On the outskirts of the Uchiha compound.
In the forest.
Kuroki's shadow clone dissipated into the air.
He had planted the "Eight Thousand Spears" in Mikoto from a distance earlier, and then came here to wait.
At a critical moment, Kuroki formed the hand seals of Hare, Boar, and Sheep, using Izanagi.
He had completed his final task.
As the shadow clone dissolved, the feedback triggered Kuroki's main body to release his Yin Release chakra, activating Izanagi.
The principle was similar to how Naruto's shadow clone charges the Rasengan, or how it gathers energy for Sage Mode.
Feeling the shift in the rules of reality.
Danzo frowned deeply, exhaling, his face grim, his heart filled with despair. He raised his right hand to cover the empty socket of his right eye, glaring at Kuroki with his dim left eye, panting heavily, drenched in sweat.
Losing "Kotoamatsukami" once again had drained the last of Danzo's Yin Release chakra from his brain, and coupled with the use of his ocular techniques, his spirit was rapidly fading.
Kuroki wasn't in great shape either, mentally exhausted. His eyes burned painfully, and he wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep.
At this point, Kuroki couldn't even muster the strength to finish off Danzo; he could barely hold his weapon, standing only by sheer willpower.
This was the nature of the battle between Sharingan users.
It could be a flashy clash of explosive ocular techniques, consuming everything, or it could be a quiet, strategic struggle like this, where every move was fraught with hidden dangers, like a game of chess.
Unfortunately for Danzo, he was a terrible chess player.
At least, in Kuroki's eyes.
Danzo never should have tried to play the Uchiha's game.
The hearts of the Root members watching sank once again.
It seemed… Lord Danzo had lost.
But for a few Uchiha, it was like witnessing the first light of dawn.
Neither side knew, however, if this battle was truly over, or if there would be a reversal of fortune.
Only Danzo and Kuroki knew.
It was finished.
Their fight had caused quite a commotion, and the first wave of reinforcements from the ANBU would arrive in less than a minute.
Kuroki couldn't kill Danzo himself at the moment, but behind him, there were still nine Uchihas!
He glanced back at the group supporting Tamao, as if signaling them with his calm gaze.
"Go help the captain..."
The weakened Tamao pushed Izumi aside.
Izumi, as if waking from a dream, handed him off to one of the subordinates and leapt toward Kuroki.
After learning the truth behind the clan's massacre, their view of Kuroki had changed completely.
Uchiha Naruki and the other six Uchihas moved as well. The red glow of their eyes flickered as their three-tomoe Sharingan spun into focus. Fueled by intense rage, they gripped their ninja swords tightly and charged at Danzo like leopards hunting their prey.
Kuroki didn't control them. He wanted to see for himself what they were capable of.
Even if they didn't act, the "Eight Thousand Spears" would force them to strike.
But if that were the case, those who didn't act would have no reason to remain after Danzo was killed.
Fortunately, Kuroki was satisfied with their response.
These were the individuals he had carefully selected from the younger generation of Uchiha. Though they weren't the most gifted, they were the most principled.
Kuroki didn't consider himself a good person.
But he still hoped to live in a world full of good people.
After the massacre of their clan, they would all likely awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan, achieving full mastery. As for the Mangekyo, that might be more difficult.
"Damn it…"
Danzo, seeing the approaching Uchiha, hastily retreated, but his exhausted body couldn't muster any strength.
Kuroki took out a cylindrical container filled with countless Sharingan, holding it calmly in his palm as he explained patiently:
"Danzo, all of your assumptions were wrong.
Before I came here.
Only my right eye was a Mangekyo Sharingan, while my left eye was an ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan from the beginning.
And I have 99 Sharingan here."
It was a psychological blow!
Danzo's eyes widened as he stared at the container, his aged face twisting with shock.
He was so close. Just one more night.
All of those Sharingan...
Would have been his, Shimura Danzo's!!
But now wasn't the time for Danzo to think about that. He had to focus on how to survive this situation.
In the dark forest.
The sound of footsteps echoed around them.
A large number of shinobi were converging on the area.
Danzo's blurry eyes looked toward the edge of the forest, and his heart relaxed slightly. The ANBU under Sarutobi and some other Konoha shinobi would be here soon. He just needed to hold on for a few more seconds!
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind—
Naruki and one of the Uchihas reached Danzo, crossing their blades and slashing viciously at his chest.
Squelch—
The cross-shaped wound tore open Danzo's chest, spraying blood everywhere, splattering onto the faces of Naruki and the enraged Uchihas, making them appear even more ferocious.
"Die already!!!"
Two Uchihas replaced Naruki, appearing behind Danzo and slashing diagonally upward from his sides.
Their blades flashed.
Danzo's arms were severed cleanly from his shoulders.
The six Uchihas remaining slashed from the ground up, cutting off Danzo's legs.
Splat—
"Poof—"
Danzo felt excruciating pain in all four limbs, spitting out a mouthful of blood. But Naruki and another Uchiha had already joined forces again, and before Danzo could fall, two ninja swords crossed, aiming at his throat.
Looking at the cold gleam so close to him, Danzo gave a weak smile, because his life was finally saved.
Crack! Crack!
The sound of wood creaking exploded. It seemed like some seal on Danzo's body had been broken, and a giant tree suddenly grew out of his right arm, expanding continuously until it wrapped around his entire body, leaving only his aged face exposed.
The sudden turn of events was unexpected.
Uchiha Naruki and his companion were shocked. Their swords had only struck the surface of the tree, unable to cut any further.
The two were forced back by the towering tree.
At that moment, Kuroki put away the container, patted Izumi, who was supporting him, on the shoulder, then pulled back his hand to signal that he had regained some strength and could walk on his own. "Let's go. There's no chance to kill him right now."
Izumi, waking from her daze, nodded slightly.
As soon as the words were spoken, the six Uchihas who had been consumed by bloodlust were brought back under the control of the "Eight Thousand Spears" and retreated to Kuroki's side.
Izumi's two teammates helped support Tamao.
Tamao, weak and barely able to look at Danzo, exclaimed in shock:
"Danzo... is a freaking tree!!"
The Uchihas couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
Tamao's outburst calmed them down immediately.
The sound of footsteps approaching through the forest grew louder. Now was their best chance to leave Konoha.
Suddenly, Uchiha Naruki noticed something unusual beside him and turned his head in surprise, asking, "Captain Kuroki, what are you doing?"
Kuroki, expressionless, silently drew the ninja sword strapped to his back and walked toward the tree-wrapped Danzo.
The other Uchihas, realizing what was happening, were stunned. Kuroki had recalled them to his side because he had regained some strength and wanted to kill Danzo himself!
"Captain, hurry and escape!"
"Captain Kuroki!"
"Leave us here and run! If you don't go now, it'll be too late!"
The Uchihas pleaded anxiously.
But Kuroki seemed to ignore the calls of Izumi and the others behind him. Holding his sword, he aimed it at Danzo's heart and, with all his strength, began to push it in, inch by inch.
As the blade pierced the tree, Danzo's face twisted in agony, coughing up blood with each inch the sword sank into him.
Kuroki said coldly, "Why are you pretending in front of me?"
Danzo glared at Kuroki with fury, but as the blade sank in up to the hilt, his life quickly drained away. His old eyes slowly closed, his head drooping weakly like a withered tree.
The Uchihas were utterly shocked.
Izumi's mind replayed Kuroki words from just moments before.
Didn't he say... there was no chance?
Izumi's beautiful eyes widened, staring blankly at the man's firm, unyielding back.
"Heh heh heh..."
Tamao grinned, his bloodied teeth showing, laughing foolishly.
(End of Chapter)