Chapter 120. With Me Here, No One Can Hurt Him

Chapter 120. With Me Here, No One Can Hurt Him

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Let's rewind time just a bit. 

Today. 

The weather was clear. 

A bright, sunny day with a gentle breeze. 

Shimura Danzo stretched lazily, gazing at the sunset on the horizon. He took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air and instantly felt more refreshed. 

I haven't seen the sun for many days. Seeing it again today, my heart feels a little warmer. 

The time has come. 

It's time for me, Shimura Danzo, to re-emerge onto the ninja world! 

Otherwise, if he hasn't appeared for too long, those guys will probably only remember his 1 billion and forget that he is also a powerful ninja! The Darkness of Ninja! The Darkness of Konoha! 

Therefore, for Konoha, he can't stay out for a long time. Appearing in front of everyone from time to time is conducive to improving his prestige, and… He is here to save Konoha and change the decay of Konoha, so how can he do nothing? 

This is the chance! 

Under his intimidation, Kumogakure chose to surrender without hesitation and formed an alliance with Konoha. There is news that today is the day when the ninjas of Kumogakure will arrive. 

If he wasn't there, who knew what blunder Sarutobi Hiruzen might cause? 

So, this can't go on without him! 

Danzo let out a long sigh, then, with a stern look in his eyes and a solemn expression on his face, he took a small step forward with an unshakable belief in changing Konoha. 

However— 

Just as he stepped out of the cave— 

"Whoosh! Whoosh!" 

Several figures appeared instantly, surrounding him. 

"Danzo-sama is stepping out! Danzo-sama is stepping out! Everyone, stay alert!" 

"Don't let any strangers approach Danzo-sama! If anything goes wrong, we'll all die!" 

"Quick, someone bring and carry the palanquin and be discreet!" 

"Danzo-sama, if you need anything, just command us. We'll handle the small stuff." 

"..." Danzo fell silent. 

His face looked melancholy. 

This is not the life he wants! 

Staring at the ANBU operatives in front of him—they'd all been dispatched by Hiruzen to protect him. 

But why does he need the protection of ANBU? 

With his strength, he can go anywhere in Konoha… unless there is an accident. In addition, he has his own Root Ninja, so why does Hiruzen need to send people to protect him? Hiruzen's move is a blow to his reputation! 

Doesn't he understand his little tricks? 

So disgraceful. 

"Humph! No need! I'll be back soon!" Danzo snorted coldly, rejecting these useless Anbu who get nervous at the slightest thing, "Get out of here!" 

"But Hokage-sama insisted… Your life worth 1 billion ryo cannot be exposed to any risk!" 

"Shut up!" Danzo's sharp glare pierced through them like daggers. His body tensed with rage. "I will talk to Hiruzen myself! I don't need you!" 

These fools. 

And Hiruzen! 

All they care about is his body, not a single one of them is sincere! 

Even his old comrades… Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu… they've all changed. 

Konoha is indeed rotten! 

Danzo sighed with disappointment, waving them away dismissively. Then, with just four or five Root ninjas, he continued forward. 

Could it be… that even in Konoha, I'm no longer safe? 

He refused to believe that! 

In fact, after this event, he'd kickstart his next plan. Orochimaru had already made arrangements. If these ANBU ninjas followed him, it would be too inconvenient to move. So— 

A dark glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. He had to find a way to drive them away, so he couldn't panic during this time. 

Once they'd distanced themselves— 

Danzo's eyes grew sharp and vigilant, scanning the dense woods around him. 

Although he believed that he would be fine in the central area of Konoha as long as there was no powerful enemy invading Konoha, he still had to be vigilant. 

The purpose of his coming out this time was to prepare to participate in the alliance meeting between Konoha and Kumogakure. 

It was inappropriate for him not to attend the last Kirigakure meeting as Konoha's advisor. If he does not attend this time, it will be detrimental to his next actions. 

Therefore, attendance is mandatory. 

This was about prestige. 

