Chapter 202: 202. Chapter 199: The Battle Begins

202. Chapter 199: The Battle Begins

In the northwest corner of Konoha, near the Hokage Rock, lies a dense forest that is uninhabited year-round; only the Barrier Squad's puppets come here to inspect.

But tonight, the place is unusually lively after a long silence.

Under the cold forest moonlight, two masked ninja cautiously shield Tuan Zang behind them.

"Enemy attack, Lord Tuan Zang, be careful!"

Behind the two, Tuan Zang squints his single eye, calmly scanning the forest ahead; the hidden enemies in the trees cannot hide from the Copy Wheel Eye.

"Seems someone can't hold back any longer."

Tuan Zang knows his recent activities have drawn increasing attention, inevitably making him a target; yet he hasn't even left the village, and these people already dare to act, as if they don't consider Shisui at all.

"Indeed, what could that foolish Uchiha know? This Konoha still needs me to take control!"

Swoosh swoosh swoosh—cold wind whistles as several kunai tied with detonator tags shoot forward, and seven figures, after the kunai are launched, rush toward the three of them.

The ninja hidden in the forest clearly didn't expect Tuan Zang and his two companions to spot them so quickly; they had to change plans and strike first to prevent the target from escaping, after all Tuan Zang's whereabouts aren't always trackable.

A faint smirk curls at Tuan Zang's mouth as he lets out a mildly disdainful hum.

Two Root members beside him immediately draw their swords to charge.

"Don't act, I'll handle it!"

Tuan Zang forms hand seals with both hands, inhales forcefully, and a breath resembling a scythe Itachi sweeps across, instantly deflecting the kunai and slicing several foes at the waist, spilling blood and entrails on the spot.

"They send ninjas of this caliber to assassinate me? How naive!"

"Your triumph won't last long!"

A ninja reduced to half a torso lands before Tuan Zang, roaring with its last ounce of strength.

"At this level, I don't even have the right to move my body."

As the words finish, the three of Tuan Zang spring up; the ground beneath them suddenly sinks, and dozens of shuriken rush out of the forest.

Tuan Zang tears off a bandage, uses the Copy Wheel Eye to gauge the shuriken trajectories, forms hand seals again, and a wind blade instantly sweeps all the shuriken away, then follows their angles to locate the ninjas.

Moments later, Tuan Zang thrusts his long sword into the last man's heart.

"A long‑awaited real battle lets my body move a bit."

He hasn't felt the sensation of fighting a person in ages, yet he clearly senses his strength has waned; unfortunately, the first‑generation cell's corruption is too terrifying, even he dares not experiment lightly.

And that Orochimaru has been taking money without doing anything for a long time, but for the power of the first‑generation cells, he can only tolerate the other party for now.

"Lord Tuan Zang, shall we bring them back to Root for inspection?"

With ninja abilities, even corpses can yield plenty of information.

"No need."

Tuan Zang again covers his eyes with a bandage, calmly replies, then leans on his wooden staff and walks away slowly through the blood‑stained water.

He knows exactly who the enemies are this time; they are so numerous that identification isn't necessary—they're everywhere, and only by banding together can they act against him within Konoha.

The two immediately follow, and the three erase their traces and return to the Root base.

In truth, Tuan Zang isn't confident of surviving in those people's hands; today's visitors are merely testing, and once they gauge his strength they'll employ their true killing techniques.

Tuan Zang is grateful that Shisui, because of the Third, still gives him considerable responsibilities; with Shisui's backing, he can firmly control Root.

However, those threats remain, and he needs to boost his defenses before figuring out how to deal with them.

"Xiao, I've already made contact with a good portion of the village's chunin; what do you think I should do next?"

Xiao is the new title given to Hattori Ryozo upon entering Root; now Xiao kneels half‑heartedly before Tuan Zang, his once flowing hair cut short.

"Lord Tuan Zang, the village has many chunin; even a fraction constitutes a massive force. Since those people have already discovered us, we might as well select some to strengthen Root immediately, then openly rally them. After all we have the Hokage's orders; everything you do is for Konoha, and they cannot resist!"

A single sentence awakens a dreamer! Tuan Zang pauses, then realizes that his distribution of ninjutsu to chunin wasn't to spread techniques but merely to win them over; now that the ninja clans have noticed, he'll simply monetize it, converting his reputation among chunin into actual power.

As long as he possesses that strength, he can contend with those ninja clans and the Hokage, and then have even more power to continue recruiting others.

If he pushes further and elevates a tiny fraction of chunin to jonin, he'll secure a seat at the jonin council; then, surpassing Shisui to become the Sixth Hokage, sweeping away the Uchiha to save Konoha, and even slapping the Second Hokage's face would be possible!

