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  Thud—

  Gojo Kaigetsu k unceremoniously on the bed, fag Tsunade, who leaned against the headboard with her arms crossed.

  He was… in trouble!

  Tsunade, who had maintained Gojo Kaigetsu's fa public, finally unleashed her pent-up fury after returning to her private quarters in the Senju pound.

  Her face like frost, she held up her old clothes, now tainted with another woman's st, and demanded, "Gojo Kaigetsu… care to expin why my clothes smell like another woman?"

  "What have you been doing while I was away from Konoha?"

  "I think we o look at this dialectically... Firstly, this was just a substitute, providih emotional support... Sedly, Tsunade, aren't you curious why Orochimaru threw nine secutive Sacred Cup?"

  Gojo Kaigetsu's interruption successfully diverted Tsunade's attention. She subsciously asked, "Why?"

  "Wasn't it really the Sage of Six Paths and Grandfather's spirits appearing?"

  As a seasoned gambler, Tsunade was more than familiar with the Sacred Cups game.

  To put it politely, it was an a belief, a sacred ritual to summon sages. More pinly… it was a gambling game based on probability!

  It was a bet on the probability of secutive alternating outes (one heads, oails).

  Mathematics wasn't Tsunade's forte. She naturally couldn't calcute the probability of nine secutive Sacred Cups like Orochimaru could, even with pen and paper.

  But as an experienced gambler, Tsunade had learned ohing during her long career fleeg unsuspeg sheep: anything she couldn't calcute had aremely low probability.

  Especially something like this… nine secutive times.

  It could almost be summarized as "impossible."

  "Could it be… that the divining block made from Grandfather's Wood Release… was rigged?"

  "No, I checked it. That kind of trickery 't fool a ninja's eyes."

  Tsunade suddenly lunged forward, fiercely grabbing Gojo Kaigetsu's vitals. "Speak! What in the world happened?!"

  Hiss—

  Why was his Infinity not w?! Someone, help!

  Gojo Kaigetsu gasped, feeling his life force draining away.

  Indeed, how did he do it?

  Gojo Kaigetsu's Blue aeiques could not only be used on himself but also on other people or objects, achieving effects simir to Shinra Tensei and Bansho Ten'in.

  Perhaps they cked the raw destructive power of the Rinnegan's abilities… but Gojo Kaigetsu's Six Eyes had their own advantages!

  The Six Eyes allowed for extremely precise chakra manipution. Blue and Red could be applied to miargets to achieve pre-determined outes.

  And because of this precision, even a pure Byakugan user might not detect the chakra fluctuations Gojo Kaigetsu employed, let alone an ordinary ninja without such visual prowess.

  As for Orochimaru's delusion while unscious… that was a clever application of Gojo Kaigetsu's Unlimited Void domain expansion.

  Through a bination of ninja teiques, he had staged a supernatural spectacle, shattering Orochimaru's vi.

  Such a tactic might be useless against a normal ninja, but for Orochimaru, it was a critical hit.

  Orochimaru… was a ninja who defied ventions. He was willing to believe in absurdities like immortality, let alohe possibility of the Sage of Six Paths or Hashirama Senju's will maing in the world, which, within the text of the shinobi world, usible.

  It was a shame the Three Evils weren't present; otherwise, Gojo Kaigetsu would have tried to make Orochimaru burn himself out further.

  …

  …

  A new day dawhe sun rising as usual.

  The people of Konoha suddenly noticed that the vilge's alert status seemed to have been lifted.

  The most obvious sign was the reduumber of patrolling ninjas and the frequency of their patrols. The checks at the vilge gates were also less thh.

  Meanwhile, both the fate-unknown Advisojo and Tsuhe long-absent founder of Konoha's medical system reform, appeared at Konoha Hospital simultaneously.

  The great aeemed Gojo Kaigetsu was covered in bandages, practically carried out of the hospital by Tsunade.

  Faint traces of blood were still visible near his ears. Despite his severe injuries, he appeared before the public, raising his ched right fist to the sky and shouting the slogan, "Make Konoha Great Again!"

  tless Konoha vilgers who withis se were moved to tears, involuntarily raising their right fists and ting "Gojo!" in unison.

