With a light press from Night Maple, countless roots and vines instantly wrapped Yamanaka Fū.
This time, there was nowhere for Fū to run.
Very soon, the forest born of Deep Forest Emergence withered at a speed visible to the eye, leaving only the ten "zongzi" before them.
"Mmm…"
Just then, the long lashes of Kushina, cradled in Night Maple's arms, fluttered.
Kushina jolted awake from her nightmare.
She looked up to find Night Maple right in front of her.
"Night Maple, are you okay?"
She patted him over and over, eyes reddening, and hugged him tight.
In the Narakumi no Jutsu a moment ago, she had watched Night Maple bleed out and collapse—too terrifying.
In Kushina's mind, scene after scene flashed by: first meeting the grimy Night Maple halfway from Uzushio (the Hidden Eddy Village) to Konoha; entering the academy together, graduating together; then Night Maple saving her—each moment vivid as yesterday.
In that instant, Kushina realized just how much she cared for Night Maple.
Stroking her smooth red hair, Night Maple murmured, "Silly girl…"
Nestled against him, Kushina nodded. "I was so stupid—to fall for a genjutsu."
"Ahem."
An ill-timed voice came from behind Night Maple.
Kushina looked up and hastily pushed him away.
Lady Uzumaki Mito and the Third Hokage had arrived.
As for Minato behind them, Kushina subconsciously ignored him.
Lady Mito shot the Third a disgruntled glare—as if to say, the youngsters finally get a romantic moment, and you old man barge in for what?
The Third was helpless—if he didn't speak up, the entire Root Ten would probably suffocate, strangled to death.
One glance told him who they were.
It really was Danzō.
Have you lost your mind?
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku arrived with the Uchiha clan.
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Fugaku. "Fugaku, good timing. Set a perimeter and keep onlookers out."
Fugaku shot Night Maple a glance, surprise flickering across his face.
It really was Night Maple!
Was that terrifying forest Night Maple's doing?
The Senju awakening a kekkei genkai—too strong…
He only hesitated a heartbeat. "Lord Hokage, then these people…"
"Just keep the rabble out. I'll handle the rest."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Fugaku immediately had his clansmen cordon off the area.
Members of the Hyūga, Yamanaka, and other clans were held back outside, unable to enter.
Sarutobi looked to Night Maple. "Night Maple, set them down first."
"Lord Third, you know them?"
Sarutobi sighed, about to speak, when footsteps sounded from behind.
Everyone turned.
Danzō arrived at a quick clip with two senior advisors—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"These are my men. Night Maple, release them."
Danzō took in the Root Ten bound fast as mummies and was stunned—had Night Maple grown this strong?
He'd truly blundered this time.
But Danzō swiftly schooled his features.
Night Maple said nothing; Kushina stared wide-eyed at Danzō.
What exactly were Konoha's top brass doing?
Why attack Night Maple-kun?
"Danzō, you—"
Sarutobi was still choosing his words when golden chakra flames burst over Uzumaki Mito's body.
A claw formed of Nine-Tails chakra seized Danzō's throat and hoisted him aloft.
"Shimura Danzō—were those your people who attacked Night Maple? What are you plotting?"
Lady Mito's shoulders trembled—she was furious beyond measure.
The Uzumaki cut down in battle—that was "accident."
The Senju's decline—also "accident."
Even Nawaki's death—"accident."
But now, Night Maple had been openly attacked within Konoha itself—no "accident" could cover this.
The old lady was incandescent with rage.
This was the last pure line of the Senju.
Did Konoha's leadership truly mean to exterminate the Senju?!
"Shimura Danzō, you once served as the Second's elite guard—how could you stoop to this! What are you after!"
Only now did Danzō realize how badly he'd overplayed it. Eyes bulging, hands clawing at his throat, his legs kicked uselessly in the air.
"I have always upheld the First's and Second's ideals—everything I do is for Konoha, without selfish intent!"
"There were too many suspicious points in Night Maple's actions that night. I merely wished to invite him over…"
"I didn't intend to harm him…"
"It was an accident—an accident…"
Danzō clutched his neck, barely able to breathe.
Gripped by the Nine-Tails' chakra, he couldn't use a single jutsu.
And after years of soft living, he no longer had the youthful steel to face death.
Most of all, he had never imagined that Lady Uzumaki Mito, who hadn't acted in nearly twenty years, would still be this strong!
So this is the power of the Nine-Tails?!
Her sudden move also wrecked the plan of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
If Night Maple had struck first, everything would be easy—they'd slap him with charges in turn.
Claim Night Maple was riddled with doubts; that they only wished to invite him for questioning; that he'd disrespected elders and run amok—then take him in.
But with the old lady acting now, what could they say?
Their usual tricks were useless before her.
Her standing in Konoha was the most revered.
Seeing Danzō on the verge of death, Homura and Koharu spoke up in a hurry.
"My lady, please set Danzō down first?"
"Yes, Danzō acts for the village as well. Might there be some misunderstanding between you?"