshikawa closed his eyes and activated the Eye of Mind , bringing the situation within a ten-kilometer radius into his awareness.
In the original story, it was only mentioned that Danzō Shimura's Root division had captured Konan, but the specific location wasn't revealed.
The only way now was a saturation search. Fortunately, Konan's life wasn't in immediate danger.
"Nothing." Hoshikawa opened his eyes. "Let's move to the next area."
"Go!" Tsunade nodded slightly.
The five of them ran through the rain as fast as possible. Yahiko and Nagato had gone the other way. Centered around the Akatsuki base, the two groups split north and south.
In addition, a large number of lower-ranked Akatsuki members were also dispatched to search the four directions. Their strength was somewhat lacking, so they were mostly relying on luck.
"Something's wrong in that direction!" Hoshikawa 's spirit lifted half an hour later.
"Did you find her?" Kurenai quickly asked. She had a good impression of her Senior Sister Konan and didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
"No," Hoshikawa leaped up. "But it might be a clue."
They quickly reached the destination.
It was originally a valley, but now it was a wreck. The ground was collapsed and cracked, with fissures everywhere. Trees and weeds were completely buried, and the faint traces of exploding paper bombs could still be seen.
"This is Earth Release Ninjutsu." Tsunade surveyed the area, a look of surprise crossing her face.
Most ninja in Amegakure specialized in Water Release since the Land of Rain was constantly raining, giving Water Release a boost. Of course, that didn't exclude Earth Release users.
But an Earth Release ninja capable of causing such a topographical shift was clearly no simple matter; they were likely a Jonin. Tsunade couldn't recall any prominent Earth Release Jonin in Amegakure.
Hoshikawa 's mind stirred. In the original story, Danzō Shimura's Root division had disguised themselves as Iwagakure ninja to attack the Akatsuki.
"These are the paper bombs Senior Sister Konan uses," Hoshikawa said, looking at the remnants on the ground. "I've seen them before."
"Good." Tsunade didn't dwell on it. "They should be nearby."
She finished speaking and leaped into the air. After a short while, she landed back on the ground.
"Follow me." Tsunade said in a deep voice. "I found a trail."
Although Root was highly cautious, as one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade's eyesight and experience were too rich. She managed to notice a subtle track anyway.
Hoshikawa suddenly thought of an adage: To have an elder in the house is to have a treasure.
Of course, he could never let Tsunade know he called her "old," or he'd be in for a miserable death.
Hoshikawa followed Tsunade while looking around. He recalled the tracking techniques taught at the Ninja Academy. Everything that passes leaves a trace. The unevenness of the ground, the bending of the grass, the direction of fallen leaves, and so on.
But whether one could read those signs depended entirely on skill. Especially in this rainy weather, the traces were even harder to detect.
"We're here." Tsunade stopped.
Hoshikawa looked up and saw a mountain in the distance. The mountain was not tall, bare, and easily visible. Through his eight-times magnification vision, he could easily spot the camp at the foot of the mountain.
At the entrance to the camp, two ninja stood rigidly in the rain. They looked diligent, but they were utterly lifeless, executing orders like puppets.
This was the trademark scent of a Root ninja. After joining Root, they would be brainwashed by Danzō Shimura, eventually becoming his obedient, living dead.
However, these Root ninja were wearing Iwagakure clothing and forehead protectors.
"Iwagakure?" Tsunade looked confused. "Why would Iwagakure capture Konan?"
Unlike Hoshikawa , who knew the answer beforehand, she hadn't yet connected the dots to Root.
"There are eight people in total, and all of them are strong." Hoshikawa closed his eyes, confirming with the Eye of Mind.
Root was nominally part of the Anbu, but Danzō Shimura personally handled all recruitment. The members he selected were, without exception, geniuses. In other words, these eight people were either Jonin or Special Jonin; a mere Chunin wouldn't qualify to join Root.
"With that kind of strength, they do look like Iwagakure." Tsunade paused, then commanded, "Duy and I will draw their attention from the front. Hoshikawa , Kurenai, and Rin, you go save her."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
"Who goes there?"
As soon as Tsunade and Might Duy appeared, they were spotted by the two Root ninja guarding the gate.
"I won't tell you!" Might Duy roared, "Leaf Great Strength Whirlwind! "
His body instantly vanished, turning into a whirlwind kick aimed at the two Root ninja.
Tsunade's expression immediately turned strange. While she hadn't intended to hide her identity, Might Duy still made her want to complain. What kind of ninja shouts out the name of his jutsu so honestly in a fight? And not only that, but you added the word 'Leaf' to it?