  News of Gojo Kaigetsu's survival reached the Uchiha , leading to several young ninjas awakening their Sharingan.

  Merts, initially hesitant due to s about potential political upheaval in Konoha, seemed to be swayed by this awe-inspiring dispy of fervor, solidifying their resolve to i in the vilge.

  Furthermore, inspired by the test issue of “Iki,” which featured an article on the “Konoha-Suna Trade Route,” they flocked to Konoha’s erce Bureau, inquiring about storefront bids along the rade route. With the existing ercial streets of Konoha saturated, expanding into newly developed trade routes seemed a wise choice.

  For a time, Konoha's eic development seemed to experience a surge thanks to Gojo Kaigetsu's return.

  Shortly after, the Tanzaku Delivery Service, responsible for transp Kisame Hoshigaki and Samehada, arrived in Konoha.

  This ued surprise delighted Gojo Kaigetsu, who generously paid Tsunade's delivery fee and even added a substantial bonus.

  Acc to the isunade had divulged in bed, Kisame Hoshigaki, the Mist ninja, seemed to have undergone a personality ge, being somewhat… passionate.

  This sparked new possibilities in Gojo Kaigetsu's mind. With anraure, he had Kisame imprisoned in Konoha's secret prison, with no iion of returning him takure as a political gesture.

  As for Samehada…

  Gojo disliked the sword's fmboyant appearand pted having Orochimaru melt it down and reshape it into something more to his liking.

  "What shape, though?"

  In the underground boratojo Kaigetsu stared at the pulsating Samehada through the protective barrier…

  "They say, 'Susano'o a great Buddha, two people destroy four nations.' Should I melt Samehada down and fe some equipment for the future Maha inside me?"

  …

  …

  Ihe Konoha Tower Meeting Room

  Perhaps to prevent leaks about the pn to blitz Kusagakure, the number of meeting partits was signifitly reduced.

  Representatives fre ot absolutely loyal to Konoha were excluded.

  Shikaku Nara sat with his arms crossed, his gaze frequently drifting towards Orochimaru, who seemed like a ged man.

  Dude… you weren't like this yesterday, were you?

  Weren't you vying for the and position of the Kusagakure Blitz Unit? Why were you ag so detached today? Like you've transded worldly desires?

  “Ahem—”

  Gojo Kaigetsu, who had rushed to the meeting straight from the hospital, slowly stood up.

  Covered in bruises, he coughed lightly. “Tomorroill officially unch a special military operation against Kusagakure. Simultaneously, a statement regarding my assassination attempt will be released.”

  “At that time, I ask that all vilge departments coordiheir efforts.”

  “Prepare to receive the iigation team dispatched by the Daimyo~”

  This surprise atta Kusagakure was a clear decration to the shinobi world: Konoha was no longer entirely uhe Daimyo's trol. The Land of Fire's military anization had begun to decouple from the nation.

  Regardless of the reasons given, the Daimyo likely wouldn't be easily vinced.

  “But… it doesn’t matter. Whether the old Daimyo believes it or not, we still o put on a good show. The financial aid rightfully owed to Konoha must be delivered, not a single Ryo less.”

  “Otherwise~ Konoha ’t guarahat our neighbor, Iwagakure, won’t unch a plundering war against the Land of Fire or something.”

  Minato’s lips twitched subtly.

  This was the reply from the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, he had just received before the meeting.

  In his reply, Onoki not only expressed strong approval fojo Kaigetsu’s “Blitz Kusagakure” pn but also subtly hi the possibility of deeper cooperatioweewo vilges – [Strengthening oneself by nurturing an enemy].

  Ohe Kusagakure blitz was successful, Konoha and Iwagakure would share a border, leaving the nations behind them vulnerable to invasion without a buffer zone.

  Thus, the value of the vilges to the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth would increase, essentially turning them into border troops. Not providing full pay? Not providira pay? Well, then, who knows, bandits from Iwagakure/Konoha might just e knog~

  Of course, the motivations of both parties were different.

