"Danzō, forcibly taking Uchiha Yuan into Root will likely provoke the ire of the Uchiha clan."
Mitokado Homura — who had not spoken until now — suddenly broke his silence.
Danzō let out a cold smile. "Yuan was recommended to Root by Shisui. If the Uchiha have objections, they can take it up with Shisui."
"What?" Mitokado's brow creased in confusion. Danzō glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and added, "Don't forget: my Root is also a branch of the ANBU."
He fixed Hiruzen with one unblinking eye.
"Danzō, Uchiha Yuan is a shinobi. Forcibly moving him could create controversy with the ninja corps," Hiruzen warned.
Danzō's expression darkened at the name. "Orochimaru!"
If Orochimaru had not promoted Uchiha Yuan to the ninja ranks, Danzō would have had Root seize Yuan on the very day he returned to the village.
Hiruzen set down his pipe, breathed a cloud of smoke, and said calmly, "Danzō, handle it as you see fit."
A vicious smirk flickered across Danzō's face, then he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Ichiraku Ramen, Konoha shopping street
When Yuan walked past Ichiraku, he paused, then turned and went inside.
"One large bowl, pork bone broth, please."
"Ah—Yuan-kun! It's been a while."
Teuchi, the shop owner, blinked in surprise and bustled forward to greet him.
"I've missed your ramen, Teuchi-uncle," Yuan said.
Soon Ayame brought a steaming bowl over. Teuchi had tacked on a piece of pork cutlet.
"Huh?" Yuan looked at the extra cutlet with surprise.
Teuchi smiled. "This is on me, Yuan-kun. Welcome home. You who returned from the front are heroes—this is my way of saying thanks."
Yuan accepted it with a nod. "Thank you, Teuchi-uncle. I'll enjoy it."
Ayame watched from behind the counter, chin in her hands. "I'm so glad everyone came back safe."
Yuan popped a fish ball into his mouth. "Ayame, I heard a lot of people are returning to the village lately—have you seen them?"
Ayame chatted about recent customers. "A couple of days ago Asuma and Ebisu dropped by. Yesterday, Kakashi and Kankuro came in for two bowls."
"So Asuma and Kakashi have returned from the eastern front dealing with the Mist's incursions. That means the Mist's harassment along the eastern border has eased," Yuan surmised.
"That's what Asuma and Ebisu were saying," Ayame replied. "Word is the Country of Water heard about the peace deal between Konoha and Iwagakure, so the Mist has started to pull back."
Yuan finished his bowl, thanked them, and left Ichiraku.
As he walked through the market district, he exchanged greetings with passing shinobi — some familiar comrades from the Sand front, some who had shown respect after he'd confronted Yoshihara Yuutō. He left the busy street for a quieter lane.
Suddenly Yuan halted. He glared ahead and called out in a cold voice, "Come on out. You've been following me for a while. If you don't show yourselves now, I'll return to the clan."
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Wind cut the air as seven figures blurred out of the shadows and formed a ring around him.
"Root," Yuan noted, scanning their masked faces.
"Uchiha Yuan, Lord Danzō requests your presence. Come with us," a Root operative in a purple-marked mask said flatly.
Yuan lifted the corner of his mouth in a contemptuous smile. "A familiar scene… but times are different. This time, my answer is no."
The masked man's tone icily replied, "Uchiha Yuan, will you refuse a direct order?"
The seven men's auras instantly hardened into killing intent; all seven locked on him.
"Refuse an order?" Yuan laughed arrogantly. "I'm an Uchiha. An elder like Danzō has no right to command me."
The moment he finished, the seven Root operatives lunged.
Blades flashed—seven blades thrust from hard-to-predict angles toward Yuan's vital points. Yuan's body flowed like water: he twisted and dodged with agile precision, slipping past the initial strikes.
In two rapid motions his fingers flicked. The steel of seven blades rang under an explosive impact as Yuan struck them with a sudden, enormous force. Each blade was snapped from its wielder's hand and sent flying.
The shock of that jolt reverberated through the seven Root men; they were blasted backward and sprawled a dozen meters away.
The seven blades sank into the ground in a neat circle around Yuan.
He stood tall and declared, "Consider this your warning. Try that again—there will only be one outcome: death."
As Yuan turned to leave, the seven Root ninja surged up in unison. They formed hand seals and released a violent chakra ripple.
Yuan's hands tightened into the shape of a palm-blade. In an instant, he'd mentally traced the precise vectors of their attack and found the openings where his palm strikes would land.
Then his expression flickered—and he unclenched his hand.
A cold, oppressive chakra wave rolled out like a tsunami.
"Shadow-Multiplying Multi-Serpent Technique!"
The chakra pattern the Root operatives had been building collapsed in an instant. Seven massive serpents erupted, coiling about them and clamping viciously down. Each root operative was caught in a terrible grip; snake jaws snapped at their heads.
A voice, low and murderous, cut through the chaos: "What do you intend to do to the child I care for most?"
Orochimaru stepped forward from the smoke, moving with slow menace. A girl walked at his side, trailing in his steps.
Some people have died, but they were never truly gone…
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