As chakra surged through her, Uchiha Hikari, hovering mid-air, was enveloped by dark red flames. These flames swiftly intertwined and transformed, forming a dense framework of bones, sinews, and flesh.
The dark red greatsword materialized in the air, firmly grasped by the massive hand of her *Susanoo*.
Compared to its other forms, the Third Form of *Susanoo* wasn't the most stable, but it struck the perfect balance of power and endurance under the circumstances. Against a cunning schemer like Danzo, she'd go all out, like a lion pouncing on a rabbit.
Then…
Hikari took a deep breath, raising the greatsword with its tip pointed downward.
During her training at Karin Tower, she hadn't activated *Susanoo* again, but she'd spent countless hours mentally refining techniques to pair with its form.
And now, she was about to unleash one of those techniques, named…
*"Meteor… Blaze!!"*
In that moment!
Hikari channeled every ounce of her *ki* and chakra, converting it into a diagonal thrust of propulsion. She, along with the *Susanoo* encasing her, plummeted from a hundred meters in the sky toward the Root base below at breakneck speed!
Her velocity was so intense it tore through the air, sparking a blinding trail of fire. In an instant, the sparks ignited, transforming into crimson flames that engulfed the *Susanoo*!
It was like a meteor crashing to Earth!
The next moment…
*BOOM—!!!!*
First, the dark red greatsword pierced the ground like a hot knife through butter!
Then, the blazing *Susanoo*, accompanied by a shriek of torn air, slammed into the ceiling of the Root base!
In a split second, the impact of hundreds of tons erupted. Massive cracks spiderwebbed outward from the sword's point, slithering wildly in every direction!
The entire ceiling shuddered, a gaping hole forming within seconds. Huge chunks of stone collapsed inward, and ferocious winds laced with flames swept through, uprooting bushes within dozens of meters and hurling them far into the distance!!
*Rumble…*
The shockwave, brimming with terrifying force, spread in all directions.
Flames roared!
On the surface, the affected area was somewhat contained—trees toppled in droves, consumed by a sea of crimson fire under the blaze's baptism.
But underground, the tremors radiated through the hollowed-out caverns. Cracks appeared on the pillars of the Root base, stones of all sizes rained down like hail, and dust and debris filled the air. The cacophony of destruction merged into a single roar, the entire cavern teetering on the brink of collapse.
"What… what's happening?!"
"Could this be the Nine-Tails…?"
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Inside the Root base, several members, alerted by the commotion, rushed out. Their eyes widened in terror as they looked up to see a colossal, dark red figure—towering like a skyscraper—descending slowly through the shattered ceiling, like a deity from legend.
The earlier impact had left this *Susanoo*'s form battered, with parts of it starting to dissipate. Yet its skeletal core remained intact, revealing another figure cradled within.
A young girl with long black hair, dressed in dark clothing.
Her skin was fair, her features striking, but her eyes burned a fiery red, glowing with a mesmerizing, blazing intensity!
"That's…"
"The *Sharingan*!!"
After a moment's hesitation, the Root ninjas sprang into action, engaging the enemy.
But at that very moment, the fading dark red form solidified once more. The damaged *Susanoo* was restored by a surge of chakra, its armored arms crossing to shield the black-haired girl within. Every kunai, shuriken, and blade was deflected, unable to so much as scratch her.
"Hmph."
Hikari, arms crossed within the *Susanoo*, locked her gaze on the Root members, her eyes reflecting their figures:
"I'll give you one chance to live. Go get Shimura Danzo."
"…You think you can just demand to see our leader?!"
"This is Root's base! You don't get to make trouble here—leave now!"
One of the Root ninjas, seemingly of higher rank, barked angrily.
His face was hidden behind a mask, but the slight trembling of his hands, gripping a kunai, betrayed his fear.
Hikari let out a soft sigh.
"If you don't want to live, I suppose I'll have to send you to your graves."
*"Katon… Goka Mekkyaku!!"* (Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame)
A stream of fire shot from her mouth.
It erupted into a torrent of blazing light!
Compared to the Root team that ambushed her in the forest last time, the members stationed at the base were noticeably weaker. One froze in place, while two others tried to counter with *Suiton* (Water Release) techniques. But in the next instant, they were engulfed by the flames, reduced to charred bones before they could even scream.
Then, with a casual wave of her hand, Hikari directed *Susanoo*'s arm to swat a fleeing Root member into a wall, smashing them into a pulpy mess.
"Looks like I'll have to find him myself."
Hikari glanced at the maze of corridors and hidden passages around her, frowning. She formed hand seals and summoned *Kage Bunshin* (Shadow Clones).
With a puff of smoke, seven or eight "Uchiha Hikaris" appeared, scattering quickly in all directions.
Her main body, still encased in *Susanoo*, strode forward.
Along the way, more Root ninjas darted out from rooms, clashing with her clones.
Unlike regular clones, *Kage Bunshin* were solid, with all the abilities of the original except for evenly divided chakra.
In other words…
Hikari's shadow clones shared her powerful regeneration and *ki*. As long as they weren't killed in one hit, they could keep fighting. The remaining Root members in the base were mostly chunin-level, possibly not even official Root operatives, and were quickly overwhelmed with a few punches and kicks.
During the chaos, several laboratory doors were smashed open, revealing shelves of vials, human bodies submerged in pale green liquid, and piles of experimental materials.
Soon enough, the clone that had ventured deepest into the base was dispelled, sending back its final memories.
"Found you at last… Danzo!"
Hikari's eyes narrowed. She dispelled all her clones and charged forward at full speed in her *Susanoo* form!
She smashed through three or four walls in a row, emerging through a cloud of dust into the corridor where her clone had vanished. Almost simultaneously, several voices echoed from the other end of the passage—
*"Futon: Shinku Daigyoku!"* (Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere)
*"Futon: Senmen Kaze!"* (Wind Release: Thousand Face Wind)
*"Katon: Daiendan!"* (Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet)
*(End of Chapter)*