Chapter 25: Chapter 25 : Ambush
---- Kyudo's POV ----
"HAHAHA! PAPA IS FREE. LET'S PLAY."
WHOOSH
[Mission aim: Eliminate the Shukaku escort team [Completed] ]
Run, run And Fucking RUN.
I dragged Yugao along as fast as I could, putting every bit of strength I had into each step. The shockwaves from the explosion were relentless. Funnily enough, it was almost as if the shockwaves were propelling us forward like the Body Flicker jutsu. Though it took some skill, it is not a problem in Root. Considering our intro to Root in the windy death canyon, this feeling is right at home for me.
Maybe this is what Shisui feels like when he uses Body Flicker—each stride covering an impossible distance, like gravity itself is trying to throw you forward.
It's strange how something as simple as a D-rank jutsu can become something way deadlier in the right hands. With enough chakra and the right skill, even Body Flicker could be S-rank but non-became skilled enough to do it. Because such speeds can't be kept track of by normal senses.
The distance that would've taken me three full minutes to cover was behind me in three seconds flat, each step jolting me farther from that explosion. And each moment, the pressure in my chest grew as I felt the chakra pulse through me, heavy but necessary. Beside me, Yugao sent out three quick chakra pulses, her own brief message of thanks.
I pulsed back twice.
[Translation : fine]
Then I caught sight of the beast's movements in the periphery.
My heart nearly stopped as I looked back, catching a glimpse of Shukaku, the weakest of the tailed beasts but still an absolute nightmare. The thing was having the time of its life tearing through the trainees too slow or stunned to get out in time, sending gusts of S-rank wind jutsu with each careless belch. He laughed as he tore into them, like it was all one big joke.
Then his body shifted directions.
I saw his mouth open wide, that endless pit that reeked of wind chakra, growing like it had a mind of its own. That one would come right at us.
"Yugao, ground!" I shouted, throwing out the only earth jutsu I could manage on such short notice. "Earth Style: Hidden Mole Jutsu."
I felt the chakra spike as I sunk into the ground, the earth splitting and taking me in. I didn't enjoy using any jutsu I hadn't fully trained in its chakra nature; the chakra drain on a low-chakra user like me was no joke. But desperate times, desperate measures. And as I burrowed down into the dirt, I reminded myself just how lifesaving this technique could be.
Yugao followed in, instinctively. She'd trained well—every Anbu had to be drilled in the basics, and it was always the life-saving jutsu that came first.
The ground shuddered beneath us as we tunneled deeper, feeling each shockwave and blast from above as if it were hammering on the earth itself. I dared to glance back, heart pounding, and caught sight of the devastation Shukaku was wreaking. The Biome Buildings crumbled like paper, trees splintered and shattered under each breath the beast took. Right now, everything I saw looked like the desert.
Fucking hell, the land of wind's border just expanded a lot.
Wait a minute, Sand? Fucking SAND?
The moment I connected the dots, I caught Yugao, who was panting in exhaustion, and ran out of the desert, just missing the sand spikes that drew from the ground.
WHOOOSHH
It was only my impressive Chakra control that allowed me to step on the shifting sand as if it's solid ground. Even when it is trying to bite, eat or cut on my legs.
"HEHE! Where are you ants running?"
My chakra reserves were dangerously low, every technique I used just whittling it down further. Each bit of strength I drew upon was one less I'd have if Shukaku's attacks made it past the walls or down here into the ground where Yugao and I had taken shelter. I could feel Yugao beside me, breathing steady but focused, her own chakra flagging but keeping pace with me. I knew she was just as rattled.
And then, from above, there was a strange, sickly sweet smell—a massive cloud of it, filling the air with an acrid but oddly calming presence. A split second later, we heard a wet slap, then another. I peeked out, blinking against the glare, and saw a glistening, massive form appearing through the haze. Katsuya, the Slug Sage. She was unlike anything else I'd ever seen—pale blue and mottled with her white skin, her size dwarfing everything in sight.
The tailed beast sneered, "Ah! The old bitch is still alive. I thought you kicked the bucket."
Shukaku scoffed, rolling his eyes, and his voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Besides, the slug? I was expecting the Snake or the Toad twins."
He laughed, low and rumbling. But Katsuya was unmoved, calm and serene as she regarded the surrounding chaos.
"I am here to perform my duty," Katsuya said, her voice even as if she was looking at a child.