"Your thoughts align perfectly with mine; that Shisui brat only thinks of himself, and Konoha's future can only rely on us!" Tuan Zang nods, feeling pleased.

Everyone, hearing this, exclaims in unison, "Lord Tuan Zang is wise!"

Thus, the next day, Tuan Zang orders someone to bring Shisui a grant, giving him funds to start recruiting everywhere.

Previously, most chunin's impression of Tuan Zang was merely hearsay; it couldn't be called good, only poor.

When Tuan Zang returns from the Grass Country, he begins sending ninjutsu to the chunin he values; thanks to the ninjutsu he bestows, those chunin's abilities all improve, and now their impression of Tuan Zang has undergone a dramatic transformation.

On this foundation, Root's private recruitment, after just one morning, secured thirty people's intentions.

This makes Tuan Zang overjoyed; Root has never seen such a turnout, and the ninjas' reactions all confirm his actions are correct.

It should be noted that the ninjas invited by Root are hand‑picked by him; with careful training, they'll be qualified to pass the exam and become jonin in the future.

"Hahaha, good, Xiao, you did well; pick for yourself which of these ninjutsu you value."

Tuan Zang laughs, a genuine smile, and with a grand gesture, besides the ninjutsu he also gives Xiao some money and raises the bonus for joining Root.

A Root elder, watching Tuan Zang's hearty laugh, sighs, "It's been ages since I've seen Lord Tuan Zang laugh like this."

But Tuan Zang's happiness naturally makes someone unhappy.

Root's recruitment, though conducted privately, already has thirty direct volunteers; the scope is clearly not small, and the ninja clans quickly notice.

However, they have no reason to block Root, so the matter reaches Shisui.

When Nara Zhuque, with a helpless expression, brings the items over, the table before Shisui holds the intelligence that Uchiha Hui delivered yesterday about an attack on a Konoha advisor within the village.

Nara Zhuque, seeing this, glances and instantly knows whom Shisui intends to help, so she immediately shifts her tone and articulates the matter.

"Hokage, that's the situation; what should we do next?"

Nara Zhuque remains impartial; though she doesn't state the interests outright, she hints at many.

"I recall Root's missions are always dangerous, with heavy personnel losses and difficult replenishment. I've even heard Tuan Zang's advisor complain before; now that they've finally recruited people, what reason do I have to block them?"

Shisui places a hand on his forehead and says with a troubled expression.

Is recruiting people into the Root illegal? Is teaching ninja techniques illegal? Even the Uchiha cannot, under current law, impose any punishment on Tuan Zang for these two actions.

So Nara Suzaku could only give a dry laugh; he never wanted to deal with this matter, but there was no way to avoid it.

"As for the forced recruitment they mention, I'm not clear on that. How about this: bring in Tuan Zang's advisor and the ninja from each division, and also summon a few ninja who agree to join the Root. After all, it concerns Leaf Village's stability, so it's better to clarify the situation."

"Understood."

Nara Suzaku agreed, and under his arrangement, Tuan Zang and the ninja from each division arrived quickly.

Many of the division ninja were quite excited; this kind of council gave them the illusion of participating in decision‑making. Tuan Zang, however, felt conflicted—though he acted for the Leaf Village, if Shisui does not support him, everything he does would have no footing.

"Hokage, Tuan Zang repeatedly forces village ninja to join the Root, contrary to the Will of Fire, a truly heinous crime!"

As soon as the crowd fell silent, someone impatiently began to accuse Tuan Zang.

In their view, Shisui wouldn't even protect Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, so he certainly wouldn't protect Tuan Zang; Zhuan Qin Xiaochun deserves death, and Tuan Zang even more.

Tuan Zang let out a cold snort, glanced at the man, and thought, "Someone actually dares to frame me—truly a rarity."

Shisui remained silent; he knew Tuan Zang had done this before, many times, but that was all in the past.

"What does Tuan Zang's advisor think?"

"Ignorant. The Root is a sword hidden in darkness that protects the Leaf Village; joining the Root is their honor. How could some lowly rats comprehend the greatness of the Root? Bathed in sunlight, ignorant as you are, you cannot see the dark guardian."

Tuan Zang's cold voice rang out, making the corner of Shisui's mouth twitch.

The man, hearing this, did not argue with Tuan Zang; he clenched his teeth and affirmed, "Hokage heard it too; Tuan Zang's advisor admitted his actions. For the Leaf Village, please have the Hokage stop it immediately!"

"Please, Hokage, stop it!"

