Chapter 33: Root

Chapter 33: Root

Chapter 33: Root

The full moon hung high in the sky, casting a faint light over the deep night. Hagoromo Gengetsu stood outside the bustling Tanzaku Street, glancing back at several shadowy figures that were silently approaching him, blending seamlessly with the night.

"Konoha's Anbu... no, the colors on these masks are more varied and eerie. They seem more like Root," Hagoromo Gengetsu thought, recalling the infamous Root and its leader, Danzo Shimura.

"Have I been discovered because of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?" he mused. Hagoromo Gengetsu doubted that Root could have tracked his movements; if they had set a trap for him, there would surely be more than just these men. It was more likely that these Root ninjas were here to monitor the Jinchūriki's every move and had coincidentally noticed his presence outside the izakaya.

Despite the grievous wound, the Root ninja did not cry out or beg for mercy. He clung to Hagoromo Gengetsu's hands, refusing to let him withdraw the blade. At the same time, another Root ninja, from the Aburame clan, released a swarm of self-destructing insects towards Hagoromo Gengetsu. As the insects swarmed, Hagoromo Gengetsu's body was suddenly covered in a metallic sheen.

The insects detonated, creating a small mushroom cloud. As the smoke cleared, the remaining Root ninjas, prepared with sealing scrolls, were stunned to see Hagoromo Gengetsu emerging unscathed, his Steel Release armor cracking but intact. He glanced down at the armor and shook his head, disappointed at its fragility compared to his battles with the Four Kage.

"Even at limited strength, I can handle the rest of you," he said, picking up a broken sword from the ground. Lightning Release chakra once again enveloped the blade. Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the surviving Root members and offered, "Do you choose to end yourselves, or shall I do it for you?"

There was no response, only silence. As Hagoromo Gengetsu noticed a long shadow at his feet growing fainter, he swung his sword, killing the last surviving ninja from the Nara clan.

Thus, both Root teams were annihilated.