Three sets of venomous fang marks appeared around the Anbu’s ankles.
The poison took effect immediately.
Their vision spun violently, and before they could recover, the thorny vines were already upon them, binding them tightly.
“Damn it!” They tried to cut through the vines with their kunai, only to discover it was completely futile.
As the vines tightened, their razor-sharp thorns drew closer and closer.
Just as Muzan was about to finish them off, a figure suddenly rushed in front of him.
Bang!
A single punch shattered the vines, sending Muzan flying along with them.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
The broken vines were extensions of Muzan’s own flesh.
Having them torn apart was like ripping chunks directly from his body.
Blood splattered everywhere, making his appearance especially horrifying.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
His clothes had been reduced to tatters, exposing large patches of skin directly to the sunlight.
The instant the sunlight touched him— Smoke rose from his body.
“Argh!” The searing pain was far more devastating than any injury.
Sunlight was Muzan’s greatest weakness.
Using every ounce of strength he had left, he stumbled into the nearest shadow before finally noticing Tsunade standing nearby.
There was only one person capable of nearly crippling him with a single punch.
Tsunade.
“…” Although Tsunade knew Muzan couldn’t be exposed to sunlight, this was the first time she’d actually witnessed the horrifying consequences.
Only then did she realize…
That punch had gone far too far.
She was about to check on him when one of the nearby shinobi blocked her path.
The three men weren’t in much better condition themselves.
“Tsunade-sama!
He was trying to kill us!” Looking at their miserable state, Tsunade immediately noticed something was off.
These weren’t ordinary Anbu.
They showed no concern whatsoever for their comrades, and the oppressive chill surrounding them was unmistakable.
“Hmph.
Root.” She had never held any affection for Root, even if they technically belonged to Konoha.
“Since none of you died, go.” “Yes, Tsunade-sama.” Compared to those three, Muzan was the real concern.
He remained hidden within the shadows.
The midday sun was at its harshest.
Even taking a single step into the light would subject him to unbearable agony.
Suddenly, another dangerous presence approached.
A middle-aged man dressed in black appeared beside Muzan, draping another cloak over him.
The moment he turned around— The aura of a true elite exploded across the street.
“Hatake Swordsmanship!” Drawing the White Fang from his back, Hatake Sakumo instantly shed every trace of exhaustion.
Once again…
He became the White Fang of Konoha that struck fear throughout the ninja world.
Bang!
Tsunade’s Monster Strength collided head-on with Hatake Swordsmanship.
The tremendous shockwave tore open the street beneath them.
As the dust settled, Sakumo fixed Tsunade with the piercing gaze of a hawk.
“Tsunade.” “You’d better give me an explanation.” Not even mentioning the burns from the sunlight…
Muzan had only just regenerated his torn body, while the blood covering him remained.
Sakumo might be one of Konoha’s greatest shinobi— But the bloodied child before him was still his son.
The moment he heard Muzan had clashed with several shinobi, he’d rushed over immediately.
Unfortunately…
He was still too late.
The first thing he’d seen upon arriving…
Was Tsunade punching Muzan.
A Kage-level shinobi using Monster Strength against a child?
He demanded an explanation.
The failed mission had been his responsibility alone.
His children should never have been dragged into it.
After taking that sword strike head-on, Tsunade wasn’t looking well herself.
Ever since developing hemophobia, seeing Muzan’s blood-soaked appearance had amplified her fear beyond control.
“This was my fault.” “If the Third Hokage decides to punish me, or if Muzan has any demands, I will accept them.” “It’s fine, Father.” After putting on the oversized cloak, the aura around Muzan became even darker.
Since it belonged to Sakumo, there was no hood to hide his face.
His crimson eyes looked even more unsettling than the Sharingan.
Combined with his unnaturally beautiful features, he possessed an eerie, almost supernatural elegance.
Even Tsunade was seeing his face beneath the cloak for the first time.
“I wasn’t seriously injured.” “But there’s something I need to discuss privately with Father.” “As for you, Tsunade-sama…
please don’t blame yourself.” “I lost control after hearing people discussing Father’s failed mission.” “However…” “How did those civilians obtain classified information about the mission?” “I hope you’ll investigate that.” Standing before everyone, he laid the issue bare.
Someone was deliberately manipulating public opinion against Sakumo.
In the original timeline, Danzo had only intended to eliminate Sakumo as a rival for the Hokage position.
He’d never intended to drive him to death.
Unfortunately…
Things spiraled completely out of control.
Konoha lost a Kage-level powerhouse for nothing.
Its greatest military strength suffered severe damage, allowing the other villages to see an opportunity.
Indirectly…
That paved the way toward the Third Great Ninja War.
A textbook case of cleverness backfiring.
Muzan would never allow history to repeat itself.
Judging from Sakumo’s expression…
Everything was already moving toward the worst possible outcome.
He had to stop it.
Tsunade finally understood what had happened.
Sakumo’s failed mission had only occurred yesterday.
Yet today, rumors had already spread throughout the village.
She spent most of her time either gambling or drinking, so she hadn’t noticed what was happening in Konoha.
Besides…
The rumors had spread far too quickly.
Someone was clearly orchestrating everything behind the scenes.
“I’ll give Sakumo an explanation.” “If someone deliberately leaked classified mission information…” “I’ll make them pay.” Only those close to the Hokage knew the mission’s details.
In truth…
Tsunade had already guessed who was responsible.
She simply couldn’t say it in front of Sakumo.
The moment she named him…
There would be no possibility of reconciliation between Sakumo and the Hokage’s faction.
“Thank you, Tsunade-sama.” White hair falling over his shoulders, Muzan bowed slightly in respect.
If Tsunade demanded answers, even the Third Hokage couldn’t simply ignore the matter.
In certain respects…
Tsunade’s authority surpassed even his.
As for Muzan assaulting civilians and fighting Konoha shinobi…
An ordinary shinobi would’ve undoubtedly ended up in prison.
But considering Muzan’s status, along with the suspicious circumstances surrounding both the civilians and the Root shinobi…
The incident wouldn’t be pursued too aggressively.
Of course…
A public punishment was still unavoidable.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ After the matter was settled, Muzan was confined to Konoha for one month.
During that time, he was forbidden from leaving the village or coming into conflict with civilians.
“Father…” “I’ve already heard about your failed mission.” The two sat facing each other inside the house.
After removing his cloak, Muzan looked directly at the weary man before him and spoke without hesitation.
“I can feel your desire to die.” “But you need to understand…” “Death isn’t an escape.” “It’s merely admitting your own helplessness.” Sakumo’s brows furrowed deeply.
He looked up at his son before letting out a long sigh.
“The mission failed because of me.” “I…
did intend to take my own life to atone.” His son had mercilessly exposed what he had buried in his heart.
Sakumo didn’t know how to face Muzan anymore.
He also knew…
That suicide was an act of cowardice.
But he couldn’t think of any other way to make amends.
“What I’m trying to say…” “…is that none of this was your fault.” “The mission was destined to fail.” “Because there was a traitor among your subordinates.” “The entire operation…” “…was a trap designed specifically for you.” “They wanted to make sure you could never compete for the position of Hokage.” “…What?” Sakumo froze.
He wasn’t a fool.
Once he calmed himself and carefully replayed every detail of the mission…
He realized…
There really had been suspicious inconsistencies everywhere.