Chapter 113: Lord Danzo Has Flown Away

Uzumaki Mito lowered her eyelids and suddenly began meditating.

This unexpected situation alerted both the Third Hokage and Danzo, who quickly began forming hand signs in preparation for any sudden occurrences.

"Don't be nervous... It's probably that the Nine-Tails overheard our conversation and chose to negotiate with Lady Mito on its own," said Hanma, squinting his eyes. Even though Uzumaki Mito had a powerful seal, with his sensory abilities, he could still detect a trace of tailed beast chakra.

The Third Hokage and Danzo's expressions relaxed slightly. At this critical juncture, neither Uzumaki Mito nor the Nine-Tails inside her could afford to have anything go wrong.

"Ahem... Hanma-kun, I've received intelligence from the Anbu regarding the mission in Grass Village. It seems extremely dangerous. Were you harmed at all?" The Third Hokage shifted the topic. The intelligence brought by the Anbu had secretly puzzled the Hokage who held the village's reins.

Whether it was the world-destroying battle traces or the box of ultimate bliss that could devour countless Jōnin from hidden villages, it had all caused him great apprehension. Understanding the changes in Uchiha Hanma was currently the Third Hokage's inner dilemma. The currently closed posture of the Uchiha clan made the Third Hokage feel helpless. Losing intelligence on Hanma would put him at a greater disadvantage.

Hanma chuckled softly, inwardly praising the Third Hokage's thick-skinned nature. He then put on a serious face and began fabricating a story, speaking lightly,

"Grass Village's Wuwei tried to capture ninjas from various countries, absorb their chakra to open the box of ultimate bliss, aiming to rule the ninja world. I engaged in a fierce battle with him. Although I successfully killed him, he still managed to trick me into the box of ultimate bliss, where I was severely injured before escaping."

The Third Hokage looked at Hanma's increasingly intimidating physique and smiled bitterly. His sensory abilities were also among the top within ninjas. Just sitting beside Hanma now, he felt as though he was facing a tailed beast.

If this was considered a severe injury, then the rest of the ninjas in Konoha could go to the Land of Fire to sell street food…

The Third Hokage understood that if Hanma suddenly made a move against him and Danzo at this distance, he might be turned into mush before he could even form hand signs. At this moment, Danzo patted the table and said coldly,

"According to my information, Wuwei from Grass Village was merely of elite Jōnin strength. How could he possibly fight you to such an extent? The box of ultimate bliss has also mysteriously disappeared; it should be in your possession. Such an important strategic resource, like one of the Six Paths' tools, should be offered to the village by the Uchiha clan. Furthermore, who was the secret strong opponent you fought? Such crucial intelligence should be truthfully reported to the village."

Hanma chuckled and felt worried about Danzo's intelligence. Many years in the Foundation seemed to have corrupted his brain, turning it into something akin to excrement. The Foundation led by Danzo was, in fact, just a squad under the Anbu organization, officially known as the "Anbu Training Division."

The Anbu's composition was such that the squad leaders were Jōnin, and the rest were composed of special Jōnin and Chūnin. In terms of combat power, it was not particularly impressive, holding some deterrent effect over ordinary ninjas in the village and small clans, with the larger clans respecting it only for the Third Hokage's sake.

For a powerhouse like Hanma, the Third Hokage opted for negotiations through wordplay, whereas Danzo always maintained a high posture, attempting to make him follow orders unconditionally. Never understanding his position is why Danzo could never surpass the Third.

Seeing Hanma's disdain and the Third Hokage's composed attitude, Danzo grew angry.

"Are these two bastards looking down on me?!"

Before Hanma fully grew, he and Danzo had some cooperation in several aspects; their relationship was not harmonious but at least courteous to the extent of nodding upon meeting. However, as Hanma's strength increased rapidly, Danzo lost his influence, leading to heightened conflicts between the two, gradually tearing their facade through public disputes.

