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On the other side, beneath Uchiha Haru's Wood Release: Sea of Trees, a large number of Uchiha clan members were gathered at the place that once belonged to the Konoha Guard Division.
The rest of the clan followed the trails left by the vines and branches, converging here as well.
However, the guard station was now nothing but rubble—completely destroyed and unrecognizable. After gathering everyone, Haru withdrew all the vines and branches, letting them come together freely.
The Uchiha clan members, stunned by the sudden upheaval, fortunately remained unharmed. As the families reunited, they looked around at the ruins—the former Konoha Guard Division, the entire Uchiha settlement—now transformed into a forested wasteland. Their faces drained of color, shock and disbelief written plainly.
"Oh my God… What happened?"
"It's Uchiha Haru!"
Someone spotted Haru standing among the dense trees like a deity, and the realization spread quickly.
The Uchiha clan had undergone a massive transformation.
After seeing Haru in his current state, could it be that all this destruction was his doing?
"Uchiha Haru, what is going on?"
"What are you trying to do?"
"Is this your doing? You owe us an explanation!"
"Aren't you supposed to be locked up? How did you suddenly escape?"
"What is your purpose?"
The clan members demanded answers, their voices sharp and hostile.
Their families had been swept away in the chaos, and many were on the verge of losing control. Had they not seen that Haru had not harmed their kin, they might have taken up arms against him immediately.
Haru paid them no mind. Such distrust was only natural.
In a calm tone, he replied, "You shouldn't be asking me."
"Then who should we ask?" someone retorted, confused.
"Ask them."
Haru pointed straight ahead.
The clan members exchanged puzzled glances but turned their heads instinctively.
In the distance, the Root organization's shinobi—those under Danzo's command—were approaching.
They had originally been ordered to hunt down the Uchiha clan.
But now, with the clan assembled, how could they hope to kill so many?
Everyone knew the Uchiha's power, wielding the Sharingan. Their numbers surpassed those of the Root operatives.
To kill them now?
That was suicide.
The Uchiha clan itself was confused.
They thought Konoha had come to investigate because of the strange changes in the Uchiha settlement.
But soon, it became clear that something else was happening.
Because Haru had made his move.
In Wood Release: Sea of Trees, every tree, branch, and leaf was an extension of Haru's will.
He could control everything—and sense everything.
Soon after the Root shinobi appeared, Haru acted swiftly and decisively.
Vines, branches, and leaves extended and snaked out in all directions, entangling the enemy.
Their speed and strength far surpassed what they had used to capture the Uchiha clan earlier.
Like a massive dragnet, the tendrils spread out, wrapping around the Root operatives.
Nearly a hundred Root ninjas panicked, standing back to back in desperate defense.
None had ever witnessed or heard of such a terrifying ninjutsu—far beyond their imagination.
The vines writhed like giant pythons, agile and powerful.
Once caught, a person was immobilized completely, their resistance utterly crushed. Many succumbed this way.
But in the face of the countless branches and vines, these hundred were still too few.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
"Wind Escape: Wind Killing Formation!"
"Water Style: Water Wave!"
One by one, the Root shinobi unleashed their ninjutsu to combat the creeping vines.
Nearly a hundred elite jonin-level ninjas performed their techniques simultaneously.
The power they unleashed was tremendous—even ordinary Anbu-level shinobi would only barely evade the onslaught before succumbing.
But Haru was no ordinary Anbu.
He had gained five golden abilities in rapid succession.
He had long surpassed ordinary Anbu levels and was nearing the super Anbu threshold.
How close he was to true super Anbu status, he didn't yet know.
Perhaps only when he faced an opponent of that caliber would he understand.
The Root ninjas' jutsu lit up the dark night sky, bursts of light flickering through the branches controlled by Haru.
The vines, branches, and trees under his command were constantly shattered.
Yet as the first batch fell, another rushed forward, relentless and unending.
The later waves became increasingly tougher to destroy—each with greater durability.
After a short while, the area occupied by the Root ninjas began to shrink steadily.
They could no longer hold back the advancing vines and branches.
Their only option was to draw closer together, shrinking their territory bit by bit.
The Uchiha clan members watching were stunned.
