CHAPTER 242: 242. THE WOOD RELEASE NINJA—YAMATO

The next day arrived.

Konoha was bustling with activity.

On one hand, preparations were underway for the weekend’s victory celebration.

On another, compensation had to be distributed to the families of fallen shinobi, and rewards needed to be allocated to the surviving ones.

Additionally, the date and terms for negotiations with Kumogakure had to be decided.

But none of these matters concerned Hanekawa too much.

With his strength and status, he didn’t need to involve himself in the process—just knowing the results was enough.

After breakfast, Hanekawa made his way to the Uchiha Clan’s compound.

"Lord Hanekawa!"

The Uchiha guards at the gate immediately bowed in greeting upon seeing him.

The Uchiha Clan was known for its pride, but if someone’s strength far surpassed theirs, they would set aside their arrogance.

After all, on the battlefield in the Land of Frost, Hanekawa had not only demonstrated Wood Release, but had also defeated both the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails. Naturally, they acknowledged his power.

"No need for formalities."

Hanekawa smiled and asked, "I’m here to see Shisui. Is he home?"

"Yes, he is."

One of the Uchiha ninjas hesitated for a moment before asking, "Should I inform the Clan Head?"

"No need."

Hanekawa shook his head and walked straight into the Uchiha compound.

Calling it a "compound" was an understatement—it was more like a village within a village, small but fully functional.

Having been to Shisui’s house before, Hanekawa knew the way well.

"Hanekawa-senpai!"

As soon as Shisui saw him, he stepped forward to greet him.

"Big Brother Hanekawa."

Behind him stood a four-year-old boy—Itachi Uchiha.

"Itachi’s here too?"

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow at the boy’s greeting.

"I was teaching him swordsmanship."

Shisui smiled. "He’s very eager to learn and incredibly talented."

"I see."

Hanekawa nodded slightly.

In the original story, Shisui and Itachi shared a mentor-disciple relationship, as well as a deep friendship.

"I’ll leave you two to talk."

Itachi gave a polite bow and quietly excused himself.

"Hanekawa, what brings you here?"

Shisui asked curiously.

"I need a favor."

Hanekawa smiled.

"There’s something even you can’t handle?"

Shisui looked surprised.

"I’m not a god. I can’t do everything."

Hanekawa paused and then added, "This favor is dangerous—it’s related to Danzo Shimura."

"Danzo?"

Shisui frowned slightly. "Wasn’t he already imprisoned?"

"He colluded with Kumogakure and betrayed Konoha. He should’ve been executed, but the Hokage spared him out of old sentiments."

Hanekawa said calmly. "However, keeping him alive poses a serious threat to Konoha."

"You want me to help by... killing him?"

Shisui’s expression hardened.

"Would you agree if I asked?"

Hanekawa countered.

"I would!"

Shisui clenched his teeth. "Someone like Danzo should not be allowed to live!"

For years, Danzo and his Root operatives had oppressed the Uchiha Clan.

Now, with his treasonous actions, he had effectively betrayed the entire village.

Shisui’s greatest wish was for peace between the Uchiha and Konoha.

To him, Danzo had become the biggest obstacle to that peace.

"No need to kill him outright."

Hanekawa chuckled. "I just need you to plant a suggestion in his mind—to make him seek out the Fire Daimyō."

"The Fire Daimyō? Why?"

Shisui was puzzled.

"Because only the Daimyō can officially support him becoming Hokage."

Hanekawa explained. "If all goes as planned, the Daimyō will arrive in Konoha tomorrow."

"I see now!"

Shisui suddenly understood.

"But the Daimyō would never agree to make Danzo Hokage."

Hanekawa smirked. "And when Danzo realizes that, he’ll act out in desperation."

"Attempting harm against the Daimyō is treason. That gives us the perfect reason to execute him on the spot."

Shisui couldn’t help but admire the plan—there would be no escape for Danzo.

He usually didn’t engage in such tactical scheming, but when it came to dealing with Danzo, it was more than justified.

"Let’s go."

Hanekawa didn’t want to waste any time—he was ready to take Shisui to see Danzo immediately.

But after just two steps, he stopped.

Three unexpected guests had arrived—Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, and Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi glanced at Hanekawa and Shisui, looking somewhat guilty.

After returning home, his parents had asked him where he had been.

Without thinking much of it, he had casually mentioned visiting Shisui’s house and seeing Hanekawa there.

And that had prompted Fugaku and Mikoto to immediately come looking for them.

"Clan Head."

