Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

The Root ninjas had always believed one thing with absolute certainty.

Although the Hokage was undeniably strong, as long as they attacked together, even if they failed to kill him outright, they would at least be able to inflict grievous injuries.

After all, they were Root.

The Anbu within the Anbu, without question, is the most powerful ninja organization in Konoha when it comes to overall combat strength.

Yet reality was merciless. Their meticulously coordinated assault had only managed to injure a few Anbu operatives.

Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Hokage himself—remained completely unharmed from beginning to end.

After only a few brief exchanges, it was their side that had suffered devastating losses instead.

The mission was on the verge of failure. Any ordinary person would have chosen to retreat at this point.

But the Root ninjas were different.

They exchanged glances.

Not a single word was spoken, yet a silent consensus was reached—to detonate their explosive tags and take Sarutobi Hiruzen down with them.

The power of an explosive tag was terrifying. A single one was more than enough to kill a Genin outright.

Even a Jōnin, if caught off guard, would suffer severe injuries.

And now, each of these Root ninjas had hundreds of explosive tags strapped tightly to their bodies.

Not only the three charging directly at Sarutobi Hiruzen—

The Root ninjas fighting the Anbu, as well as those maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation, all made the same decision.

Ten people.

More than a thousand explosive tags detonated simultaneously. Such a quantity would create an unimaginably terrifying explosion.

Its destructive power would be no less than that of certain S-rank ninjutsu.

The entire Hokage Building would be obliterated, and everything in the surrounding area would suffer catastrophic damage.

If not stopped, the consequences for Konoha would be disastrous beyond measure.

Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not allow this to happen.

"Bastards, stop!" His roar thundered with fury. "Does Root intend to destroy Konoha?!"

Overcome by rage, he subconsciously blurted out the attackers' identity. The moment the words left his mouth, shock rippled through the crowd.

Everyone trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen's judgment implicitly.

"They're actually Danzo's Root?!"

"Wasn't Danzo locked up in prison?!"

"Is he insane? Danzo is truly lawless—daring to attack Hokage-sama in broad daylight!"

The crowd erupted in heated discussion, all voices converging on the same conclusion.

Danzo must be severely punished. This was an absolutely unforgivable crime.

By the time Sarutobi Hiruzen realized what he had said, his expression changed—but it was already too late to suppress the uproar.

Of course, at this moment, he had no mind to silence the crowd.

The Root ninjas showed no intention of stopping.

The most urgent priority was to protect Konoha.

"Everyone, get away—now!" With a thunderous shout, Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands began forming seals at extreme speed.

But at that critical moment, Aoshi was even faster.

He split into ten Shadow Clones in an instant, each one rushing straight toward one of the Root ninjas.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, the ten Shadow Clone Aoshis seized the ten Root ninjas—and vanished.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of deafening explosions echoed from the distant Forest of Death.

Even from so far away, the ground trembled faintly beneath their feet.

It was painfully clear how catastrophic the damage would have been if Aoshi had not intervened and allowed over a thousand explosive tags to detonate at the Hokage Building.

"Aoshi… when did you learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first to react, looking at Aoshi with unconcealed surprise and delight.

Years ago, when Aoshi had expressed his desire to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, Sarutobi Hiruzen had not refused him.

But as time passed without results, he had assumed Aoshi had been unable to master it.

Today's events proved him wrong.

"I only learned it recently," Aoshi replied calmly. "I'm still not very proficient."

"You're far too modest," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile. "In today's Konoha, only you and Minato know the Flying Thunder God. Even counting its creator, Tobirama-sensei, only three people in history have ever mastered it."

Aoshi did not respond to the praise.

His expression remained grim. "Hokage-sama, for Root to do something like this, we absolutely cannot go easy on Danzo."

His words were immediately met with unanimous agreement from the gathered clan heads.

"Exactly!"

"Danzo has gone far too far this time."

"He must be severely punished as a warning to others!"

In truth, everyone wanted to say the same thing—Danzo should be executed outright.

They refrained only out of consideration for his long relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Though their words were tactful, how could Sarutobi Hiruzen fail to see the true thoughts behind them?

In fact, the thought of killing Danzo had already crossed his mind. But once the immediate danger had passed, his old habit resurfaced.

Indecision. He began to dwell on old sentiments, and his heart softened.

After all, the catastrophe had been averted.

Aoshi, who had been carefully observing Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, immediately understood what he was thinking.

Fortunately, he still had another move prepared.

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Aoshi changed the subject naturally.

"Hokage-sama, Danzo is clearly locked in prison, yet he can still command Root. A thorough investigation into Root is absolutely necessary."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slowly.

Root did need to be investigated thoroughly and without exception.

In the past, he had turned a blind eye. But after this incident, it was no longer possible to allow Root to run rampant under Danzo's control.

As Hokage, he had to take responsibility for all of Konoha.

"Please handle calming the villagers and managing the aftermath," Sarutobi Hiruzen said gravely. "I'm going to the Root Base. We will discuss punishment once I return."

With the Hokage's order given, no one dared to object.

---

Meanwhile—

Inside the Root Base.

Danzo, disguised by Rinne Path White Zetsu, continued his conversation with Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu.

"I don't agree with this method," Homura said firmly. "How can we kill our comrades inside the village?"

The plan White Zetsu proposed—to set a trap and kill Hirakawa Aoshi—was something Homura could not accept.

Unlike him, Koharu did not refuse outright. She remained silent, her expression unreadable.

In truth, she was tempted. If preserving her position required killing a single Hirakawa Aoshi, she was willing to consider it.

Homura noticed her hesitation, and some of the convictions in his heart began to waver unconsciously.

Yet he still did not agree.

The room fell into silence.

Rinne-Path White Zetsu did not pressure them.

Then—

"Danzo, I don't recall ever giving you permission to leave Konoha Prison." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice suddenly rang out, shattering the silence. "Are you truly planning to betray Konoha?"

"Hiruzen?!" Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were startled, rising to their feet instinctively.

"Homura. Koharu." Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was heavy as stone. "Were you two involved in this as well?"

The weight in his voice deepened.

His heart sank. His three old friends… had betrayed both him and Konoha together.

"We—" They tried to explain.

But before another word could be spoken, kunai pierced through their hearts from behind—struck down by Rinne Path–White Zetsu.