  Perhaps Onoki simply wao extract more funds from the stingy Land of Earth Daimyo to develop his vilge. As fojo Kaigetsu's iions… well, those were harder to decipher.

  In any case, under Gojo Kaigetsu’s guidahe two vilges quickly set aside their animosity from the Third Shinobi World War and agreed on two points of cooperation:

  Firstly, [Blitz Kusagakure]. Sedly, [Strengthening Oneself by Nurturing an Enemy].

  A shinobi world where Konoha rejoiced, Iwagakure rejoiced, and only Kusagakure wept, had been achieved.

  “Narding the appoi of the ander for the blitz unit…”

  Here it es!

  Despite his mental preparation, Shikaku Nara couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

  “After careful deliberation by the Konoha elders and the Hokage, we have decided to appoie Jonin Orochimaru as the ander-in-chief of this blitz mission.”

  Huh?

  Orochimaru?

  The ued twist left Shikaku stunned. Wasn’t it supposed to be Fugaku Uchiha?

  He subsciously g Fugaku, but the Uchiha leader's expression remained unged, not a hint of dissatisfa showing.

  ‘This is absurd… something feels wrong.’

  However, what shocked Shikaku even more was yet to e.

  The neointed Orochimaru stood up. Upon hearing the words "ander-in-chief," his eyes remained devoid of emotion, as calm as if he were listening to something pletely uo himself.

  His voice was hoarse. "I thank you for the trust and support, but… my body is failing, and my abilities are deing. This is the case now, and it will only worsen iure. I fear I ot shoulder su important responsibility."

  "To ehe successful execution of the vilge's pn and safeguard Konoha's is in the shinobi world, I refuse to accept this appoi."

  “Oh, is that so~” Gojo Kaigetsu nodded readily. “Orochimaru-senpai, please take care of your health. Then… regarding the ander position, do you have any reendations?”

  Reendations~

  Orochimaru calmly stated, “I believe the current head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha head Fugaku Uchiha, is fully capable of serving as ander-in-chief.”

  “Good! Then Fugaku Uchiha it is!”

  “Fugaku Uchiha, step forward!”

  Shikaku could barely hear the subsequent appoi ceremony.

  What in the world… kind of grand reciliation was this?

  It was as unbelievable as if Huawei had abandoned Kirin and embraced Snapdragon again!

  Why, ht, had Orochimaru, who had been on their servative side, switched to the enemy camp?

  He had heard that Orochimaru met with the Third Hokage yesterday. So, was this the Third Hokage's order? His troops were ready to fight to the death, but why had His Majesty surrendered first?

  A wry smile touched Shikaku’s lips. He hadn’t expected that, after all his meticulous pnning, the leader of his own fa would be the first to throw iowel, pletely defting his morale.

  It was like in a fair 5v5 petitive game, the ninja on his team who had farmed the most resources suddenly started feeding the eeam information. It was incredibly frustrating.

  Looking at Orochimaru and Fugaku Uchiha standing opposite each other, Shikaku felt as if he were witnessing the final curtain call of the power struggle between the old and the new, leaving him feeling somewhat listless.

  ‘Fet it, let it be. Fate has its own arras…’

  Without a moment to mourrayal of the servative leader, the development arrived swiftly—

  As the appoi ceremony cluded and Orochimaru and Fugaku Uchiha took their seats, Gojo Kaigetsu, with a serious expression, dropped another bombshell:

  “Upon iigation, Danzo Shimura has been found to have pletely abandoned his ideals and beliefs, ruly loyal to the Will of Fire, and utterly lost the principles of a Konoha ninja. He cks the uanding of 'One Konoha, one gover, one Hokage,' harbors excessive political ambition, and dispys despicable political duct! He resorts to any means to achieve his goals, secretly harming fellow ninjas, vioting Konoha's forbiddeions…”

  A long list of accusations poured from Gojo Kaigetsu’s mouth, filling the eyes of the representatives with fear.

  Was the world… truly ging? No mercy shown whatsoever?

  Wasn’t this a bit too ruthless?

  Shikaku subsciously gaped. On the eve of the Kusagakure blitz, wasn't dropping this bombshell a bit too reckless?

