Chiba knew he wasn't the type to rely on intricate schemes—brute force was always the simpler option.
However, this brought him back to the original problem: how to lure Shimura Danzo out of the village.
Then, an idea struck him—Uchiha Madara.
If anyone in the ninja world still possessed Wood Style, it would be Uchiha Madara and his White Zetsu with the Uzumaki-faced clones.
Since Danzo desperately desired Wood Style, why not let him witness a living user firsthand? There was no way he wouldn't take the bait.
With that plan in mind, Chiba left his house and headed to Uchiha Madara's residence.
Knock, knock, knock!
He rapped on the door and waited, but after a long while, there was still no response.
Frowning, Chiba activated his Observation Haki. As expected, he sensed no presence inside.
"Where could he have gone?" he murmured.
Outside Konoha
At that moment, Madara was listening to White Zetsu's report.
"Madara-sama, I've confirmed that the target Chiba wants to eliminate is Konoha's Hokage advisor, Shimura Danzo," White Zetsu said.
Madara nodded.
Ever since Chiba had asked him a question the previous day, he had been thinking about it. After parting ways with Chiba, he had immediately summoned White Zetsu to investigate the matter.
"Give me the details," he ordered.
"Yes, Madara-sama. After learning from Nawaki that Chiba, Tsunade, and their allies were planning to take down Danzo, I infiltrated the Root organization."
White Zetsu chuckled, his expression mischievous. "Madara-sama, do you know what I found?"
"Quit the nonsense and just tell me," Madara said, exasperated by White Zetsu's usual antics.
"Alright, alright," White Zetsu replied, retrieving a document and handing it over. "I copied this while Danzo was away from his office."
Madara took the document and immediately burst into laughter upon reading the title.
"Hah! Wood Style Revival Project? Tobirama's disciples are truly like him—always toying with the dead."
With that, he flipped through the document.
In just a minute, thanks to his Sharingan, Madara had read and processed all the contents.
"I see… It appears that Hashirama's granddaughter and grandson have discovered that Tobirama's student is experimenting on the Senju clan to recreate Wood Style. That's why they want to eliminate Danzo," he mused.
"Exactly! But Danzo is really playing with fire. Uzumaki Mito isn't even dead yet, and he's already targeting the Senju clan," White Zetsu added.
Madara fell into deep thought for a moment before making a decision.
Since Chiba wanted Danzo dead, he would help him achieve that goal.
"White Zetsu, find the Root operatives outside Konoha and kill them using Wood Style. Make sure it's obvious."
"Huh?" White Zetsu was confused but nodded nonetheless. "Alright. And what after that?"
Madara sighed, slightly disappointed by his lack of strategic thinking. "Leave one or two survivors to report back to Danzo. But don't chase them too closely—let them escape with the bodies."
"This way, Tobirama's disciple will be unable to resist investigating. Those Root members are no match for you, so when the time comes, Danzo will have to go there personally. That will be our chance to take him out without Konoha suspecting anything."
White Zetsu grinned. "Oh, I get it now! That makes perfect sense."
Madara waved his hand. "Good. Now go."
"Yes, Madara-sama."
Two Days Later – Root Headquarters
A bloodied man suddenly staggered toward the entrance of the Root headquarters.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" the guards called out.
"It's… me… B… cough," the man rasped. "Take me to Lord Danzo immediately. I have critical information."
The guards hesitated.
"B? Where's A? Weren't you both sent on a mission together?" one of them asked.
"A… is dead," B replied weakly. "No more questions—take me to Lord Danzo now."
With that, B collapsed onto the ground.
Seeing his dire state, one guard quickly checked his condition and turned to his companion. "I'll take him to the infirmary. You go report to Lord Danzo."
Root Office
A kneeling guard reported, "Lord Danzo, B has returned. He claims to have critical information for you."
Danzo, who had been reviewing documents, set them aside. "Bring him in."
"B was severely injured and is currently receiving medical treatment. A did not return with him."
Danzo frowned. If A hadn't returned, it meant he was likely dead.
He was certain that his subordinates would never betray him—most had been trained and brainwashed since childhood.
"Have the infirmary treat him as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Infirmary
Half an hour later, B slowly opened his eyes.
"Quick! Take me to Lord Danzo—I have urgent information," he croaked.
A medic nodded to a nearby attendant. "Go inform Lord Danzo that B has regained consciousness."
A few minutes later, Danzo arrived, curiosity evident on his face.
"Speak, B. What is this important information? And where is A? Is he dead?"
B, still weak, struggled to respond. Summoning what little strength he had, he reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out a scroll, handing it to Danzo.
"Lord Danzo… A is inside. You'll understand once you see his body."
Danzo frowned but gestured for his subordinates to take the scroll.
As the scroll was unfurled, a puff of smoke filled the room. When it cleared, A's lifeless body lay before them.
Many of the surrounding Root members were confused—why had B made such a big deal about a mere corpse?
But Danzo's pupils shrank in shock.
A's body was impaled by multiple wooden spikes.
Wood Style?!