"It's such a pity... They could have been the strength of the village, yet as Hokage, I am forced to eliminate them myself."
"Danzo, the Root ends here!"
Uzumaki Raiden's face showed a faint sadness, but there was no trace of fear in his expression. Instead, as his words fell, an overwhelming killing intent surged from his body. Even through the barrier, the Root ninjas could feel it clearly.
A chill ran down their spines, and they instinctively increased their chakra input into the barrier.
Suddenly, several branches shot up from the swamp within the barrier, wrapping tightly around Raiden and pulling him deeper into the mire. At the same time, the hailstorm above abruptly ceased, and thick clouds brewed violent bolts of lightning, striking directly at Raiden.
With the combined strength of several Jonin, Kurama Tadashi's illusion barrier exhibited terrifying power—capable of creating phenomena as if they were reality, whether it be the shifting earth or a bolt from the sky. Even Raiden had never encountered such an illusion technique before.
"It's a shame..." Raiden murmured.
"Such an impressive technique, such a talented ninja—if only they could serve Konoha."
"A genjutsu that can turn illusion into reality, yet all it's done so far is alter the environment to attack me."
"The most effective method would have been to target my mind directly... but why haven't they done that?"
"Could it be... they can't?"
As Raiden was dragged deeper into the swamp, his body sinking rapidly, a realization dawned on him.
Kurama Tadashi's technique was indeed working, but the moment Raiden voiced his suspicions, Tadashi's expression changed drastically. Even though his face was hidden behind a mask, his fellow Root operatives sensed his unease.
"He's figured it out!"
A wave of dread surged through Kurama Tadashi.
Despite the illusion's power, he still couldn't overcome the limitations of genjutsu. The ability to turn illusions into reality stemmed from borrowing chakra from multiple ninjas via the barrier. Whether it was Earth Release, Lightning Release, or even advanced Kekkei Genkai, he could replicate them all.
The Kurama clan's innate ability acted as a crucible, capable of blending various chakra natures for reuse.
However, directly affecting Raiden's body required his own chakra to override Raiden's. When Tadashi attempted it, he encountered a horrifying truth—
Even with the combined chakra of all the Jonin present, he couldn't overpower Raiden's chakra reserves. Raiden's chakra level dwarfed theirs, making the idea of controlling him impossible.
Kurama Tadashi's worst fears were realized.
A sharp glint flashed in Raiden's eyes as his submerged body abruptly disappeared, and a deafening explosion echoed within the barrier.
When Tadashi looked again, Raiden was gone, leaving behind a massive crater over ten meters wide and several meters deep. The Hokage had vanished from sight.
"You and I are no longer on the same level!"
"Danzo, your life is mine!"
A whisper echoed behind Danzo, sending chills down his spine. Instinctively, he spun around, kunai in hand, stabbing backward.
Nearby, Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock as he quickly leaped away to distance himself.
Raiden, ignoring Orochimaru entirely, thrust the Sakegari no Tachi straight at Danzo's back.
"Pfft!"
A sharp, clean sound filled the air. Danzo, who had lashed out in retaliation, suddenly froze, feeling a sharp pain pierce through his chest. He lowered his gaze in disbelief.
A sword blade had punctured his chest, stained with fresh, steaming blood in the cold winter air.
"Impossible..."
Blood dripped from Danzo's lips as he stared at Raiden, shocked beyond belief. He hadn't expected Raiden to bypass the meticulously crafted barrier and ambush him so swiftly.
His plan had hinged on the assumption that the barrier would hold. Yet, with Raiden's speed, he hadn't even seen him move.
"Danzo, I thought you'd be smarter," Raiden said, his voice carrying a tinge of disappointment.
"If you intended to oppose me, you should have sought allies from within the village."
"But I overestimated your political acumen. I never expected you to resort to such a crude strategy."
"You and I are no longer in the same league. This plan may have worked for you, but against me..."
With a flick of his wrist, Raiden withdrew his blade, waiting for Danzo to fall.
However, to his surprise, Danzo did not collapse immediately. Instead, he gritted his teeth and snarled:
"The plan was sound... You may be the only one in Konoha capable of escaping this barrier."
"But the battle isn't over yet!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!"
Danzo leapt back, widening the distance between them while simultaneously channeling a violent gust of wind. His summon, the Baku, inhaled deeply, creating a powerful suction to pull Raiden in.
Yet, instead of being pushed back, Raiden leaned into the force, lightning crackling around his hand.
With a sudden motion, he extended a lightning blade from his arm, piercing the Baku's body with precision.
"What?!"
Danzo gasped in disbelief.
The speed at which Raiden executed the attack was beyond his comprehension. With his plan crumbling, he hastened his hand seals and barked at Orochimaru:
"Orochimaru! Do something! Protect me!"
His desperate cry echoed through the battlefield, and the Root operatives hastily dispelled the barrier, rushing to defend their leader. Danzo retreated behind them, relieved momentarily.
However, Orochimaru merely narrowed his eyes, showing no intention of aiding him. Instead, he stepped back and stood alongside Danzo, smirking.
"Orochimaru, what are you—?" Danzo's voice wavered with a growing sense of dread.
"Hahahaha!"
Orochimaru's laughter cut through the tension, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Danzo, you are truly pathetic."
"You never understood the gap in power between yourself and your enemies. You can't defeat Uzumaki Raiden."
With that, Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, simultaneously performing his infamous Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, spitting out the Kusanagi Blade and charging at Danzo.
Meanwhile, the Root operatives engaged Raiden, but the battle was completely one-sided. Moving like a phantom, Raiden struck them down one by one, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground.
Soon, the battlefield was drenched in blood, with no Root operatives left standing.
As the purple mist surrounding Orochimaru and Danzo cleared, Orochimaru stood victorious, his Kusanagi Blade embedded deep in Danzo's chest.
Shimura Danzo—the dark shadow behind Konoha—had fallen at last.
(End of this chapter)