They had never imagined that Haru—usually taciturn and withdrawn—had reached such a formidable level.
It was truly astonishing.
Nearly a hundred elite jonin had been overwhelmed so thoroughly, with no chance to resist—only waiting for death.
Could the clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, do this?
Could the Third Hokage do this?
As they marveled at Haru's display of power, the war of attrition between him and the Root ninjas neared its end.
At first, the Root shinobi still managed to fight back with their ninjutsu.
But as their chakra waned with every attack, their resistance faltered.
Eventually, they were defeated—one by one.
The relentless advance of the Wood Release tendrils swept the battlefield, binding, crushing, and dragging the Root operatives into submission.
The few that tried to flee found themselves ensnared moments later.
The sheer power and versatility of Haru's technique left no room for escape.
He did not seek to kill immediately—his goal was to neutralize and capture, protecting his clan first.
Uchiha Haru used vines and branches to wrap and tie the Root operatives one by one.
Then, with a sudden forceful movement, a burst of high-pitched screams pierced the night.
In mere moments, countless Root ninjas were torn apart by the unyielding vines wrapped tightly around their bodies.
Splashes of brilliant blood sprayed through the air like dark crimson flowers.
Nearly a hundred lives were extinguished in front of the watching Uchiha clan members.
Shock was quickly followed by fear—a palpable dread directed at Uchiha Haru himself.
Especially among the children and women, many of whom had never witnessed the brutal horrors of war, panic took hold.
Some with weaker nerves trembled uncontrollably, their cries breaking the heavy silence.
At that moment, they forgot that it was Haru who had led them here.
They forgot the significance of the fact that so many Root ninjas had been slain by the Uchiha clan.
Only fear remained in their hearts.
Instinctively, they kept their distance from Haru.
But Haru remained calm, his expression unreadable.
He spoke lightly, "You shouldn't be asking me."
"If not you, then who?" someone from the clan demanded.
"Ask them," Haru said, pointing straight ahead.
The clan members turned instinctively to the direction he indicated.
There, approaching steadily, were the Root organization ninjas, those who had followed Danzo's orders to suppress and eliminate the Uchiha.
But now, with the clan gathered like this, how could they hope to kill them?
Everyone knew the Uchiha clan wielded the Sharingan and their power was fearsome.
They had the numbers—and the skill.
Attempting to kill them now was courting certain death.
The Uchiha were equally puzzled.
They initially assumed the sudden upheaval had drawn Konoha's attention, and that this was merely an investigation.
But soon, it became clear something was wrong.
Because Haru was acting.
In his Wood Release: Sea of Trees technique, every tree, branch, and leaf was an extension of his chakra and will.
He could control and feel all of it.
No sooner had the Root ninjas appeared than Haru acted swiftly and decisively.
Vines, branches, and leaves extended rapidly, weaving and twisting into an inescapable net.
Their speed and strength surpassed anything they'd previously shown.
Like giant constrictor snakes, the vines slithered in every direction, hunting down the Root operatives.
Nearly a hundred Root ninjas stood back-to-back, panicked but trying to hold their ground.
They had never heard of such a terrifying ninjutsu—it defied all their expectations.
The vines moved with the agility and power of colossal serpents.
Once caught, a ninja was rendered helpless, their resistance crushed entirely.
Many fell this way.
But compared to the countless branches and tendrils, a hundred opponents were still a small number.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
"Wind Escape: Wind Killing Formation!"
"Water Style: Water Wave!"
All at once, the Root ninjas unleashed a barrage of jutsu, attacking the encroaching vines from every angle.
Nearly a hundred elite jonin-level shinobi executed their ninjutsu simultaneously.
The power they could muster was tremendous—enough to force even ordinary Anbu-level shinobi to temporarily retreat or give ground.
But Haru was no ordinary Anbu.
He had acquired five golden abilities in rapid succession.
He had long surpassed the level of an average Anbu and was closing in on the super Anbu tier.
How close exactly? He wasn't sure.
Perhaps only an encounter with a true super Anbu would reveal that.
The night sky lit up with the brilliant colors of their jutsu, illuminating the forest around them.
The branches, vines, and leaves controlled by Haru were constantly broken and torn apart.
Yet the moment one batch fell, another surged forward relentlessly.
