Chapter 144: Wiping Out Root Organization!
Once his identity was exposed by Danzō, Oborotsuki was instantly surrounded by dozens of Root ANBU.
As he removed the mask from his face, someone immediately recognized him.
"Lord Danzō, this guy is…"
"This guy is the Fifth Mizukage's aide from Kirigakure! His name is Hōzuki Oborotsuki!!"
One of the Root ANBU instantly identified Oborotsuki and reported to Danzō.
Hearing this, Oborotsuki turned his head in genuine surprise toward the speaker:
"Oh? You people actually recognize me…"
"It seems the Land of Water has quite a few of Konoha's spies running around, huh!"
Oborotsuki laughed leisurely with a playful tone.
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki…"
Danzō narrowed his eyes:
"What is the Mizukage's aide from Kirigakure doing here?"
"Take him down!"
Though it sounded like a question, Danzō immediately waved his hand the moment he finished speaking, ordering his subordinates to launch a full assault on Oborotsuki.
Several subordinates attacked without hesitation.
"Ninja Art: Lightning Binding!!"
A bolt of lightning transformed into a serpent and shot toward Oborotsuki.
At the same time, the other Root members coordinated perfectly, unleashing various elemental ninjutsu in an attempt to subdue Oborotsuki in one move.
"They really don't give a person any chance to explain, do they…"
Oborotsuki grinned, then suddenly activated Flying Thunder God.
In an instant he vanished from his spot. All the enemies' attacks missed completely, slamming into the ground and causing massive explosions and rolling smoke.
"Flying Thunder God?"
The battle-hardened Danzō recognized the technique at a glance. His pupils shrank sharply.
"Ah, you've got quite the knowledge."
"Hm?!"
Danzō heard Oborotsuki's voice coming from behind him. Shock and disbelief filled him as he spun around violently.
At the same time, he unleashed Wind Release without mercy.
Powerful wind-attribute chakra coiled around his left palm like a blade, slashing straight toward Oborotsuki's neck.
But while Danzō's reaction was fast, Oborotsuki's attack was even faster.
Before Danzō's counter could land, Oborotsuki's Decapitation Greatsword had already swept across his body.
Bang!
Danzō was struck squarely by the blow. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the opposite wall.
Danzō clutched his chest and slid down the wall, collapsing to the floor in a miserable heap, coughing blood as he stared in disbelief at the enemy before him.
This young brat… his strength was monstrous.
"Lord Danzō!"
"We'll treat you immediately!!"
Two Root members leaped over, quickly checking Danzō's injuries. Their expressions turned grave.
They immediately channeled chakra and began emergency medical treatment.
"Cough… cough… Kill him… cough…"
Danzō glared warily, issuing new orders to his subordinates.
He had originally intended to capture Oborotsuki alive, but now he only wanted this terrifying threat eliminated as quickly as possible.
He didn't even need to give the order.
The moment they saw Oborotsuki send their leader flying with a single strike, every Root member understood just how dangerous he was.
They attacked with full force.
All kinds of restraining support ninjutsu, powerful offensive techniques—dozens of Root members moved in perfect coordination.
Some waited for openings, some drew Oborotsuki's attention, others restrained him to create opportunities for their comrades.
Even in this chaotic group battle, they remained completely disciplined and orderly, displaying elite-level teamwork.
A group of Root members this well-trained could easily overwhelm ordinary jōnin or even elite jōnin.
Unfortunately, Oborotsuki was on an entirely different level.
His unrestricted, instantaneous use of Flying Thunder God left the Root operatives completely helpless—they could only wait to be cut down.
Oborotsuki showed no mercy. Facing the siege of dozens of Root members, he activated Flying Thunder God and massacred them all in seconds.
After dealing with the enemies, Oborotsuki calmly shouldered his Decapitation Greatsword and walked step by step toward Danzō, who was still receiving treatment.
The two medical ninja saw the enemy approaching. One continued treating Danzō without changing expression, while the other drew a kunai and prepared to engage Oborotsuki.
"Get Lord Danzō out of here immediately!"
He reminded his comrade to retreat.
"Can you even escape?"
Oborotsuki smiled mockingly.
"We'll find out by trying!"
Facing an overwhelmingly stronger opponent, this Root medical ninja showed zero fear.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he charged straight at Oborotsuki.
At the same time, the other medic ninja grabbed the gravely injured Danzō and flashed away.
"You've got guts."
"Unfortunately, you're the enemy."
"I'll give you a quick death."
Oborotsuki watched the opponent charge fearlessly toward him. He shook his head and sighed, then lightly swung his Decapitation Greatsword from upper right to lower left.
Clang—
The enemy's kunai was instantly shattered by the indestructible blade. Half of it clattered to the ground.
Oborotsuki calmly withdrew his weapon and continued walking toward the direction Danzō and the medic ninja had fled.
Behind him, the enemy stared with eyes full of disbelief and collapsed face-first to the ground.
A massive pool of blood spread outward beneath him.
…
Uchiha Itachi had committed the ultimate act of righteousness by killing his own kin—personally eliminating Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, during the Uchiha clan's rebellion.
Moreover, he had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan in the aftermath of the battle.
All of this earned him recognition from ANBU and an invitation to join Root—the ANBU training division.
At this moment, Itachi and Shisui had just finished reporting to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Originally, Hiruzen had intended to let Itachi rest for a while.
After such a massive upheaval, he worried the boy might carry a heavy psychological burden.
However, to Hiruzen's surprise, Itachi stated that he didn't need rest—he could join Root and begin ANBU training immediately.
Hiruzen greatly admired this child who displayed far greater resolve, decisiveness, and maturity than others his age.
So he readily agreed to Itachi's request, allowing him to enter Root for training.
Once he passed Root's training, Itachi would become a full ANBU member, just like Shisui.
Right now, the two of them were leaving the Hokage building, preparing to return to Root and report to Danzō.
Halfway there, they suddenly encountered an unexpected situation.
Bang!
Two figures appeared out of nowhere and crashed heavily to the ground right in front of them.
--------------------------
Support us on Patreon and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
patreon.com/inkroxx