In her opinion, Might Duy was never going to be capable of infiltration missions.
Just then, the raindrops falling from the sky paused for a second, and a terrifying water dragon formed. The fearsome current descended from above and struck Might Duy.
Unable to dodge, he was caught in the torrent.
Tsunade instantly Shunshin'd forward, delivering a single punch that dispersed the water dragon.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Might Duy was saved, looking a little ashamed. He hesitated no longer, roaring, "Eight Gates Formation: Open!"
A massive gust of wind rushed skyward, and a green aura enveloped him. This indicated he had opened up to the Third Gate.
"Leaf Great Strength Whirlwind!"
Might Duy crashed into the Root ninja like a cannonball.
Tsunade followed close behind.
Boom!
Both Root ninja were simultaneously sent flying, slamming into the mountain wall, leaving two massive craters.
The commotion immediately alerted the remaining six Root ninja in the camp. Five of them appeared.
Upon seeing Tsunade, their pupils constricted slightly, and their hearts wavered for an instant. But the thought of Danzō Shimura immediately strengthened their resolve.
The rain intensified, the raindrops turning into streams of water under the influence of chakra. The ground surged, and countless earth spikes pierced towards Tsunade and Might Duy like spears. Scorching flames sped out without warning, like red fire dragons.
The five Root ninja simultaneously formed hand signs, and various Ninjutsu flew wildly, making the scene chaotic.
"Gate of Pain: Open! Gate of Limit: Open! Gate of View: Open!"
Might Duy felt an intense danger. He used his ultimate move without hesitation: "Morning Peacock! (Asakujaku!)"
This was the first S-class mission of his life. Furthermore, he was being led by Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. His youth demanded victory!
Just as Tsunade prepared to dodge the barrage of enemy Ninjutsu, she saw Might Duy charge straight into it.
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the five Root ninja. Countless punches made the air vibrate, and the sheer speed generated flames from friction.
A sky full of flames illuminated the gloomy sky, dazzling like a peacock displaying its feathers.
The Ninjutsu unleashed by the Root ninja was shattered into pieces. This was followed by cries of agony. Blood mixed with the rain, turning the rain curtain a vivid red.
In the original story, Might Guy's first use of the Morning Peacock instantly killed a clone of Kisame Hoshigaki possessing 30% of the original's chakra. Given Kisame's massive chakra reserves, even 30% exceeded most Jonin. In other words, the Morning Peacock had the power to instantly kill Jonin-level opponents.
"What impressive power!" Tsunade couldn't help but exclaim.
Of the five Root ninja, one was killed instantly, one was severely injured, and the remaining three also suffered injuries of varying degrees. Only a handful of ninja could achieve such a feat. Tsunade was only aware of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sannin, Sakumo Hatake, and Minato Namikaze having comparable power.
But greater power meant greater consumption.
"No need to use the Morning Peacock again, leave the rest to me!" Tsunade expressionlessly raised her leg.
Heavenly Foot of Pain! (Tsūtenkyaku!)
The ground cracked open like a spiderweb around her.
Simultaneously, under the cover of the Morning Peacock, three figures arrived inside the camp.
"There's one enemy in the tent," Hoshikawa whispered, pointing to a nearby tent. "I'll hold him off. You two take the chance to rescue Senior Sister Konan."
"I'll go with you," Kurenai quickly said.
"More people would be a disadvantage," Hoshikawa patted her hand. "I can handle it."
His current strength was essentially equal to a Jonin. But not just any Jonin—one who had mastered numerous Ninjutsu, placing him in the middle-to-upper tier of general capability. If he activated his Lightning Release Body Flicker, he would be an elite Jonin among Jonin. Hoshikawa 's biggest limitations were his incompletely developed body and his chakra reserves.
"Be careful." Although Kurenai was worried, she didn't argue further.
Hoshikawa glanced at Tsunade and Might Duy not far away. The Root ninja who had been kicked away earlier also joined the battle.
Transformation Jutsu!
Hoshikawa stood up, his body shifting, turning him into the appearance of one of the defeated Root guards. He walked over, lifted the curtain, and entered the tent.
The Root ninja inside was stunned.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!
The instant their eyes met, Hoshikawa clapped his hands together. The Root ninja's face showed a momentary look of dullness.
Rasengan!
Hoshikawa used Shunshin to appear before him, condensing swirling chakra in his right hand, and slammed the sphere down.
The Root ninja's clothes instantly ripped, but instead of flesh and blood, it revealed a dense swarm of Destruction Bugs .
