Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta

Chapter 29: Danzo is About to Explode

"Senpai, what's going on?"

Although Haruta looked completely baffled, he couldn't disobey the Third Hokage's orders. After gathering with the others, he couldn't help but whisper to Yugao beside him.

He already had some suspicions in his mind. Judging by the timing, this was most likely about the "Project A" incident.

Regardless, it was still necessary to gather more information.

"According to Kakashi-senpai's report, there's a suspected Wood Release user in Root who tried to kill him."

Yugao had no reason to guard against Haruta. In truth, she didn't know much about Root or Danzo.

She had originally planned to head home after being dismissed to prepare for tonight's gathering. But she happened to run into Kakashi, noticed his injuries, and wanted to take him for treatment.

That led to them both meeting with the Third Hokage, who then assigned them a mission.

"The Hokage wants Danzo-sama to meet with him and also sent people to find you since you've trained there before and know the area well.

But Kakashi-senpai didn't want to wait and went ahead alone."

As expected!

Hearing this, Haruta nodded slightly. It really was that incident.

Before heading to Sunagakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi had mentioned that Kakashi would be handling the Orochimaru situation, which had already made Haruta suspicious.

Now, despite his own meddling, the event was still happening as scheduled.

"Wait, I remember Kakashi's interactions with Root didn't go well…"

Suddenly, Haruta recalled something, which immediately piqued his interest. This was a rare opportunity!

"Let's move quickly. The Hokage is gathering the others, but we should go reinforce Kakashi-senpai first!"

Yugao didn't know what Haruta was thinking. She grabbed his hand and started running forward, unable to hold back her curiosity.

"Also, what's Root like, exactly?"

"Root, huh…"

Haruta instinctively tightened his grip on Yugao's soft hand, momentarily lost in thought, before shaking his head and answering.

"It's an elite training base for Anbu, but also an extremely terrible place.

The strictest management, the most brutal training, and the bloodiest missions.

Kakashi-senpai is in trouble going there alone, even with the Hokage's authorization."

"Konoha has a place that even the Hokage doesn't control?"

Yugao seemed taken aback. She knew Danzo was the Hokage's advisor and held a high position.

But even so, shouldn't he still be under the Hokage's authority?

"Who knows."

Haruta shrugged. Danzo had even tried to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi and got away with it.

Of course, that might have had something to do with Hiruzen's lingering sentimentality.

And now, thanks to Nagato's rampage wiping out a chunk of Root, Danzo had been lying low.

Otherwise, with his past behavior, he might not even acknowledge Sarutobi as Hokage…

[New Mission Acquired: Reinforce Kakashi]

Glancing at his task list, Haruta nodded in satisfaction, then tightened his grip on Yugao's small hand.

"Let's speed up. Kakashi-senpai is likely in a fight already. Stay ready for combat at any time!"

"Understood!"

Yugao nodded seriously, but her gaze drifted to her hand being held.

She couldn't help but feel… wasn't Haruta gripping a bit too tightly?

---

"Kakashi, I didn't expect you to come here uninvited!"

At the Root base, Danzo glared at Kakashi, who had just rescued "A," his eyes full of hatred.

After dealing with Haruta, he had gone to handle the issue with "A." The boy's ability to use Wood Release and his emergence of self-awareness were things Danzo absolutely could not tolerate!

But what he hadn't expected was that Kakashi had come with an official decree from Hiruzen Sarutobi, clearly intending to take "A" away!

Danzo had already harbored a deep grudge against Kakashi for interfering with his assassination attempt on Sarutobi.

And now, this bastard had the audacity to waltz into Root and steal his most valuable asset?

New and old grievances stacked together, and Danzo couldn't hold back his rage.

"You dare trespass into Root's domain and attempt to take my shinobi? Don't think I'll let you go!"

Kakashi scanned his surroundings cautiously. He had already noticed that the entire area was surrounded by Root ninja.

All of them had drawn their weapons, and from the way they stood ready, it was clear that at Danzo's command, they would strike instantly.

"Danzo-sama, Kakashi, he—"

"A" realized the severity of the situation and immediately tried to speak up, but Danzo cut him off roughly.

"Shut up! You won't get off easy either!"

Without further delay, Danzo waved his hand, signaling the Root shinobi to attack.

He didn't want to waste time arguing with Kakashi and "A". He knew Kakashi's document was legitimate, and there was no telling when Hiruzen Sarutobi might arrive.

The best course of action was to eliminate the problem now—perhaps even securing Kakashi's Sharingan for himself!

"Stay alert…"

Kakashi immediately warned "A" while preparing for battle.

But at that moment, he suddenly froze and looked up.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!"

At that instant, a powerful Wind Release jutsu exploded from above, sending several Root shinobi flying.

"Who's there?!"

Danzo panicked for a moment. He was always wary of his "old friend" showing up, even though he hated calling him Hokage.

But when he looked up, he was instantly furious.

Even with the mask, he could tell—it was Haruta!

Had this brat turned against him? Was he actually attacking Root?!

But Haruta paid no attention to Danzo's reaction. Moving like a flash of lightning, he led Yugao forward, swiftly taking down Root ninja while closing in on Kakashi.

With his Level 7 physical abilities and chakra reserves, he was experiencing an entirely new level of combat prowess!

Moreover, thanks to Danzo's orders, all the Root shinobi had been focused on Kakashi and "A," completely unaware of an ambush from behind.

As a result, Haruta was cutting through them like a god of war—completely unstoppable!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

A punch, a kick, swift dodges, and rapid counterattacks—it was all seamless, effortless, and utterly infuriating to Danzo!

"Kill them all!"

Without hesitation, Danzo gave the order, and a squad of Root ninja immediately turned their attention to Haruta.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Haruta quickly formed hand seals and slammed his hands together.

In an instant, the ground transformed into a swamp, catching several Root ninja off guard and dragging them into the sinking mud.

However, many managed to react in time, leaping away while launching a barrage of jutsu and projectiles toward Haruta and Yugao.

"Senpai, lend me your sword."

As Haruta dodged an incoming attack, he casually reached out and took Yugao's blade. He murmured something to himself as he swung it.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The sword danced in Haruta's hands, deflecting kunai and senbon with dazzling precision.

Within moments, he and Yugao had successfully reached Kakashi and "A."

"Damn it…"

Danzo clenched his fists, seething. He couldn't understand what Haruta was trying to pull, but his fury had already reached its peak.

"Fine. Fine!"

His voice was low and menacing, but then he suddenly roared—

"In that case, none of you are leaving here alive!"

"You think you can decide that, Danzo?"

A sudden voice interrupted him.

Danzo froze, then quickly looked up—only to see that the entire Root base was now surrounded by Anbu.

The sight sent a cold chill through his body.

And standing among the Anbu was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

At that moment, Danzo felt his blood run cold.

Was this… an attack on Root?!