  Shouldn't they at least wait until the storm had passed before slowly boiling the frog? Why start with a fiery stir-fry?

  "After careful sideration by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, it has been decided to strip Danzo Shimura of all his positions, including Konoha elder, Root leader, and Konoha ambassador takure. He is ordered to return to Konoha immediately and submit to an iigation by a special review panel."

  "That is all!"

  The Third Hokage was aware? So… was everything orchestrated by the Third Hokage behind the ses?

  Uanding dawned on Shikaku's face. If the Third Hokage had approved, or even initiated this, the impad iy wouldn't be as terrifying as initially imagined.

  At least, it avoided the possibility of a civil war within Konoha.

  With the Third Hokage involved, Danzo… former elder Danzo, would definitely return to the vilge for trial, instead of gathering forces outside and plotting as detrimental to unity, such as [Operation Ste], [Return to the Third Hokage], or [Danzo's Political Intervention].

  ‘Turbulent times…'

  ‘How did a perfectly good Konoha end up like this?’

  ‘What happe night? Not just Orochimaru, but evehird Hokage…’

  Such doubts pgued the minds of Shikaku and the other representatives. However, these questions would likely remain unanswered, forever recorded in Konoha's history books as unsolved mysteries.

  ht, the power struggle between Konoha's old and new fas had cluded decisively.

  With this series of appois, it could be said that there would be no more Third Hokage era in Konoha! The Third Hokage would bee nothing more than a revered figure etched on the Hokage Rock.

  “With Danzo removed from his post, the position of Konoha's ambassador takure is now vat. After deliberation by the Konoha Elder cil…”

  “Shikaku Nara, head of the Nara , is hereby appointed as the new ambassador takure!”

  “Eh? Me?”

  Shikaku met Gojo Kaigetsu’s ambiguous gaze, a chill running down his spine. Was this an attempt to eliminate all opposition?

  Was it because he had voiced support for Orochimaru durierday's closed-door discussion with the Fourth Hokage? Were they now exiling him to the bordernds?

  While Kirigakure was sidered a major vilge, pared to the bustling Konoha, it was a remote ae pce.

  Shikaku wasn't some selfless saint. He had a rge family busio sider. Even after retiring from his ninja career, he could still live fortably as a wealthy man.

  Given a choice, he would naturally prefer to remain in Konoha and enjoy his life.

  But now, he was being exiled for choosing the wrong side~

  Shikaku opened his mouth slightly, but the words of refusal wouldn’t e out. He had always been a pessimist. Who knew, perhaps a single "I refuse" would lead to the "Nara nihition Night" ohe storm subsided.

  Gojo Kaigetsu uzzled by his rea. Wasn’t being dispatched to another vilge as an ambassador, essentially a feudal lord in Kirigakure, a good thing? Danzo had already established Konoha’s influen Kirigakure; wasn't iing that a desirable oute?

  He practically wao put his arm around Shikaku and ask, "Nara-senpai, do you eaches or not?"

  Yet, he still looked as if he were about to die!?

  Was he, Gojo Kaigetsu, truly such a bad person?

  Gojo Kaigetsu's expression darkened. Only because of Shikaku's past generosity with deer antlers and his intelligence did he entrust him with this lucrative position.

  And this was how he showed his gratitude?

  If given a d he failed to seize it, he couldn’t bme Gojo-sama for being ruthless. “The appoi is for approximately one year. Ohe vilge selects an ambassador more suited to the… stitution of Kirigakure, you may return, Nara-san.”

  "That… couldn't be better!" Shikaku quickly agreed, fearing Gojo Kaigetsu might retract his offer.

  Gojo Kaigetsu: ?

  Sometimes, he truly couldn’t prehend the thought processes of these shinobi world people.

  Seeing that all annous had been made, Minato Namikaze, the CEO of Konoha Corporation, began his cluding remarks:

  “That cludes this meeting.”

  Then, Minato produced a Hokage Order.

  Each Hokage Order was crafted from the remnants of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.

  It was said that in Konoha, seeing a Hokage Order was akin to seeing the Hokage himself. Holding a Hokage Order was like possessing a master key to Konoha.

