Chapter 38: Danzo’s Summons! A Challenge? Time to Crush It!
"You've all worked hard," one of the gate guards said with a friendly smile.
The moment they saw the formidable ANBU members, they knew exactly who had returned.
But protocol is protocol, and the check was completed all the same.
"Thank you," Kurenai replied, turning back, "Captain?"
Kazuya nodded, and the group proceeded through Konoha's gates.
The success of this mission had cemented Kazuya's reputation in the ANBU, where strength was worshipped above all.
Flying Thunder God!
Seventeen kills in one second!
Severely injuring Orochimaru!
These achievements were so dazzling they were like stars in the sky—impossible to ignore.
After the group had passed...
"Wasn't that Captain Kazuya?"
"Yeah, it was him!"
"He mastered the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God and even injured Orochimaru! That's incredible!"
"So strong!"
The gate guards couldn't stop talking excitedly.
Kazuya's name was already becoming well-known throughout the village. Many shinobi were starting to look up to him with admiration.
As Kazuya and his group made their way back to the ANBU headquarters...
Suddenly, four masked shinobi blocked their path.
"Nohara Kazuya," a large, intimidating shinobi spoke coldly, "Lord Danzo has summoned you. You'll need to come with us."
"How dare you!"
"Showing such disrespect to our Captain!"
"Are the members of the Root trying to provoke us ANBU?!"
Before Kazuya could even respond, the ANBU members behind him were already shouting in outrage.
After all, Captain Kazuya was their superior officer!
The arrogance of the Root ninja was infuriating, almost like they were slapping everyone in the face in broad daylight.
"By order of Lord Danzo," the burly Root ninja declared harshly, drawing his blade with a menacing glint in his eyes, "He is the Hokage's advisor! Are you planning to rebel by defying his command?"
"Rebel?"
Kurenai's face twisted with fury as she stepped in front of Kazuya, seething with anger at the accusation.
Rebellion!
After the recent Orochimaru incident, those words carried a heavy weight.
Behind his mask, Kazuya's lips curled into an odd smile.
Oh, so this is how it is?
Power moves and accusations—classic tactics.
You're pretty well-versed in these, huh?
But…
Are you as tough as Orochimaru?
In the next instant, the world seemed to blur with a flash of white light.
Whoosh!
Before anyone could react, Kazuya appeared directly in front of the burly ninja.
BAM!
The man didn't even have time to process what happened before a powerful blow landed on his stomach.
The sheer force lifted his massive frame into the air for a full two seconds.
"Gah!"
He could barely resist. One hit and he was coughing up blood, already gravely injured.
"You… what are you doing?"
The remaining three Root ninja were terrified, their voices shaking.
But they weren't met with words.
Only Kazuya's blinding attacks.
BAM!
BAM!
In mere moments, two more Root ninjas were sent sprawling to the ground, vomiting blood.
It was absolute domination as if they were nothing more than leaves in a storm.
With Level 5 Body Flicker and Level 5 Taijutsu, coupled with Kazuya's high-level chakra reserves, fighting these Root operatives felt almost unfair.
The last standing ninja could only stare at Kazuya, body trembling uncontrollably.
Too strong!
Way stronger than they ever imagined!
There was no contest.
The power gap was far too large!
As golden lights floated up from the fallen Root ninja, Kazuya's system kicked in:
[You have gained 80 Chakra Points.]
[You have gained 80 Chakra Points.]
[You have gained 100 Combat Experience Points.]
[You have gained 50 Chakra Points.]
…
A stream of golden notifications rolled in from the incapacitated Root members.
"Hmph…"
"Pathetic."
Kazuya silently scoffed.
Oh well…
Even crumbs are still food.
Something is better than nothing!
Dusting off his hands, Kazuya turned to his team. "I suspect these three are connected to Orochimaru's rebellion. Bring them in for interrogation."
"Yes, Captain!"
The ANBU members snapped into action, eagerly moving forward to bind the injured Root ninja and haul them off.
Arrogant, huh?
Let's see if your tongues hold up against the interrogation team's tools.
The long-standing tension between Root and the ANBU was no secret. Conflicts were frequent, and watching their rivals get taken down was always a cause for celebration.
They knew it—the best career move right now was sticking close to Captain Kazuya.
They were in good hands!
"Oh, that was satisfying!" one of the ANBU muttered under his breath, still grinning from the sheer exhilaration of watching the Root operatives get smacked down.
"Lead the way," Kazuya said, eyes locking onto the one remaining Root ninja.
"H-huh?" The Root ninja, still trembling, could barely believe his ears.
"Didn't you say Danzo wants to see me?" Kazuya's smile was warm and innocent. "Or… are you working for Orochimaru too?"
"N-no! Please, follow me, Captain Kazuya!" The Root ninja hastily shook his head, desperate to correct the misunderstanding.
"Good."
Kazuya nodded and motioned for him to proceed.
This time, there were no theatrics. The remaining Root ninja knew better than to pretend they had the upper hand. He led the way without further complaint.
"Captain…"
Kurenai tugged on Kazuya's sleeve, her eyes filled with worry.
Root wasn't a place anyone entered lightly.
She was afraid Kazuya might walk into danger.
"Don't worry," Kazuya said with a gentle pat on her shoulder, reassuring her before following the ninja.
Danzo, huh?
Interesting.
Behind his mask, Kazuya's face lit up with excitement.
Ah, here we go—the next big catch!
The leader of Root!
A ruthless schemer, responsible for countless atrocities!
The Butcher of the Uchiha Clan!
The half-Hokage—Danzo Shimura!
Infamous for wreaking havoc in internal strife but utterly useless in foreign battles!
This… this was going to be fun.
Kazuya could feel the excitement bubbling within him.
"Is it possible…" he thought with a mischievous grin, "to stir up some trouble and trigger a civil war between Danzo and the Third Hokage?"
The more he thought about it, the more absurd the idea seemed. No way that would work.
Knowing Danzo, he'd probably be the first to grovel if Hiruzen ever decided to bring the hammer down on him.
Where's the fun in that?
Soon, Kazuya and his guide arrived at Root's dark, underground base.
The moment they entered, the heavy, suffocating atmosphere hit like a wall.
"Man…"
Kazuya sighed.
No wonder everyone down here turned into a cold, unfeeling killing machine.
This place was enough to drive anyone mad.