Hearing Danzō's order, Morino Ibiki's expression changed immediately.
"Danzō-sama, memory-search techniques cause severe damage to the brain. They are usually reserved for heinous criminals—or recently deceased bodies.
"These individuals have no concrete evidence of major crimes. I believe this is inappropriate."
Danzō's single eye fixed on Ibiki, cold and merciless.
"No evidence is required. As Orochimaru's confidants, they are already grave criminals in the eyes of the village."
Ibiki lowered his head slightly, avoiding Danzō's gaze. "Danzō-sama, I must report this to the Third Hokage first."
Danzō let out a cold snort, his aura turning even more sinister.
"I am responsible for the interrogation and handling of Orochimaru's remnants. Do you intend to defy my authority?"
Killing intent flared from the surrounding Root operatives, pressing down upon Ibiki.
Ibiki remained composed. "I would not dare. However, the Third Hokage is closely monitoring this interrogation. I must report the results to him promptly."
Danzō stared at him for a long moment before speaking icily.
"Very well. Report to Hiruzen."
"Yes."
Ibiki vanished instantly.
A flicker crossed Danzō's eye.
"Summon Aoba and Shikata."
"Yes, Danzō-sama."
A Root shinobi stepped forward and disappeared.
—
Cell No. 9.
Yuan listened to the murmurs drifting through the prison. A thoughtful look appeared on his face.
From the fragments of conversation, he learned that during interrogation, all ninja below jōnin rank had been required to lower their mental defenses and answer under genjutsu influence.
His gaze shifted toward the adjacent cell. Anko's breathing had grown uneven.
A faint groan of pain followed—the lingering aftereffects of forced genjutsu interrogation.
Swish.
Yuan's eyes sharpened as two figures appeared before his cell.
Those masks… not ANBU. Root.
What are they planning?
"Uchiha Yuan. Danzō-sama will conduct a second interrogation."
The Root operative's voice was cold as he opened the cell door.
Danzō.
Yuan stepped out calmly, his expression cold and proud, though his thoughts sharpened.
A strong premonition surfaced—Danzō's intentions were malicious. Whatever came next would not be something he could tolerate.
—
Escorted underground once more, Yuan entered a spacious chamber.
He immediately saw Danzō standing upon a raised platform, staring down at him.
Beside Danzō stood two unmasked shinobi—one hooded, face mostly obscured; the other wearing dark sunglasses, his expression severe.
These two are different from ordinary Root. Close confidants. This is bad.
"Danzō-sama. Uchiha Yuan has been brought."
Yuan met Danzō's gaze without flinching. The hatred and killing intent in Danzō's eye were undisguised.
With a wave of his hand, Root operatives leapt from the platform.
A heavy restraining device was summoned from a scroll. Within seconds, Yuan was shackled to the execution frame.
He rolled his shoulders slightly, then looked up at Danzō.
"Danzō, what are you planning? I am a jōnin of the village. You have no authority to dispose of me at will."
Danzō laughed coldly.
"In my eyes, you are a criminal colluding with the missing-nin Orochimaru.
"I will now read your memories and uncover the conspiracy between the Uchiha and Orochimaru."
In Danzō's intelligence reports, when the village announced the Fifth Hokage election, the Uchiha had initially shown strong intent to compete.
Yet unexpectedly, they withdrew and supported Orochimaru instead.
To Danzō, this reeked of secret collusion.
And from Shisui's earlier reports, it was Yuan who had persuaded the clan to back Orochimaru.
Thus, Yuan was the bridge between Orochimaru and the Uchiha.
Memory extraction.
A sharp glint flashed in Yuan's eyes.
"My memories contain Police Force intelligence. If you attempt to read them, you are violating classified information. I will not allow it."
Danzō sneered.
"Even in this situation, still arrogant. As expected of an Uchiha."
His tone hardened.
"Shikata. Aoba. Begin."
Two figures stepped forward—Yamanaka Aoba and Aburame Shikata.
Shikata formed hand seals. A thin black stream shot from his body toward Yuan.
Secret Technique: Parasitic Insect Jutsu.
A sickly sweet scent reached Yuan's nose. The black line was a swarm of kikaichū—chakra-bred insects cultivated within the Aburame body.
The sweetness carried venom.
This was not meant to kill him.
It was meant to induce deep unconsciousness—only an unconscious target could undergo memory extraction safely.
As the insects closed in—
Boom!
A terrifying aura erupted from Yuan.
In the next instant, his body trembled violently. With a thunderous explosion, the restraining device shattered into fragments, iron chains blasting outward.
Murderous intent surged like a hurricane.
Aoba and Shikata's faces changed drastically as they tried to retreat—
But in their vision, Yuan had already vanished.
Slash!
Two fountains of blood shot skyward.
Two heads rose into the air.
Yamanaka Aoba. Aburame Shikata.
Their faces were frozen in disbelief and terror.
The outburst had begun.
Some people die…
But they don't die completely.
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