  It granted access to anywhere and everywhere, bestowing the highest authority within the vilge. In times when the Hokage was uo and the vilge's military forces, the holder of the Hokage Order became the ag Hokage during emergencies.

  The order remained valid until a formally appointed ag Hokage was selected.

  In Konoha, only Gojo Kaigetsu possessed one.

  However, there were different types of Hokage Orders. The one Gojo Kaigetsu possessed had a carving of the Thousand-Armed Buddha on its back.

  But if the back of the order depicted a snarling ailed Fox… that sighe most urgent military and political and!

  As Minato slowly infused his chakra, a fiery red character, "Return," shimmering like va, appeared on the front of the order.

  Its meaning was self-evident – [Return to the vilge immediately! No exceptions!]

  If an ordinary dispatched ninja saw such a Hokage Order, they would likely be paralyzed by fear, their ninja way shattered.

  But to deal with a stubborn servative like Danzo, this might not be enough.

  Minato first hahe order to Kakashi, aiting outside. Kakashi quickly passed it to an ANBU ninja specializing in messenger hawks.

  The hawk, carrying the Hokage Order, fpped its wings and soared towards Kirigakure.

  "One Hokage Order is not enough."

  Minato decred solemnly, g his hands. Three more Hokage Orders, crafted from Wood Release, appeared on the meeting table.

  All four Hokage Orders were present.

  Shikaku was astonished. As expected, evehird Hokage’s order…

  Almost without pause, Minato, like an ox plowing a field, tinuously infused his chakra into the orders.

  [Return], [Return], [Return]…

  Kakashi tio act as a rey, releasing one messenger hawk after another.

  Four secutive Hokage Orders were dispatched.

  The representatives present couldn't help but gasp…

  Imagine being in Danzo’s shoes.

  Receiving a single Hokage Order, he could easily use the excuse of "A shinobi on a mission outside the vilge is not bound by the Hokage's orders" to refuse pliance. Upourning to the vilge, his status would likely protect him from severe punishment.

  But four secutive Hokage Orders…

  To still use the excuse of being "on a mission" to refuse returning would be naive. He would be branded a missing-nin and hunted down.

  sidering Danzo Shimura’s personal dud the things he might have done in Kirigakure to provoke the locals… once Konoha issued a missing-nin pursuit order, Danzo would face the bined forces of two vilges.

  Unless he was pletely ihe wisest choice would be to return to the vilge.

  “Praise Konoha!”

  As the meeting cluded, the representatives rose to their feet, ting the slogan in unison.

  “Praise Konoha!”

  …

  …

  Danzo Shimura, currently enjoying his life as a five-star feudal lord in Kirigakure, had been quite tent tely.

  When he first arrived in Kirigakure, he harbored rese. After all, who would willingly retreat to the remote ae Kirigakure as a defeated underdog?

  But over time, Danzo had e to terms with it.

  Not only had he resolved his inner flict, but he had even found a certain enjoyment in his situation.

  Here, there was no infernal political rival like Gojo Kaigetsu to stantly oppose him. He could freely establish Root bases on this small isnd nation.

  Uered, Danzo unleashed his true self. Root's roots had burrowed deep into the Land of Water, secretly recruiting dozens of talented youngsters as Root reserves.

  Whether they possessed darkness in their hearts or not, after a few days of Root training, even those without darkness would surely awaken it.

  If not for the Mizukage's stant vigince, Danzo would have attempted to extend his reach towards Kirigakure's bloodline limit s.

  Simultaneously, Danzo, like a leech, was steadily extrag siderable wealth from Kirigakure. Besides the mandatory portion submitted to the vilge, there le cash to fuel Root's unbridled growth.

  Root was developing even faster here than in Konoha, giving Danzo a long-lost sense of exhiration!

  There were no true losers in struggles; there was only strategic retreat to avoid Gojo Kaigetsu's sharp edge, to a nd beyond his reach, where one could freely unleash their talents and amass power.

  Let that Gojo Kaigetsu wallow in Konoha's prosperity! Let the vilge's affluence dull his ninja spirit!

  One day, he would return to Konoha with the political achievements of Root in Kirigakure and recim everything that beloo him!

