Ryoma pressed his palm against the earth, and in an instant, countless roots and vines surged forth, tightly wrapping around Yamato.
This time, Yamato had nowhere left to run.
Within moments, the vast Tree World began to wither at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving only ten restrained figures before him—Konoha's infamous Root operatives.
"Hmm…"
In Ryoma's arms, Kushina's long eyelashes trembled. She stirred, awakening as though from a nightmare.
Opening her eyes, she was met with Ryoma's familiar face.
"Ryoma, are you alright?"
Her hands moved over him anxiously, her eyes red and glistening, before she threw her arms around him in a fierce embrace.
Back in the Naraku Binding Technique, she had seen him bleed and collapse. The sight had terrified her.
In her mind flashed the memories—first meeting the disheveled Ryoma halfway between the Uzumaki village and Konoha, entering the Academy together, graduating side by side… and now, him rushing in to save her.
Only at this moment did Kushina realize just how much she truly cared for him.
Ryoma gently stroked her soft, crimson hair and murmured, "Silly girl…"
Nestled in his embrace, Kushina nodded and whispered, "I really am an idiot—falling for an illusion like that…"
"Ahem."
An untimely cough sounded behind Ryoma.
Kushina's eyes widened, and she quickly pushed herself out of his arms.
It was none other than the matriarch Uzumaki Mito, alongside the Third Hokage.
As for Minato standing quietly behind them—Kushina didn't even notice him in that moment.
Mito gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a sharp, dissatisfied glare. The young ones were finally sharing a heartfelt moment—did the old man really have to interrupt?
Hiruzen, however, looked helpless. If he hadn't spoken up, those ten Root operatives might have suffocated to death, crushed in Ryoma's bindings.
Even at a glance, he recognized them—they were the elite of Root.
A whole unit taken down like this? What on earth happened?
Just then, Uchiha Fugaku arrived with a squad from the Uchiha clan.
"Fugaku, you've come at the right time," Hiruzen said. "Form a cordon—keep all unnecessary personnel away from here."
Fugaku's eyes flickered in surprise when he looked at Ryoma.
That terrifying Tree World earlier… was his doing?
If the Senju's Wood Release bloodline had truly awakened in him… the power was overwhelming.
Still, Fugaku quickly replied, "Understood, Hokage-sama. But these people…"
"Just keep others out. I'll handle the rest," Hiruzen said firmly.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Fugaku immediately gave orders, and the Uchiha began sealing off the area. The Hyūga, Yamanaka, and others were blocked from entering.
Hiruzen then turned to Ryoma. "Ryoma… release them."
"You know these people, Hokage-sama?" Ryoma asked coolly.
Hiruzen sighed and was about to respond when the sound of brisk footsteps approached from behind.
Danzo appeared, flanked by Konoha's senior advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
"These are my subordinates, Ryoma. Release them," Danzo said flatly.
He eyed the Root members—each bound and incapacitated—and was inwardly shocked.
Has Ryoma already grown this strong?
It seemed he had underestimated him gravely.
Still, Danzo quickly masked his surprise, adopting a calm demeanor.
Ryoma remained silent, but Kushina's gaze sharpened as she stared at Danzo.
What was Konoha's leadership planning?
Why had they attacked Ryoma?
"Danzo, you—" Hiruzen began, trying to choose his words carefully.
But before he could continue, golden chakra erupted around Mito.
The manifestation of the Nine-Tails' power surged outward, forming a massive claw that clamped around Danzo's throat and lifted him into the air.
"Shimura Danzo," Mito's voice rang with authority, "your men attacked Ryoma. What exactly are your intentions?"
Uzumaki Mito's shoulders trembled with barely restrained fury.
The deaths of her fellow Uzumaki in battle—tragic, but accidents.
The decline of the Senju clan—another accident.
Even the death of Nawaki—an accident.
But now, Ryoma had been openly attacked inside Konoha itself.
This was no accident.
The rage in her heart could no longer be contained.
He was the last pure-blooded descendant of the Senju clan.
Did Konoha's leadership truly intend for the Senju name to vanish entirely?
Her voice rang out like a whip.
"Shimura Danzo! You once served as the Second Hokage's elite guard—how could you do something like this? What exactly is your goal?"
Danzo's eyes widened in shock. The Nine-Tails' chakra claw around his throat lifted him off the ground, cutting off his air. He clawed at his neck, his feet kicking helplessly in the air.
"I… have always followed the will of the First and Second Hokage!" he choked out. "Everything I've done is for Konoha—selflessly!"
"Ryoma's actions that night were suspicious! I only wanted to bring him in for questioning…!"
"I never meant to harm him—it… it was just an accident!"
But the Nine-Tails' chakra held him firmly, suppressing all movement. He couldn't form seals, couldn't even summon a jutsu.
Years of political power and privilege had dulled the ruthless edge he once possessed in his youth. And more than anything, he hadn't expected this—Mito, who hadn't taken the field in nearly twenty years, still wielding such overwhelming strength.
So this… is the true power of the Nine-Tails?
Her sudden intervention shattered the quiet scheme Mito Menyan and Utatane Koharu had been setting in motion.
If Ryoma had struck out himself, it would have been easy—brand him as disrespectful, reckless, and dangerous. They could then detain him under the guise of an investigation, citing his "suspicious" nature.
But with Mito acting first, their plan crumbled instantly.
No one in Konoha commanded greater respect than her.
Seeing Danzo's face turning red and his struggles weakening, Homura and Koharu quickly stepped forward.
"Lady Mito, please—put Danzo down first!"
"Yes," Koharu added hastily. "Danzo only acted for the sake of the village. Surely there's been some misunderstanding here?"