Chapter 122: Kakashi's Tears
The wooden giant as towering as a mountain slowly bent down amid many fearful cries, extending its hand to grasp a tree trunk on the ground. Like pulling up a radish, it extracted Sarutobi Hiruzen from deep underground, bound by countless tree roots.
Though Ritsu quite wanted to just bury Sarutobi Hiruzen in the earth and be done with it, that was ultimately the worse choice. Doing so would bring him many problems—unless he and the Hyuga clan no longer intended to continue living in Konoha Village.
So for now, he'd spare Sarutobi Hiruzen's life.
After being bound, Hiruzen was quickly strangled unconscious by the continuously constricting tree roots. By the time the wooden giant pulled him out, he was already senseless.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen lost consciousness from suffocation, the summoning technique naturally couldn't be maintained. Without the summoner's chakra support, Enma—despite being full of unwillingness—was still sent back to his realm amid reluctant roars.
The three shadow clones created earlier also vanished in an instant.
When the caster lost consciousness, all techniques requiring active deployment would fail. Though Shadow Clone Jutsu seemed independent of the original body once cast, the two remained intimately connected. Just as shadow clones transmitted memories to the original when dispersing, once the original lost consciousness, shadow clones would immediately disappear.
In fact, this was a common trait of all clone techniques.
Ordinary clone techniques didn't need mentioning—those clones were mere illusions requiring constant chakra output to maintain. Physical clone techniques like Shadow Clone, Water Clone, and Wood Clone all required the caster's conscious mental connection.
Many casters might not be aware of this, but the requirement genuinely existed.
That's precisely why, when dealing with physical clone human wave tactics, theoretically, as long as you locked onto the opponent's real body and knocked them down, you could swiftly end the battle.
Unfortunately, the premise of this theory was difficult to realize. Physical clone techniques were very hard to see through. Even perception as strong as the Byakugan struggled to effectively distinguish them.
In short, after Sarutobi Hiruzen's original body lost consciousness, all his actively deployed techniques were forcibly dispelled.
However, one shadow clone had disappeared right in front of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina. The intelligence Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to transmit had ultimately been successfully delivered.
Of course—
This was all under Ritsu's observation.
Standing atop the wooden giant's head, Ritsu didn't concern himself with the Nine-Tails jinchuriki's situation. Both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo had been captured. The overall situation was decided. Even if Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya all returned from the frontlines, it wouldn't matter.
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen's defeat was already an indisputable fact.
At this moment, Hiruko ran along the wooden giant's body, reaching its head. "Ritsu, you really gave me a shock! Creating something like this—it's practically cheating!"
He came to Ritsu's side, looking left and right, experiencing this unique perspective he'd never encountered before, expressing heartfelt emotion.
Ninja combat involved human-versus-human killing. Few had experience dealing with such colossal entities. Even when they did, it involved techniques specifically developed to target tailed beasts—those special chakra lifeforms. Those methods were specialized and couldn't be widely applied to other situations.
So when Ritsu used the Wood Human Technique, it was truly cheat-level powerful!
"Sensei, our Third Hokage is genuinely quite formidable. Without using this technique, I'd have to resort to a war of attrition to defeat him. But dragging things out would be very troublesome. Once Minato-senpai and the others arrive, controlling the situation might become uncertain."
After all, Namikaze Minato was bound to the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
When he fought the Third Hokage, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki would choose to stand aside. But if he clashed with Namikaze Minato, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki Uzumaki Kushina would inevitably enter the fight.
"Minato's coming soon?"
"Most likely. The Third Hokage's shadow clone met Uzumaki Kushina."
"Then it seems he'll arrive at any moment."
Hiruko nodded. With the Yellow Flash's abilities, even appearing before them the next second wouldn't be strange. He looked at his student beside him. "What do we do next?"
