Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Thinking about the "interrogation" that Iruka might be undergoing at Root, Qingwu's anger, which had just calmed down a little, surged up again.

Hongdou felt a wave of dizziness. Oh no, was there something wrong with how I expressed myself?

He quickly reached out to block them, saying, "Qingwu, can't the Shadow Guard see the Hokage anytime? Go find the Hokage and seek justice!"

Qingwu's tone carried a hint of resentment: "If the Hokage could control Danzo, would Danzo be so unscrupulous?"

Hongdou was taken aback.

Qingwu added, "I'm afraid the Dean has already gone to see the Hokage. Go and see if you can help."

"Ah? Oh!"

Hongdou responded blankly, and when she looked up again, Qingwu's figure had already disappeared from her sight.

"Ouch!" She stomped her foot, splashing snow, and hurriedly headed back towards the Hokage Building.

Right now—it seems only the Hokage can stop Qingwu.

……

On the other side, Qingwu's figure moved like a ghost through the snowy alleys of Konoha, heading towards the Root Base on the east side of the village.

He has never been inside the Root Base.

However, during his year in the Dark Division, he had occasionally interacted with people from the Root Division, and Tenzo had told him the approximate location.

"Whoosh!"

A figure landed in front of him.

Qingwu's expression hardened; at this moment, anyone who tried to stop him should be prepared to be attacked.

"Don't be impulsive!"

A familiar voice rang out, "If you force your way in, you'll be charged with trespassing into the forbidden area of ​​the Root and disobeying the rules."

"Captain Kakashi!" Qingwu's expression softened slightly.

A moment later...

"So, Captain, you're going to find the Hokage and then go to Root to demand the people back?"

"Yes, I just settled Naruto in. There should still be enough time."

"..."

"What's wrong? Qingwu, you... seem a little different this time you came back."

"So... Tenzo might also have fallen into the hands of Root, right?"

"also?"

"Iruka has been arrested."

"!!" Kakashi was startled, only then realizing why Qingwu's eyes were filled with hostility.

"Captain, have you ever thought about becoming a rogue ninja?"

Qingwu's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over a cold winter's day, and Kakashi suddenly shuddered.

"Qingwu, don't do anything foolish."

"Captain, I'm very calm right now."

"Ok?"

"The reason why the root forces dare to act so recklessly is because of the indulgence from above, isn't it?"

"Qingwu, I know you're anxious and you have grievances, but the Hokage also has his difficulties. The village needs internal balance."

"Heh... Regardless, I guess... Danzo probably wanted to use this incident to test me, to test whether I... would follow the rules!?"

"It's good that you understand." Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. After escaping with Naruto, he had also considered this possibility.

Ultimately, Qingwu's growth rate was too fast.

From an unknown Konoha genin to a Konoha jonin capable of directly "repelling" an Iwagakure jinchūriki, it only took him a year.

More importantly, his age.

Such talent and strength certainly exceeded the expectations of most high-ranking officials. Danzo's actions are often... direct!

"But so what?"

A casual remark instantly tightened Kakashi's nerves, which had just relaxed. "Qingwu, you—"

Before he could finish speaking, Qingwu had already walked past him and moved forward. "What rules, what tests? I've always believed in one thing—human nature cannot withstand tests."

"Huh?" A sense of foreboding washed over Kakashi. "Qingwu, don't be impulsive. Don't fall into Danzo's trap."

"Everyone tells me not to be impulsive, haha!"

Qingwu didn't even turn her head. "What rules? They're nothing but bullshit in front of the people I'm protecting. What Danzo wants to see... I'll show him!"

As Kakashi watched Qingwu's figure disappear into the swirling snow, he suddenly snapped to attention and hurriedly chased after her.

……

"No loitering!!"

Finding the Root Base didn't take much effort; two guards dressed in Root attire blocked Qingwu's path.

A mask conceals his face, a ninja sword is drawn, and his guard exudes an undeniable wariness.

