I have mastered... you have mastered my information
Seeing Xu Fan unleash his chakra, four or five Root ninjas rushed to Danzo and formed a protective barrier around him.
Danzo, still in shock, thought to himself: Why didn't my other gods work?
When Xu Fan activated this genjutsu with his Sharingan, his gaze locked onto Danzo's eyes.
Danzo, who lacked the Sharingan, couldn't escape the illusion. He was completely helpless.
And what did Xu Fan mean by the "fifth layer"?
Did Xu Fan know from the beginning that he had other gods? Was he always cautious of me?
But how did he know this?
Could it be... Uchiha Itachi?
Danzo's mind briefly flashed with Itachi's face.
This guy claims he's loyal to Konoha, to the village, but he must have told Xu Fan about this.
Yes...
Xu Fan and Uchiha Itachi met yesterday. That must have been when the two formed an alliance.
It must have been then—Itachi must have told Xu Fan how to resist Other Gods.
"But you say you're on the fifth layer."
Danzo quickly regained his composure. Since he couldn't control Xu Fan with Other Gods, he couldn't win through genjutsu.
Then, he could only retreat and create a new strategy.
"Then I'm on the tenth layer!" Danzo shouted at Xu Fan, as the Root ninjas pulled out shurikens and attacked Xu Fan's vitals with shadow shurikens.
At the same time, Danzo cast a quick glance at his right arm. As a ninja, intelligence was a vital asset.
The secrets Danzo possessed far surpassed those of Sarutobi Hiruzen or even Uchiha Itachi.
If Xu Fan is on the fifth layer, then Danzo was on the tenth.
Layer upon layer of strategies.
Xu Fan said nothing.
Now that the battle had begun, neither side was willing to retreat until they had what they wanted.
Danzo wanted Xu Fan's body; Xu Fan wanted his eyes.
What village? What Sarutobi Hiruzen?
At this moment, everything was insignificant.
Even the Senju Clan's residence could be destroyed and rebuilt.
After all, even Yamato could demolish buildings with a single attack—let alone Xu Fan himself.
No need to worry. Just attack freely!
Seeing countless shadow shurikens heading toward him, Xu Fan immediately formed a hand seal.
"Wood Style: The Forest of Death!"
The entire building shook violently, the floor under Xu Fan cracked open, and countless vines erupted from the ground, growing and hardening at a visible rate. The roots that blocked Danzo were knocked aside.
Danzo stepped back, visibly shocked.
"The Forest of Death on the spot... it's the same technique as the First Hokage's."
Danzo muttered, his voice low. Despite seeing the Wood Style technique coming at him, he had no intention of dodging.
Tenzo was one of the subordinates Danzo had personally trained.
Moreover, Danzo's arm had been transplanted with cells from the First Hokage.
"No one knows Wood Style better than me!" Danzo declared with renewed confidence.
With a deep breath, Danzo revealed his trump card.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"
The sharp aura, like a scythe, shot forward, forming an invisible, razor-sharp blade that sliced through the giant tree in an instant.
Wind Style is one of the most destructive elemental techniques.
Its sharpness can cut down entire forests in an instant.
From Danzo's perspective, this jutsu was the perfect counter to Xu Fan.
Then, Danzo's legs moved like the wind. He pulled out a handful of kunai and infused them with Wind Style chakra, transforming them into razor-sharp blades. He launched them at Xu Fan.
Not only that, the Root ninjas also displayed their skills, using their best attack techniques to target Xu Fan's vitals, acting as Danzo's decoys and creating openings for him.
This was all part of Danzo's preparation.
For a ninja like Danzo, it was never enough to rely on a single attack. What he needed were meticulous tactics to ensure the mission's success.
Especially after the failed assassination of the Third Hokage and the rebellion of Tenzou, he had learned this lesson well.
So his current attack wasn't a hasty reaction after failing to control Xu Fan with Other Gods. It was an alternative plan he had carefully prepared in advance.
"In a ninja battle, intelligence is a crucial factor. The side that understands the other's strategy first often takes the lead."
Xu Fan looked directly at Danzo's Sharingan, unperturbed by his Other Gods, and opened his own eyes.
Sharingan, activate!
Xu Fan's dark pupils turned a milky white as veins bulged around his temples.
Unlike Neji's Byakugan, which was restricted by the caged bird seal, Xu Fan's Byakugan allowed him to see 360 degrees without any blind spots.
In that instant, Xu Fan could clearly see each of the Root ninjas, their attack patterns, and routes.
"What?!" Danzo's eyes widened in shock. He never imagined that Xu Fan not only had Wood Style but also possessed the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.
Moreover, Xu Fan's method of activating the Byakugan was completely different from his own.
After transplanting Shisui's Sharingan, Danzo had found that he couldn't close his eyes, resorting to bandages for disguise.
How did Xu Fan do it?
Even though the Senju Clan often intermarried with outsiders, the Hyuga Clan strictly forbade intermarriage to prevent their secrets from leaking.
Yet Xu Fan had somehow obtained the Byakugan!
Danzo's moment of surprise allowed Xu Fan to act. He carefully controlled his chakra, enveloping himself in a purple chakra cloak, and flew toward the oncoming shadow shurikens.
Moreover, Xu Fan stomped down hard with his right foot, causing the ground to crack and sink as he unleashed a tremendous burst of power to meet Danzo head-on.
"This is... monstrous strength!" Danzo couldn't help but exclaim. Tsunade suddenly flashed in his mind.
Meanwhile, Danzo's Wind Style: Vacuum Wave continued to slash toward Xu Fan's neck.
But Xu Fan, having somehow produced multiple kunai, infused his own Wind Style chakra into them. His chakra volume easily overpowered Danzo's attack, and the kunai reached farther than Danzo had anticipated, repelling his assault with ease.
"When did you get the illusion that I couldn't escape?"
"Wind Style: Shadowless Sword!"
Xu Fan sneered and effortlessly cut off Danzo's left arm before driving a kunai deep into his abdomen.
The powerful force sent Danzo flying, pinning him to a tree behind him.
Xu Fan landed with a single step, causing the ground to crack, and immediately pursued Danzo.
"Not only does he wield Wood Style, but he's also mastered Wind Style," Danzo thought, spitting blood. Only now did he realize that he had vastly underestimated Xu Fan.
How many secrets does this guy have?
Even the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan...
Danzo gritted his teeth, took a breath, and extended his right arm toward Xu Fan, who was closing in on him.
"Wood Style: Blast Spear Tree!"