"A few days ago, the Third Mizukage from Mist Village sent a letter of condemnation, accusing you of murdering three members of their Seven Ninja Swordsmen. How do you explain this? The village has just endured a major battle, and you plan to take responsibility for inciting further wars with your actions, Uchiha Hanma?" The Third Hokage exchanged a glance with Hanma, both falling silent.

Danzo, thinking he had the moral high ground, snorted arrogantly and continued in a cold tone, "Three ninja swords and the box of ultimate bliss are in your hands. As compensation, you should hand them over to the village for bearing the pressure from Mist Village on your behalf."

Hanma finally couldn't hold back his laughter, glancing around and feeling inconvenienced. "If I punch Danzo into the wall, it might damage Grandma Mito's precious photos… No choice, I really can't hold back anymore…" "Bang!!"

Danzo let out a muffled angry roar, struggling furiously, but under Hanma's control, he was as helpless as a child. Hanma grabbed Danzo's head and repeatedly slammed it into the ground. Danzo's teeth flew out, bandages tore, wooden splinters mixed with his facial blood, making him appear particularly wretched.

"Lord Hokage's assistant, regardless of your official status, remember your primary duty as a ninja. Your strength is currently so weak. How can the village entrust the Nine-Tails to a ninja like you? In my opinion, the Second Hokage made a very wise choice in selecting the Third Hokage. In terms of both strength and vision, you are far from his level…"

Hanma heavily slammed Danzo into unconsciousness, then kicked him out of the courtyard. Sighing with relief, Hanma took out a sealing scroll and began meticulously cleaning the room's debris, replacing it with a fine redwood table. This scroll contained all the daily necessities for camping, a must-have for Hanma and Tsunade on their wilderness adventures.

Since this was Uzumaki Mito's home, being courteous as a visiting junior was necessary. The Third Hokage shook his head, glancing at the seemingly still asleep Uzumaki Mito, and sighed heavily. Slowly getting up, he picked up a broom to help clean the slightly messy floor.

Recently, the Third Hokage had been very displeased with Danzo's actions. Danzo had repeatedly overstepped his orders, acting on his own. Firstly, being certain of Hanma's death by the box of ultimate bliss, he hastily led the Foundation to provoke Uchiha, nearly causing a public fight on Konoha's streets, which created a very negative impact.

Additionally, during the village's struggle with the Jinchūriki selection, Danzo showed deep covetousness for the Nine-Tails, attempting underhanded methods to seize the Hokage's position. If the Third Hokage hadn't been gradually losing allies within the village, he would have long stripped Danzo of his assistant position for a reality check.

Now the Third Hokage just wanted to say that someone as oblivious as Danzo should have been dealt with long ago.

...

"Oh...?" In her consciousness, Uzumaki Mito watched the Nine-Tails with amusement, slightly surprised. In the past few years, this was the first time the fox had taken the initiative to contact her. Ever since Senju Hashirama's death, the Nine-Tails stopped giving face to Uzumaki Mito, choosing to silently resist with a mute stance.

As for why it didn't try to entice Mito like it did Naruto, or occasionally resist violently, it was because the Nine-Tails had grown weary of the Sage of Six Paths' descendants after repeated brutal suppression.

In the Nine-Tails' mind, three ninja clans needed to be utterly eradicated: the sinister Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha clans.

Uzumaki Mito gazed at the Nine-Tails with a half-smile, saying lightly, "With your age, shouldn't you be calling me old lady?"

The Nine-Tails raised its paw disdainfully, glaring at Mito with malice, "Your aging appearance is truly pitiful. You're about to die, Uzumaki Mito! This is the retribution you despicable humans deserve."

Uzumaki Mito lightly laughed and shook her head. Decades had passed, and the Nine-Tails was still so insincere, its words still so feeble.

"Be honest, Nine-Tails. You contacted me for a reason beyond commenting on my lifespan, didn't you?"

"Hmph… You stole my malicious sensing ability and have Uzumaki bloodline. You must have noticed it long ago, right? That Uchiha Hanma, the deep malice buried in his flesh, and that disgusting chakra… Don't you have anything to say?"