Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 97: Kill the Enemy, Loot the Base, and Explode the Gear

Danzo Shimura, nearly 70 years old, tried his best but could not restrain Hagoromo Gengetsu.

As for the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing technique, although the black blood it released was indeed terrifying, its full power manifested gradually. During this period, Gengetsu's swift escape meant the spreading black blood couldn't keep up.

Aware of Danzo’s final self-destructive move, Gengetsu remained cautious, rendering Danzo's plan ineffective.

"It's over," Gengetsu declared calmly.

Fortunately, he had already removed Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan from Danzo's eye. To perish alongside him now would have been too regretful.

"No! For Konoha! Hagoromo Gengetsu! You must die!" Danzo's face was filled with resentment and hatred.

Using his remaining strength, he lunged at Gengetsu. But no matter how hard he tried, the gap between them only widened.

Ultimately, as the black blood dragged him into the underworld, Danzo's lone eye stayed fixed on Gengetsu until it was completely devoured.

With Danzo, the caster, gone, the expanding black blood sphere spread rapidly in all directions.

From a distance, Gengetsu stood atop a large tree, observing the aftermath of the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing.

Soon, when it ended, a massive crater nearly a hundred meters wide appeared. Everything that had been there, including Danzo, was now gone.

"Sealing techniques truly defy logic," Gengetsu mused.

After resolving the threat from the Root forces, who had been a constant menace, he turned towards Konoha, where a large contingent of ninja was approaching.

Gengetsu swiftly returned to the Root base.

Having killed the enemy and raided the base, it was time to loot the equipment.

During his chase after Danzo, he had noticed many valuable items. Root’s headquarters housed wealth, ninja tools, secret techniques, and information. However, the real treasures were the advanced technological equipment and rare materials in various research rooms, superior to those he had seen before.

There was no longer a need to consider raiding Konoha Hospital.

Gengetsu found several storage scrolls in the base’s warehouse, swiftly packing all the advanced tech he coveted. He then gathered other useful items and left after a brief stop at the chamber where the Feizhu Xingtie had self-immolated.

He left just as Konoha’s reinforcement arrived.

The first thing they saw was the massive crater.

Given the Root ninja corpses found along the way, it was clear Root had suffered an unprecedented attack.

"This situation is indeed grave," Kakashi noted, his forehead protector raised. He surveyed the scene, his thoughts grave.

Realizing the worst, he commanded, "Maintain B-level combat formation. Stay alert inside the base and do not act independently."

"Understood!" The elite Konoha ninjas knew the severity of the situation. Might Guy, understanding Kakashi's serious demeanor, prepared for battle, even considering opening the Eight Gates.

Inside the base, they found no danger, only numerous Root ninja corpses. No enemy bodies were found.

Though they usually kept their distance from Root, the sight of the entire base's demise within the village was sobering.

After a thorough inspection, Kakashi concluded that a single individual had decimated the Root base.

"Who could accomplish such a feat alone?" Asuma questioned, lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves.

Kakashi thought of someone but refrained from voicing it without evidence. "There's one key issue: Where is Elder Danzo?"

As a high-ranking advisor, Danzo’s status demanded concern. Despite their search, they found no trace of him.

"Could it be related to the surface crater?" someone cautiously suggested.

Kakashi's expression darkened. If true, the situation was dire.

News of Root's destruction and Danzo's possible death soon spread, throwing the village into a frenzy.

Ninja patrols intensified, and Konoha’s alert level was maxed out. With the Fifth Hokage attending the Five Kage Summit, the remaining advisors took charge.

"I'll inspect the Root base myself," Mitokado Homura, sorrowful yet determined, told his remaining old friend. "Take care of the village. Inform Tsunade, but don’t rush her return. Leaving the summit abruptly would only lower Konoha's standing."

"I understand," Koharu Utatane responded solemnly. "Be careful."

"Indeed," Homura nodded.