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  Danzo took a breath as he recalled the chilling enter. "He spoke about the Uchiha massacre as if he khe hidden truth behind it. Things only 4 people in the vilge should be aware of."

  The Third Hokage groaned as he thought of the implications. "Danzo, that secret… If it got out, it could destabilize the entire vilge."

  "I'm aware of the danger, Hiruzen. And, what's even more disturbing, he also knew about the forbidden Izanagi jutsu."

  Tobirama's eyes narrowed as he uood the meaning of Danzo's words. "I assume even amongst the Uchiha it's only known to a few? For him to possess such forbidden knowledge suggests he may have had some ties to them… or he could be an Uchiha himself."

  Hiruzen frow that possibility and his mind raced as he tried to make sense of this revetion. "An Uchiha…? Lord Tobirama, do you think he could be someone who survived the massacre? Perhaps using that forbidden jutsu."

  Th Sed Hokage crossed his arms as his suspi deepened. "It's possible. If this man is aware of the Izanagi and the truth of the massacre, he could be one of the Uchiha who was brought back to life and escaped dete, someone who's been in hiding all these years."

  "I'm not so certain." Danzo meanwhile was unsure of that theory. "When he spoke about the massacre he didn't seem angry and he didn't show areme emotions of hate. It looked like he just wanted me to know about it… But then again it could be a mask. It's not far-fetched to think he might be an Uchiha biding his time to seek revenge or justice for his his eyes."

  But Hiruzen thought about it for a few more moments and shook his head firmly, his voice resolute. "No, that doesn't add up. After the massacre, we took meticulous care in ating for every member of the . We ted every body, firmed every name and disposed of them. There were no survivors unated for. If there had been, we would have known."

  Tobirama's expression remaiern as he sidered Hiruzen's words carefully. "Hmm… You're right, Hiruzen. I've looked over the iigation records. The vilge was thh, but it's still possible that someone could have slipped through the cracks. Or perhaps this 'Dragon' may not be an Uchiha, but he could be someone who gained access to their secrets—perhaps through one of the Sharingan eyes or forbidden scrolls."

  Hiruzen houghtfully. "We've seen before that there were those willing to exploit the Uchiha's legacy for their own ends. But to possess knowledge of both the Izanagi and the massacre… This man is no ordinary threat. If he's not an Uchiha, he could be someoh ties to the or its remnants."

  "Could this Dragon have any e with Itachi Uchiha? Could he have told him?" Tobirama pondered.

  Danzo and Hiruzen were silent as they thought of such a sario.

  'Itachi knows about Shisui's eye in my possession and he knows the truth about the massacre… So it's a possibility… But would he really do it?' Danzo wondered.

  ''Itachi loves the vilge and Sasuke even more. He won't take any a that would endanger his brother…" While Danzo was suspicious, the third knew what kind of a man Itachi was. So he was certain Itachi didn't leak any intel. "With what Danzo said, I think this Dragon might be someone from ihe vilge. Or someone exceptional at hiding in pin sight and gathering intelligence."

  Tobirama stayed silent as his mind pieced together the fragments of information. "If he's been hiding in the vilge, biding his time… He could either be a powerful spy or he could be a Leaf ninja, someone who's decided to gue, who knows our ways and who's been gathering power and knowledge in the shadows."

  Hiruzen's face hardened as he sidered that sario. "If that's the case, then he's even more dangerous. A rogue ninja with such strength and access to top level secrets… He could destabilize everything we've worked to build."

  Tobirama nodded, his mi on the steps. "He hasn't done anything till now. But we don't know if he's just waiting for the right time. We o tighten our surveilnce, iigate any unusual activity within the vilge for the st several years."

  Hiruzen crossed his arms, deep in thought. "To think we wouldn't have found out about him if it wasn't for this i... A man who knows Root's secrets, who has suowledge and strength to infiltrate and attack it alone, and makes such careful strategies… He calls himself 'Dragon' huh?"

  Danzo looked up at Tobirama and Hiruzen, a rare expression of uainty crossing his features. "This man… he's no ordinary shinobi. If he has the knowledge and power that I suspect… he could bee a threat to the entire vilge."

  Tobirama sighed and agreed. "We o find him, Hiruzen. We ot allow him to use those dangerous tools against the vilge."

