Chapter 33: Root
Chapter 33: Root
The full moon hung high in the sky, bathing the night in a soft, silvery glow. Under its ethereal light, the deep darkness gained a touch of radiance.
Outside the Tanabata Street, standing in the heart of the shadows, Yuyi Xuan Yue paused and glanced back. Several pitch-black figures, seamlessly blending with the night, were stealthily approaching his position.
"Konoha's ANBU... No, the masks they wear are more colorful and bizarre. They seem to be members of Root."
Yuyi was all too familiar with the infamous Danzo and his secretive organization, Root.
"It seems I've been discovered. Could it be because of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Yuyi doubted that Root had somehow anticipated his movements. If they had, the trap laid for him would surely involve more than just these few operatives.
It was more likely that they were here because of Naruto, the important Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. This group of Root ninjas was probably assigned to monitor Naruto's every move, and Yuyi's own observation of the tavern from the shadows had coincidentally caught the attention of these hidden operatives scattered throughout the area.
"I wonder if this is your luck or misfortune."
Yuyi Xuan Yue halted his steps, allowing the Root ninjas to surround him.
One, two, three, four... There were eight Root ninjas in total, organized into two squads, likely taking turns monitoring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
At this moment, beyond the bustling Tanabata Street, the other side of the wall was enveloped in silence. Even with the addition of these eight individuals, the street remained quiet.
The Root ninjas maintained their silence from start to finish. Only the leader, after confirming Yuyi Xuan Yue's appearance, swiftly identified the target and, without hesitation, made a series of tactical hand signals. The two Root squads then sprang into action with precise coordination.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The unsheathing of their ninjato cut through the stillness of the night.
The eight Root ninjas formed a battle formation and charged at Yuyi Xuan Yue, their weapons slicing through the air with deadly intent.
Of course, the first to arrive was a barrage of shuriken and kunai.
"Tedious."
Yuyi Xuan Yue remarked nonchalantly as he reached out and effortlessly caught one of the speeding kunai in his hand.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal clashing filled the air as Yuyi's kunai weaved an impenetrable net, deflecting the onslaught of shuriken and kunai coming from all directions.
Suddenly, a swift burst of movement startled the night.
A Root ninja, utilizing the Body Flicker Technique, appeared with a long ninjato, aiming a vicious slash at Yuyi Xuan Yue's neck.
With a calm expression, Yuyi Xuan Yue took a step back, and the ninjato blade narrowly missed him, slicing through the air just inches away.
Without giving the Root ninja a chance to follow up, Yuyi lashed out with the kunai in his hand, infusing it with wind-attribute chakra.
The Root ninja, with years of rigorous training, instinctively twisted his head, barely avoiding the kunai.
But as Yuyi closed in, he was a step too slow.
Crack!
The ninja's wrist was instantly shattered, prompting a pained grunt.
Yuyi forcefully took the ninjato from the ninja's hand, kicked him away, then twisted his body and swung the blade.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
To the others, it seemed that their comrade had simply charged forward and was then sent flying by Yuyi Xuan Yue in an instant.
Another Root ninja, who had sneaked up behind Yuyi, ready to strike, hadn't even realized what was happening before a cold glint of silver flashed toward him.
"Ugh!"
The ninja instinctively clutched his neck, now gushing with blood, and fell to the ground, powerless.
"Number one," Yuyi Xuan Yue announced calmly, brandishing the blood-stained ninjato.
The remaining Root ninjas, their composure unwavering, ignored their fallen comrade and pressed their attack.
In quick succession, Yuyi's deft and ruthless blade took down two more Root ninjas, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground.
As he raised his ninja sword, prepared to effortlessly skewer another silent, charging Root ninja...
Clang!
His sword tip seemed to have struck something solid, halting its forward momentum.
"Earth Style: Hardening Technique?" Yuyi recognized the technique and retracted his sword, taking a step back.
Riiiip!
Dazzling lightning flashed before the eyes of the ninja using the Hardening Technique.
In the brief moment their pupils contracted, Yuyi's blade, enveloped in blue lightning, thrust forward once more.
The sword sliced through the ninja as if he were tofu.
This time, the sword tip encountered no resistance as it pierced the ninja, impaling them in an instant.
Scalding hot blood sprayed from the mouth of the dying Root ninja, staining the inside of their mask.
Acutely aware of their life slipping away, they remained silent, their unnerving stillness unbroken. Instead of pleading for mercy, they pressed forward, allowing the blade to scrape within their body, their hands clutching Yuyi's sword-wielding hands, preventing him from withdrawing the blade.
At that moment, one of the Aburame Root ninjas, true to their clan's abilities, released a swarm of self-destructing insects from their sleeves. The insects, cultivated with lightning speed, formed a massive black cloud that descended upon Yuyi.
In the blink of an eye, as the insect army approached, Yuyi, his hands temporarily restrained, furrowed his brows. A cold, metallic gleam covered his entire body.
It was his bloodline limit—Steel Style.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Aburame clan's insect army detonated without hesitation.
Amidst the violent explosions, a small mushroom cloud rose slowly.
When the smoke and dust finally cleared, the remaining Root ninjas, who had been preparing to seal away Yuyi with prepared sealing scrolls, took a step forward.
Suddenly, they halted, their usually calm auras disturbed as they looked towards the site of the explosion.
In the massive crater, the Root ninja who had used the Hardening Technique had been blown to smithereens, leaving no trace.
As for the true center of the explosion...
Yuyi Xuan Yue strode out, unharmed and without a scratch.
Crack! Crack!
As he walked, Yuyi glanced down at the Steel Style that covered his body, now fracturing and breaking apart.
Back when he faced the Five Kage numerous times, his Steel Style had never shattered like this.
Now, a single strike from the Aburame clan's secret technique had reduced it to this state.
Yuyi shook his head.
The power gap was just too vast.
Even with his limited display of strength, disposing of the remaining opponents would be child's play.
Yuyi turned to face the four remaining Root ninjas. With a slight tap of his foot, a broken sword from the previous battle floated into his palm.
In the next instant, the sword blade was once again enveloped in piercing lightning chakra.
Yuyi eyed the survivors and said calmly, "It's your choice. Either you end your own lives, or I do it for you."
There was no response.
Everything unfolded in silence.
Until the very end.
Yuyi glanced down at the long, barely noticeable shadow at his feet.
As the shadow gradually faded, he swung his sword in a swift arc.
The last remaining Root ninja, a member of the Nara clan, fell, never to rise again.
With that, both Root squads were annihilated.
(End of Chapter)
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