Root.
Officially, it was known as the Anbu Training Division.
Under this name, Shimura Danzo gathered talented individuals, molding them into emotionless warriors, loyal only to him.
Over time, Root became less a branch of Anbu and more a private army, operating in secrecy, eliminating potential threats without hesitation.
Danzo followed a strict principle: "Better to kill an innocent than let an enemy go."
And Hiruzen Sarutobi allowed it.
This unspoken agreement between them was clear throughout Konoha's history.
A prime example?
Despite knowing that Danzo had collaborated with Orochimaru, abducting children and shinobi for inhumane experiments, the Third Hokage did nothing.
Instead, he merely scolded Orochimaru, retrieved a single survivor—Yamato—and moved on.
That alone proved Hiruzen's tolerance for Danzo's crimes.
As long as Danzo's actions didn't threaten his rule, Hiruzen chose to ignore them.
Both men believed they were working for Konoha's benefit.
Both had convinced themselves of their own righteousness.
---
Why the "former" abandoned Root base?
The reason was simple.
Bai Ye knew that the public Root base was just a decoy.
The real Root headquarters—the one where Hiruzen once led an Anbu raid—was beneath Orochimaru's abandoned laboratory.
If the timeline followed its original course...
After manipulating Danzo into leading the Uchiha massacre, Hiruzen would turn on him.
Root would be dissolved.
But only on paper.
In reality, Danzo would continue operating in the shadows, just as before.
---
Meanwhile, as the Uchiha Guard Force mobilized...
Whispers spread across the village.
---
"The Guards are moving?"
"My god, look at all those people! What's going on?"
"Could this be related to that rumor about the Hokage's wife...?"
"Wait, what? Where did you hear that?"
"Shhh! Listen, I heard Uchiha Satoshi personally dragged Danzo out of the Hokage's house—half-dressed!"
"No way...! Satoshi called Danzo a 'high-priority criminal' right in front of everyone!"
"Damn, that's wild! But some say the Hokage's wife was... willing?"
"..."
The Guards marched forward with deadly purpose.
Despite their numbers, their movements were controlled, disciplined, and calculated.
They were not an army, but a force of absolute precision.
While the others rushed ahead to surround the Root base, Bai Ye followed at a leisurely pace.
---
He was in no hurry.
---
Instead, he observed the logistical flaws in Konoha's security structure.
For all its strength, Konoha lacked efficient mobility.
Even with ninja speed, it was difficult to reach crime scenes instantly.
Body Flicker was useful, but it lacked presence—it wasn't enough to impose fear and order upon criminals.
The Guard needed something better.
Bai Ye stroked his chin in thought.
---
"I remember that during the Boruto era, technology led to the rise of new transportation methods..."
---
That meant the technology tree for mechanized travel existed in this world.
It just hadn't been developed yet.
"If we had something like chakra-powered motorcycles, pursuit missions would be much more efficient."
It wasn't his job to study such things...
But Bai Ye did know someone who could.
And after Root was dismantled, there would be plenty of funding left over for future investments.
"Not a bad idea... I'll put it on the agenda."
---
"You're taking your time."
Tsunade's amused voice broke his thoughts.
She walked beside him, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Your men are acting like the world's about to end, and here you are, strolling like it's a summer evening."
Bai Ye didn't break stride.
"If they can't handle something this minor, they're unfit to call themselves the Guard."
His tone was casual, yet absolute.
"If I have to do everything myself, why bother having subordinates? Why bother leading at all?"
He turned to Tsunade.
"What do you think I am—Hiruzen Sarutobi? Sticking my nose in every trivial matter?"
Tsunade chuckled.
"You really can't help yourself, huh?"
Her voice carried a tinge of admiration.
"Now that you mention it... Third only really led in the First Shinobi War. After that, my grandfather sent him to negotiate in the Land of Lightning. Since then, he's never actually been on the frontlines."
That was the truth.
Hiruzen's absence from the battlefield was striking when compared to other Kage.
The Second Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, led Iwagakure in every major conflict until old age finally caught up to him.
The Third Raikage fought 10,000 enemies alone to protect his forces.
Even the Kazekage personally defended Suna's interests in wartime.
Yet, Konoha?
Konoha had relied on:
Sannin in the Second Shinobi War.
Hatake Sakumo in Black Ops operations.
Namikaze Minato in the Third War.
And Hiruzen?
He remained in Konoha, securing his political ties with the Daimyo.
Bai Ye exhaled, shaking his head.
"Doesn't matter."
"I just wanted you to understand—"
"I am not the Third Hokage."
---
They arrived.
---
The calm, composed look on Bai Ye's face disappeared.
His expression became cold, professional, and lethal.
The Guard fell into two parallel lines, forming an open path.
Bai Ye stepped forward.
"Captain!"
Uchiha Sanyo snapped to attention.
"The Root's entrance is completely secured! No one has been allowed in or out!"
Bai Ye nodded.
"Proceed."
His gaze shifted.
At the entrance, a massive number of Root operatives had emerged, fully armed.
Their intent was clear.
They would not allow the Guard to enter.
---
"Captain Bai Ye!"
A voice called out from the Root's front line.
It was Uchiha Shisui.
Danzo's most loyal agent.
His expression was one of genuine confusion.
"What is the meaning of this?"
He had heard the rumors—that Danzo had been captured, accused of heinous crimes.
But he refused to believe it.
Danzo had sacrificed too much for Konoha.
The man he admired couldn't be guilty of something so monstrous.
If anything, this had to be a misunderstanding.
He had hoped to negotiate with the Guard...
But the silent, unmoving army before him made it clear—
This was not a misunderstanding.
---
Shisui's plea fell on deaf ears.
Uchiha Sanyo stepped forward.
His voice thundered across the battlefield.
"This is an official Guard operation! Unauthorized personnel—step aside!"
---
Silence.
Root operatives stood their ground.
Emotionless, obedient, awaiting commands.
The Uchiha Guards knew what that meant.
---
The Sharingan activated.
Scarlet tomoe spun to life.
---
"Final warning."
"First."
"Second."
"Third."
---
Nothing.
---
Uchiha Sanyo gritted his teeth.
He unsheathed his blade.
"Enforce the law!"
"Leave no survivors!"
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