A deafening roar echoed as the compressed vacuum wave obliterated the door, sending shards of stone and splintered wood hurtling toward Hikari in a whirlwind.
She was too close to dodge!
Her ashen pupils gleamed with an intense, captivating light.
The rapid vacuum wave seemed to slow in her gaze, the air twisting as if stirred by threads of wind. Inside, countless chakra streams surged chaotically, like a pressure cooker ready to burst.
Even in such a dire moment, Hikari couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Danzo's mastery of Wind Release was near perfection—a flawless blend of nature transformation and pure, extreme shape manipulation. Specializing in a single element, his Wind Release skills had reached the pinnacle.
His ambush was brilliantly executed!
The Concealed Recognition Gate Array could detect chakra fluctuations, and Danzo had likely been waiting at the door long before she broke the barrier, planning to strike with Wind Release the moment she was distracted by casting her jutsu to dismantle it.
If it were anyone else, being ambushed right after releasing a jutsu would've meant death or severe injury.
But Hikari had shattered the barrier with a single snap of her fingers, catching Danzo off-guard and slowing his attack by a fraction.
Not that it changed the outcome!
Chakra surged through her Blood Curse Seal, crackling like electric flames.
A scarlet barrier, summoned by Yui, materialized in front of her. It was hard to tell whether the sound was the wail of Wind Release or the hum of the barrier's brimming energy. The two forces clashed, locked in a fierce stalemate!
A sudden gale tore through the narrow corridor, sending Root ninjas flying from the shockwave.
"Lady Hikari!"
The relentless vacuum waves kept coming, and the furious shouts of the Root ninjas echoed in the confined hallway, stacking like endless ocean waves.
Those who've never known darkness can't appreciate the value of light!
Only those tormented by Danzo's cruelty in Root could understand how vital Hikari was to them. If she were killed, they'd not only face Danzo's wrath but also see Root—finally warm and vibrant—revert to its former lifeless state.
Thankfully, their fears didn't come to pass.
A familiar yet unfamiliar red polyhedron trembled as it shielded Hikari. Fine cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, but even as Danzo's chakra depleted, the barrier held strong.
It didn't break!
That scheming old man Danzo was no match for Lady Hikari!
The Root ninjas' eyes lit up with excitement, thrilled by Hikari's strength and relieved they'd made the right choice.
They recognized the barrier she used. Though they didn't know how she could cast a building-protecting barrier in a second, it was unmistakably the Concealed Recognition Gate Array.
The same barrier Hikari shattered with a flick of her finger, while Danzo's full-force sneak attack only left cracks that were quickly repaired by her chakra.
The gap in their strength was glaring!
While marveling inwardly, the Root ninjas weren't just cheerleaders. On the contrary, their skills were top-tier in the ninja world.
The moment the gale subsided—
Boom!
Two ninjas in the crowd, wearing indigo and crimson masks, froze their hand signs and vanished in a puff of smoke, their real bodies instantly appearing at the secret chamber's entrance.
Wielding a short blade and iron chains, they stepped forward to guard Hikari, who was maintaining the barrier.
Yamanaka Ryoma stayed hidden in the shadows, unmoving, but swarms of parasitic insects silently crawled toward the chamber, probing for potential sealing traps.
Numerous Special Jonin-level ninjas surrounded Hikari, their various sensing and detection jutsu filling every inch of the chamber.
Above, the Nara brothers hung like bats from the ceiling's shadows, their unique scarlet eyes locked onto the sinister old man in the chamber.
On the corridor walls, two-dimensional shadows morphed into bloodthirsty beasts, circling and roaring silently from all directions.
Surrounded by countless Root ninjas, Hikari, her vibrant red diamond barrier fully restored, slowly raised her head to face the lone Danzo in the chamber.
Excluding the Nara brothers, who couldn't fight long due to their transplanted Sharingan, Root had one Elite Jonin and six Jonin, all now loyal to her.
The Elite Jonin needed no introduction. The six Jonin were: Iwakuma, Arashi, Cho, Kaze, Terai, and Kuki.
