Naruto: Strongest Shinobi System With a Glitch

"Lady Tsunade."

Haru bowed slightly before speaking. "We've located Torune Aburame—he's being held in a Root training base inside the Forest of Death."

Every member of Root was forced to undergo its brutal training and relentless brainwashing.

And Torune… he was still just a child.

Like Shino, he was only seven years old.

"Prepare an Anbu squad to go with me immediately," Tsunade ordered, rising to her feet.

Haru hesitated for a moment. "Would the team from last time be suitable?"

"Kakashi and Itachi? Yes," Tsunade nodded. "They'll do. Assemble them."

"Understood."

Haru departed swiftly, and within minutes four masked Anbu appeared before Tsunade and Kitazawa. At their head stood Kakashi and Itachi.

The moment their eyes landed on Kitazawa, surprise flickered across their faces. Haru had told them only of a mission with Tsunade to confront Root—Kitazawa's presence was unexpected.

But after the Grass Hidden Village ordeal, they quickly composed themselves.

"Follow me," Tsunade commanded, striding out.

Danzo's intelligence network was vast; hesitation could mean failure. If Root detected them early, there was no predicting the consequences.

The squad moved at high speed, slipping into the Forest of Death.

"This way," Kakashi called, leading them toward the Root base.

The hideout lay hidden in a valley, its entrance guarded by two Root operatives.

Without slowing, Tsunade approached.

"Lady Tsunade?" The guards stiffened in shock but stepped forward, blocking her path.

"Without Lord Danzo's order, you cannot enter," one of them said flatly.

"I carry the Hokage's orders," Tsunade replied, producing the seal of Hiruzen.

"We require Lord Danzo's order," the guard repeated, unmoved.

Tsunade's expression darkened. "Audacious fools! Are you Konoha ninja or not? How dare you ignore the Hokage's authority?"

"We are Konoha shinobi," the Root guard answered in a chilling monotone, "but we are also Root."

"Itachi." Tsunade's patience snapped.

In the next instant, the young Uchiha stepped forward. His crimson Sharingan flared to life, tomoe spinning as his genjutsu washed over the guards. Both men froze, eyes glazing over, before collapsing unconscious as Itachi struck them down.

Watching this, Kitazawa felt a ripple of unease.

'In my past life, the Uchiha massacre hinged on a single deal—Itachi's fateful conversation with Danzo. But now, with Tsunade openly opposing Root… will that agreement ever take place?'

He wasn't sure, but the odds seemed far slimmer.

Tsunade pressed forward into the valley. The hidden base sprawled before them: barracks, training fields, and grim facilities built for one purpose—conditioning soldiers.

From dawn, groups of Root recruits were already in training.

"Children?" Tsunade's voice seethed with disgust. "Danzo truly has lost his mind."

Most of the trainees were painfully young, few even close to eight. This wasn't wartime necessity—it was manipulation. Root wasn't raising shinobi. It was cultivating weapons.

Suddenly, the whisper of steel cut through the air.

Eight masked Root operatives closed in, surrounding them.

"Lady Tsunade, halt," their leader intoned, as cold and detached as the guards before.

Tsunade didn't bother replying.

Her fist shot forward, the sheer force bending the air itself.

BOOM!

The lead operative flew back like a fired cannonball, crashing into his comrades. Even those bracing to catch him stumbled under the shockwave.

"It feels better to let my fists talk," Tsunade smirked.

Kakashi's chest tightened at the display. It was one thing for her to level enemy shinobi in Grass Country—but to treat Root, fellow Konoha operatives, with such raw violence? She was as fearless as her reputation claimed.

Itachi's eyes flickered. For a heartbeat, envy stirred within him. How simple it would be—if he could smash away every conflict, even the growing rift between the Uchiha and Konoha, with strength alone.

The leader lay unconscious, but the others surged in, calling to the young trainees for support.

In moments, Tsunade's group was surrounded by several times their number.

"I am Tsunade, here under the Hokage's orders!" she roared, her killing intent crashing over them like a storm. "Who dares raise a hand against me?"

The effect was immediate—hesitation rippled through the ranks. Some of the newer recruits faltered, fear showing through their indoctrination.

