Chapter 16 – Uprooting Root

"Talk"

'Think'

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.

A/N: I'm having weird connection with . For the past two days, I cannot access it through my phone (Safari) or my laptop (IE, Chrome) but I can access it through the family desktop (all IE, Chrome and Mozilla).

A/N: Thank you Oblivion168 for your comment. I hope I can deliver till the end.

A week later

Sandaime Hokage was reading a mission report when he sensed a familiar chakra "What do you want, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya jumped through the window and grinned "Nothing passed you, huh? Where's your apprentice?"

His question was answered by a knocking on the door, followed by "entered" from Sandaime Hokage.

"Sandaime-sama, Jiraiya-sama" greeted Shisui which was answered by a nod from Sandaime and a grin from Jiraiya.

The grin turned to solemn "I want both of you to read this" Jiraiya said while passing a rather thick scroll.

Sandaime read the scroll first before passed it to Shisui with a troubled face. Shisui's curious face turned anger while reading the scroll.

"Sandaime-sama, are you aware of this? asked Shisui quietly.

Noting the anger, Sandaime answered carefully "I'm aware of Root's existence, but not its activities in details"

"I don't understand" asked Shisui

"When I assumed the role of Hokage, I allowed Danzō to form an ANBU branch under his control, called Root. I knew I was considered as 'soft' leader by him so Root's existence was to balance my 'softness'. Initially, root served well, providing critical intelligents and eliminating threats" explained Sandaime "Hence, I gave Danzō free rein on Root, but I guess, this is where my 'softness' bite me back" Sandaime sighed sadly.

"If you don't mind, please leave Danzō to me" asked Sandaime to Shisui.

"Are you sure?" asked Shisui.

Sandaime smiled sadly "Through my reign as Hokage, I have made many mistakes. This is one of them. Hopefully when it's your turn Shisui, you won't repeat this old man's mistakes"

Shisui bowed respectfully.

"Sensei" said Jiraiya "Please don't repeat my mistake too". Sandaime looked at Jiraiya's eyes. He nodded.

That night

Danzō was meditating in his chamber when he felt the presence of his friend/ nemesis, Sarutobi Hiruzen with the other advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Hiruzen, what brings you down here" asked Danzō.

"This" said Hiruzen while passing him the scroll which listed in details many of his exploits including, sabotaging peace treaty between Konohagakure and Iwagakure, through the memory of few of his Root agents (Jiraiya snucked in his cave via his toads and 'borrowed' a few of his men). After Itachi has wrote his report, Jiraiya asked Yamanaka Inoichi to read the minds of his agents for corroboration.

Danzō read the scroll impassively "I see. What do you propose I do?"

"Either this" Hiruzen offered a tantō "or we fight"

Danzō strutinized Hiruzen reaction "Three against one?" he sneered.

"They are to keep away outside interference" said Hiruzen. Both Homura and Koharu performed a kage bunshin each and the four of them formed a barrier.

"So, my friend, what should it be?" asked Hiruzen gravely.

Danzō returned the tantō back to Hiruzen "I guess this will be the last time I'll find out if I've surpassed you" said Danzō while disrobing and unwrapping the bandage on his head.

Seeing sharingan in Danzō's right eye and Shodai Hokage's face on Danzō's right arm, Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked.

"What have you done to yourself?" asked Hiruzen in appalled.

"Making myself stronger while you getting weaker" answered Danzō with vehement.

Hiruzen shook his head in regrets 'how far have you fallen, my friend' he thought. Remembering his purposed, he steeled himself and asked "Are you ready?"

The question was answered with Danzō shouting "Fūton: Shinkūgyoku" and shooting wind-based bullet in Hiruzen's direction which he evaded easily. The legendary fight that ensued ended with a large tree grown in the middle of what used to be Root's hideout and very sad members of team Tobirama.

The following morning, Sandaime resigned from his post as Hokage to atone his mistake. He and his teammates also took full responsibilities of Root shinobi and slowly, introduced them into Konoha shinobi's community.

Jiraiya, upon learning that Yahiko, Konan and Nagato had formed Akatsuki and Yahiko's sacrificed, went off to search news about them as well as keeping track of his former/still wayward best-friend.

End Chapter 16

A/N: I'm pretty sure the fight between Sandaime and Danzō would be epic which I don't think I can do justice with my writing. But enjoy the omake.

Omake

The barrier was surrounded by Konoha shinobi, all eager to watch Legendary Battle between Sandaime Hokage and Danzō. Those that were on duty were cursing their lives for missing what was purported an event that will rival the fight between Shodai Hokage and Uchiha Madara.

Before started, food vendors were making their rounds.

"Dango!" "Daifuku!" "Pocky!"

"One pocky" said Itachi

"Ten dango!" yelled Mitarashi Anko

"Ten?! Are you sure you can finish it Anko" asked Akimichi Shitō.

"Wanna bet? If I can, you'll pay for this ones and buy me ten more. If I cannot, I'll buy you ten dangos" said Anko with a wink.

"You're on!" said Shitō. Sad to say, he has to say bye-bye to his recently-cashed mission money within minutes. Anko happily munched on her dangos.

Once Sandaime started to talk, everyone hushed. When Sandaime offered tantō to Danzō, Kakashi's face clouded, remembering his father. Gai, noticing that Kakashi has gone quiet, asked him "You okay?". Kakashi gave him his patented eye smile. 'Thank you, Gai' thought Kakashi.

Once the fight started, everyone was held captivated.

"Look! Sandaime's Shuriken Kage Bunshin!"

"Owh look, wind enhanced kunai. That's neat. Pity we don't have many wind user here"

"Here comes King Enma, he looks old, don't you think?"

"Shhhh…he can hear you"

"Oh, Danzō also called his summon. What's that animal?"

"It's called Baku. Look at that powerful wind technique"

"You know, I think it's neat having Shodai's cell in all of us" said one shinobi "We'll all having healing power and mokuton"

"I don't think it would be that easy" said a Hyūga elder with his byakugan activated "One chakra will fight to dominate the other one. If your chakra wins, it's okay…"

"What happened when your chakra lose?"

"…"

At that moment, Danzō seemed to struggling with his right hand when woods started to appear and slowly, everyone can see Danzō being engulfed by a large tree that continued to grow for several metres before it stopped.

"I think you've got your answer" said the elder.

End Chapter 16

Fūton: Shinkūgyoku – Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets

Kage Bunshin – Shadow Clone

Mokuton – Wood Release

Shodai Hokage – First Hokage

Shuriken Kage Bunshin – Shuriken Shadow Clone