To speak shamefully, he as the teacher felt he'd been completely useless throughout, neither offering strategies nor playing much practical role in actual combat. However, his heart couldn't help feeling joy and pride—cultivating such a student was probably his greatest achievement in life!
"The battle's over. Naturally, it's time for negotiations."
Ritsu answered matter-of-factly.
Combat wasn't the goal but the necessary means and process to achieve the goal. Through combat, he'd captured Shimura Danzo alive, giving Hatake Kakashi a chance to uncover the truth. He'd also defeated Sarutobi Hiruzen, shattering the inviolable authority the Third Hokage had cultivated over many years.
"Perhaps there'll also be a trial."
Ritsu added meaningfully.
"What? Did Kakashi get results from his interrogation?"
"There are results. For Kakashi, it's unbearable trauma. But for us, it's good news!" As he spoke, the corners of Ritsu's mouth couldn't help lifting. He had to admit his decision today had been somewhat impulsive and rash.
However, the result was successful, so naturally this impulsiveness and rashness transformed into decisiveness and courage. So now he could wear a victor's smile and enjoy this harvest.
"Good news is good. By the way, what do you plan to do about those two advisor elders?"
Hiruko looked down. The thick fog surrounding the Hokage building had dissipated. The hundreds of water clones had also vanished. Only the two advisor elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu remained, fighting with Ritsu's wood clones with support from four ANBU.
"Just vines clinging to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Without Sarutobi Hiruzen—that towering tree sheltering them from wind and rain—without the root silently consuming nutrients in darkness, the parasitic vines will naturally wither together... Of course, Sensei, if you're interested, you can go deal with them now."
Ritsu had no interest in attacking Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Perhaps when young, fighting on battlefields, they'd had some real skill. But obviously, they hadn't been on a battlefield in a long time. Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, who could maintain his strength, unlike Shimura Danzo who operated in darkness, never lacking bloody storms.
In short, these two advisors currently weren't in Ritsu's eyes.
"Then leave them to me! Though I can't claim much contribution, having some battle achievements sounds better when spoken of." Hiruko smiled. After speaking, he jumped down from the wooden giant's head, making several consecutive leaps along its body before charging straight toward the two advisor elders.
Though Ritsu still had his Byakugan activated, he no longer watched the battle below.
Instead, he concentrated his attention on the distance. At the Namikaze residence's courtyard, the golden-haired, handsome-faced, upright figure who'd captured the secret affections of countless young women and married women in the village—the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato—had returned from the frontlines.
"Finally here!"
Ritsu thought for a moment but didn't dispel the Wood Human Technique, letting this giant wooden figure stand in the village for the village's ninja to observe.
He simply jumped down from the wooden giant's head.
Coming toward him was Kakashi, dragging Danzo.
"Kakashi, how did it go? Did you get your answer?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded. Three black tomoe rotated in his crimson eye, making even Ritsu freeze. As always, though his Byakugan could take in the scenery of half the village, that didn't mean his brain could simultaneously process such complex information. He always had to filter.
He'd only focused on Kakashi interrogating Danzo but hadn't been detailed enough to constantly monitor Kakashi's changes.
So seeing Kakashi's Sharingan evolve shocked him. His just-relaxed nerves immediately tensed again. Kakashi's Sharingan had evolved—was Uchiha Obito nearby?
But the problem was Nohara Rin was fine, staying beside Uzumaki Kushina. What could stimulate Uchiha Obito?
Or had Uchiha Obito empathized with Kakashi, and emotional agitation caused the Sharingan to evolve?
It shouldn't be possible to directly awaken Mangekyo Sharingan, right?
Speculation after speculation flashed through Ritsu's mind, destined to remain unanswered. Not knowing Uchiha Obito's soul already rested eternally in the netherworld, he kept pondering whether Uchiha Obito—or rather, Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu behind him—would intervene in Konoha Village's changes.
