Aoki and Yamakaze stood there, jaws dropped, utterly shocked.
Everyone knew the weight of the words Wood Release. They were practically synonymous with the God of Shinobi!
But since the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, passed away, Wood Release had vanished for decades, fading into the dust of history, a legend of the past…
Who could've predicted it would suddenly reappear in the ninja world?!
Yoru, however, wasn't surprised.
He knew full well that a Wood Release ninja did exist in the ninja world right now.
That was Yamato, from the Root organization.
He was the sole survivor of the secret human experiments conducted by Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo…
Of course, at this point, Yamato wasn't called Yamato. He was only known by his Root codename, "Kinoe."
The name Tenzo would come later when he joined the Anbu.
And Yamato? That name would only be used in the era when Tsunade became Hokage.
Right now, aside from Shimura Danzo, not even Hiruzen Sarutobi knew of Yamato's existence.
"Yamato, huh…"
"Or maybe…"
Yoru's mind raced with two possibilities.
The first was obviously Yamato.
The second… Shimura Danzo might have already acquired an arm infused with Hashirama's cells!
That would be a generous gift from Orochimaru to Danzo.
Of course, it was entirely possible both were true.
Yoru didn't care much about Yamato.
But if Danzo had a Wood Release arm, had he also acquired a Sharingan and the Uchiha's forbidden technique…
Izanagi?
He couldn't have an arm full of Sharingan yet—after all, the Uchiha clan hadn't been wiped out.
But that didn't mean Danzo had no Sharingan.
The man had lived through the Second, Third, Fourth, and now the reinstated Third Hokage's reigns, orchestrating countless shady deeds in the shadows. It wasn't impossible for him to have a few Uchiha Sharingan in his possession!
Wood Release, Hashirama's cells, Sharingan, Izanagi, Edo Tensei…
It seemed Shimura Danzo had gone completely mad.
He was desperate to gain the power of forbidden jutsu from Orochimaru to kill Yoru in one fell swoop!
No, for Danzo, this was just the beginning.
"Let's go," Yoru said calmly, his decision made.
Aoki and Yamakaze knew his temperament and didn't question him. They followed closely behind.
Oishi shouted after them, "Lord Yoru!"
"It's all in your hands now!"
"Please, in the name of justice, take down these villains and clean up the Leaf!"
…
Yoru didn't respond. With his unmatched perception, he followed the faint trace of Wood Release chakra, darting forward swiftly.
No prey he targeted could ever escape!
The wind roared in their ears as Aoki and Yamakaze silently pushed themselves to keep up with their captain's pace.
Soon, they'd crossed half the Leaf Village.
Yoru finally slowed down.
Not far ahead was the secret base of the Root organization.
Most villagers and ninja in the Leaf didn't even know Root existed.
Let alone its members.
But Yoru, as the Police Force captain, wasn't fooled by such secrets.
Ahead, a small squad appeared, moving stealthily, their faces hidden behind distinct masks different from standard Anbu gear.
Root ninja.
And at the head of the group, Yoru sensed that familiar chakra.
Wood Release chakra.
The squad had five members.
Their leader was none other than Yamato—Tenzo, "Kinoe."
He sensed Yoru's presence and whipped around, halting in his tracks.
"You're…"
"Uchiha Yoru?!"
At the mention of that name, the other Root ninja visibly tensed.
Yoru blocked their path, his expression cold.
Aoki and Yamakaze, slightly out of breath, stood behind him.
"As captain of the Police Force, I'm investigating the theft of a Leaf ninja's corpse. You're suspects. Come with me."
His tone left no room for debate.
The Root ninja flinched, glancing at their leader…
"Kinoe."
At this point, Kinoe was still young, but his rare Wood Release abilities had already made him a pillar of Root.
He was Shimura Danzo's personal disciple.
The only one in Root trained directly by Danzo himself.
Kinoe wasn't about to back down.
"And if I refuse?"
"You die."
Yoru's reply was blunt.
Kinoe and the other Root ninja were stunned.
They knew Uchiha Yoru's fearsome reputation.
But this level of arrogance was beyond anything they'd imagined!
Kinoe's voice hardened. "Captain Yoru, I respect your reputation and the Police Force's authority. But you should know the Police Force has no jurisdiction over the Anbu, let alone Root!"
"True, the Police Force doesn't oversee Anbu or Root operations."
"But when Anbu or Root breaks the law in this village…"
"The Police Force does have jurisdiction. And we will act."
"Not just you—even Shimura Danzo would face the same."
The Root ninja, though no match for Yoru, couldn't help but bristle at his words.
"You!"
"Uchiha Yoru, you're way too full of yourself!"
Kinoe frowned. "If you want to take me in, fine. But you'll need to report to Lord Danzo and Lord Hokage first. Otherwise… I can't comply."
Yoru took a slow breath.
"So that's your choice?"
Kinoe's heart skipped a beat.
He knew this man wasn't bluffing!
Refuse to go? It was a death sentence!
He'd said it, and he'd mean it!
This guy was a lunatic…
Completely unrestrained!
"You really want to start a fight right at Root's doorstep?"
"Not me. You."
Yoru smirked.
"I just don't get it. You're clearly a product of Orochimaru and Danzo's inhumane experiments. Yet instead of fighting back or seeking revenge, you're loyally playing Danzo's lapdog."
"And now, you're even helping Danzo run experiments on others."
"Tell me…"
"Do you like being a dog?"
Kinoe's face twisted in shock!
"You… what did you say?!"
He wasn't just stunned by Yoru's words but by how much he knew…
Secrets even the Hokage didn't know!
Yoru sneered. "Looks like the answer is…"
"Yes."
Yoru genuinely couldn't comprehend it.
Human experimentation…
To him—no, to anyone with even a shred of common sense, morality, or conscience—this was the most depraved, inhumane act imaginable!
But what was worse…
To be a victim of those experiments and not only not seek vengeance against those responsible but willingly serve them like a dog…
What kind of mindset was that?!
Kinoe, struck by Yoru's words, was reeling—shocked, confused, as if lightning had hit him, his mind in chaos!
But Yoru wasn't giving him a chance to process.
"Since you've chosen death…"
"Then die."
He spoke calmly, as if it were a trivial matter.