In Qingwu's natural perception, there was a large barrier behind the two of them, presumably to prevent villagers from accidentally entering.

Despite the obstruction, Qingwu stepped forward without hesitation, her tone devoid of any warmth: "Get out of the way."

"Qingwu Jonin, this is a forbidden area of ​​Root. No one may enter without Lord Danzo's authorization."

The guard at the base of the gate secretly broke out in a cold sweat.

They recognized Qingwu by name and had received instructions from above, but they didn't expect the people to arrive so quickly.

Another Root ninja also slightly turned to the side, forming a circle around his companion. "Leave quickly, this is not a place for you."

Qingwu remained expressionless, her steps unwavering. "I'll say it one last time, get out of the way!"

The two root guards exchanged a glance, then suddenly drew their swords and attacked. Their ninja blades, carrying a sharp gust of wind, slashed straight at Qingwu's face and heart from the left and right.

"Root continues to act tyrannically as always." Kakashi, who had caught up, instantly stepped forward.

Ding, ding!

Two sharp cracks rang out, nearly causing the two Root guards to drop their ninja swords.

Kakashi ignored the two guards and blocked Qingwu's path, saying, "This is the end. Going any further will cause trouble for the Hokage."

Qingwu raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Kakashi's shoulder and landing on the barrier in front of him:

"Trouble? When Iruka and Tenzo were captured, why didn't anyone think about the trouble they would face?"

He raised his hand and gently pushed Kakashi's arm away:

"Captain, I know that every Konoha ninja is taught from a young age to be loyal to the Hokage, but now... get out of my way!"

Kakashi's eyes widened at Qingwu's words, his gaze filled with shock and disbelief.

Kakashi realized that the collapse of the Will of Fire had occurred in the person who should never have been affected...

Chapter 171: Under what identity do they demand the person?

How ironic.

The Shadow Guard is a squad directly under the Hokage, the practitioners of Konoha's rules, and the most direct inheritors of the Will of Fire.

From its inception, it has taken protecting Konoha and obeying the Hokage's orders as its first principle.

But now...

Kakashi stood frozen in place, snowflakes landing on his eyebrows and melting into cold water droplets.

He watched helplessly as Qingwu raised her hand and tore apart the barrier.

Watching that figure resolutely step into the darkness of the roots, my heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by something, causing a suffocating pain.

He recalled that a few years ago, he had questioned the Will of Fire because of the deaths of Obito and Rin, and he had struggled between the rules and his own heart.

But in the end, he chose to shoulder the legacy of his father and teacher—the responsibility of protecting Konoha!

However, Qingwu felt unfamiliar to him today.

The green wutong tree is different.

Perhaps... for Qingwu, rules have always come after people in his eyes.

Between people and rules, what is truly most important?

The sound of the Root barrier being torn apart echoed in his ears. Kakashi gripped his ninja sword tightly, the struggle in his eyes gradually fading, leaving only a helpless determination.

That's it!

Since Qingwu has chosen this path, then as the team leader, he will accompany him on this journey.

Even if it means being branded as a violator of the rules, even if it means tarnishing the Will of Fire—he cannot let Qingwu face the darkness alone.

Kakashi looked up, his figure blurred, and he stepped through the gap in the barrier.

The wind and snow intensified, and the night was as dark as ink.

The two root guards who remained in place exchanged a glance, their eyes beneath their masks filled with disbelief.

They couldn't believe that the barrier had been so easily broken by a young boy.

Even more unbelievable is that Qingwu and Kakashi disregarded the rules and dared to force their way into the Root base.

What the two guards didn't know was that if Kakashi hadn't arrived in time, they... would already be two corpses!

……

Upon entering the root base, despite the absence of snow, the place felt even colder and more gloomy than the outside world.

Qingwu heard footsteps behind her.

Turning around, his gaze lingered on Kakashi, a hint of surprise in his voice: "Captain, you..."