"Asuma, why did it take so long?"
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune, who had been waiting for Sarutobi Asuma, quickly went to meet him.
"Just had a few words with some friends," Sarutobi Asuma explained. Then he said, "Let's go, we're heading back!"
This time, only the three of them were returning to Konoha. As for Hyūga Ryūkō and the others, they were staying behind to follow Danzō's orders.
However, after putting some distance between themselves and the main camp, Sarutobi Asuma told Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune about his conversation with Danzō, and then warned them, "We need to be extra careful on the way!"
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune were both intelligent, and their expressions immediately turned serious.
Although the idea that Danzō might send someone to assassinate them was shocking, both of them chose to believe Sarutobi Asuma.
That night.
The three of them spent the night on the border of the Land of Rain.
They entered the Land of Fire the next day and continued their journey towards Konoha.
Upon entering the Land of Fire, Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Danzō probably wouldn't be bold enough to make a move against them within the Land of Fire.
Around 10 AM.
Sarutobi Asuma suddenly made a hand signal, startling Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune, who quickly stopped.
Ahead, the ambushing Root ninja immediately realized they had been discovered. They truly lived up to their name, Konoha's Purple Flash.
"Attack!"
Without hesitation, the lead captain immediately gave the order.
Figures immediately lunged towards the three of them.
Two on the left, two on the right, and two flanking from behind.
And four in the front.
First came Fire Style, followed by Wind Style, combining to form a rolling sea of fire that swept towards them.
At the same time, arcs of lightning surged from all four sides towards the three of them, and pillars of lightning erupted from the ground.
Lightning Style: Four Pillar Bind!
Such coordination was undeniably seamless, with the ninjutsu erupting almost simultaneously.
However, no one could match Sarutobi Asuma's casting speed.
Scorch Release: White-Eyed Blue Dragon!
The Scorch Release dragon shot out from Sarutobi Asuma's body, meeting the fiery sea head-on.
Two Shadow Clones appeared on his left and right, releasing purple lightning that blasted the lightning pillars into fragments.
"Watch out above!"
Yūhi Kurenai called out softly. Shizune looked up to see a giant pot lid descending from the sky. She immediately threw two kunai, attached with Explosive Tags.
Boom!
Shizune raised her hand, detonating the Explosive Tags and shattering the pot lid.
"Ah..."
Screams rang out one after another.
As purple lightning flashed, the eight ninja in front and on the sides had fallen.
Just then, a large cloud of black mist surged from behind.
"It's poison gas, no, it's the bugs from the Aburame Clan!"
Shizune's expression changed.
Yūhi Kurenai, however, yelled, "Retreat!"
Boom!
A massive palm descended from the sky. Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune narrowly dodged it but were enveloped by the purple mist.
But the next moment, Sarutobi Asuma appeared beside the two women, his Scorch Release dragon swirling around them, its intense heat burning away the black mist.
Almost simultaneously, the two Root ninja who had attacked from behind were also dealt with by Sarutobi Asuma's Shadow Clones.
The battle lasted less than a minute but left Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune with lingering fear.
If not for Sarutobi Asuma, they would have been instantly killed by such an assault.
The difference was too great!
"Kurenai, Shizune, you two return to the village immediately and report the situation to Lord Hokage," Sarutobi Asuma said.
"Asuma, what about you?"
Shizune quickly asked.
Yūhi Kurenai, however, was worried, "Asuma, are you returning to the Land of Rain?"
"I don't like having a venomous snake hidden by my side."
Sarutobi Asuma's expression was relaxed. Seeing the worried Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune, he chuckled, "Don't worry, with my strength, there won't be any problems."
"Besides, you two are also very important this time."
Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune exchanged a glance and nodded in unison, "We understand!"
With that, the two immediately set off.
Sarutobi Asuma watched the two women leave. After thinking for a moment, he created a Shadow Clone to follow them, just in case.
Then, he began to examine the bodies.
He confirmed they were indeed Root ninja. The curse mark on their tongues was too obvious.
"Truly overconfident and incompetent."
"And they underestimated me too much."
"Just 10 elite Root ninja trying to take me down?"
Sarutobi Asuma snorted coldly.
Little did he know.
Root's original plan was to tie down Sarutobi Asuma and use Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune as bargaining chips.
