56root disintegrationAI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 56: Dissolution of Root
At the moment the underground shelter was destroyed.
The vast majority of the masked Ninjas perished on the spot under the Super Giant Ball Rasenshuriken.
The civilian Ninjas, who had been deceived by the Root organization and harbored hatred toward Naruto and the Nine-Tails, were almost entirely wiped out.
Even the members of Root suffered heavy losses.
Ninety percent of the Chunin, and even some Tokubetsu Jōnin, were torn to shreds in that instant, leaving no intact corpses behind.
As for the others who were lucky enough to escape, they were all wounded to some degree.
But before they could catch their breath, another terrifying pillar of fire surged toward them.
Sage Art: Goemon
Seeing their comrades being burned to ashes one by one, these Root Ninjas fell into a state of dazed confusion.
What's going on?
Just what kind of power is this?
Didn't the intel say that once the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki enters a berserk state, he would only use simple, indiscriminate attacks?
Amidst the flames, Naruto unleashed his power without restraint.
Three minutes was enough time to give these people a profound lesson.
One didn't even need to think to know who the culprit behind this was.
To be able to organize and mobilize so many people, including over a dozen Jonin...
In the entire Konoha, aside from the Anbu directly under the Hokage, only Root could achieve this.
Danzo.
That old fossil finally made a move against him.
Going to such great lengths certainly wasn't just to test his limits, so the answer was obvious.
Kotoamatsukami.
The opponent must be hiding in the shadows, ready to launch this ultimate ocular jutsu at any moment.
And these masked Ninjas were merely means to pin him down.
Having thought this through, Naruto became extremely vigilant.
If things took a turn for the worse, he was ready to activate the Flying Thunder God at any time to put some distance between them.
But he wouldn't retreat easily.
Since they dared to target those close to him, they had to pay the price.
Moreover, Kurenai Yuhi's whereabouts were currently unknown, her fate uncertain.
Three minutes.
As long as Root suffered heavy losses, that old fossil Danzo would inevitably show himself.
Two Shadow Clones used Oil Release and Wind Release respectively.
Naruto's main body performed Sage Art: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, controlling the flames to constantly block the Root Ninjas' escape routes.
Thus, Goemon ruthlessly devoured one life after another.
Until a unicorn suddenly appeared, forcibly crashing through the surging sea of fire.
Bang—!
Ink-colored Chakra, like a materialized torrent, carved a path through the flames.
A pale-skinned man in a cat mask shouted to his companion beside him:
"Torune! Hurry and cover 'Kurenai' and Fu to use that jutsu to restrict the Jinchuriki's movements!"
Sai successfully gained a momentary opening through Super Beast Imitating Drawing.
Several figures dashed through the flames, quickly closing the distance to Naruto.
In the next second, a sky full of Parasitic Insectsgushed forth.
Secret Technique: Poison Dust Jutsu!
At this moment, Torune Aburame no longer cared if his nano-sized venomous insects might harm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Only one thought remained in his mind:
He had to buy time and create an opening for Lord Danzo!
Although the nano-sized venomous insectssuffered heavy losses under the incineration of the Sage Art flames.
A small portion still stubbornly made it through the high-temperature waves and lunged toward Naruto.
Sizzle, sizzle—
The two Shadow Clones performing Oil Releaseand Wind Release failed to dodge in time; they were eliminated by the venomous insects and vanished into white smoke.
Naruto's main body was forced to retreat momentarily, yet in that split-second opening, a figure charged out almost brushing against the mist of venomous insects.
The previously mentioned Elephant Mask Cloaked Figure lunged forward, hands quickly forming seals.
Demonic Illusion: Falling Petals!
This move was Kurenai Yuhi's signature Genjutsu.
At such close range, the opponent would surely be caught and fall into a deep sleep.
Behind the Elephant Mask Cloaked Figure, Fu Yamanaka had also prepared himself.
In the next second, he made a hand gesture and activated the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique.
Mind Transfer Jutsu!
Fu Yamanaka's spiritual entity flew toward Naruto.
Just before it reached him, Naruto, who should have been asleep, suddenly evaded the attack.
