Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

A dense thicket of wooden thorns sprouted from the ground, layer upon layer, temporarily binding the withered tree guardian.

Danzo used this opportunity to close the distance, then suddenly twisted his body and raised his arm, several wooden spears appeared out of thin air and pierced straight into Qingwu's abdomen.

This move was very sudden. Caught off guard, Qingwu instinctively dodged, but was still stabbed in the ribs by the wooden spear, and blood gushed out instantly.

However, Qingwu quickly reached out and activated the water-based magic [Healing]. Combined with the slug's healing, the wound was completely healed.

Taking advantage of Danzo's Wood Release, Qingwu unleashed a powerful Earth-type magic, Meteor Shower, right in front of him.

A meteorite the size of a millstone crashed down with a whooshing sound.

"Boom, boom boom—!!"

Qingwu widened the distance again; the advantage lay with him, and there was no need for him to perish together with Danzo.

As the smoke and dust cleared, many cracks appeared on Danzo's wooden body.

Qingwu revealed a cold smile.

The Wood Release activated by the First Hokage's cells combined with Kage-level chakra was indeed powerful, but Danzo's Wood Release was ultimately not his own bloodline limit.

His body could no longer withstand the forced transplantation of interstitial cells after a long period of stimulation.

Sure enough, there was a "click" sound.

Danzo's body stiffened abruptly, his face turning deathly pale. A slender sapling sprouted from his back, and his gritting-teeth, stubborn expression was somewhat comical.

The interstitial cells have retaliated!

Danzo leaned against the stone wall, panting heavily.

Qingwu said sarcastically, "Old thief, you should have thought about this outcome when you forcibly transplanted the first generation's cells."

He manipulated the withered tree guards to unleash more roots, intending to first control Danzo and then interrogate him about the whereabouts of Iruka and Tenzo.

Just then, a jet-black diamond rod suddenly shot through the air.

huh, huh, huh-

The Vajra staff spun rapidly in mid-air, blocking all the roots that were shooting towards Danzo.

The twilight deepened on Qingwu Mountain: "Third Generation..."

Chapter 175 Tsunade: Who's so brainless?

"enough!"

The third generation's voice rang out, carrying an undeniable authority.

Qingwu exhaled a breath of stale air and turned around to look.

The Third Hokage stood at the entrance of the passage, followed by Yakushi Nono, Mitarashi Anko, and Kakashi.

"Qingwu, you..." Hongdou covered her mouth in surprise.

She considered herself fearless enough, but when she saw the corpses of Root members scattered on the ground and Danzo kneeling on the ground, she couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart.

"..." Yakushi Nonou was equally surprised.

The gentle-smiling boy in the orphanage could never be reconciled with the boy in front of her, who was full of violence and bloodlust.

"Qingwu!" Kakashi's gaze swept over the root corpses on the ground, then returned to Qingwu.

Seeing the bloodstains on his clothes under his arm, the worry in his eyes deepened.

The Third Hokage's eyes were filled with solemnity, but he remained silent, creating an extremely tense atmosphere.

Qingwu remained silent, only staring coldly at Shimura Danzo, who seemed on the verge of collapse.

Danzo was convulsing in pain, but he still forced himself to lift his head and shout in a hoarse voice:

"Hiruzen... He slaughtered the elite of Root... He massacred the ninjas of Konoha... He is a rogue ninja... He must be killed!"

"Shut up!" The Third Hokage's voice was as deep as iron. His gaze fell on Danzo's wooden-like half of his body, a hint of pity and anger flashing in his eyes.

"I stopped the experiments with the first-generation cells long ago, but you forced the transplantation and ended up like this. It's all your own fault!"

Danzo slowly slid down to the foot of the wall, as if he were about to die.

The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked towards Danzo, using a sealing technique to suppress the cellular turmoil within Danzo's body. He then turned back and said, "Dean."

Yakushi Nonou stepped forward in response, releasing the light of "Palm Healing Technique" from her hands to help Danzo stabilize his injuries.

She never expected things to develop to this extent.

At this moment, Nono was more worried about Danzo's safety—if a high-ranking Konoha official like Danzo died at the hands of Aogo, there would truly be no turning back.

Qingwu watched coldly. With the arrival of the Third Generation, he could no longer intervene, but if he continued to protect him, he had already prepared for the worst.

"..." After glancing at Danzo who was receiving treatment, the Third Hokage turned to look at Qingwu.

The two met eyes for the first time since Qingwu returned to the village.

The third generation leader's tone softened slightly, but it still carried an air of authority:

"Qingwu, although you had your reasons, killing thirty-six Root ninjas caused too much of a stir. You must give the village an explanation, but before that—"

As if remembering something, the Third Hokage turned around again and said, "Dean, take Danzo away to heal his wounds first. Don't let him die like this. I haven't settled the score with him yet."

Yakushi Nonou understood immediately, got up, and led Danzo into a side passage.