The first three, who'd joined Hikari on the Thunder Drum Mountain mission, were close allies. The latter two, now guarding her, were Terai with his short blade and Kuki with his iron chains. Under the influence of Bietenshin, they harbored deep hatred for Danzo but initially resisted accepting Hikari as Root's new leader.
It wasn't until six months ago, when Danzo's paranoia and harsh treatment of Root grew unbearable, that they chose to follow Hikari and rebel against his tyranny. That was when she fully took control of Root!
"Ryoma… Hikari… why betray me?"
Standing alone in the chamber, Danzo leaned on his cane, a symbol of his authority, his aged voice trembling with rage.
The corridor was silent except for steady breathing. No one engaged with their former leader.
Bietenshin's brainwashing had rekindled their humanity, amplifying their fury at Danzo's actions. Coupled with their fear of his retaliation, they now wanted him dead even more than Hikari did!
"It's not us who betrayed you."
The shimmering red barrier gently parted the two guards, and Hikari stepped forward, confronting Danzo in the chamber.
"From its founding, Root was meant to be the blade protecting the Hidden Leaf. They followed you because they trusted you as the one wielding that blade. But you betrayed their trust!
You trained ninjas into emotionless tools, killed fellow villagers, and researched the bloodlines of the Senju and Uchiha for your own selfish desires!
It's you who betrayed everyone, who betrayed the Hidden Leaf. You're unfit to lead Root!"
Hikari's clear voice echoed in the chamber. The Root ninjas glared at Danzo, their eyes bloodshot, memories of his persecution fueling their boiling killing intent.
"Hahaha!"
Feeling their unmasked hostility, Danzo's rage twisted into a bitter laugh, his aged face contorting into something demonic.
"Hikari Tsukihi, I should've killed you the moment you joined Root!"
"No need for regrets. I never gave you the chance."
Facing Danzo's torrent of sorrow, hatred, and regret, Hikari's expression remained cold.
From the start, she'd only sent her Yang Release clone to join Root. Until she mastered Bietenshin, she never set foot in Root's underground base, giving Danzo no opportunity.
Even if he'd seen through her shadow clone, as long as he didn't act personally, Root's ninjas were no match for her.
And with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Gai around, they could counter Danzo's threat!
She might lack the Sharingan and Hashirama cells, unable to fully develop the Reverse Eight Gates, but with the Blood Curse Seal, she could control the backlash of her ash bones and extend her lifespan.
In five years, with her Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Blood Curse Seal, she could kill a fully exposed Danzo and take his Hashirama cells.
Even if Danzo never provoked her, as long as he held precious resources like Hashirama cells and the Sharingan, she'd eventually find and kill him once she grew stronger!
It was all inevitable!
"You think you've got me cornered?"
Staring at Hikari's face, Danzo looked like he wanted to burn her image into his soul, to return as a vengeful spirit after death!
But Hikari, who hadn't smiled since seeing him, merely shook her head.
"I know I can't kill you yet.
So, as the new leader of Root, I hereby declare you, Danzo Shimura—disciple of the Second Hokage, advisor to the Hokage, and the so-called 'Darkness of the Shinobi World'—an S-rank rogue ninja of the Hidden Leaf.
Run for your life, rogue ninja Danzo!"
Hikari's humiliating words made Danzo's face flush with fury.
He believed he loved the Hidden Leaf deeply, his life's goal to become Hokage and lead it to prosperity. Being branded a rogue ninja by Hikari was more humiliating than death!
"A rogue ninja warrant requires the Hokage's approval. You have no authority!"
Danzo spat each word, clearly enraged by Hikari's words. If he hadn't depleted his chakra, he'd have torn her apart!
"You're right!"
Seeing Danzo finally lose his composure, a mocking smile spread across Hikari's face.
"So I'll personally request the Third Hokage and announce to the entire village:
Your crimes—harming fellow ninjas, desecrating the First Hokage's remains, assassinating Shisui Uchiha, forcing the Uchiha clan into rebellion, and colluding with the rogue ninja Orochimaru—will be backed by Root's testimony and evidence.
Who knows, you might even become the first-ever super S-rank rogue ninja!"
