Ye Wudi: I already said it was me, so why won't anyone believe me? Sigh… it's tough being honest.
Pffft!
The moment the barrier was shattered, the four Special Jōnin from Root who had been maintaining it at the base
All of them spewed blood on the spot. Whether it was from backlash or sheer rage, who could say?
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 999 points of negative emotion from a Root Special Jōnin!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 999 points of negative emotion from a Root Special Jōnin!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 999 points of negative emotion from…
"What the hell is going on?! Why did the barrier suddenly break? We were so close! Just a little more and the mission would've been done!"
The Root Special Jōnin who had nearly succeeded a moment ago now bellowed in full Socratic fury as he watched Ye Wudi and Hinata fall back into the Hyūga clan's formation.
But while he raged, one of the four others glanced toward the broken barrier with a slight frown.
"The breach happened in an instant, but the point of origin seems to be near the Hyūga clan's position."
"Which means… the one who broke it must've been a hidden operative from their side?"
"Most likely."
Clap clap clap!
As they spoke, the furious Root ninja who'd nearly succeeded turned to glare murderously at the stunned Hyūga elders and elites nearby.
"Well, well, keep up the act, why don't you!"
"You're the ones who broke the barrier, and now you're playing dumb? Typical Hyūga scum shameless and sly as ever!"
We're the ones who broke the barrier?
The Hyūga Elder turned to the surrounding Jōnin with a look of utter confusion, but all of them shook their heads.
Left with no choice, the elder turned to Hiashi standing behind him.
"Uh, Hiashi… did you bring any backup we weren't aware of?"
"No. I only brought these few along from the clan to help with the rescue."
Hiashi answered firmly, shaking his head without hesitation.
"Maybe there's a third party involved. Someone else must've acted at the same time."
A third party…
Aside from the guy still foaming at the mouth and twitching on the ground, the remaining five Root ninja all turned their gazes in one direction.
Over there, an ANBU three-man squad was slowly approaching.
Before they could even open their mouths, the Root ninja were already laying into them with sarcasm-laced accusations.
"Well, well, and here I thought ANBU prided themselves on discretion. Turns out you're no cleaner than we are."
"Exactly! One of your agents must've been planted next to Ye Wudi in advance. That's the only explanation! Otherwise, why would the barrier break just as you arrived?"
Us? We did it? We had spies planted?
The ANBU squad, having just arrived, was left completely at a loss in the face of these unprovoked accusations.
Who are we? Where are we? What are we supposed to be doing again…?
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, observing through his telescope technique, looked just as clueless.
He had assigned someone to keep an eye on Ye Wudi, but that person…
Wasn't even present today.
Kakashi, as it happened, was still out jogging through the wind with Might Guy.
And so, Root remained convinced that the barrier had been shattered by an ANBU operative lurking in the shadows.
Meanwhile, ANBU thought Root was deliberately setting them up.
Given how hostile Hiruzen and Danzo were at the top, it was hardly surprising that this kind of inter-departmental sabotage would happen.
Obviously, they reasoned, the Hyūga did it.
Their feigned confusion was just an act meant to dodge responsibility.
And as for the Hyūga clan?
They were absolutely certain the Root ninja, realizing they'd failed, had broken the barrier themselves to save face.
Their earlier exchange had only been for the sake of appearances.
Now, all three factions just stared at each other silent, guarded, suspicious.
Not a single one willing to take the blame.
…
Watching this farce unfold, Ye Wudi now safely surrounded by Hyūga Jōnin and elders had a strange gleam in his eye.
This situation was getting really interesting.
If he spoke up now…
Wouldn't the flood of negative emotions be deliciously overwhelming?
With that thought, he hugged Hinata close, activated the Body Flicker Technique, and with a flash, appeared dead center between all three groups.
"Alright, everyone, stop the wild guessing! The one who broke that barrier…"
"Was me!"
"So there's no need for all this infighting! We're all good comrades of the Leaf Village we should be learning to trust one another!"
…
With Ye Wudi's heartfelt speech, the tension that had nearly erupted just moments ago…
Vanished. Like air from a popped balloon.
Everyone's righteous fury collapsed into stunned silence and suppressed curses.
You did it?
You're just a brat who hasn't even graduated from the academy yet.
Sure, you got lucky and picked up Shisui Uchiha's Body Flicker Technique.
And yeah, you're fast and flashy, and good at pulling pranks.
But as for barrier-breaking techniques?
Heh. Nice try.
Nobody believed a word.
If what you're saying is true, we might as well be pigs!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 999 points of negative emotion from a Root Special Jōnin!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 666 points of negative emotion from an ANBU Jōnin!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received 666 points of negative emotion from the Hyūga Elder!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've received…
In an instant, all the pent-up tension from the three sides was dumped squarely onto Ye Wudi's head through glorious negative emotion points.
Unfortunately for him, the ANBU and Hyūga clans had originally come here to rescue him.
So no matter how annoyed they were, their resentment could only reach a maximum of 666 points each. No more, no less and it couldn't even last that long.
"Yup… when it counts, I can always rely on my dear Root brothers and their legendary ability to hold a grudge."
"Heh heh heh… my favorite guys! How could I possibly forget you?"
Whoosh!
Grinning from ear to ear, Ye Wudi once again hugged Hinata tightly.
Then, in full view of everyone, he turned to the five Root ninja, raised his middle finger high…
And ever so politely offered heartfelt greetings to their mothers.
"Go f**k your grandma."