  "I have a feeling this 'Dragon' might have a retionship with Kensei. Not sure what it is though." Danzo said as he looked at Hiruzen.

  Hiruzen nodded. "We don't know that for sure. I'll question Kensei whes back, but right now, I'll mobilize Anbu to seard track this Dragon down. But before that, we o assess the damage, uand what was taken, and prepare for any potential threats."

  Danzo's voice was low, almost a whisper. "'Dragon'… he's something I failed to anticipate. If he's pnning something with the Sharingan and the jutsu he stole..."

  Tobirama's expression hardened. "Danzo, this is a sequence of the path you've chosen. The tools you've used, the secrets you've kept… they have a way of ing back to haunt you. This mess. It's your fault..."

  Danzo nodded, his face pale and drawn. "I know… I know that now."

  "We'll start unraveling the mystery of 'Dragon' with his e to Hotaru. Now this is no longer your , Danzo. We will up this mess. But as I said before, Tsunade and Shizune e above everything. Now that this matter is settled I'll focus my efforts on her rescue." Tobirama spoke and Danzo could see anger hiddeh his calm face.

  The sed Hokage looked directly at Hiruzen. "It's time…" The Third Hokage nodded and turo Danzo.

  The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of unspokeies. Danzo, weakened and fully aware of the gravity of his situation, took a deep breath before speaking again. His voice carried a tone of finality.

  "Hiruzen… There's o thing I must ask of you before… before the iable happens."

  Tobirama's patience was wearing thin. "You've already done enough, Danzo. Whatever you have to say, it's likely too te for that."

  Danzo met Tobirama's gaze without fling, though he aowledged the truth in his words. "I know I have nht to ask for anything, given what I've done. But this is important… It's my st request."

  The younger Senju, still simmering with anger over Danzo's as, immediately narrowed his eyes. "You dare to make a request after all the problems you've created? You've betrayed the vilge, desecrated my brother's legacy, itted several treasonous as, ily strengthened a possible enemy and now you think you ask for leniency?" The Sed Hokage had been calm at the beginning but the more he learned after speaking with Danzo the angrier he got.

  Danzo met Tobirama's gaze. The Sed Hokage could see regents haunting those orbs. "I'm not asking for leniency… only for time." Danzo spoke with a calm tone.

  Hiruzen, who had been silently abs the revetions of the past several minutes, looked at Danzo with curiosity and caution. "Time? For what, Danzo? You know what your fate must be. Why should I dey it?"

  Danzo's gaze shifted to Hiruzen. "I know that her you nor the vilge five my as, and I accept that. But before I'm executed, I ask that you dey it. Just for a short time. Until we know the fate of Tsunade and Shizune."

  Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected Danzo t up Tsunade. He khat among his two remaining loyal students, she was the only one qualified to take his mantle and the one who might be able to save the vilge iurbulent times ahead. "You're asking for a dey… because of Tsunade? Why, Danzo? What do you hope to aplish?"

  "Is this some kind of ploy, Danz to buy time, probably thinking of another scheme to save yourself. After everything you've done, uand that I don't trust you!" Tobirama's voice was filled with suspi and interjected before Danzo could respond.

  Danzo ighe sharp tone and accusations from Tobirama and spoke directly to Hiruzen. "You know as well as I do, Hiruzen, that Orochimaru is a threat like no other. As long as they're in his hands, the vilge is at risk. The ces of a successful rescue diminish with every passing moment. I know Orochimaru better than most. His tactics, his hiding pces. I help you find them."

  While Hiruzen was silently studying Danzo, Tobirama waue. But Danzo spoke again before he could. "I uand yer, Lord Tobirama. But this isn't about me… it's about the vilge. About Tsunade."

  He then turned back to his old rade. "I know I won't survive much longer, but… let me use what's left of my life t him down, if necessary… You promised… To let me end it on my terms. Give me this, Hiruzen. Please."

  Hearing those pleading words, the Sed Hokage crossed his arms and remained silent. His anger, slightly diminishing. He had been keeping a close eye on Danzo's chakra and body nguage. Everything he sensed and saw told him that Danzo was telling the truth.

