These Kumogakure assassination-nin had already heard rumors, during their mission, about Shinju using Wood Release.
They'd heard that his Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands was said to rival the legendary God of Shinobi himself.
And what kind of figure was the God of Shinobi? A man who, almost single-handedly, ended years of war across multiple nations.
His Wood Release was so powerful, it wasn't an exaggeration to say one man could stand against an entire country!
Now this red-haired boy had inherited those same abilities. There was no way a few Kumogakure jōnin could stand against that!
"Are we really just going to leave? Opportunities like this don't come twice."
One of the assassination-nin said, unwilling to accept it.
They had tailed Shinju and his team all this way, finally encountering such a rare chance to strike, and he wasn't ready to let it slip.
"The red-haired boy is using Wood Release. Just having more numbers doesn't mean we can win."
Their captain sighed as he spoke.
"Boom… boom… boom…"
Shinju controlled the colossal wooden figure, drawing closer and closer to the Kumogakure nin.
Seeing his subordinates still hesitating, the captain barked,
"Anyone who disobeys orders will face judgment when we return to the village!"
"Captain, but this chance—"
The assassination-nin still tried to argue.
But then, on the head of the giant wooden man, Shinju brought his palms together once again.
"Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!"
"Rumble—!"
The ground beneath them roared with a deafening sound.
And then—!
Towering trees erupted from the soil!
They seemed to move with a will of their own, rushing toward the Kumogakure assassins, winding and coiling to ensnare them!
The change came in an instant, and the captain's heart sank.
The sheer range of this Wood Release… it was terrifying!
Now even if they wanted to escape, it was far too late.
"So this is the power of a Wood Release user… no wonder the Raikage said to assassinate him at any cost…"
The captain muttered under his breath.
The next second, thick vines coiled tightly around his body.
They constricted, crushing, suffocating him.
Shinju piloted the wooden giant into the heart of the forest he had just summoned, looming over the black-clad assassination-nin bound tightly within.
"Which village are you from?" Shinju asked calmly.
"You'll never get a word out of us!"
One of the assassins shouted with the dignity of a man ready to die.
But just after finishing his declaration, his head slumped to the side—he seemed to have dropped dead on the spot!
The captain realized something was wrong. He looked up at Shinju standing atop the wooden giant.
And there he saw Shinju with eyes closed, his hands forming a strange seal.
"Mind Body Switch Technique: Soul Search!"
This was a new jutsu Shinju had developed, derived from the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique.
By establishing a connection through physical contact, he could invade a person's consciousness and probe their memories.
Here, his Wood Release served as the medium, allowing him to directly perform Soul Search.
This jutsu was completely busted—after using it, Shinju would know even the most embarrassing details, like how many times the target had wet the bed as a kid!
Soon, he had sifted through the unconscious ninja's memories and learned everything he wanted to know.
"So, Kumogakure assassination-nin. Looks like your Raikage really is wary of my Wood Release… to send nothing but jōnin-level forces."
After gathering the intel, Shinju spoke with mockery in his tone.
"Over a dozen of you, and many are elites. If you're all wiped out here, that would be no small loss for Kumogakure."
Shinju began weighing his options.
Killing them all might vent his anger, but it would push Konohagakure and Kumogakure into open hostility, maybe even spark war.
Worse, it would make Kumogakure bear a grudge against him personally, to the point where they would never rest until one side was dead.
So… why not give them a way out? Let them ransom their comrades, and he'd make a tidy profit on the side.
"Kid, what do you mean by that?! Kumogakure's elite have never feared death!" the captain declared boldly.
Shinju waved his hand lightly.
"No, no, you can't die just yet. If you all die, then I won't profit at all."
He pointed his finger at one of the bound assassins below.
"You. Go back and deliver the message. Tell your village they can ransom these men back—fifty thousand ryo for each. Otherwise, I'll snap every last neck right here."
After finishing, Shinju made a slicing motion across his throat, then released the chosen assassin.
Standing beside him on the wooden giant, Naruto's eyes sparkled.❛‿˂̵✧
As expected, Shinju really knew how to make money!
But as he watched the messenger ninja disappear into the distance, Naruto's eyes dimmed with worry.
"Shinju… but with so many of them, how are we supposed to keep them all restrained?"
"We can't just drag them along with us everywhere, can we?"
Naruto asked anxiously.
Shinju waved it off, as if it were trivial.
"Simple. We'll just throw them all in the village prison."
...
Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage and several senior advisors were gathered around a map of the village, discussing fortifications and defenses.
Suddenly, Shinju appeared—bringing more than ten captured assassins with him!
The Third Hokage nearly toppled out of his chair in shock at the sight of the ghost-like intruders.
Once he recovered, he barked angrily, "Shinju?! What is the meaning of this? Who are these men?!"
Putting on an innocent face, Shinju began recounting the entire sequence of events.
"So… all of them are Kumogakure jōnin?" Advisor Koharu Utatane asked after hearing his explanation.
Another advisor, Homura Mitokado, looked at Shinju, admiration in his eyes growing stronger by the second.
"Unbelievable. For someone so young to capture this many jōnin single-handedly!"
"Kumogakure… targeting a mere child, and sending so many top-class fighters? Are they trying to openly provoke Konohagakure?!" The Third slammed the desk and stood in fury.
Shinju, however, remained utterly nonchalant.
"When I caught them, I deliberately let one go to deliver a message—fifty thousand ryo for each man if they want them back."
The advisors all exchanged looks of surprise.
Finally, the Third let out a pained sigh.
"Shinju… you're far too naïve!!"
Homura added, "Exactly. Training a single jōnin costs much more than fifty thousand ryo."
"Right, you should've asked for more. At least one hundred thousand each would've been fair."
"That's absurd, Hiruzen!" Danzo suddenly cut in from beside the Hokage. "Putting out such an offer makes Konohagakure look weak in the eyes of the other villages!"
Hiruzen seemed to consider Danzo's words, frowning in thought.
Meanwhile, Shinju turned his attention on Danzo.
He had run into this old man twice before, but never looked too closely.
Now, probing his chakra carefully, Shinju discovered… Danzo carried chakra that didn't belong to him!
His arm and right eye, in particular, reeked of Uchiha chakra!