Aoki and Yamafū stood frozen in shock.
Everyone in the shinobi world understood the weight carried by the words Wood Release.
They represented nothing less than the God of Shinobi himself.
Yet ever since the death of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, Wood Release had vanished for decades—relegated to legends and history.
And now…
It had appeared again.
Qianyu, however, showed no surprise.
He already knew that in the present shinobi world, there was still someone capable of using Wood Release.
A member of Root.
At this time, he was not called Yamato.
Nor Tenzō.
Within Root, he bore only a codename—
"Kinoe."
He was the sole survivor of the human experiments secretly conducted by Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō.
At present, aside from Danzō himself, even Sarutobi Hiruzen was unaware of his existence.
"Kinoe…"
"Or perhaps…"
Two possibilities formed instantly in Qianyu's mind.
The first was Kinoe.
The second—
Danzō may have already obtained Hashirama's cells.
A "gift" from Orochimaru.
And the most likely truth was—
Both.
Kinoe himself did not concern Qianyu.
But if Danzō truly possessed Hashirama cells, then the matter became far more dangerous.
Had he also acquired Sharingan?
Had he gained access to the Uchiha forbidden technique—
Izanagi?
He could not have an arm filled with Sharingan—Uchiha extermination had not yet occurred.
But possessing one or two eyes was entirely possible.
Danzō had lived through multiple Hokage eras.
He had spent decades operating in darkness.
Who knew how many filthy deeds he had committed?
Wood Release.
Hashirama cells.
Sharingan.
Izanagi.
Edo Tensei.
Danzō had clearly crossed into madness.
He was gathering every forbidden power Orochimaru could provide—
All to kill Qianyu.
No.
This was only the beginning.
"Move."
Qianyu made his decision calmly.
Aoki and Yamafū said nothing and followed immediately.
Behind them, Ōishi shouted—
"Qianyu-sama!"
"Please—leave it to you!"
"Use justice to purge Konoha!"
Qianyu ignored him.
Guided by his keen perception, he followed the faint trace of Wood Release chakra through the village.
Once he locked onto a target—
Escape was impossible.
They crossed most of Konoha at high speed.
Soon, Qianyu slowed.
Ahead lay a Root stronghold.
Most villagers—and even many ninja—didn't know Root existed.
But Qianyu did.
A squad appeared ahead.
Five figures.
Their masks were similar to ANBU, yet subtly different.
Root operatives.
At the front—
Qianyu immediately sensed that familiar chakra.
Wood Release.
The leader halted abruptly and turned.
"You are…"
"Uchiha Qianyu?"
The other Root members stiffened at the name.
Qianyu stepped forward, blocking their path.
"I am investigating the theft of ninja corpses," he said coldly.
"You are suspects."
"Come with me."
The Root operatives hesitated and looked toward their leader.
Kinoe.
Despite his youth, Kinoe was already a key figure within Root due to his unique abilities.
He was Danzō's personal disciple—
The only one personally trained by him.
He would not submit quietly.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then you die."
The words were calm.
Immediate.
The Root squad froze.
They had heard of Uchiha Qianyu's reputation.
But this level of dominance was overwhelming.
Kinoe frowned deeply.
"Captain Qianyu, Police Force authority does not extend to ANBU."
"And certainly not to Root."
Qianyu nodded.
"That is correct."
"But if ANBU or Root commit crimes inside the village—"
"They fall under my jurisdiction."
"Even Shimura Danzō."
Anger flared among the Root members.
"You're going too far!"
Kinoe spoke again, controlled but tense.
"If you want to detain me, you must first report to Lord Danzō and the Hokage."
"Otherwise, I refuse."
Qianyu exhaled slowly.
"So this is your choice."
Kinoe's heart sank.
He knew Qianyu was not bluffing.
Refusal meant death.
"You intend to fight us here—outside Root's base?"
"Not me," Qianyu replied.
"You."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"I don't understand you."
"You were a victim of inhuman experiments."
"And yet you serve Shimura Danzō loyally."
"You help him conduct further experiments on others."
"Tell me—"
"Do you enjoy being a dog?"
Kinoe's face twisted in shock.
"How do you know that?!"
These secrets—
Even the Hokage did not know them.
Qianyu sneered faintly.
"So the answer is yes."
Human experimentation was unforgivable.
To anyone with even minimal conscience, it was absolute evil.
But what disgusted Qianyu more—
Was a victim who willingly became a tool.
Who chose obedience over resistance.
A slave by choice.
Kinoe stood rigid, mind in chaos.
Qianyu gave him no time.
"Since you chose death—"
"Then die."
His tone was flat.
As if declaring something insignificant.
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