Hoshikawa 's heart stirred. No wonder this Root ninja wasn't out fighting. Besides guarding Konan, it was because he was a member of the Aburame clan, and his secret techniques were too obvious.
The Destruction Bugs that came into contact with the Rasengan were instantly crushed. However, more Destruction Bugs surged out, flying towards Hoshikawa .
Chidori Stream!
Hoshikawa 's eyes narrowed. He retracted his hand, and chakra surged, unleashing countless arcs of lightning outwards.
The Destruction Bugs were enveloped in the lightning, instantly turning charred and falling down in masses.
Secret Technique: Insect Sphere!
The Root ninja had recovered. He backed away and raised his hands. Countless Destruction Bugs surged out like a black tide. They clung to the lightning, and even in death, they tried to take a bite.
In an instant, the lightning radiating from Hoshikawa 's body dimmed considerably.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Hoshikawa opened his mouth and spat out a fireball. The intense heat rolled out, sweeping the Destruction Bugs, causing them to twist violently and burst into flames.
Secret Technique: Insect Cocoon!
The Root ninja immediately created a chakra-based cocoon to breed more Destruction Bugs.
Behind him, while he was occupied, Kurenai and Rin untied the bound Konan.
The Root ninja immediately sensed this. He turned his head for a look, then violently waved his hand, sending a swarm of Destruction Bugs flying.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Hoshikawa certainly wouldn't give him a chance. An earthen wall rose, blocking Kurenai and Rin.
Kurenai pulled out a kunai, sliced open the tent, and then, with Rin, carried the unconscious Konan out, fleeing rapidly.
"Damn it!" The Root ninja's face was filled with murderous intent when he saw Konan being rescued.
Hoshikawa naturally wouldn't let this momentary lapse go unpunished. He used Shunshin to appear before the ninja and delivered a punch.
The Root ninja instinctively commanded the Destruction Bugs to form a defensive shield in front of him.
Strength of a Hundred!
Hoshikawa punched straight through the insect shield, hitting the ninja's body. Although the Destruction Bugs resisted the blow, the immense force was unstoppable, sending the Root ninja flying backward.
He slid several meters across the ground, stopping only when he hit the mountain wall.
Dance of the Crescent Moon!
Hoshikawa drew his Lightning-Fire Blade and charged at him.
The Root ninja struggled briefly but was impaled by three Lightning-Fire Blades, his blood staining the ground.
"How is the situation?" Hoshikawa walked over to Kurenai and Rin.
"I've checked her over. There's no major injury," Rin said, placing her hand on Konan's forehead. "She's only unconscious due to excessive chakra depletion."
As for Kurenai, she was using chakra to control the rain, creating a dry vacuum around them.
"That's good." Hoshikawa sighed in relief.
He turned and looked at Tsunade and Might Duy. The battle was winding down. Although the Root ninja were strong, they were facing Tsunade and Might Duy.
Tsunade hadn't even released her Creation Rebirth seal, meaning she felt zero pressure. As for Might Duy, who had opened the Sixth Gate, he was slaughtering the rest.
Hoshikawa looked away, walking toward the Root ninja he had just killed. He casually waved his hand, using chakra to pry open the ninja's mouth, and saw the curse seal on his tongue.
This was the classic Root Tongue Restraint Curse Seal . Danzō Shimura planted this seal to prevent Root members from leaking secrets. As long as he was alive, the seal wouldn't dissipate.
After a few minutes, Tsunade and Might Duy finished their battle.
"Sensei." Hoshikawa beckoned to Tsunade.
Tsunade walked over, about to speak, but froze when she saw the Tongue Restraint Curse Seal.
"He was using the Aburame clan's secret jutsu," Hoshikawa said, pointing to the corpses of the Destruction Bugs not far away.
"What is that old bastard doing?!" Tsunade's face was ashen with rage.
"I suspect Danzō Shimura has formed an alliance with Hanzō," Hoshikawa continued.
"You seal all their bodies," Tsunade took a deep breath, collecting herself. "I want to see how he explains this."
"Understood." Hoshikawa pulled out a storage scroll. While storage scrolls couldn't hold living people, there were no such restrictions for corpses. He collected all eight bodies.
"She's awake!" Kurenai's voice sounded just then.
Hoshikawa looked over instinctively. Konan had regained consciousness.
............................................
AN: For early access to advanced 80 chapters on P-a-treon:
Join now: P-a-treon/Chaos_God
(Just remove the- hyphen to access normally)
Thank You so much For your Support and for Reading!