  Knoock—

  Just then, Torune Aburame respectfully approached Danzo, carrying a pure white hawk.

  “Danzo-sama, a message from the vilge.”

  “Hmm?”

  Danzo, who was enjoying his tea, paused. “It’s not time for the scheduled unication with the Konoha Root base, is it?”

  Despite being in Kirigakure, Danzo had left behind a group of Root ninjas in Konoha turly report on vilge affairs.

  “No… it’s not from Root. It’s from ANBU.”

  “ANBU?”

  Danzo’s fusion deepened.

  Usually, unicatioween him and the vilge was handled by designated personnel. ANBU represehe Hokage's will.

  A message from ANBU meant that the Hokage wao unicate with him directly.

  ‘What could it be?’

  With a belly full of questions, Danzo accepted the hawk. He casually formed a hand seal, and the hawk exploded in a puff of white smoke, revealing the item it carried.

  This was…

  Upon seeing the object, Danzo’s pupils stricted, araightened up involuntarily.

  A Hokage Order!

  A relic of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release, still brimming with vitality even after fifty years.

  Danzo held the Hokage Order in his hand, feeling a burniion. The shimmering crimsourn" deeply shook him.

  ‘Minato Namikaze… is me back to the vilge?’

  Torune Aburame also saw the Hokage Order in Danzo’s hand, his voice ced with uainty. “A Hokage Order?! How… Did the Fourth Hokage discover something?”

  “Danzo-sama, what should we do?”

  “Hmph!”

  He couldn't lose his posure as the leader of Root in front of his most loyal subordinate. Despite his iurmoil, Danzo forced himself to remain calm, setting the Hokage Order aside.

  Crossing his arms, he snorted. “Torune, you still have much to learn.”

  "You don't uand the principle of 'A shinobi on a mission outside the vilge is not bound by the Hokage's orders.'"

  Danzo tinued, either bolstering his own fidence or reassuring his subordinate, or perhaps both.

  “The local fas in Kirigakure are deeply entrehe political situation is votile, and the people are unruly and weak. This is the perfect opportunity for Root to flourish. I absolutely ot abandon Root's promising situation in Kirigakure aurn to the vilge!”

  “The Fourth Hokage, secluded in his tower, doesn’t uand the plexities of the shinobi world. He must have listeo the snder of those around him to issue su unreasonable order.”

  “I… refuse to accept it! Once Root's situation in Kirigakure stabilizes, I will naturally return and submit my report!”

  So that was it!

  Admiration shone in Torune Aburame’s eyes behind his dark gsses. “A brilliant insight, sir!”

  “Then, we shall temporarily keep this Hokage Order and ig.”

  “Naturally! The Fourth Hokage is a foolish boy. If Hiruzen were in charge, he would uand me.”

  Danzo indulged in his usual reminisce of past glories, assuming the ued Hokage Order i was over. However…

  “B-Bad news, Danzo-sama!”

  “What now?!”

  A nameless fire ignited within Danzo. He turned aed the unknown subordinate who had barged in. “’t you see I’m talking to Torune? What’s the matter? Why are you panig?”

  “A-A hawk, another hawk has arrived.” The subordiammered, approag and presenting the hawk from Konoha.

  “What? Another one?”

  Danzo took the hawk in astonishment, g his hands to disperse it into smoke. Another a Hokage Order y within!

  Upon seeing the characters on it, Danzo's heart sank. “This is Lord Hashirama's Hokage Order…”

  “This is… the sed order.” Torune was equally bewildered. Two secutive Hokage Orders? Su urgent and had never been issued sihe founding of Konoha.

  Toruated.

  It was as if the vilge had anticipated Danzo's rea, knowing he would find a reason to disobey, and thus sent a sed Hokage Order to emphasize the severity of the situation.

  What could have happened in the vilge that was sent as to demand Danzo’s immediate return?

  “Hah… Absurd. Not tent with using his own Hokage Order, he even used Lord Hashirama's.”

  “The Fourth Hokage's as viote tradition! When I return to the vilge, I will reprimand him personally!”

