Chapter 68. Danzo, Wait a Moment!
Chapter 68. Danzo, Wait a Moment!
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The matter of a certain Suna ninja escaping prison was insignificant to the entire ninja world.
After the bounty for Konohagakure's "Ninja of Darkness," the top figure on the Ninja World Bounty List, soared past 600 million ryo, villages across the ninja world began to take notice of this former hero of Konoha, who was active during the First and Second Ninja World Wars.
Although this Konoha hero mysteriously faded from prominence after the Second World War, a thorough investigation into historical records uncovered plenty of details.
A Konoha hero.
The Ninja of Darkness.
A disciple of the Second Hokage.
Active in the First and Second Ninja World Wars.
Once a strong contender for the title of Hokage.
Bounty: 600 million ryo!
Moreover, he was a close confidant of the current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, hailed as the strongest Hokage and is also the "Ninja Hero" and the "Professor of Ninjutsu."
Rumors had it that the two were as close as brothers, despite bearing different family names. So anyone plotting to assassinate Shimura Danzo and claim the bounty would likely have to offend Konoha's Hokage as well.
Of course, in the chaos of the ongoing Ninja World War, such concerns seemed trivial. Who cares about offending him? If it weren't for the lack of solid intel on Danzo's whereabouts, he might have already been turned into 600 million.
At this time, every ninja village required substantial financial support to cope with the ongoing stalemate in the Ninja World War and the rising prices of kunai and explosive tags.
So...
Sunagakure.
The village had already suffered heavy losses following the disappearance of the Third Kazekage. On top of that, located in the desert, it struggled with insufficient commissions and a lack of wealth. Combined with the war and skyrocketing prices for explosive tags, sustaining itself became increasingly difficult.
The Fourth Kazekage, appointed during this critical moment, immediately condemned Konoha after seeing the bounty order. He demanded that Konoha return the body of their Third Kazekage, apologize for his death, and compensate for the war losses.
They don't want much.
Just one life will do.
After all, Sunagakure was also a ninja village that valued peace in the ninja world.
Otherwise... they would launch an attack on Konoha!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Iwagakure, which had led Sunagakure in launching an attack on Mount Kikyo, seemed much calmer and more stable. The Third Tsuchikage remarked that he hadn't seen his old friend Shimura Danzo in a long time.
There aren't many of us old folks left, and some of us are already gone. No other meaning, of course. I just want to invite the Ninja of Darkness to visit Iwagakure, meet old friends, and reminisce about the past. There's really no other intention.
As for Kumogakure...
They didn't say much. Instead, they kept charging forward. Rumor had it they'd opened up another battlefield. The Third Raikage raided Iwagakure, and it seemed he had achieved good results.
At the same time...
Kirigakure, which had launched a war alongside Kumogakure under the banner of "Konoha's Ninja Ethics," remained quiet.
It seemed neither of the two villages were tempted by a mere 600 million.
At this moment.
Kirigakure.
The handsome, black-haired Third Mizukage looked at the seven ninjas seated before him, each with their unique characteristics, and said calmly, "Do you know what to do this time?"
"Understood, Mizukage-sama," the fat man with orange hair and a massive sword on his back replied with a grin. "Bring back the six hundred million?"
The words fell.
Everyone licked their tongues, strange glints in their eyes, and laughed.
Six hundred million~
More than the God of the Ninja World back then!
Didn't that mean... they were about to challenge someone stronger than the God of the Ninja World?
How interesting!
...
Elsewhere.
A certain green bean-eyed figure, who had been prepared for this moment, hid in the shadows, gazed at the distant village, and murmured lightly, "How can I sneak in?"
…
For a while,
The 600-million bounty stirred chaos across the ninja world, sending ripples through every village.
Meanwhile, in Konoha...
The growing severity of the situation cast a heavy atmosphere over the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at Konoha's senior council members before glancing briefly at his close friend, who now seemed withdrawn and far from his former confident self.
He didn't know when it started.
His close friend, who used to always jump in to share his thoughts during meetings, had grown silent, retreating into the background.
Hiruzen sighed, glanced at the 600-million bounty in his hand, and then raised his head to address the assembled leaders.
"Today's meeting focuses on two main matters."
At his words, the room fell silent, the gathered leaders focusing intently on the Third Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "First, Chief Commander Jiraiya and Jonin Namikaze Minato have sent news that Chunin Hatake Kakashi and Chunin Uchiha Obito have performed outstandingly on the battlefield. They've slain hundreds of enemies, foiled enemy plans, and achieved notable feats. They meet the qualifications for Jonin, and it has been proposed that they be promoted."
After speaking, he took a puff of his pipe calmly, observing the quiet murmurs of discussion that followed without interrupting.
After a while,
Utatane Koharu broke the silence, her brow furrowed.
"According to the reports, Hatake Kakashi has undoubtedly met the qualifications for Jonin. His promotion seems reasonable. However..." She hesitated, "Uchiha Obito..."
Had he achieved enough merit?
Yes, without a doubt.
But there were reservations.
While Obito had seemingly developed his own unique jutsu, that move… She really didn't like it!
It's dark arts! It was an unsettling heresy.
Given the gravity of the situation, with the village clearly lacking combat power, Hiruzen had called this meeting to create a symbol—a star, an idol for the children in the Ninja Academy, to inspire them to graduate and join the battlefield.
But if Uchiha Obito were to be that idol...
She could not imagine the disaster it might bring to Konoha.
Yet, outright denying his promotion seemed equally inappropriate, given his repeated victories.
After deliberating, she finally said, "Hatake Kakashi, the son of a hero, has consistently proven himself in battle. He should be promoted to Jonin. As for Uchiha Obito... though his contributions are commendable, he's not quite ready for Jonin. I propose we reconsider in a week."
The room nodded in agreement.
Clearly, Kakashi was the focus here.
Hiruzen also nodded. "Very well. Summon Minato's team back to the village."
After making arrangements, he addressed the next issue, "Now, let's discuss the reactions from the other villages—"
Before he could finish, the room grew silent again.
The elders sat stiffly, avoiding eye contact. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stared at the bounty notice on the table, their gazes heavy as if burdened by unspoken concerns.
Danzo, seated nearby, wore a pale expression, his face betraying disappointment as he glanced at his old friend.
[Hiruzen... you've changed.]
Have you forgotten the vicissitudes of life, the vows we made to each other... and the bond that was as heavy as a mountain?
But then...
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone shifted, almost as if skirting around the subject that hung in everyone's hearts.
"Given the seriousness of the situation, only the Uchiha clan is currently able to send additional ninjas to support our efforts. I hope we can set aside all conflicts and work together to protect Konoha."
He turned to Uchiha Fugaku, holding his gaze for a moment.
"What do you think, Uchiha Clan Leader?"
The words fell, and...
Danzo's heart warmed. His previously cold expression softened into a faint smile.
[Hiruzen, I misunderstood you!]
You haven't forgotten it!
Fugaku gave a slight nod. "The Uchiha will follow Konoha's orders."
"Thank you. Let's protect Konoha together," After another wave of Will of Fire from Sarutobi Hiruzen, the meeting was adjourned, and the room began to empty as the leaders filed out.
Just as the last few were leaving, Hiruzen's voice cut through the room again.
"Danzo, wait a moment."
The words fell.
Danzo stopped in his tracks, his heart trembling slightly.