Kurenai, after hearing all the accusations hurled at her by the Root ninjas, immediately began to explain in a hurried yet desperate voice, her words tumbling over one another.
"No, no… it's not like that at all. You're misunderstanding everything," she said, shaking her head repeatedly. "We met only once before. That time, he saved me. He said he found me beautiful and told me he wanted me to be his girlfriend." Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, forcing herself to stay composed. "But I know who I am. I am a ninja of Konoha. We can never be together. Because of that, I ignored him completely. Even so, he kept coming to pester me in the camp. I never willingly met him, not even once after that."
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "If you suspect that I might be a traitor, then fine—kill me. I accept that. But please, leave my father alone. He didn't even know about any of this. I never told him anything about Benimaru."
After saying this, Kurenai turned toward Shinku. Tears welled up in her eyes as she met his gaze. "I'm so sorry, Father," she said softly, her voice filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have hidden this from you. If I hadn't concealed it, you wouldn't be in this situation right now."
Then, gathering what little resolve she had left, she turned back toward one of the Root ninjas. Her expression hardened, though her eyes still trembled. "I will kill myself to prove my loyalty to Konoha—and to prove my father's loyalty as well," she said firmly. "But please… let my father go. He truly didn't know anything about this."
Shinku slowly shook his head. Yes—he was disappointed by Kurenai's actions, deeply so. She was his daughter, and her decision to hide something so critical from him hurt more than any blade ever could. Yet, despite that disappointment, he couldn't bring himself to be angry with her. She was still young, still inexperienced in matters of the heart. She must have feared that he would misunderstand her, that he would react harshly, and that fear alone explained why she chose silence.
But regret changed nothing now.
The Root ninjas were already here, standing before them like executioners. Once Root was dispatched to eliminate someone, there was no negotiation, no appeal, and no mercy. They had come to kill—and they would kill. That was the unchanging truth.
Shinku's eyes hardened.
If death was inevitable, then at the very least, he would not die without trying. He subtly shifted his body, muscles tightening as he prepared to break free from his restraints. His plan was simple—free himself, create an opening, and force Kurenai to run. Even if it cost him his life, he would buy her time. After all, he was still a Jonin of Konoha, and he would prove it with his final breath.
Just as he was about to act—
A voice echoed through the dark, damp forest.
"Hey… how dare you try to kill a girl I like?"
The moment those words rang out, a terrifying pressure followed them, flooding the area like an invisible tidal wave. It was so overwhelming that two of the Root ninjas were instantly forced to their knees, their bodies trembling under the sheer weight of that presence. The remaining Root ninja broke into a cold sweat, his instincts screaming in panic as he wondered—whose presence is this?
Then, from within the shadows of the forest, a figure slowly stepped into view.
Crimson hair, sharp eyes, and an aura that burned hotter than fire itself.
It was none other than Benimaru Uzumaki.
Before the Root ninja could even form a single word—before he could turn, shout, or raise his weapon—Benimaru vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared behind him.
There was no scream.
The Root ninja's head was sent flying high into the air as both his severed head and lower body ignited in intense blue flames, the fire consuming them in silence as they burned away into nothingness.
Benimaru snapped his fingers.
Two fireballs shot forth from his hand—each one incredibly small, no bigger than a marble. They looked harmless, almost insignificant, as they cut through the air. But the moment they struck the remaining two Root ninjas, the illusion shattered.
Blue flames erupted instantly.
The two Root ninjas didn't even have time to scream. Their bodies were engulfed in the same eerie azure fire as the one before them, the flames devouring flesh and clothes alike. In mere moments, nothing remained. No corpses. No ash. Only faint traces of heat lingering in the cold forest air before even those vanished.
Silence returned.
Finally, Shinku managed to free himself from his restraints. He straightened slowly, his movements cautious and deliberate. Despite the fact that Benimaru had just saved both his life and his daughter's, Shinku did not lower his guard even slightly. His eyes remained sharp, constantly measuring the young man standing before him.
This was the very same man because of whom he had been branded a traitor.
And his presence here—right at this exact moment—was far too convenient to be dismissed as coincidence.
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