Konoha's Purple Flash had a great reputation, but those who hadn't truly fought Sarutobi Asuma would never know his terrifying power.
After sealing the bodies with a sealing scroll, Sarutobi Asuma finally set off for the Land of Rain.
It was past 2 PM.
Sarutobi Asuma reappeared at the Konoha army's main camp in the Land of Rain.
"Asuma!"
"Lord Asuma!"
...
Along the way, many Konoha ninja greeted Sarutobi Asuma.
Sarutobi Asuma also responded with a smile, showing no abnormality.
"Didn't Lord Asuma just come here yesterday?"
"He must have had another mission. After all, Lord Asuma is incredibly strong!"
...
After Sarutobi Asuma left, many Konoha ninja were discussing him, not sensing anything out of the ordinary.
He arrived at Danzō's tent without any obstacles.
The two Root ninja guarding the entrance immediately tensed up upon seeing Sarutobi Asuma. Just as they were about to speak, a flash of purple light appeared before them, and they were sent flying back with a muffled grunt.
There were many Konoha ninja nearby. At this moment, they all turned their heads, looking at the two Root ninja who had fallen to the ground with astonishment.
What was going on?
Was that Sarutobi Asuma just now?
The surrounding Konoha ninja were momentarily stunned.
At this moment, Danzō's furious roar echoed from inside the tent: "Asuma, how dare you?!"
The next moment, the tent exploded, shattering into pieces.
Then, many Konoha ninja saw Danzō being thrown out.
"Lord Danzō!"
"This is bad, enemy attack!"
"Someone is impersonating Jonin Asuma!"
Exclamations erupted, and a large number of Konoha ninja rushed over.
But Sarutobi Asuma was faster. Before Danzō could react, he was already in front of him, grabbing his neck. Purple lightning enveloped Danzō, causing his eyes to widen and his body to become immobile.
Figures descended from all around. Seeing the scene unfolding, no one made a move.
"This chakra... it's Asuma's!"
"It's not a spy!"
"What... what exactly is happening here?"
...
A group of Konoha ninja were utterly bewildered.
Danzō looked at Sarutobi Asuma, equally bewildered.
He hadn't expected the assassination to fail, nor had he expected Sarutobi Asuma to dare to attack him directly.
And he did it right inside his own command tent.
Bastard!
Scoundrel!
How dare he?
Danzō still found it hard to believe.
Sarutobi Asuma looked at Danzō, a mocking smile on his face. "What?"
"Surprised I didn't die?"
"Or surprised I'd fight my way back?"
Danzō struggled to speak. "I... I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Quibbling!"
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head. "I warned you last time not to pull any more stunts, or I'd kill you. I'm still holding onto the bodies of the people who tried to assassinate me; they were undoubtedly your Root ninja."
"What, Danzō, are you trying to say your Root ninja betrayed you?"
By the end, Sarutobi Asuma's face was filled with mockery.
The Konoha ninja around them, however, erupted in a clamor. The information Sarutobi Asuma had revealed was explosive. Danzō had sent Root ninja to assassinate Sarutobi Asuma!
"Yūhi Kurenai and Shizune are with Asuma-sama, and now they're missing. Could it be that they've already..."
"What's going on?"
"Why would Lord Danzō do such a thing?"
"Yeah, Asuma-sama is the pride of our Konoha!"
...
The Chunin and Genin around them chattered incessantly, while the Jonin were first shocked, then couldn't help but look grave. If Sarutobi Asuma was telling the truth, this was a huge problem! But could it be false? Or had Root betrayed him? That was impossible.
"Asuma, release Lord Danzō immediately!" someone suddenly shouted.
Everyone looked and saw a Jonin from the Shimura Clan.
Sarutobi Asuma turned his head and smiled. "Release him?"
"Sure!"
As the words fell, with a thump, Danzō's neck was crushed, blood splattering everywhere.
The Konoha ninja around them widened their eyes, stunned. Danzō was dead!
Gulp
Someone couldn't help but swallow. Even some of the Jonin were starting to panic. The commander had just been killed. If the front line descended into chaos and the Stone Ninja attacked, they would suffer heavy losses.
"This is bad!"
"What are we going to do?"
...
At this point, the Jonin had no idea what to do.
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