Kakashi didn't know Ritsu's thoughts had diverged eighty thousand miles away. He pressed his lips together, glanced at Danzo being dragged like a dead dog, and said through gritted teeth, "My father committed suicide, but he absolutely didn't choose it voluntarily. He was driven to death by this—or rather, this pack of dogs!"
"Moreover, this bastard not only spread rumors that killed my father, but Clan Head Hyuga, your intelligence being sold at the frontlines was also Aburame Torune acting on Danzo's orders. And before that, they'd used these methods to kill quite a few Uchiha clan jonin."
Hearing this, Ritsu instantly snapped back to attention. He looked at Kakashi, controlling his facial muscles to prevent himself from smiling, struggling to show a pained, grieved expression. "I'm sorry, Kakashi. I'm saddened to hear this truth!"
"Clan Head Hyuga, what will you do next?"
Kakashi looked up at Ritsu, saying decisively, "I want to personally kill Danzo!"
"Next... I'll be talking with your teacher. As for whether you'll have the chance to personally kill Danzo, that depends on the results of my conversation with your teacher."
Ritsu blinked.
The next second, Minato's figure appeared atop the Hokage building's roof.
He'd brought Kushina and Nohara Rin.
Immediately after, the three advanced with clear purpose toward Ritsu. Simultaneously, Minato's appearance immediately drew cheers from the confused, at-a-loss Konoha ninja. They intercepted Minato midway, talking over each other about today's civil strife that still left them somewhat confused.
"Everyone, please remain calm."
Minato stopped walking. He looked at those gathered around him, watching him with expectant eyes, and declared loudly, "I already understand the general situation. I'm about to personally ask Hyuga Ritsu what the hell he's thinking. You can all come with me."
"Good, let's go together."
"That's right. Minato's correct. We need to properly question Hyuga Ritsu about what he's trying to do."
"Everyone follow along."
The Konoha ninja clustered around Minato. That bearing looked even more impressive than Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage—more like a Hokage. Witnessing all this, Ritsu narrowed his eyes. Was this where the village's hearts currently lay?
His expression grew thoughtful.
Until Minato came before him.
"Minato-senpai, your timing is perfect. I was about to have Kakashi contact you. I didn't expect you'd already arrived. That saves me some trouble." Ritsu proactively smiled and greeted Minato.
This move made the aggressive Konoha ninja who'd planned to question Ritsu suddenly lose momentum. Their questioning words stuck in their throats as their gazes moved back and forth between Ritsu and Namikaze Minato. Were these two on such good terms?
"Ritsu, don't deflect. Please tell me immediately what the hell is going on. If you can't give me a reasonable explanation, I'll resort to force to resolve this."
Minato stared at Ritsu, gripping a trident kunai in his right hand, clearly and unmistakably adopting a combat-ready stance.
"Explanation?"
Ritsu raised his eyebrows, smiling. "I've actually already told some of the people behind you, Minato-senpai. What I did today was merely setting things right under duress!"
"I know that whatever I say now, Minato-senpai, you probably won't believe me."
Before Minato could respond, Ritsu declared loudly, "But you can ask your student, Hatake Kakashi. I trust he won't lie to you. He just used genjutsu to interrogate Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzo and uncovered some very interesting things. You can listen now."
"Kakashi?"
Minato's brow furrowed deeply.
His heart filled with ominous premonitions. He couldn't help remembering his previous meeting with Kakashi because of village rumors. Perhaps the rumors weren't just rumors?
At this moment, Kakashi stepped forward. He still dragged Danzo without letting go. This act of dragging the Hokage's advisor like a dead dog made the Konoha ninja want to speak but ultimately stop. The perceptive, clever ones sensed something was wrong. No one became the first target by voicing their opinions.
They simply observed and listened quietly.
Waiting for Minato—the future Hokage in their hearts—to make a decision.
"Minato-sensei, I..."
Looking at Minato, Kushina, and Rin standing opposite him—the three people closest to him since his father's death—his voice involuntarily choked. Scalding tears slid from his eyes, soaking the mask on his face.
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