A crafty rabbit has three burrows.
Chiyu had long known that the Root organization's secret bases were certainly not limited to just one. In fact, even Aburame Tatsuma himself did not fully comprehend Danzo's secrets. A person like Danzo would never truly trust anyone; not even Aburame Tatsuma.
Charging into this Root hideout, Chiyu naturally faced barriers, traps, and seals. Yet in Chiyu's eyes, they all amounted to nothing. Very quickly, he found himself in the base's core area.
From Aburame Tatsuma's recollection of his sins, Chiyu swiftly pinpointed the children's location.
He could not be bothered with lengthy chatter. Brandishing the sword in his hand, he unleashed a powerful slash with his Lightning Release: Blade of False Darkness. In a thunderous explosion, the entire iron door—along with part of the wall—was blown apart.
Inside the prison, it was dark and oppressive, filled with the silence of death and despair…
Huddled in the corners were children in ragged clothes, clustered together in a trembling mass, clinging to one another in fear as they stared at Chiyu.
The oldest of them was no more than ten; the youngest was only five or six…
In a previous life, they would have been at the age of greatest care and affection. Yet in this grimy, dark shinobi world—and in the eyes of Danzo and the Root…
They were only living sacrifices.
A child was merely a soul, a life, and a tool for performing Edo Tensei. They had no value as human beings, no dreams, no hope—just a number.
Chiyu's gaze flickered with ferocity.
"You can come out now."
A bolder child asked tremulously, "Wh-Who are you?"
"Uchiha Chiyu."
"Y-You're Uchiha Chiyu?!"
"Really?!"
In an instant, those children's eyes lit up, as if beholding the hero or idol of their hearts.
"Ch-Chiyu-sama! The Dean at the orphanage always told us stories about you!"
"You're so cool!"
"Are you really that Uchiha Chiyu?!"
Chiyu paused for a moment, not expecting these children to be so fanatical in their admiration…
But, after some thought, it made sense.
These kids were still blank slates. They might not even be from Konohagakure originally. Many of them had no idea of their true origins or parents—similar to how Yakushi Kabuto had been. Precisely because of that, whatever the world instilled into them was how they would develop.
And apparently, Yakushi Nonō had been telling them his stories.
Recalling that, Chiyu remembered a particular notion: If the children remain untainted, then perhaps there is still hope to save them…
Perhaps these children could become followers and messengers of his will…
"I'm sorry. I was the one who told them about you as a bedtime story."
Behind him, Yakushi Nonō's face flushed slightly.
"They… all adore you…"
Chiyu made no comment.
"Get them out of here."
Yakushi Nonō hurriedly replied, "Yes…"
She gently led each child by the hand, taking them out of that dreadful prison…
Once convinced nothing else was hidden in that base, Chiyu walked away without hesitation. He intended to head for the next stronghold.
When Chiyu stepped outside, Aoki and Yamakaze had already finished off the remaining three or four Root shinobi. The two men were simply standing guard by Aburame Tatsuma, who was still howling uncontrollably, awaiting Chiyu's return.
"Captain."
"Chiyu-taichō…"
"All done?"
Chiyu didn't respond. Behind him, Yakushi Nonō brought the children out. Seeing that, Aoki and Yamakaze relaxed.
But this was only a start.
"Let's go."
Seething with murderous intent, Chiyu moved on toward the second Root base.
…
He had already killed Yamato just before, netting 200 points of virtue, and then killed another seven or eight Root members for another 400–plus virtue points. All of it was casually piled onto his ocular power.
Current Mangekyō Sharingan (5790/10000)!
Chiyu still wasn't satisfied.
At the second base, the leading Root shinobi had the codename "Hinoe." He remained clueless about what was transpiring. Predictably, Chiyu had no intention to waste breath with them. He slew him and the five or six other Root members in one go!
At the third base, the same played out.
Yakushi Nonō, aware of those men's deserved deaths, still felt a chill witnessing Chiyu's bloodshed. Even so, she could not help sensing a kind of vindictive relief.
As for the children, she wanted to avoid letting them see such slaughter—but she couldn't fully prevent it. Terrified though they were, they were even more grateful and awestruck by Chiyu, for they knew, even at their tender age, who were truly evil and who was their rescuer.
Before long, all three strongholds were cleared within less than half a day—thoroughly torn through by Chiyu! He slew around twenty Root shinobi total, freed the children, and left Aburame Tatsuma in a fate worse than death. Still…
Chiyu was not content.
The question remained:
Where was Shimura Danzo?
He wasn't in any of these strongholds. Clearly, aside from these sites, there remained somewhere else—unknown even to Aburame Tatsuma himself.
Aoki and Yamakaze, having followed their captain, fought to their hearts' content, exacting well-deserved vengeance on the Root. Yakushi Nonō, after some hesitation, finally spoke:
"Chiyu-sama, I… I have a request…"
"Could you escort these children back to the orphanage? And also stay around a little while, because… I'm afraid…"
Chiyu had just killed so many members of Root that it would inevitably stir up turmoil throughout Konoha Village. Neither Danzo nor Hiruzen Sarutobi would let it pass unchallenged. In all likelihood, they would again threaten the orphanage!
Chiyu said nothing—he simply walked out ahead. Aoki and Yamakaze saw this and smiled, reassuring Yakushi Nonō and the children:
"Let's go. The Captain has agreed."
At that, the children cheered quietly, excitement shining in their eyes. Yakushi Nonō hesitated, then finally smiled as well.
…
By killing over a dozen more Root shinobi, he gained another 600 virtue points, which he also invested in his ocular power.
Current Mangekyō Sharingan (6420/10000)!
Thus his ocular power surpassed six thousand. And just then…
Ding!
[Your Mangekyō Sharingan's ocular power has reached 6000 points!]
[You have awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan's ultimate power…]
[Susanoo!]
Chiyu felt a slight stir in his heart.
Susanoo…!
At last, his own Susanoo was about to be unlocked as well?
But he did not feel too exhilarated. To him, it was merely a natural progression.
Besides, he had already killed the Susanoo-wielding Uchiha Shisui without needing one himself. His strength had long surpassed mere reliance on Susanoo.
Of course, in any case, awakening Susanoo was something to be pleased about. Only he still wondered what shape his Susanoo would take, and what special abilities it might hold…
~~~
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