"Sarutobi won't let you do this, and you joining Root—"
His urgency slipped, calling the Third Hokage "Hiruzen" as he did when seeking favor, reverting to "Sarutobi" when displeased.
"Oh?"
Hikari's mocking laughter made Danzo grip his cane tighter, itching to drive a kunai through her throat!
"My joining Root? The Third already knows. I've long discussed with him about expelling you and taking over Root!"
Seeing Danzo's colorful expression, Hikari said with delight:
"Now, I'm Root's leader!
As for you, Teacher Danzo—I hope you don't get caught by Itachi Uchiha in your fugitive years ahead!"
"You!"
Danzo's narrow eyes radiated malice, his teeth gritted like a vengeful ghost!
His dominance in the Hidden Leaf relied on his Kage-level strength, Root's power, and Hiruzen's bias.
But now, Hikari was Hiruzen's prized disciple, her combat strength matched his, her potential far surpassed his, and Root had fully defected to her. All his advantages were gone!
"Aaahhh!"
The more he thought, the deeper his despair. Danzo roared, drawing a kunai and charging forward.
The ever-vigilant Root ninjas didn't hesitate. Seals, secret techniques, insect swarms, and chains engulfed Danzo's figure. Before he could reach Hikari, he was reduced to a puff of smoke!
"A shadow clone!"
"He escaped?"
Realizing it wasn't Danzo's real body, the relieved ninjas finally understood what Hikari meant by "can't kill him yet."
Hikari wasn't surprised.
She hadn't seen the young Danzo, so she couldn't judge him, but the old Danzo was stubborn. Knowing Ryoma betrayed him and Root had a new leader, he wouldn't stay in the chamber to die.
After hearing Ryoma's words, she'd suspected he'd fled.
Seeing Danzo's figure after breaking the barrier surprised her for a second, but his weak chakra gave him away.
That's when she understood his plan.
His real body escaped first, leaving a shadow clone to ambush and gather intel on her jutsu.
But Ryoma, overly confident in his standing with Danzo, reacted slowly, allowing the shadow clone to survive days in the chamber. That refined Vacuum Great Sphere had drained its chakra.
"There's a hidden passage in that wall!"
A Root ninja skilled in sensory techniques pointed to a wall with a cushion. Someone tossed it aside, revealing a dark tunnel.
"Danzo must've escaped through here. Lady Hikari, should we pursue?"
Foxfire scratched his head eagerly, frustrated at letting Danzo slip away.
Hikari activated her Byakugan, scanning the passage. It connected to another tunnel leading out of the village. Danzo had clearly fled the Hidden Leaf days ago and was long gone.
"He's already left the village. Forget it.
Seal all passages leading outside the village to prevent Danzo from sneaking back. And clear the chakra patterns recorded in the Concealed Recognition Gate Array!"
At Hikari's command, the Root ninjas responded quietly and swiftly left the chamber.
Driving Danzo out of Root brought some relief, but his survival and freedom outside the village left a lingering unease.
Once everyone left, Hikari beckoned to Yamanaka Ryoma, who stood expressionless outside the chamber.
"Lady Hikari, it's my fault!" Ryoma approached, head bowed, his regret palpable.
"It's fine, just a moment of oversight—"
Hikari's black eyepatch and sunglasses drew closer as she stared into Ryoma's purple eyes.
"Did you think I'd say that?"
Boom!
An invisible wave of fear erupted. Ryoma's cold eyes widened, his pupils contracting uncontrollably, scalp tingling as he nearly fainted. Parasitic insects poured from his eyes and mouth, his body like a beehive set ablaze!
Crackle!
Swathes of insects fell from him, forming a thick black carpet at his feet. Ryoma, reliant on his insect techniques, was completely disarmed.
"Lady… Hikari…" Facing her overwhelming fear aura, he struggled to speak. Her sweet, orchid-like breath burned his face, his skin denaturing under the intense heat, already "medium-rare."
"You deliberately exposed yourself to let Danzo escape, Ryoma. Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
Hikari's icy gaze and tangible killing intent seemed to freeze him in place, ready to end him.