  Hiruzen's expression meanwhile remaioic, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps a hint of the old camaraderie they once shared—within his eyes. "You're saying you'd use yourself as a on against Orochimaru?"

  Danzo nodded, his voice resolute. "If it es to it, yes. I've already sacrificed much for the vilge, and if this is to be my final act, then so be it. If you allow me to live long enough to esunade's safety—or to take out Orochimaru if a rescue isn't possible—I will do so without hesitation. Afterward, you carry out my execution as pnned."

  Tobirama looked at his orusted pupil and internally sighed. He spoke in a somewhat calmer tone. "Danzo, you uand that a sacrifice at this point won't redeem yht? After everything that's happehis is no different than a desperate gambit."

  Danzo didn't look away from his former teacher. "I'm not asking for redemption, Lord Tobirama. I know I've strayed far from the ideals you and your brother stood for. But my death still serve the vilge, even if only in this final act. Orochimaru is a threat that must be dealt with swiftly. If I help do that, the me. Let me make one final tribution to the vilge… I want to see the future that lies ahead for the vilge." 'And do what o be doo secure it.'

  The Sed Hokage was scrutinizing his former student and he uood ohing. 'He's telling the truth.'

  Hiruzen sidered Danzo's words carefully, his mind weighing the possibilities. The Third Hokage had seen mu his long life—too much. He khe depths of Danzo's ruthlessness, but he also khat when it came to proteg the vilge, Danzo had never hesitated to make hard decisions, no matter how grim.

  Finally, Hiruzen sighed. "If you aid in Tsunade's rescue, or if you bring down Orochimaru, it might be the only useful thing you have left to offer. But know this, Danzo, this is not a reprieve. The moment Tsunade's fate is determined, your life is forfeit."

  Danzo gave a small nod of uanding. "I wouldn't expeything less."

  Tobirama, though still angry, reized the pragmatism in Hiruzen's decision. He crossed his arms, his tone grudging but accepting. "If you're lying, Danzo, if this is some trick to escape your fate… you won't live long enough tret it."

  Danzo met Tobirama's gaze with a level stare. "I know."

  Hiruzen stepped forward, his voice filled with finality. "We'll dey the execution, but only until we know Tsunade's fate. I'll have Anbu keep a close eye on you. Make no mistake, Danzo, you will not escape the sequences of your as.."

  Danzo nodded once more, his face a mask of grim determination. "I have no iion of esg anymore, Hiruzen. My only goal now is to see that the vilge survives, even if it means my death."

  Hiruzen gave a final nod, signaling the end of the discussion. "Fine. We'll focus on resg Tsunade and Shizune. After that…"

  With that, the decision was made. Danzo's fate was sealed, but his final day would be spent ensuring the safety of those who could still save the vilge—a final, desperate act to atone for a lifetime of dark deeds.

  The three men stood in silend the tensioween them slowly faded as they pted the uain future that y ahead.

  Author's Note:

  I was listening to Hans Zimmer's 'Flight' and 'If you love these people so much' soundtrack while writing this.

  I wonder how many of you guys agree with my decisiarding Danzo. Many will have a ive opinion about him. But at the end of his fight with Sasuke on that bridge, we got a glimpse of his inner self.

  In my opinion, a man like Danzo should have a worthy ending…

  Then again, I might just let him rot in a cell till the clusion of this ard then just execute him… Well, We'll see what happens.

  Regarding Danzo's strength, I have to put it somewhere a little bit higher than Kakashi in my story. But a few levels lower thahird Hokage. I haven't had the ce to create a solid stat for him. Sorry to those who asked. I might show it in a future chapter if I get the ot making any promises tho.

  And Regarding DAichi's strength, remember, he went head on with kakashi in chapters 157 to 160. And he's only gotten stronger. Kakashi is alser here than in his terpart.

  If I have to give an accurate estimate, Daichi is betweee Jonin and Sannin level. Close to Sannin level.

  The advantage is that he has 'Analyze skill, Parallel processing skill, Hyperition skill, and all those works like a sharingan on steroids to him. He also has several destructive Jutsus. Sht now age is the only thirig him.

  If you enjoy my story then please take a moment to review and rate. A thumbs up always helps.

  And if you are ied in reading ahead, then chey patreon site. I’ve uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there…

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