Each successive wave grew tougher and more resilient.
After a short time, the area occupied by the Root ninjas began shrinking steadily.
They could no longer hold back the endless growth of vines and branches.
Their only choice was to compress their formation, yielding ground inch by inch.
The watching Uchiha clan were stunned.
They had never imagined Haru—always so quiet and distant—had reached such formidable heights.
It was truly extraordinary.
Nearly a hundred elite jonin had been reduced to pawns, powerless and waiting for death.
Could their clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, have done this?
Could the Third Hokage?
As they marveled at Haru's skill, the battle of attrition neared its conclusion.
At first, the Root operatives still fought back with their ninjutsu.
But as their chakra reserves drained, their resistance weakened.
One by one, they succumbed.
Haru used vines and branches to bind them firmly.
Suddenly, with brutal force, he tightened the grips.
Piercing screams erupted from the captured Root ninjas.
In moments, the tough vines shredded them mercilessly.
Blood sprayed in vivid arcs, staining the ground below.
Nearly a hundred enemies perished right before their eyes.
Beyond shock, fear gripped the Uchiha clan members—fear of Haru.
Especially the children and women, unaccustomed to the bloodshed and carnage of war, were terrified.
Some broke down, trembling and crying uncontrollably.
In this moment, they forgot Haru had brought them here.
They forgot the significance of the Root ninjas' deaths at Uchiha hands.
Only terror filled their hearts.
They instinctively avoided Haru's presence.
Haru himself remained composed.
He had seen such bloody scenes many times before in simulations.
Slowly, one vine stretched out, dragging a struggling ninja to Haru's feet.
At this moment, the Uchiha clan realized Haru had not killed every Root operative.
One remained alive.
Someone recognized the ninja as a longtime trusted agent of Danzo—someone vital to the leader's plans.
"Tell me what Danzo ordered you to do," Haru said coldly.
The ninja snorted, stubbornly refusing.
"You're dreaming if you think I'll talk."
"No matter," Haru chuckled. "You don't have a choice."
Suddenly, a blood-red light flared in Haru's eyes.
Not the final form of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but the standard three-tomoe Sharingan.
Even at this critical moment, Haru wanted to keep his strongest trump card hidden.
The ninja saw the red glow and knew what was coming.
The illusions of the Uchiha clan were infamous.
He quickly shut his eyes and bowed his head.
But it was already too late.
He was caught in Haru's genjutsu.
"Open your eyes," Haru commanded softly.
A cold, emotionless voice echoed in the ninja's mind.
It was Danzo's voice—frigid and terrifying.
But the ninja did not open his eyes.
He knew it was all an illusion.
Though trapped, his consciousness remained aware.
He understood the situation was fake—and refused to be fooled.
Yet, slowly, a crushing headache began.
His mind blurred, growing drowsy.
He didn't understand what was happening.
Only that he felt overwhelmingly exhausted.
Eventually, he couldn't resist and slipped into unconsciousness.
When he awoke, the room was dim.
As his eyes adjusted, he recognized where he was.
Danzo's chamber.
Before him, Danzo stood with his back turned.
"You're awake."
"I deserve to die!" the ninja admitted immediately.
Damn it, he had fallen asleep in the leader's presence!
Had he forgotten what death meant?
He was nervous, praying for mercy from Danzo.
Though he knew Danzo's temper, hoping for kindness was foolish.
Surprisingly, Danzo showed no intention of punishing him.
"It's fine, you were just tired. Rest now."
"How do you feel?"
"Everything is fine," the ninja answered cautiously.
But he did not relax.
Danzo's mind was inscrutable.
"That's good," Danzo said calmly.
"Tonight, our mission will begin."
"This mission is crucial. No mistakes allowed. Are you ready?"
"Tonight?" the ninja's unease grew.
He couldn't remember the date at all.
"Have you forgotten?" Danzo's voice turned cold.
"No, no! How could I forget such an important task!" the ninja hurriedly denied.
Even if unsure, he had to pretend.
Otherwise, he was courting death.
Danzo's tone was colder still.
"Then tell me: what is the mission?"
"Task..." the ninja's head pounded again.
A voice inside his mind screamed at him not to answer.
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This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones
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📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
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Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
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