Under the dual empowerment of Sage Mode and Nine-Tails Chakra, such a Genjutsu attack was as futile as scratching an itch through a boot.
A Kunai was thrown from Naruto's hand, piercing toward Fu Yamanaka's defenseless main body.
"How can this be?!"
Fu Yamanaka had no time to recall his spiritual entity and could only watch helplessly as the Kunaiin the air slashed his throat.
[Ding!]
[Detected host killing Fu Yamanaka, evil points+400!]
The System's notification sounded in his mind, but Naruto did not stop his movements.
Sage Art: Super Giant Ball Rasengan continuously expanded in his hand.
In the next instant, using the Flying Thunder God Mark on the Kunai, he appeared before the Elephant Mask Cloaked Figure.
"Wait, wait, actually I am..."
The Elephant Mask Cloaked Figure didn't even have time to take off her mask.
As a Genjutsu Jonin trained by Root, Danzo had originally hoped she would disguise herself as Kurenai Yuhi.
Using this as the final straw to break Naruto and induce the Jinchuriki to go berserk.
But the Super Giant Ball Rasengan exploded at point-blank range; she didn't even have time to show her meticulously made-up face before being blasted into nothingness.
After dealing with the two enemies in front of him, Naruto formed a seal with one hand, and hundreds more Shadow Clones were summoned.
On the ground.
Kurenai Yuhi stared blankly at the battle above.
In less than a minute, several more Root Jonin were killed by Naruto.
Just what kind of terrifying strength was this?
In an instant, Kurenai Yuhi felt that the bets she had made with Naruto during the Chunin Examswere all so absurd and laughable.
Danzo, who was also watching the battle, felt his heart bleeding.
Once this battle ended, Root would inevitably be severely weakened.
Even his guard, Fu Yamanaka, had died at the hands of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
If he had known... he should have prepared more thoroughly.
But what else could he have done? Was he supposed to deploy the entire Root organization?
He couldn't delay any longer!
Watching the elites he had painstakingly cultivated being wiped out in a short time, Danzo's expression began to contort.
Although now wasn't the optimal time, he had no choice but to take action.
"Silence her."
"Yes!"
Two Root Ninjas responded simultaneously, raising their Kunai without hesitation and stabbing toward Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai's body trembled slightly.
Bound and unable to move, she could only close her eyes in despair.
At that very moment.
An old and low voice suddenly rang out without warning.
"Danzo... you've really gone too far this time."
Bang!
The sound of metal clashing rang out.
The two Kunai aimed at Kurenai Yuhi were parried away by a short sword.
In the next moment, dozens of Anbu figures wearing cat masks emerged from the shadows simultaneously.
Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed Danzo's left hand, interrupting his action of unwrapping the bandages on his body.
"I believe I warned you not to lay a hand on Naruto."
"Heh..."
Knowing the plan had failed, Danzo simply gave up struggling.
He looked up at the sky.
"Hiruzen, do you see? The Nine-Tails Jinchurikiyou've been protecting is actually a monster hiding its true colors."
"Do you think he will protect Konoha as you hope?"
"I have done nothing wrong; the reason I did this was only for the sake of the Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the battle above; the crimson Nine-Tails Chakra was being continuously vented.
In his cloudy pupils, a trace of confusion also surfaced, but it was only fleeting.
"I believe he will... because he is Minato's child."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, as if at this moment, he had made a decision he had hesitated over for decades.
"Danzo, from now on, 'Root' is officially dissolved. All members are to be incorporated into the Anbu. Any resistance will be met with lethal force."
Danzo's pupils suddenly constricted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then ordered his subordinates:
"Go support Naruto immediately. If any Rootmembers resist, they are also to be executed on the spot."
"Remember, you must suppress Naruto's berserk state!"
"Yes!"
Just as the dozens of Anbu were about to leap up.
Swish!
A golden flash of light suddenly fell from the sky, and everyone's movements came to a dead halt at that moment.
In the next moment, Naruto appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo without warning.
Roll, roll... several bloody heads were casually tossed down by him, rolling down the slope to Danzo's feet.