She sprayed a thick, slimy juice over Shukaku, coating him in layers of sticky mucus, as she split into dozens of smaller clones. The clones scattered across the field, finding each wounded shinobi and carefully tending to them.
"Ugly hag! Running away as usual. Well, back to ant stomping."
Two of the slugs clones arrived by our side, tiny but reassuring as they healed our wounds. "Tsunade-sama will take over from here," they murmured in soft voices.
Considering how low my chakra is, I am thankful for the healing. Healer's pride or not.
I looked at Yugao, who had relief flooding over her tense body.
Before we could even catch our breaths, a sound cut through the air—a slow, rhythmic ticking. I barely had time to process it before the rumbling sped up, sounding like a clock that had spun wildly out of control.
Shukaku's stomach stretched out ominously as he prepared another massive wind jutsu, his belly expanding with the sheer volume of the chakra he was building up. But then, like a thunderbolt, a figure slammed down into his massive mouth.
It was Tsunade.
With one mighty blow, she drove Shukaku's mouth shut, slamming the slimy, enraged beast into the earth itself. Shukaku struggled, squirming to turn back to sand and escape, but Katsuya's slime bound him, locking him in place. For the first time in that battle, the tailed beast's mocking laugh was replaced by a howl of frustration.
And just like that, the true battle begins.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
------------------Memories--------------
Three months. That's how long it's been since we were dumped in this wind-blasted canyon, the place itself practically begging us to leave, to give up. Every day here was a new test, a new barrage of violent, gusting winds that uprooted rocks and sent them flying at us. For the rookies, it was adapt or die. I'd managed to finish the required training a month in, but apparently, that was enough to "earn" me more punishment. Another round of lashes, another dose of Seika's warped logic about why Konoha abandoned my family.
Every insult she hurled made my blood run hotter. My chakra stirred in response, simmering under my skin, each word adding fuel to a fire I was barely containing. Seika noticed, of course. She never missed a chance to see if she could push me to my limit. As she watched the chains around my wrists sizzle from the fire chakra, and crack under the strain, she hummed in that smug, calculating way of hers.
But they only gave a crack, making me realize that my Fire chakra mastery is not yet up to the mark.
"You're not angry enough," she said, voice cold and taunting. "Are those dead folk really your parents?"
Her words were like a punch to the gut, but I held my tongue, refusing to give her the reaction she wanted. She gave me a crooked smile, the kind that said she'd just thought of something far worse to say.
"Maybe I should pay a visit to that 'family' of yours—Might Duy and his precious son, Guy. Or maybe I'll just burn down that little pizza shop of yours. You know, the one you cared so much about?"
I froze, her words hitting harder than her whips ever could. She leaned in, enjoying every second of my shock. "Oh, did I not mention? I stopped by while I was gathering ingredients for my own little culinary project—Konoha Maru Pizza." The smugness in her eyes was unmistakable. "Funny thing, they actually paid me quite a bit for your recipes."
A cold realization dawned on me. She hadn't just stolen from me—she'd started a competitor to my own shop, one that could easily drive me out of business if I didn't get out of here. The only way that happens is if she, the trainer, passes me.
But instead of snapping, something inside me shifted. The anger was still there, but it cooled, sharpening into something almost surgical. The way I felt before I operated on a dying patient.
I gave her a steady, unyielding stare. She wanted me to lose control, to rage, to give her more reason to "correct" me.
Instead, I returned the favor, aiming my own words like kunai. "Well, I guess it's your only option, isn't it?" I said, voice low but cutting. "After all, the only way you'll ever have a life of your own if you can win over Danzo. But we both know he will never give you what you really want. And the Third Hokage? He'd never let some root whore into his family, let alone near his son's bed."
Her face hardened, the whip in her hand loosening. I could tell by her expression that I'd struck a nerve. I'd gotten under her skin, found the one insecurity she hadn't counted on me seeing.
The Root was supposed to be a well-oiled machine, cold and detached. But Seika? She was actually a failure and success at the same time.
Root was brutal, yes. It broke most of its members down into emotionless shells. They weren't mindless machines—not all of them. At least not at this point in time. Maybe in the future. Currently, Root functions as both the mindless machine of weapons and an advanced training ground of Anbu geniuses.
For those who survived the extreme pressures of root, they are considered Shinobi, who will never break and pulled into Anbu. Essentially, Konoha will get shinobi who can function like human beings but having the skill of a true killer. A wet dream of Danzo and Hiruzen, that mirrors the shinobi style of Tobirama.
