Chapter 18

"For the village?"

"Or for your own selfish desires?"

"What exactly did Haru do to make you think he was endangering the village?"

Uzumaki Mito's sharp questioning left both Koharu and Homura speechless.

"Elder Mito, maybe… maybe there's been some misunderstanding."

"Yes," Koharu hurried to add, "Danzo even said it himself just now—he only wanted to ask Haru a few questions. We didn't expect him to resist so fiercely…"

"Enough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed his Adamantine Staff and, without warning, struck Danzo hard, sending him flying.

Blood sprayed through the air, along with several teeth.

Like a broken sack of rice, Danzo's body followed a strange parabola before slamming into the ground with a sickening thud—his fate unclear.

"This time, Danzo was completely in the wrong. You two can stop trying to cover for him!"

"There has never been any regulation in Konoha that allows Root operatives to arrest people in broad daylight without due process," Hiruzen said grimly.

With a heavy heart, he turned to Elder Mito and added, "This was a severe failure of judgment by one of my old classmates. We owe you, Haru, and the people an explanation."

Koharu and Homura felt a chill run down their spines at the sight of the Third Hokage's sudden outburst.

The old monkey had snapped.

That single blow just now had knocked out half of Danzo's teeth!

Mito snorted coldly and finally retracted the golden Nine-Tails chakra from her body.

In truth, Hiruzen's blow had not just punished Danzo—it had saved his life. Had Elder Mito acted a second longer, Danzo might not have survived at all.

Takayama Haru stood quietly to the side, admiring Mito's fearsome Nine-Tails form.

She was like a female version of Naruto.

If Kushina ever mastered that level of control over the Nine-Tails… wow, now that would be something.

Mito ignored Sarutobi for now and instead turned gently to Haru.

"Haru, what do you think?"

"It would certainly be a good thing if Lord Third investigates everything properly," Haru replied, nodding politely.

But then Koharu, frustrated by the situation, glared at Haru and barked, "Then release them already! Those Root operatives are elite shinobi of Konoha!"

"Elites of Konoha?" Haru said coolly. "They attacked a fellow citizen of the Leaf in broad daylight."

Koharu's expression soured instantly. This young man had no respect for her authority.

If Mito weren't here right now, I would've dragged him off myself!

Homura quickly rushed over to the nearest masked Root operative, knelt down, and placed a hand on his neck.

"Dead?!"

His reaction shocked Koharu. She quickly stepped forward.

"He's dead?!" she asked in disbelief.

Homura's face turned dark. He nodded silently and moved to the next one.

Also dead.

Even Sarutobi fell silent.

He too realized it—all ten Root shinobi were dead.

Not just unconscious. Lifeless.

Takayama Haru had gone too far.

No one had noticed until now—while everyone's attention was locked on Danzo and Elder Mito, Haru had already killed them.

"All of them… are dead?" Koharu's voice trembled.

Her and Homura's expressions turned grim. Among those ten Root members were some of the finest young talents from their own clans—nieces and nephews with bright futures, even potential clan heads.

And now they were gone.

"Oh? I didn't notice," Haru said casually. "My bad."

"Takayama Haru, you're outrageous! You murdered elite jonin inside the village!"

"I acted in self-defense," Haru responded indifferently. "They tried to abduct me in broad daylight. What was I supposed to do—let them?"

He sighed and added, mimicking their earlier excuses:

"Just a misunderstanding. An unfortunate accident, that's all."

Koharu and Homura's faces turned an even deeper shade of green. The wounds on their pride were clearly visible.

They had used "misunderstanding" and "accident" to justify their actions earlier—now Haru had thrown it back in their faces.

"Watch your mouth, Haru!"

Koharu snapped and pointed at him furiously. "You've gone too far! Killing so many elite jonin! Guards! Arrest him!"

But before her words could finish echoing through the air, a massive tree root burst from the ground, smashed into her, and launched her into the sky.

Blood sprayed from her mouth in a perfect arc.

She flew straight through the air—and landed right on top of Danzo's unconscious body.

"Ugh—!" Danzo groaned before immediately passing out again.

Haru looked at the scene expressionlessly.

"Tch. And this is what passes for 'high-ranking advisors' in Konoha? So civilized."

He showed no remorse, as if smashing Koharu into the sky were nothing more than swatting a fly.

High-ranking advisors?

What a joke.

"You—!" Homura's first reaction was anger.

But then he locked eyes with Haru, who looked back at him with pure defiance.

There was no respect in his gaze—only provocation.

Homura realized in that moment—this boy didn't care who they were.

He would strike if he felt wronged, without hesitation.

This wasn't arrogance. This was someone who truly believed he was untouchable.

Sarutobi, watching it all unfold, let out a bitter smile.

He hadn't expected Haru to act so swiftly—his retaliation was like a thunderclap, giving no room for debate.

"Haru, you've gone too far this time," he said at last.

Mito snorted again. "I believe he acted in self-defense. He's just awakened his bloodline inheritance. If he was attacked, it's only natural he might have overreacted, maybe even accidentally killed someone."

Her tone made it very clear—she wasn't blaming Haru for anything.

In fact, she was deeply disappointed in Danzo, Koharu, and Homura.

She couldn't help but question whether the Second Hokage had made a grave mistake by entrusting Konoha's legacy to them.

Meanwhile, looking at Takayama Haru—she saw promise. She saw strength. She saw the spirit of the past.

This, she thought, is the one worth fighting for.

As for the Root operatives?

Let them serve as an example. A warning.

Strike down a few to wake up the rest.