Shisui quickly bowed. "Lady Mikoto."

"Hanekawa, why didn’t you tell me you were visiting?"

Mikoto asked gently.

"I mainly didn’t want to disturb You all."

Hanekawa smiled as he spoke.

"It’s no disturbance at all. The Uchiha Clan welcomes you anytime."

Uchiha Fugaku said in a firm tone.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

The ninja world truly respected strength above all else.

Of course, it wasn’t just about strength—he was also Tsunade’s student.

And with Tsunade already set to become the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha Clan naturally wouldn’t dare to offend Hanekawa.

"Since you’re here, why not stay for a meal?"

Uchiha Mikoto invited him warmly.

"Next time."

Hanekawa shook his head. "Shisui and I have some things to take care of."

"What kind of things?"

Fugaku assured him, "The Uchiha Clan will make sure it’s handled."

"Having Shisui’s help is enough."

Hanekawa wasn’t quite used to such enthusiasm from the Uchiha Clan.

"This..."

Fugaku instinctively glanced at Mikoto.

Hanekawa noticed and asked directly, "Is there something you want to discuss with me?"

"Yes, actually."

Mikoto hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "I heard you recently took on a student?"

Hanekawa immediately understood.

He had only one student—Hinata Hyuga.

Fugaku must have heard about it and wanted to try as well.

"Aunt Mikoto, are you recommending a student for me?"

Hanekawa chuckled.

"Itachi admires you a lot."

Mikoto smiled a little shyly and gently patted Itachi’s head.

"Big Brother Hanekawa."

Itachi bowed deeply. "Please accept me as your student."

Hanekawa thought for a moment before saying, "I don’t know when I’ll become a Jonin."

"Itachi’s talent is already evident. Waiting for me for a few years wouldn’t be necessary."

Of course, the real reason was that he didn’t want a filial son as a student.

Even though his presence had likely changed the course of events and prevented the Uchiha Massacre, Hanekawa still couldn’t bring himself to accept Itachi.

And then there was Sasuke Uchiha to consider.

Mikoto’s expression dimmed at his response.

Fugaku’s face also darkened.

Was the Uchiha Clan really going to lose to the Hyuga Clan in this matter?

Itachi fell silent.

While he believed that Shisui was the best teacher for him, he also knew that having Hanekawa as his mentor would benefit the Uchiha Clan even more.

"I never said I wouldn’t agree."

Noticing the misunderstanding, Hanekawa smiled and said, "I’ll reserve a student spot for your clan."

"Really?"

Mikoto’s expression brightened with surprise.

"Of course."

Hanekawa said meaningfully, "Preferably a child born this year or next."

"Understood!"

Mikoto quickly agreed.

"Then, see you next time."

After a brief farewell, Hanekawa and Shisui left.

As they walked away, Fugaku let out a sigh.

"There were some twists, but at least we achieved our goal."

"Yes."

Mikoto nodded, then added with some regret, "It’s just a pity that Itachi won’t be his student."

"It really is."

Fugaku sighed. "There isn’t another child in the Uchiha Clan who can match Itachi’s talent."

"Let’s wait until next year."

Mikoto reassured him. "Maybe by then, there will be someone."

---

Konoha Security Prison

Hanekawa glanced around.

This place was quite secluded.

The surroundings were empty, with only two tower-like structures in the center.

Konoha’s maximum-security prison was used to detain shinobi guilty of serious crimes, such as murder or espionage.

In the original story, this prison appeared during the Shinobi Breakout Incident, when Mizuki, Fūjin, and Raijin escaped.

However, that event was still over a decade away.

"We’ll use genjutsu to sneak in—let’s try not to alert anyone."

Hanekawa decided after a moment of thought.

Given his status, it wouldn’t matter much if they were discovered, but it was best to be careful and avoid drawing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attention.

"Leave it to me."

Shisui vanished in an instant.

A flash of red light flickered.

Before the gate guards—the prison wardens—could even react, they were already under the control of his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. The Mangekyō Sharingan is really convenient.

The two of them entered the prison.

Since only high-risk criminals were held here, every inmate was placed in solitary confinement, in cells sealed off with protective barriers.

"Wait here a moment."

Shisui left briefly and returned with a middle-aged ninja under genjutsu.

"Take us to Danzo Shimura’s cell."

Hanekawa ordered directly.

"Understood."

The middle-aged ninja nodded blankly and led them toward the deepest part of the prison.

__

Outside the barrier, four elite Anbu Jonin stood guard at the entrance.