[Author's note: I wrote this because Nono Yakushi, Kakashi, Tenzo etc all held on their emotions and stuff, even though they are from root. Meaning, at this point in time, Danzo still has some reservations about Hiruzen or he didn't become completely crazy yet. Or who knows, Danzo is just bidding his time.]
As for ones that break, well, they are also shinobi. But, shinobi whose sole use is to be a weapon. Fucking hell, I don't want that; I want to peacefully graduate in the academy to good jonin instructor and run a wealthy business. Not run through a crazy shinobi marathon hosted by Danzo.
Anyway, Seika falls into the latter category, still human enough to feel the sting of words. Unfortunately for her, it means she is a natural bitch that even Danzo feels is useful in attracting the hatred of all the elite shinobi passing through Root. Most importantly, the Hokage has shown no interest in pulling her out of Root. According to what I can piece through, it is simply because she doesn't care about normal civilians or normal shinobi and he is punishing her.
Kinda hypocrite of him, considering he is allowing root to exist. But, considering the crazy shit Sekai told me, without root, Konoha will pay a far greater price.
She knows that, but the fact remains that she is a bitch. And she can't change it.
After all, some things define a person. Without them, he is a root. And Sekai is no true root. No, they are all around Danzo, acting as his personal guards.
And for once, it was she who seemed rattled, not me.
CLANG
I gulped down looking at the tanto that she took out of the sheath.
I thought that was intimidating me, but the bitch ran at me to cut me down.
"Fucking hell."
CLANG
In just a blink of an eye, Sekai was disarmed and was on the ground and my chains were broken.
"Now, Now Sekai. This is the reason that the Third Hokage is hesitant to bring you out of Root. You need to control your cruelty. What are thinking about, that cutting little Kyudo's dick away will have no consequences?"
"Yes."
"Oh! You may be right. Danzo-sama might really not care about it, considering Kyudo showed no seduction skills in his time at the Academy."
Looking at my saviour, I screamed with all my heart, "GHOOOSSSTTTTTTTTT."
----------------Memories end.----------------
Yugao's sudden touch broke me out of my thoughts, filled with the weight of old memories .
This was fucking weird, I usually don't reminiscence. If I did, it was regarding the bright times I spent before catching Danzo's eye.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the haze. I had a job to do, and the battle raging around us was demanding every scrap of attention I had.
Our team of surviving Anbu continued circling the edges of the massive battleground, guarding against any sand shinobi who dared to step up to save their juinchuriki. Each attempt seemed more desperate than the last, as if they knew the stakes and will throw themselves recklessly into the fray. But reckless only went so far against a well-prepared trap.
Ahead, Shinosuke and Sekai were already laying waste to the next wave of attackers. Shinosuke's Wind Style: Great Breakthrough merged with Sekai's Fire Dragon into a massive, swirling inferno. The combo tore through a squad of Sand genin and a trio of chunin who'd been unlucky enough to charge straight into it. Even from a distance, I could see their faces change from grim determination to sheer panic in the split second before the flames took them.
That was the difference between high-rank jutsu and low-rank ones. Power grew exponentially with each rank, from E to S, and so did the chakra cost. No wonder most genin could barely manage a single D-rank jutsu reliably, with a few elites scraping together enough chakra control to manage a C-rank. And it stayed like that up the ranks—power kept rising, and so did the chakra reserves you'd need to wield it.
I couldn't help but feel a little smug. Even as Chunin, I could pull off an A-rank jutsu if I needed to, even though it drained half my reserves and left me teetering on the edge of collapse. Once I reached jonin-level chakra reserves, I'd be a whole different threat. It was maddening to feel the restraint of my current level, knowing that with each promotion, each bit of extra training, I'd be that much closer to real power. More chakra would mean more frequent A-rank jutsu, training in multiple chakra natures, deadlier Jutsu, and a wider skill set overall. Right now, limited reserves weren't just stalling my strength—they were stalling my potential.
[Under 10 meters]
The years I'd spent under Root's harsh training saved me once again, my body reacting on pure instinct to the sudden surge of chakra coming from beneath the sand. I didn't think, just jumped back, adrenaline jolting through me as I narrowly dodged the fate that claimed a few less fortunate ANBU nearby.
Their Fate-They fell, taken down by puppets that surged from the ground in an ambush, mechanical limbs slicing through anyone too slow to react.
