Chapter 24: The Plot at the Root

After Naruto had exposed their identities, Itachi and Sasuke stepped out together. Kakashi merely glanced at them before lowering his head again, busying himself with his own work as he rearranged the training field. Naruto, on the other hand, beckoned the two of them closer.

“Sasuke, I—” Sasuke began, but Naruto interrupted him with enthusiasm.

“You two came at just the right time! I’ve just finished crafting some spirit-mechanism weapons—you could call them ninja tools as well—and now I need someone to help me test them. Would you do me this favor?”

The brothers’ attention was immediately diverted; both lowered their heads to examine the table. On it rested three unusually shaped weapons, each laid out separately. On the other side of the table, many other kinds of weapons were stacked.

Itachi recognized a few among them. The staff-shaped weapons were known technically as guns, though common folk called them iron cannons. Itachi had faced these iron cannons in battle before; their power was not great. Not to mention they were nearly impossible to aim at a moving target—he could slice the bullets out of the air with ease.

However, the guns Naruto had made looked a bit different, adorned with pipes and air grooves, strange gears and valves. At the muzzle, odd bayonets had been mounted, each with rings of iron—or more accurately, springs—at their bases.

“Those are Federal Unity Model 35 cavalry rifles, standard issue for the Federation infantry,” Naruto said. “Back in the day, I envied these weapons and even wanted to seize one from the enemy for myself. But after I got my hands on the Battle-Forged Model 40, I lost interest. Of all the weapons on my table, this one performs the worst. I made it purely for nostalgia; you don’t need to bother testing it.”

Naruto pointed to the other three weapons.

The brothers’ eyes turned toward the trio of odd devices.

One resembled a crossbow built from gears, valves, and pneumatic tubes. The second was a sword, its surface inscribed with intricate patterns, the blade lined with jagged teeth. The third was stranger still: an oversized gauntlet, so large it looked almost comical, and clearly very heavy.

Naruto explained, “These three are basic-grade weapons—simple creations I can craft by hand with the help of my mechanical arm. The first one is a steam crossbow; it fires bolts using steam pressure. The tricky part is using the mechanical hand for precise installation of springs and pressure valves.

“The second is a psionic short sword. The blade is forged from chakra metal, etched with energy circuits—fine rune carving done by the mechanical hand. It can store and release various energies. You can try channeling chakra into it directly.

“The last is a steam-powered gauntlet, worn on the hand, using steam to amplify your strength. It boosts the power of thrown weapons and melee attacks.”

Sasuke and Itachi exchanged a glance.

Clearly, neither of them understood half the words Naruto had just said.

But Itachi did gather that the psionic short sword required chakra infusion. Sasuke apparently had little chakra left, and certainly not enough to infuse into a weapon. So Itachi said to Sasuke, “Sasuke, why don’t you try the steam crossbow?”

Sasuke nodded.

Meanwhile, at the forest’s edge, two masked members of the Black Ops whispered to each other.

“The target has lingered in the forest all afternoon, showing no signs of leaving.”

“Judging by their actions, they seem to be testing homemade ninja tools. Preliminary assessment: significant power, low skill threshold.”

“Recommendation: capture and recruit for our department. Only then can Konoha reap the greatest benefit.”

“When did the target acquire the skill to craft such tools? Why was there no prior sign?”

“The target is a master of disguise and hyper-vigilant. If not for ‘Coldblood’ accompanying him, lowering his guard, we’d still be in the dark about his abilities.”

“Has the report been sent?”

“The intelligence has been relayed, and backup requested.”

After this mechanical exchange, the two fell utterly still, like wooden stakes, utterly silent.

They failed to notice the tiny bean-sized insect clinging beneath a nearby branch overhead. Its mechanical compound eyes glowed red with inner light.

Back at the testing ground, Naruto watched the scene unfold through the insect’s eyes and smiled. He’d noticed he was being tailed since morning. At first, he’d suspected it was another outsider coming to kidnap the Jinchuuriki, but it turned out to be the Root.

He’d heard of that department from Orochimaru—a group good for nothing except making enemies for the village and harming their own, rarely doing anything truly beneficial.

Naruto had no desire to kill his fellow villagers. But since someone had targeted him with ill intent and was preparing to act, he saw no need for mercy.

With that thought, Naruto sent out a command through his spirit-mechanism energy.

At that very moment, the messenger beast Root had dispatched to relay information collapsed in a faint. If one scrutinized closely, they’d see a tiny mechanical insect clinging to the base of its skull. At Naruto’s command, the insect unleashed a fine jet of air, piercing the beast’s brain. The summoning beast died instantly, and the mechanical insect burrowed into the creature’s pack and self-destructed.

Within seconds, the letters in the pack and the beast itself were reduced to silent ash.

All around the nearby area, beneath the roots of various trees, small iron boxes whirred as gears spun. A narrow slit opened in each, releasing dozens of minuscule mechanical insects. In no time at all, hundreds of the tiny machines silently surrounded the two Root members.

Just as Naruto was preparing to act, a new development occurred.

An insect chorus rose from the forest; the two Root operatives who had been as motionless as logs sprang to life, alert eyes scanning the forest’s edge.

The next instant, four more figures, shrouded and masked, appeared on a branch not far away.

“Wood-Stone.”
“Mountain-Water.”

After exchanging passwords, the newly arrived Root ninja spoke sternly.

“Saru, Inu, listen up. Danzo-sama has issued new orders: all personnel assemble and annihilate the primary target.”

Saru—presumably the one with the snarling monkey motif on his mask—did not immediately comply but replied, “Danzo-sama ordered us to monitor this target, who possesses the ability to craft complex ninja tools. He is of great value to Root. I recommend capture first.”

The messenger’s tone turned harsh. “Remember your place! Obey orders! I’ll overlook your insubordination this time because you’re new. Next time, only death can prove your loyalty!”

Another Root ninja added, “That’s the way of Root. Obey, and leave the decisions to Danzo-sama. All our actions are for him to direct.”

“Yes, sir!” Saru and Inu replied in unison.

“Good. Now follow me to the operation point. I’ll brief you on the plan en route.” He paused, then added, “Remember to compile a full report of everything you witnessed today for Danzo-sama’s review.”

“Yes, sir!”

With that, the six Root operatives prepared to move out.

But deep in the forest, Naruto felt the surge of spirit-mechanism energy.

You think you can tail me and then just walk away? Not so easy!

Countless micro-mechanical insects erupted into action all at once.