But a Root commander barked back coldly: "Defy Lord Danzo, and you know the consequences!"

"Consequences?" Tsunade spat, fury blazing. "Root dares defy the Hokage? Seize them all!"

Her Anbu didn't hesitate. Though outnumbered, Kakashi and Itachi fought with ruthless efficiency, while most of the recruits were untested and weak. Only the senior Root members offered real resistance.

The melee erupted in chaos.

Kitazawa instantly stepped forward, placing himself between Tsunade and the battlefield.

She paused—then understood. He was shielding her from the inevitable sight of blood. Her chest warmed. For once, she allowed herself to stand back, her hemophobia safely guarded by him.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

Kitazawa's palms clapped together, sending a slicing gust into the fray.

A Root ninja blurred aside with a Body Flicker—only to be caught by the Rasengan spiraling in Kitazawa's hand. Impact sent him flying, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!

Another Root operative spewed a blazing inferno, heat scorching the valley.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!

Streams of water coiled around Kitazawa, swirling into the form of a dragon that roared forward, colliding with the fireball and tearing through it.

Tsunade's eyes widened. 'That speed… that precision… that's Second Grandpa's Water Dragon Bullet!'

But this wasn't ordinary mastery—Kitazawa had improved with terrifying speed.

Had he been hiding his strength all this time?

Whether in medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, or elemental releases—wind, fire, or water—his talent was undeniable.

Perhaps he'd simply never been given the chance to show it at the Academy.

But it didn't matter anymore. At this level, Kitazawa wasn't just a promising shinobi—he was already treading into elite jōnin territory.

The water dragon tore through the fireball and slammed into its target, sending the Root ninja sprawling.

And so the clash of Konoha's loyalists and Danzo's Root ignited in full force.

Kitazawa's Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet roared forward, effortlessly swallowing the Fire Release: Great Fireball.

But the Root operative he faced wasn't weak—he was a Jōnin.

Reacting instantly, the man leapt back while weaving hand seals.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

The ground split, a solid wall shooting up to block the raging water dragon.

Kitazawa's eyes narrowed.

No three dog heads. So it wasn't that wall.

"Wind Release: Shuriken!"

With a flick of his wrist, Kitazawa hurled a spinning blade.

Crack!

The shuriken cut straight through, shattering the stone wall into chunks.

Before the Root ninja could retreat again, Kitazawa lunged forward, one hand tucked behind his back in a casual stance.

The enemy froze, startled—then gritted his teeth and charged, kunai flashing.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"

Kitazawa's fingers formed a seal, his gaze locking onto the man's eyes.

The Root ninja stiffened. His body trembled, the kunai slipping from his grasp with a sharp clang.

In his mind, the most terrifying image appeared—Danzo Shimura.

Kitazawa didn't waste the moment. He stepped in and struck, rendering him unconscious.

Killing was out of the question. Root operatives were still Konoha shinobi. If one of them died here, the situation would escalate beyond control. Even Tsunade had been clear: subdue, don't kill.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

The ground exploded behind him. Kitazawa turned sharply to see Tsunade's heel crashing down, splitting the earth. Shards of stone flew like shrapnel.

The Root operative facing her screamed as blood sprayed into the air.

Kitazawa's stomach dropped.

He flickered forward, planting himself between Tsunade and the spray of blood.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"

A fierce gust roared outward, scattering the metallic stench of blood.

Behind him, Tsunade's hand clutched his shoulder, her body trembling as she fought to steady herself.

"Lady Tsunade, are you alright?" Kitazawa asked, quickly glancing back.

Her face was pale, her pupils unfocused.

"I… I'm fine," she muttered, shaking her head.

She hadn't seen the blood, only smelled it. The effect wasn't crippling, but it had rattled her.

Kitazawa exhaled quietly in relief. Staying planted like a fortress, he cycled through Wind, Fire, and Water Releases, suppressing the enemy until, one by one, the seven official Root members were subdued.

The remaining recruits were swiftly surrounded by ANBU—more than half unconscious already.

"Who is Torune Aburame?" Kitazawa called out on Tsunade's behalf.

Silence hung in the air until a young man finally raised his hand. His face, blank like the others, betrayed itself through his eyes—hesitant, uncertain, not completely brainwashed.