Uchiha Shisui transformed into a middle-aged man, while Hanekawa disguised himself as a prison warden.

The two approached unnoticed and quickly used genjutsu to take control of the guards.

The middle-aged man formed a hand seal, dispelling the barrier, and then handed the key to Uchiha Shisui.

Shisui unlocked the door without hesitation.

Shimura Danzo instinctively looked up.

When he saw Uchiha Shisui, he froze in surprise.

Just as he was about to speak, his body suddenly tensed, and his vision was consumed by a spiraling Mangekyō Sharingan.

If he had access to chakra, he could have resisted, but his chakra had already been sealed.

Right now, he was nothing more than an ordinary person.

"Shisui, ask him where ’Tenzo’ is."

Standing at the doorway, Hanekawa gave the command.

Shisui repeated the question, though he had no idea who Ka was.

"Tenzo is at an outpost outside the village."

Danzo revealed the exact location.

Hanekawa nodded slightly.

No wonder Jiraiya couldn’t find Yamato.

"Alright, let’s go."

Shisui stepped out of the cell and locked the door behind him.

___

"What’s going on?"

Danzo asked in confusion, "Did something just happen?"

His memory had already been altered by Shisui.

___

"Done. We’re out."

As they exited the maximum-security prison, Hanekawa clapped his hands.

"How is he supposed to escape tomorrow?"

Shisui asked curiously.

"I’ll come back and handle it."

Hanekawa replied casually.

"Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Shisui asked.

"How about coming with me to a Root outpost?"

Hanekawa considered for a moment before suggesting.

"To see ’Tenzo’?"

Shisui asked. "Who is he? Why is he so important to you?"

"Do you know why Danzo was imprisoned?"

Hanekawa asked in return.

"For colluding with the Hidden Cloud."

Shisui answered without hesitation.

"That’s not the only reason."

Hanekawa shook his head. "There’s another reason— the Wood Release Experiment."

Shisui’s eyes widened in shock.

"What is the Wood Release Experiment?"

He asked.

Hanekawa didn’t hold back and briefly explained the entire process.

Shisui’s pupils contracted, his face filled with disbelief.

"This... this is insane!"

He couldn’t believe that Danzo had conducted human experiments just to obtain Wood Release—and worse, on so many infants.

"Wait... are you...?"

A sudden thought hit Shisui, and his heart trembled.

"I’m not a test subject. I learned it."

Hanekawa clarified before continuing, "Tenzo is the only survivor of the experiment."

"I see."

Shisui finally understood.

---

The Root Outpost

Half an hour later, they arrived at a forest outside the village.

"There are five people underground beneath us."

Hanekawa closed his eyes, expanding his sensory perception.

"There’s a barrier."

Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Lava Release: Rasengan!

Hanekawa slammed his right hand onto the ground.

BOOM!

The barrier shattered, the ground cracked, and a deep pit was revealed.

"They’ve noticed us. They’re heading for the entrance."

As Hanekawa finished speaking, four figures leapt up from underground.

Shisui glanced at them briefly.

The four Root ninjas instantly froze in place, trapped in his genjutsu.

Wood Release Attack

Just then, tree branches suddenly stretched out from nearby, wrapping toward Hanekawa and Shisui.

"It’s really Wood Release!"

Shisui exclaimed in surprise.

Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees!

Hanekawa clapped his hands together, releasing a massive surge of chakra.

The ground surged, and trees erupted from beneath.

Under his control, countless branches and vines emerged, binding the hidden Yamato tightly.

Hanekawa casually waved his hand, pulling Yamato toward him.

---

Yamato stared at Hanekawa in shock.

"How do you know Wood Release?"

He asked in disbelief.

Hanekawa ignored the question and said calmly, "Shimura Danzo colluded with the Hidden Cloud. He has been captured."

"Do you want to continue following him, or come back to Konoha with me?"

Yamato’s expression turned blank.

Since the moment he gained consciousness, he had only ever followed Danzo.

Loyalty? Will of Fire?

He didn’t truly understand those things.

All he had known was following orders.

Now that Danzo was captured, logically, he should go rescue him.

But seeing Hanekawa’s Wood Release, he suddenly felt a strange sense of kinship.

"I... I don’t know."

Yamato answered truthfully.

Hanekawa wasn’t surprised.

Root’s training only led people into darkness.

In the original timeline, Yamato found his way because of Kakashi Hatake.

"Come with me."

Hanekawa snapped his fingers, dispelling Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees.

___

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