"You're Konoha ninjas, right? What's going on with these two Hidden Rain Ninjas? Planning to ambush them here?"
Uchiha Shisui asked, having just completed his mission and returned to the village only to stumble upon this scene. He noticed that the two Hidden Rain Ninjas were using Konoha's name to warn the other party, seemingly unaware of why they were being ambushed.
And just now, was that a Wood Release Kekkeigenkai?
He had only been out of the village for a month, and there was already a new Wood Release Kekkeigenkai user?
"I'm Uchiha Shisui, just returned from a mission. May I ask if this is an order from Lord Hokage?"
Shortly after Uchiha Shisui spoke, his three companions arrived and surrounded Yahiko.
Seeing this, Yahiko loudly proclaimed, "I am Yahiko of the Akatsuki Organization from the Land of Rain. We originally came to see the Third Hokage, but after not meeting him, we left Konoha. Soon after, a Konoha Ninja who participated in the Chunin Exam tried to ambush us. Is this under Konoha's directive?"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Shisui frowned slightly and then looked towards Shen from the Root, waiting for him to speak.
However, Shen was meticulously selected by Danzo from the Root Division and trained only to complete missions from a young age. He was not skilled at conversing with people.
Uchiha Shisui asked again, "May I confirm if this is an order from Lord Hokage?" If it were, that would mean these two Hidden Rain Ninjas posed a threat to Konoha, and he would then lend a hand. Yet the silence from Shen left him feeling perplexed.
Swish!
Another ninja appeared, distinguishable by a non-Anbu mask, and said to Uchiha Shisui, "Step aside immediately. These two are a threat to Konoha under Lord Danzo's orders; they must be dealt with at once."
"Danzo...."
Uchiha Shisui was taken aback upon hearing this. He remembered a senior in his clan privately advising him that disrupting the Root and Danzo's operations might earn him a secret reward from within the clan.
If you manage to humiliate Danzo or even attack him, there's a chance for a spot as a Security Team Squad Leader.
"Who's Danzo? We don't even know him or have any conflict with him."
Konan spoke angrily and guardedly, "Yahiko and I are Jiraiya-sensei's students, which is why we came to Konoha...."
Jiraiya's students?
Uchiha Shisui noticed Yahiko and Konan's expressions, sensing they might not be lying. As his three teammates approached, they quietly asked,
"Shisui, what do we do now?"
"Let both parties come with me to see Lord Hokage. If you haven't done anything to threaten Konoha, Lord Hokage won't harm you."
Uchiha Shisui suggested to Yahiko, Konan, and the Root ninjas. He found it hard to decide, but Lord Hokage could certainly judge things clearly.
"Come back with me, and don't even think about escaping."
After that, Uchiha Shisui instructed one of his squad members to return to the village to call for the Security Team, while he activated his Sharingan to keep an eye on both sides.
"Uchiha Shisui, this matter concerns the Root!"
"Even the Root must follow Lord Hokage's orders."
Uchiha Shisui remained unmoved, his Sharingan locked onto a nearby Root member, causing the latter to see the spinning blood-red Tamoe and fall under hypnosis.
This illusion didn't harm the Root member, but merely caused him to sweat profusely, serving as a warning; as Uchiha Shisui detected their intent to act, he decided to demonstrate his strength.
"Are you planning to make a move as well? I'd advise against it."
Uchiha Shisui addressed Yahiko and Konan. Judging by their earlier display, they didn't seem very strong. This was Konoha, and his comrades had already gone to call for reinforcements, so the Security Team was expected soon.
"Yahiko..."
Konan tugged on Yahiko's clothes, feeling somewhat regretful. She should have listened to that man wrapped in bandages; this overconfidence in coming to Konoha was a mistake. If only they had listened, as he warned that they wouldn't meet the Third Hokage initially, and now they were in trouble.
"Alright, I'll go with you to see the Third Hokage!"
Yahiko assured Konan with his gaze. He had never had a conflict with Konoha, and with his connection to Jiraiya, it didn't make sense for Konoha's ninjas to want to kill him on sight.
Having already declared their connection to Jiraiya-sensei, if they don't dare to go, it would imply there is something suspicious about them after all.
Uchiha Shisui, seeing Yahiko and Konan agree, turned his gaze to the two Root members. One of the Root ninjas snapped, "Uchiha Shisui, you have no right to interfere with Root affairs. Shen, let's go!"
But just as he spoke, three Security Team ninjas appeared nearby, along with Uchiha Shisui's companion.
"Shisui, what's going on?"
Uchiha Taizo asked upon seeing the scene. They had just finished escorting the Daimyo and nobles out when they were summoned by Uchiha Shisui's companion.
"Taizo-senpai, it's like this....."
After Uchiha Shisui briefly described the situation, Uchiha Taizo understood, turned his head, and said coldly, "Come with us, or we'll knock you down and drag you to Lord Hokage."
"Security Team...."
"Enough talk, if you won't move then prepare to fight."
Uchiha Taizo motioned with his hand, and two clan members behind him pulled out shuriken, their eyes equally cold as they looked at the two Root members.