If he really joined Root, he would be an idiot. Kaito knew exactly what Root was like.
"Don't worry! As long as you join Root, I'll personally speak with Hiruzen and Homura!" Danzo said confidently, as if he had everything planned out.
"No need. I think it's better to join the Anbu." Kaito refused firmly.
"In that case, I'll take my leave. But I believe you'll change your mind." Shimura Danzo said meaningfully before striding away.
The moment Danzo left, Kaito's expression turned cold.
That last line was clearly a threat.
But with his current strength, no number of Root operatives Danzo sent would make a difference.
The only two people who could be used to threaten him were Hinata and Ino.
Knowing Danzo's rabid-dog personality, he wouldn't hesitate to target them.
"Danzo... Don't push me. If you do something stupid, I'll make you regret ever being born," Kaito muttered coldly.
His voice was icy, like a bitter wind blowing from the depths of the Netherworld.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Kaito formed the seals, and two shadow clones appeared beside him.
Each clone held a third of his chakra and was as strong as an elite jonin.
"You two. Watch over Hinata in secret. If you encounter anyone from Root, eliminate them on the spot. If you're overpowered, one of you buys time while the other gets her out of there."
"Understood!"
The two clones vanished instantly.
Meanwhile, Kaito dashed toward Ino.
The Hyuga Clan was the most powerful family in Konoha, and Hinata was Hyuga Hiashi's daughter. It was unlikely that Danzo would make a move there first.
Ino, on the other hand... The Yamanaka Clan didn't have the same level of influence. Danzo would go for the weak link. It made sense.
As the thought crossed his mind, Kaito turned into a streak of lightning, surging toward Ino's location.
At that moment, Ino and her teammates were finishing a dull D-rank mission. Kaito watched silently from a tree.
An hour passed.
Then another.
The sky began to darken.
Eventually, Ino and the others said their goodbyes to Asuma and headed home, visibly tired.
At an intersection, Ino and Shikamaru parted ways.
Kaito's eyes narrowed in the shadows. A sharp killing intent flared from his body.
"They're here… Two of them. Jonin level… Very good. Danzo… Since you made your move, don't blame me for mine."
He disappeared from the branch and appeared directly in front of the two masked Root members.
"You looking for Ino?" Kaito asked coldly, his killing intent heavy in the air.
"...Kaito? Step aside. We're under orders from Lord Danzo. Yamanaka Ino is to be brought to Root," one of the agents said expressionlessly.
"Perfect. Then you can die here."
Kaito smirked—and struck.
Lightning burst from his fists as he lunged forward.
Trained killers as they were, the Root agents had sensed his hostility the moment he appeared. Without hesitation, they drew short blades from their backs and counterattacked.
But they'd underestimated the force behind Kaito's Thunder Fist.
Boom!
His lightning-infused fists slammed into their weapons.
A wave of electricity erupted from the impact, blasting the blades to pieces—and the remnants surged straight into their bodies.
Crack! Boom!
The two Root agents barely had time to scream before they were reduced to blackened corpses.
The entire encounter took less than a second.
Far away, Ino turned her head at the sudden noise.
She looked toward Kaito's direction with confusion in her eyes.
Kaito no longer had a reason to hide. He flashed over and appeared before her.
He took in a deep breath near her hair and smiled gently. "Nothing to worry about. Just dealt with a couple of thieves. Let's get you home."
Ino looked skeptical—but she understood he was trying to protect her.
"Okay… but you're carrying me back," she said playfully.
"Deal."
He hoisted her onto his back and dashed toward the Yamanaka household.
Danzo had already made a move. There was no telling what might happen next.
He felt certain that Hinata was still safe—at least for now. The two shadow clones hadn't dispelled yet.
After dropping Ino off and giving her a few quiet instructions, he left again without delay.
Ino watched him go, silent and obedient. It was the first time she'd seen Kaito so serious. Something was clearly wrong.
She clenched her fists. Now wasn't the time to play or be spoiled.
She had to get stronger.
"He didn't tell me because he didn't want me to worry… and because I'm still too weak."
Next time, I'll stand beside you on the battlefield, she thought with determination.
---
With electromagnetic sensing, Kaito quickly locked onto the location of Hinata and the two shadow clones. In a flash of blue lightning, he arrived near them in seconds.
"Yo! The original's here," one of the clones greeted.
Kaito nodded, then noticed two masked bodies nearby.
"Those Danzo's men?"
---
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