Qingwu understood what the Third Hokage meant: with Danzo here, the conflict was impossible to resolve.

He sighed inwardly, realizing that Danzo was still irreplaceable in the Third Hokage's eyes, and that he hadn't pursued the obvious Wood Release technique too much.

Only Qingwu, the Third Hokage, Kakashi, and Anko remained in the underground space.

The mess on the ground made the air feel even more stagnant, and the scorch marks on the stone walls still carried the lingering heat of the fire.

Qingwu didn't speak, but he didn't put away the withered wood guards and the great elf either, as if he was ready to deal with other battles at any time.

The third generation looked at Qingwu, his aged eyes filled with complex emotions—helplessness, solemnity, and a hint of barely perceptible regret.

“Qingwu…” the Third Hokage said slowly, “No matter how outrageous the Root’s actions are, they all wear Konoha headbands and are all Konoha ninjas. You…”

Kakashi and Anko both felt a chill run down their spines, but the Third Hokage's aura was too powerful, and neither of them dared to speak.

However, Qingwu seemed unconcerned, lowering his eyes and coldly saying:

"When they surrounded and killed me, did they ever consider that I was also a Konoha ninja? Danzo set a trap to capture my friend, but did he not expect that they were also Konoha ninjas? All I know is that I—was forced into this situation!"

Qingwu raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the Third Hokage. "They labeled me a rogue ninja. I want to ask—Does the Hokage think... I am a rogue ninja?"

The Third Hokage was speechless at Qingwu's question. His aged eyes narrowed slightly, and his hand gripping the Vajra Staff tightened involuntarily, his fingertips turning white.

"Ding dong!"

In the underground space, only the soft sound of water dripping from the stone walls could be heard. Kakashi's fingers, which were gripping his headband, paused slightly, and Anko held her breath. Even the air seemed to freeze.

The Third Hokage remained silent for a few moments, then said in a deep voice, "No, you are not a rogue ninja!"

Kakashi let out a sigh of relief, and Anko patted her chest.

The Third Hokage continued, "I've already sent the Anbu to rescue Iruka and Tenzo. I believe we'll have news soon..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from the entrance of the passage.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw two ANBU supporting Tenzo, whose face was somewhat pale, followed by Iruka, who was also weak but still able to stand on his own.

Both of them had marks of restraint on their bodies, indicating that they had just been rescued.

Seeing that the two were alright, Qingwu finally relaxed.

Judging from the situation, Tenzo is stronger and has suffered more, while Iruka is in a better situation.

Leaping down from the top of the withered tree guardian, Qingwu shouted, "Slug!"

"Yes, Lord Qingwu!"

The slug split into two smaller slugs, which landed on the shoulders of Tianzang and Iruka. Green natural energy flickered, and the two men's complexions quickly improved.

Tianzang broke free from the support of the two secret agents and exclaimed in surprise, "Qingwu, this is..."

The third generation opened his mouth, as if to ask something, but did not say it.

He was also surprised when he first arrived, but at that time Danzo was about to die, so he was busy dealing with other things. Now he has a lot of questions, but there are already many people and eyes around.

Iruka looked around, his voice trembling, and said, "Qingwu,...you did all of this?"

On their way here, the Dark Guard had already informed them that Qingwu had come to rescue them and was causing a ruckus at the Root.

Before Qingwu could reply, Iruka turned around and knelt down with a thud. "Lord Hokage, Qingwu did this to save me. Whatever responsibility there is, we will share it."

Upon hearing this, Tianzang knelt down without hesitation, saying, "And me too. If I hadn't attacked Root first, things wouldn't have turned out like this."

Kakashi and Anko exchanged a glance and then knelt down on one knee to plead for mercy.

"It was my fault as the team leader that led the team poorly, so I also bear responsibility."

"Ah? Uh! I... right, it's my fault for not conveying the dean's message properly, which led to Qingwu forcing his way into the Root Sect. I, Hongdou, am also responsible."

Sandaime: "..."

Looking at the four people kneeling on the ground before him, the Third Hokage's aged eyes churned with complex emotions—moved and gratified.

He paused for a moment and said gently, "Get up, all of you. I told you Qingwu isn't a traitorous ninja, so he isn't!"

"Traitorous ninja?" A cold sneer suddenly came from the entrance of the passage, carrying undisguised mockery.

Tsunade strode out, followed by Shizune jogging behind her.

"The Slug Sage approves of a rogue ninja? Who's so brainless as to say something like that?"

……

Chapter 176 Third Generation: Is my wicked disciple insulting me?

The third generation leader sighed helplessly, as if the word "brainless" was an insult directed at him.

Tsunade glanced at the mess on the ground, her face paling. She deliberately avoided looking at the blood, then turned to the Third Hokage and said bluntly, "Is it fashionable in Konoha to randomly label people now?"

Qingwu clearly felt everyone's protection and Tsunade's protectiveness, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

It was precisely because of these people that he did not consider defection as the only option!