"This way," the lead Root ninja said, immediately taking point the moment they stepped out of Ichiraku Ramen.
Haruto glanced at the squad surrounding him, noting their formation and behavior.
They didn't seem like they intended to strike just yet.
Even though the streets were eerily empty, they were still on Konoha's main thoroughfare.No matter how bold Danzo was, he wouldn't risk causing a scene in broad daylight, in the heart of the village.
If his guess was right, these Root operatives planned to escort him to a secluded area — and deal with him there.
That said, Haruto wasn't particularly concerned.
Even if these Root members were stronger than average jonin, they likely weren't much different from the elite Cloud-nin he'd faced before.
And even those couldn't withstand the pressure of his unleashed chakra.
Not to mention…
He now had access to high-level Fire Release jutsu like the Great Fireball Technique.
This could be a good opportunity — a live test run.
Maybe he could even copy some new jutsu from them while he was at it.
But more importantly…
He could use this confrontation to send Danzo a message.
That thought sparked a lightness in his chest.
While keeping one eye on the Root ninja in case they attacked suddenly, he followed them calmly toward their destination.
As they moved, Haruto noticed something else.
The Root squad had shifted into a tight cross formation — two flanking him on either side, with another two guarding front and back.
They were sealing off his every route of escape.
The farther they went, the more distant they became from the center of the village.
Dusk had begun to settle in.
And oddly enough… the road they were on started to feel very familiar.
"We're supposed to be going to meet Danzo, right?" Haruto asked, tone casual but with clear intent. "If we keep heading this way, we'll end up in the Uchiha Clan's district."
The Root operatives said nothing. They just kept walking.
Figures…
So they did plan to kill him — and then frame the Uchiha Clan.
After all, the current timeline was edging ever closer to the night of the Uchiha Massacre.
Danzo and other Konoha leaders had already engaged in numerous closed-door meetings with the Third Hokage about "dealing" with the Uchiha.
Danzo, with his rigid ideology, had never supported Hiruzen's approach to governing the village.
And now Haruto, a gifted young ninja appearing to rise through the Third Hokage's inner circle, was shaping up to be a major political obstacle.
If he ever inherited Hiruzen's mantle, it would make life far more difficult for Danzo.
So from Danzo's perspective, the most logical course was to eliminate Haruto now, while he was still young.
And framing the Uchiha? That was just a bonus.
A political two-for-one.
Haruto's death inside the Uchiha district could be used to apply pressure — and provoke just the kind of reaction Danzo was hoping for.
Any "radical" move from the Uchiha could force the Third Hokage's hand — or, at the very least, make it impossible for him to protect them any longer.
Hiruzen's history with the Uchiha had always been muddled at best.He kept saying "I'll think of something" in every meeting…
But when the time came, all he did was compromise — and let Itachi do the unthinkable.
So if Haruto really died here today at the hands of Root, it was likely that Hiruzen would compromise again.
After all… it's one dead Haruto.
Versus one very much alive Danzo.
Even Hiruzen could do that math.
Too bad.
Danzo had clearly underestimated him.
A mere ten Root agents? Not even close to enough.
"Alright."
Haruto suddenly stopped walking and began casually rolling his shoulders, loosening up his neck.
He'd had enough.
They were far enough from the village now that no one would detect a battle.No more need to play along.
"Keep moving," one of the Root ninja said sharply, stepping forward and reaching out to place a hand on Haruto's shoulder.
Bad idea.
Without hesitation, Haruto unleashed his chakra, directing it outward with explosive force.
BOOM!
A deafening blast cracked the air as a visible shockwave of chakra slammed into the approaching ninja, sending him flying like a ragdoll.
He tumbled across the dirt path, bouncing hard several times before skidding to a stop.
"The game ends here."
Haruto scanned the rest of the squad, his voice dropping low — cold, commanding.
"If you're here to carry out an assassination, then come at me. All of you."
None of them had expected this.
Even if Haruto had shown talent beyond his age, they were Root.Trained assassins. Merciless. Efficient.
Assassination was their bread and butter.
And Danzo… Danzo had assembled a ten-man squad to kill a single ungraduated academy student?
Surely overkill.
After all, when Danzo had tried to assassinate the Third Hokage, he'd only dispatched a ten-man team.
So what made this kid so special?
Even more confusing was the earlier display.
Haruto had barely moved — and yet a Root ninja was sent flying.
How did he do that?
"Attack!"
The leader recovered first, barking the command without hesitation.
Whatever surprises had occurred, it wouldn't affect the mission outcome.
Senju Haruto would die here. The Uchiha would take the fall.
This was Danzo-sama's order — and to Root, that meant absolute obedience.
Shfft! Shfft! Shfft!
Haruto's eyes narrowed.
The entire team surged forward in unison, blades drawn — their movements crisp, flawless, efficient.
No wasted motion.
One blade gleamed with killing intent, slicing straight toward his throat.
For any normal genin — even a chunin — this would be a death sentence.
But unfortunately for them…
He'd already activated the sign-in system.
BOOM!
Another concussive blast echoed as Haruto's chakra erupted outward, visible to the naked eye.It enveloped his entire body, forming a blazing chakra cloak.
CLANG!
The incoming blade struck the cloak directly — and shattered on contact.
A visible crack spiderwebbed across the metal before the entire sword crumbled apart, fragments scattering into the dirt.
CRACK!
Haruto seized the stunned attacker by the throat.
"You trying to dance with me too?"
His voice dropped an octave, echoing ominously as he tightened his grip — and then launched the man skyward with a brutal chakra-enhanced kick.
The ninja went soaring backward, vanishing into the treeline.
Heh.
Madara's classic line. Still gave him chills.
But even that wasn't enough to make the Root agents hesitate.
They weren't people. They had no names. No fear.
Even seeing overwhelming power in front of them, they didn't retreat.
They fell back, reorganized into a wider formation, and quickly pulled out kunai.
Feint attack.
A coordinated volley of blades sliced through the air — all aimed to distract, confuse, and open a path for the real strike.
Haruto was just about to launch his counterattack…
When suddenly — a different kunai came flying in from the side of the forest.
It arced unnaturally through the air, intercepting all of the incoming projectiles, sending them scattering harmlessly to the ground.
Clatter!
Kunai rained down around Haruto's feet.
The Root operatives instantly snapped into high alert.
Haruto's eyes narrowed. He glanced toward the direction the new kunai had come from.
And then — before he could even blink — a dark blur leapt from the trees, landing smoothly between Haruto and the attackers.
A familiar voice followed.
"Good. I made it in time."
Flak vest. Anbu uniform. Silver hair.
And that voice…
There was no mistaking it.
Copy Ninja — Hatake Kakashi.
He turned slightly, speaking softly over his shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
Haruto: "???"