Their probing had only just begun; if the Root's power grew, dealing with it would become very troublesome, and should they incur the Hokage's displeasure, the price would be even higher.

"When did I ever say the Root forces ninja to join? All ninja who join the Root do so voluntarily; we come because of the ideals in our hearts. How could I use such despicable means?"

Tuan Zang's face remained unflushed, his heart steady; with a calm expression, he suppressed the crowd's pleas.

Nara Suzaku knew Shisui had already made arrangements, so before any further objections rose, he promptly suggested, "Hokage, if it's about coercion, we can simply summon those ninja for a question and find out."

Shisui nodded, then looked at the crowd and said, "What do you all think?"

"This."

The crowd was dumbfounded, puzzled inside; this was not what they expected.

Did Shisui, given his perception of Tuan Zang, really not launch an attack even when there was an excuse?

"Hokage is wise!"

However, someone quickly caught on and was the first to sigh.

The others followed closely, but their voices were less booming; only a few remained completely calm.

After Nara Suzaku led the people into the office, several of them immediately half‑kneeling, paid their respects to Shisui.

"Hmm, not bad, all are the future of the Leaf Village. Stand up; I will ask you a few questions, just answer truthfully."

Shisui's expression was gentle, instantly calming the nervous few.

"Yes, Hokage!"

"I've heard that Tuan Zang's advisor used despicable methods to force you to join the Root; is that so?"

"That's not true! Lord Tuan Zang is a good person! We joined the Root voluntarily!"

As soon as Shisui finished speaking, a person hurriedly explained, two people beside him nodded in agreement, while one person kept his head down without responding.

The division ninja felt a sudden thump in their hearts at those words, while Tuan Zang felt as comfortable as if he were sitting in the Hokage's chair.

Only Shisui's gaze flickered slightly, then he looked at the last mid‑level ninja who had kept his head down.

"Yes, Hokage, Tuan Zang's advisor indeed threatened me to join the Root; if I refused, the Root would harm my family. Please, Hokage, save my family!"

Before Shisui could ask, the mid‑level ninja immediately began to weep and plead.

Tuan Zang's smile froze, and the division ninja were also stunned, then looked at Tuan Zang with shocked faces.

Tuan Zang stared intently at that person, then fell into contemplation.

"Could it be a past threat?"

Seeing Tuan Zang not immediately deny it, someone shouted, "Such conduct tramples Leaf Village law; please, Hokage, conduct a strict investigation!"

Nara Suzaku's forehead broke into a fine sweat at those words; he hurriedly looked at Shisui, his eyes unusually showing panic and doubt.

"Strict investigation?"

Shisui gave a glance signaling Nara Suzaku to stay calm, then slightly furrowed his brows, his gaze shifting between Tuan Zang and the mid‑level ninja. After a moment's hesitation, he finally sighed, "Then let's investigate."

Tuan Zang narrowed his eyes, and his entire aura shifted abruptly.

In an instant, a group of ANBU appeared, encircling the surroundings.

In that moment, Tuan Zang thought of Zhuan Qin Xiaochun.

He felt as if Shisui had deceived him, daring to appear alone in the Hokage Tower; this sun‑bathed Hokage Tower also concealed countless lethal cold blades.

"Should we let that guy help?"

The crowd rejoiced, but Shisui only whispered, "Hui."

"Understood."

Although it was just one word, Hui instantly grasped Shisui's intent; he activated the Three Tails and went straight to the mid‑level ninja, and the moment their eyes met, he pulled the opponent into an illusion.

Seeing Uchiha Hui act that way, the others' expressions varied.

You really investigate, huh?

"Did Tuan Zang's advisor force you to join the Root?"

"No."

Snort— the mid‑level ninja, controlled by the Copy Wheel Eye, revealed the truth, causing everyone to gasp sharply.

"Then why did you say that earlier?"

"Someone threatened my family; if I didn't say that, they'd harm my family."

Hmph, how daring! To threaten the Village's ninja, you clearly don't take this old man seriously!

Naturally, Tuan Zang was the most angry, but those familiar with Tuan Zang's past couldn't help feeling a sense of dissonance.

Shisui felt the same, but he quickly shifted his attention to the threat.

His expression was solemn, his aura imposing, and he rose straight up, saying, "Threatening the villagers, framing the advisor, Dao Huo, Hui—both of you investigate immediately; I want to see who dares act so recklessly!"

Yes!

The situation kept reversing, finally causing everyone to notice a slight oddity.

Advisor Tuan Zang, I recall that the Root only has seventeen slots, right? Although this matter is a false accusation, does the Root really need to recruit so many people? (End of chapter)