  Danzo forced himself to look away, dismissing Hashirama’s Hokage Order, clearly still intending to disobey.

  “D-Danzo-sama, the hawk…”

  Whoosh—

  Without a word, Danzo flung a kunai, killing the hawk in his subordinate’s arms.

  The hawk’s blood staiobirama Senju’s Hokage Order.

  Danzo's face darkeo its deepest shade. “Even Sensei’s Hokage Order has been brought out?”

  “Minato Namikaze… what is he thinking?”

  A bad premonition arose in Danzo’s heart. Such forceful summoning of an elder on a mission outside the vilge didn't suggest an urgent matter to discuss… Instead, it seemed that "Danzo Shimura's return to the vilge" itself was the urgent matter.

  Damn it, he had bee the target.

  “Haa…” Danzo's eyes flickered.

  A sense of betrayal washed over him. He soled himself, “No, even if Minato Namikaze doesn’t uand the sacrifices I’ve made for Konoha, Hiruzen always has.”

  “His Hokage Order hasn’t appeared. Even if all of Konoha abando least Hiruzen will remain my steadfast support.”

  “D-Danzo…”

  “Silence!”

  Danzo could no longer remaied. He shot up from his chair, swiftly retrieving Hiruzen's Hokage Order from the dead hawk…

  This shattered Danzo's ninja way.

  He stumbled back to his seat, his legs weak.

  He murmured in disbelief, “How could this be? How could this happen?”

  “Hiruzen, how could Hiruzeray me?”

  Images of Hiruzen Sarutobi fshed through Danzo's mind. He couldn’t accept that his closest friend of decades, after just a month apart, had abandoned him.

  Even the fastest degees didn't fall this quickly!

  Danzo's eyes reddened, a frantic edge to his demeanor.

  Having spent half his life struggling against Hiruzen Sarutobi and a couple of years against Minato, he now uood his predit as the darkness of the shinobi world.

  The light of Konoha… was too dazzling! It had eradicated all shadows where darkness could hide!

  Uhe radiant sun, only the new era's Will of Fire remained!

  Minato Namikaze, Gojo Kaigetsu… even his closest friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi, were all f him, Danzo Shimura, back to the vilge to be eliminated!

  tless possibilities flooded Danzo’s mind.

  Upourning to the vilge, the best he could hope for was an iigation by ANBU. The worst… was Hiruzen's staff, Minato's Rasengan, and Fugaku's Sharingan.

  What if he didn't return? What if he remained here, gathering strength to unch [Operation Ste]?

  A formidable dilemma fronted Danzo Shimura—

  If he defied four Hokage Orders, the highest ands from Konoha's administrative body… he would undoubtedly be branded a missing-nin, fag a joint pursuit by Konoha and Kirigakure!

  Thinking about how much he had exploited the Land of Water and Kirigakure these past months, Danzo himself felt a shiver of fear.

  While the Root he currently ahrived in the Land of Water, once beled a missing-nin… Root would lose its legitimacy.

  Even if its size increased tenfold, even if it possessed the strength to rival Konoha or Kirigakure's official military forces on the surface, resistance would be futile.

  A vilge's strength y not only in its military prowess but also in its logistical capabilities.

  Without legitimacy, Kirigakure, allied with Konoha, wouldn't offer him any assistance. He would be trapped in Kirigakure, fag the bined might of two great vilges with no escape.

  Soldier Pills, shuriken, kunai, explosive tags, reserve ninjas… these resources were finite. Without a mature vilge logistical and ninja training system, these supplies couldn't be sustained long-term.

  Ohey were depleted…

  Root, g the power to deliver a decisive blow, would iably perish.

  Or… should he lead Root in a mass defe to Kumogakure, Konoha’s adversary?

  “Hmph…!”

  Danzo’s trembling hand suddenly steadied. “Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi… don’t uimate my ninja way! I would rather die in Konoha than bee a traitor.”

  “Danzo-sama, what should we do?”

  “Sigh…”

  “All my efforts over the past month have been undone in a single day.”

  “Sihey’ve forced me to this point, I won’t let them uimate my ninja way!”

  “Pack up. We’re returning to the vilge!”

  <><><><>

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