"Come here," Kitazawa said firmly. "I'm Shino's teacher. The Aburame Clan sent me to bring you back."

"Shino?" Torune's mask cracked. His eyes widened, life returning to them as if a puppet had become human again.

"That's right," Kitazawa nodded. "Shino Aburame. Your closest friend."

Memories flickered in Torune's mind, softening his rigid expression. Slowly, he stepped forward.

If it were just Kitazawa, he wouldn't dare leave Root—fear of retaliation against his clan would've kept him shackled. But Tsunade's presence changed everything. With the Aburame's direct request, there was no reason to remain.

"...Tsunade!"

The ground trembled with the weight of the angry voice that approached.

Danzo appeared, leaning on his cane, one eye burning with fury.

"What do you think you're doing?" His voice was cold. "Attacking fellow Konoha shinobi—are you trying to defect?"

"That's my line." Tsunade snapped, producing the Hokage's directive. "Does Root, which only answers to you, still remember it belongs to Konoha?"

"You—!" Danzo's cane quivered with restrained rage. He had rushed here the moment he heard of the attack. The last thing he expected was Sarutobi's direct order.

'Damn you, Hiruzen. What are you playing at? Have you truly discarded our decades of camaraderie?'

"Who's to say that directive isn't forged?" Danzo barked. "Even if it's real, does it say you can storm Root headquarters?"

"That much is true—it doesn't." Tsunade pocketed the scroll. "But your Root broke the rules first. I'm simply correcting that."

Danzo's jaw clenched. "What rule justifies forcing your way into Root?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, glaring him down. "I forced my way in. What can you do about it?"

Danzo nearly choked on his own fury. He wanted to unleash Kotoamatsukami, but Itachi's silent presence stopped him cold. Using Shisui's eye here was too great a risk.

"Rules are dead. People are alive." Tsunade's tone was ice. "Torune Aburame is coming with me. If you object, take it up with the Hokage."

Danzo's eyes narrowed in sudden realization. 'So that's her goal—Torune.'

His pulse quickened. The Aburame clan siding with Tsunade? That meant… she was truly moving to claim the Hokage's seat.

"Let's go," Tsunade ordered coolly, brushing past him.

Kitazawa guided Torune after her, with Kakashi, Itachi, and the ANBU melting into the shadows behind.

Danzo stood frozen, his insides burning. He wanted to scream for Root to strike them down—but he knew better. Killing Tsunade here would bring not just Hiruzen's wrath, but Jiraiya's and countless others'.

After they vanished, his composure shattered.

"Damn it! Damn it all! You'll pay for this!" he howled, his Root shinobi trembling at the sight of their master's rare loss of control.

[Mission Complete: Retrieve Torune Aburame]

[Reward Issued: Cursed Tongue eradication Seal.]

A flood of knowledge filled Kitazawa's mind as the system prompt appeared.

The cursed seal—Danzo's sinister trademark. In the original timeline, Root operatives bore this curse on their tongues, sealing their secrets. Attempt to speak, and their entire body would lock, paralyzed. Neither voice nor written words could escape.

The only release: the caster's will… or their death.

Kitazawa had once wondered if Root shinobi could bypass it by writing instead of speaking. Now he understood. The seal wasn't so lenient—it bound thought itself.

Back in Konoha, Tsunade issued her final command.

"Kitazawa, take him directly to the Aburame clan. I'll explain everything to Hiruzen personally. It's not enough to retrieve Torune—I want Root's recruitment practices redefined."

"Understood," Kitazawa nodded.

Tsunade took a few steps, then stopped, turning back.

"Starting tomorrow," she declared, "you'll be training under me in Super Strength."

Kitazawa blinked. "...Huh?"

He hadn't seen that coming.

"Don't get the wrong idea," Tsunade huffed. "Watching you fight today—you were too indecisive, too flashy. You need something more direct."

'But isn't that just how ninjutsu users fight…?' Kitazawa muttered inwardly.

Still, he couldn't hide his excitement. Tsunade's Super Strength wasn't just taijutsu—it was raw, overwhelming power. A technique that could even shatter Susanoo with a single punch.

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