The ANBU captain was utterly trapped—no one expected things to turn around so fast. Even Konoha's gossip-loving villagers were stunned, clutching newspapers and thinking, Holy crap.
The hidden truth behind the Nine-Tails Attack and the human experimentation—shocking reversal?!
By midday, crowds and ANBU surged toward Root; by afternoon, the masses and Root turned toward the Hokage Tower. Even films and dramas wouldn't dare this—novels wouldn't write it! The plot flipped so rapidly, onlookers were caught completely off-guard.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's misdeeds weren't just uncovered—they dominated the headlines. Within thirty minutes of Danzo clearing his name, newspapers, interviews, and news reports flooded Konoha. Hiruzen was leading the scandal-driven headlines:
"Shocking! Lord Danzo reveals hidden truths behind the Nine-Tails Attack: One man plotted to seize the Nine-Tails and regain power!"
"Scandal! A leader caught in daylight at the Hokage Tower using a glass orb and Telescope Jutsu!"
"Men go silent—women cry. If you don't share, you're no true Konoha resident!"
"This elder is the mastermind behind the human experimentation!!"
"Shocking revelations: Uzumaki clan wiped out? Donkey shrieks? Vandalism, thefts, murders, ghostly knocks—are they human or demon? Senju deaths? What lies beneath? Tune in tonight…"
"Exclusive: Yamato, ANBU Sixth Division! Rank-tiered experiments on Hashirama's cells—60 infants died. One survived. Yamato is still active!"
Hiruzen's blood ran cold. He dropped the paper and staggered, unable to face the furious villagers. Every accusation was true—he'd overseen the experiments, Yamato served in his ANBU, and there was no defense. His career, his reputation—ruined.
Tears sprang to his eyes. "Danzo, how could you be so merciless…"
Meanwhile, Root had another goal: seize the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto, amid the chaos. Only then could tonight's operation succeed.
Inside Naruto's Classroom
Most students were drifting to sleep—only Sakura, Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto snapped to vertical. Naruto had been painfully focused: Kushina and Minato had told him that if he aced every exam, they wouldn't disappear from his memory. He sat determinedly, refusing to let his parents vanish.
Suddenly, three Root ninjas outside cast Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana, filling the room with phantom feathers. The teacher slumped out cold, and students followed suit.
One Root operative whispered: "Too easy," flickered behind Naruto—and lunged.
Inside the seal, Kushina and Minato sensed Naruto had fallen asleep. The Nine-Tails, awakened by their vigilance, spoke within the seal:
"Kushina, Minato, Naruto is in danger—enemies outside!"
Minato prepared to intervene—but Kushina stopped him:
"Relax—my Edo Tensei body is out there. And there's ANBU in the room, too. Don't worry. We'll step in only if needed."
Suddenly: "Wood Release: Silent Assassination Jutsu!"
Masked ANBU Yamato struck, wooden branches arcing out to the Root operatives. The Root ninjas panicked and fled.
BOOM!
Explosive tags shattered the school wall. The Root forces withdrew—triggering their backup plan.
Outside, the crowd and villagers watching the protest heard the blast and looked up—just in time to see three wooden arms bursting from the school, controlled by ANBU Yamato.
"It's him!"
"The sole survivor of the Hashirama cell experiment!"
"That mask matches Danzo's description!"
"Look—Wood Release!"
Konoha ignited:
"Hiruzen Sarutobi did research on Hashirama cells. He wanted to restore Wood Release to the village—confirmed!"
"This Wood Release ninja is Yamato, as Danzo predicted!"