"Damn it!" I muttered, still skidding back as I watched the chaos unfold. The puppets weren't just any cheap creations—they were high-grade, durable, immune to most elemental jutsu, and, worst of all, dripping with a poison that could drop even seasoned taijutsu specialists. Taking one out would be a pain without losing half my chakra reserves. And they just kept coming.
One puppet's wooden head detached, the grotesque face hurling toward my neck like a viper. In that instant, I knew I couldn't afford the usual options. I gathered chakra in my right hand, focusing rest of the chakra in my body to augment my entire body. With a shout—one I imagined Tsunade herself would've appreciated—I drove my fist into the puppet, smashing it into the sand in a splintered mess.
But the force didn't just destroy the puppet; it sent shockwaves through my bones, and I bit down to keep from wincing.
Worthy of jutsu that requires S-rank control.
Yet the momentary satisfaction was short-lived. Pride had distracted me, and before I could react, an old, gravelly voice chuckled right behind me. "So, kid, what's your connection to Tsunade, huh?"
I didn't get a chance to answer. Granny Chiyo's foot slammed into my back, and pain exploded through my ribs as I was launched skyward. I could feel bones crack with every bounce against the sand as I tumbled like a thrown stone. I barely had time to catch my breath before gravity took over, and I skidded across the battlefield in a cloud of dust.
Somehow, when I stopped rolling, I felt a pair of hands pull me up, dragging me out of the melee and to higher ground. Yugao's frozen face swam into view, her focus unwavering as she hoisted me onto a vantage point.
"Watch closely," she muttered, her voice tight with urgency. "Things are only getting worse."
From up here, the battlefield was pure chaos. Sand shinobi had poured in like a flood, throwing themselves forward to protect their jinchuriki. I watched Shinosuke and Sekai fend off Chiyo's puppet attacks, Sekai's fire blade slicing through the air in red arcs while Shinosuke's wind blasts carved paths of destruction.
And then, I saw it.
Golden sand.
It swirled into the battlefield like a tidal wave, joining the massive battle between Tsunade and Shukaku, adding to the sandstorm that seemed endless.
It turned into a three ways battle. With Sand and Golden Tsunami crashing against each other, with an occasional green cloak appearing, sending shockwaves that sent both sands flying.
Every attack made the ground tremble, leaving craters as big as a house with each punch, and the surrounding sand erupted like a storm.
The scene was surreal, like something out of a dream—or maybe a nightmare. I felt like a kid watching Dragon Ball Z for the first time, the scale of power making me question if I was even in the same world as them.
Yugao bit her lips as she her arms trembled from seeing the site. There is a reason that despite Danzo's best attempts that not all Root turned emotionless. Hovering over the edge of battle makes one appreciate life all the more and with it, the emotions it has.
Unfortunately, not everyone can keep up with Danzo senseless cycle of root training and this realization at the edge of death. They either accept the first one, becoming a complete root or become the second one, like the guy appearing now.
Looking at the flash, I said to Yugao, "It's over. Our mission is done and Shukaku is dead."
Atleast until it revives in few years.
"HUH!"
The same way I saw him for the first time. The ghost of Konoha appeared as flash in the sky and sailed directly into Shukaku. Oh, not directly, he took pitstop near Tsunade, flirting with her and giving her his chakra.
Just like that, Dan Kato, entered Shukaku and possessed it.
"NOOOOO, I WANT TO PLAY MORE!!!"
Of course, a tailed beast can't be controlled. But, it doesn't mean that a ghost can't wake up the host it is possessing.
Just like that, the sand monster collapsed, and a figure fell down from the falling sand.
Rasa tried to reach the figure, along with his tsunami of golden sand.
WWHOOSH
Katsuya, who summoned back to her full form from Tsunade's summoning, spit the same sticky mucus that made Rasa's sand immobile as it did to Shukaku's sand.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
As I watched Tsunade's fist fall on the Juinchuriki, I felt the ground shake for a few seconds. With this, the tailed beast Shukaku is dead, along with his host.
"Well, that was anti-climatic."
Yugao asked me with a puzzled tone, "What?"
I shook my head and said, "The war ended. The sand lost the war."
Without Shukaku, the sand shinobi will lose their morale. In the deserts of land of wind, Shukaku is more useful than a team of S-rank ninjas.
Though the war will go on for a month or two, but the next phase is all about getting the upper hand in the negotiations. Either capturing important officials or shinobi from both sides or readying the broken prisoners of war for exchange.
Hmm, I think I just found a route to escape Root.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone