Over the next few days, Kazuyama Gekkō waited for news of Root's deployment.
Finally, one morning while teaching at the Academy, he leaned against the edge of the training field, supervising students as they practiced concealment techniques. That was when an ANBU operative appeared behind him, delivering the message he'd been waiting for.
"Leader Kazuyama, the information is confirmed."
"The Root Division will be sending out two squads, carrying Lord Hokage's letter to Amegakure."
Oh? That old fox Danzō isn't going himself?
That didn't add up. Wasn't this exactly the kind of mission he should personally handle? It would be the best way to reestablish ties with Amegakure.
Kazuyama Gekkō frowned in thought, trying to piece it together.
"Danzō didn't request to go himself?"
"No, Lord Danzō gave no such indication."
Fine then. If Danzō wasn't going, so be it. Even if he stayed hidden within Root, he wouldn't be able to escape.
Kazuyama nodded, dismissing the ANBU. He then created a Shadow Clone to cover his class, while he himself headed straight to the Hokage's office.
As usual, he smashed straight through the window. Minato Namikaze didn't even bother reacting anymore—what could he do? The window was made of Kazuyama's crystal, and the only one who ever broke it was him. No one else could even crack it.
"Minato! Root has made their move. Isn't it about time I head down there and cause some trouble?"
"I swear, I've been waiting for this day forever!"
"I can't hold back anymore!"
Excitement radiated across Kazuyama's face. His grudge against Danzō had festered for years. For Konoha's future, Danzō had to be removed. Only then could the village truly rest easy, free from the shadow of that ticking time bomb.
"Hmph. I knew this was why you came to see me." Minato's tone grew firm.
"Go ahead. I'll have Midori accompany you. The two of you take an ANBU squad and head to Root's base."
"If you uncover any violations… you know what must be done."
Minato's expression was heavier than ever. Even with shards of shattered crystal scattered all over the floor, he didn't react. He understood the risk—one wrong move could shake Konoha to its foundations.
Root was Root precisely because it was buried so deep.
Over the years, Danzō had shaped it into a tightly controlled organization. Even Minato had to admit the structure was impressive. But that was exactly why it needed to be dismantled—so Konoha could stand united again.
"Relax, relax. I've been prepared for this all along. Where's Midori?"
Kazuyama had already thought through his approach. He'd originally assumed the old fox Danzō would head to Amegakure, but since he hadn't… well, that just meant it was time to act directly.
"The ANBU are on standby. Go find him and—"
Crash!
"Damn it! He ran off before I even finished talking! Can't he hold his horses for once?!"
Minato clenched his fists in frustration. Kazuyama hadn't even waited for him to finish before smashing through the crystal window again.
But this time, something strange happened. After Kazuyama left, the shattered crystal shards slowly knit themselves back together until the window was once again whole.
"Damn it! He's turned his Kekkei Genkai—Crystal Release—into some kind of infinite window repair technique…"
"…Haa."
Minato rose slowly, gazing out through the newly restored glass. Sunlight fell across his face, softening his stern expression into something calmer. Finally, he exhaled heavily.
"Let's hope this all goes smoothly."
...
Leaving the Hokage's office, Kazuyama quickly located the ANBU commander Midori. Together with a squad, they charged toward Root's hidden base.
Root had always been buried beneath Konoha. For an organization even more secretive than ANBU, underground was the only natural place to exist.
"Oi, Danzō! Come out and greet me!"
The moment they reached Root's entrance, Kazuyama's booming voice shook the halls, echoing throughout the underground base.
The Root operative leading them paled with anger.
"Kazuyama Gekkō! Even if Lord Hokage ordered this inspection, you have no right to—"
Crack!
Before he could finish, the Root shinobi was encased in crystal, frozen like a statue.
Even Midori was startled. He quickly stepped forward.
"Hey, Kazuyama, we're here to investigate, not demolish the place."
Kazuyama's reply was unyielding.
"Midori, you need to understand what an investigation means."
"We investigate. They cooperate. Those who don't… well, this is the price."
Midori and the ANBU squad stared, dumbfounded. What kind of twisted reasoning was that? Yet Kazuyama's serious expression made it clear he wasn't joking.
"Heh heh heh…"
"Coming into my territory and attacking my men? Kazuyama Gekkō, you're awfully bold."
At last, his target appeared. Danzō emerged with more than a dozen Root shinobi at his back.
"Oh, Danzō, there you are." Kazuyama smirked.
"Don't blame me—your man couldn't do his job. I'm here on orders to conduct an investigation."
"By Lord Hokage's authority, I'm investigating Root. Reports say you've been involved in serious violations."
"Like unauthorized ninja training. Inhumane experiments."
His tone was unflinching. Others might not know what went on inside Root, but Kazuyama knew very well.
Midori and the ANBU squad widened their eyes. If Kazuyama was telling the truth, then Root had crossed serious lines.
Danzō, however, didn't flinch. His face remained unreadable.
Of course—Kazuyama had expected nothing less. A veteran of three Hokage eras who couldn't keep his composure under pressure wouldn't have survived this long.
"No response? I'll take that as an admission."
"The investigation starts now. I expect Root's full cooperation. Otherwise, my methods may get a bit… rough."
"And that wouldn't be pleasant for anyone."
He spoke with a smile, but the warning was sharp as steel.
Then, without hesitation, Kazuyama personally led the squad deeper into Root's domain.
"Lord Danzō, are we really letting him search?" one Root shinobi asked nervously.
"Let him," Danzō answered calmly.
He didn't believe that Kazuyama Gekkō, who had never once set foot in Root before, could uncover anything of substance.