Danzo walked forward with a stern face, surrounded by five Root Jonins who were protecting him closely. 

This road he had walked for decades had become so unfamiliar to him since some time ago. 

600 million… or 1 billion? 

He wasn't even sure anymore. 

His cold and lonely heart couldn't help but tremble. 

If he can't even trust his best friend, who else can he trust? 

"Hiruzen…"

Before he could finish— 

Suddenly. 

His lonely expression froze. He stopped and stared at his surroundings. 

Not a bird in the sky. 

Not a soul in sight. 

Silence. 

Too silent. 

A silence so deep it made his heart unsettle. 

[Is Konoha no longer safe? What kind of Hokage is Hiruzen, failing to protect Konoha like this?] 

Danzo cursed silently in his mind, his cold gaze sweeping the area. Lowering his voice, he declared sharply: "I've already found you. Come out!" 

But— 

Nothing. 

The surroundings remained eerily calm, not a single sound in response. 

But Danzo and his Root ninja stayed tense, eyes sharp, ready for anything, but not daring to act recklessly. 

Then— 

Danzo hesitated slightly, shifting his left foot back just one step— 

Crack. 

His foot snapped a twig. 

Everyone's eyes narrowed in an instant. 

Damn it! 

As expected— 

"Whoosh, whoosh—" 

Masked figures suddenly appeared among the treetops. 

"Get started!" 

… 

When Hiruzen arrived and saw that Danzo was fine and the surrounding Kumo ninjas had been killed, he heaved a sigh of relief, but then his eyes became serious! 

But Hiruzen's expression quickly darkened. 

These Kumo ninja… 

They didn't come here sincerely to form an alliance?! 

He had treated them with sincerity, yet they harbored ill intent, targeting his dearest friends and closest comrades! 

Didn't they know Danzo was his best friend? 

"You, you! Danzo, this is the second time!" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo, who was not seriously injured. Those Kumo ninjas were really something. The next door was the Root Base. In order to ensure Danzo's safety, he sent a lot of Anbu ninjas here. 

Less than ten Jonin thought they could steal people? 

Ridiculous! 

He had wanted to give Danzo a stern lecture, but seeing his silent, brooding expression, Hiruzen's heart softened. "I've told you before… when you're out, you need to protect yourself better!" 

Just as he finished speaking— 

A figure rushed over in haste. 

"Homura, what is it now?" 

"Hiruzen, Danzo!" Mitokado Homura paused, relieved to see Danzo standing tall despite his wounds. He still carried the proud, solitary air of The Darkness of Ninja. 

Danzo is the Root of Konoha; nothing can happen to him! 

Though… 

He did seem to look a bit lonely. 

But there was no time for such thoughts now. Homura turned to Hiruzen quickly: "Kumogakure has already received the news. They're claiming their ninja were simply out for a bathroom break when they were attacked by Konoha! They're condemning Konoha and demanded..." After a pause, he glanced at Danzo again and lowered his voice, "If you don't hand over the murderer to them, they will refuse to form an alliance with Konoha and will continue to wage war against Konoha! Their stance is very aggressive." 

The words hung heavy in the air. 

Danzo's eyes grew cold. 

Kumo ninjas! 

But right now… he turned to look at Hiruzen. 

Hiruzen… 

After all these years, Danzo knew him inside out. 

If it's for peace… 

However—something unexpected happened. 

Without a shred of hesitation, just as Danzo's heart tightened with worry, Hiruzen stepped forward, throwing an arm around his dear friend. His expression hardened, and with a commanding voice, he declared: "Konoha will not give up anyone in Konoha!" 

The words rang out. 

Strong and resolute! 

Firm and unyielding! 

"This was Kumo's mistake, not Konoha's. I will never give up my best friend today—not now, not ever!" 

In that moment— 

Everyone turned to look at him. 

That lone figure standing under the moonlight. 

Respect filled their hearts. 

The Hero of Konoha.

The Strongest Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen. 

Even Danzo, hugged, was stunned by the gesture, felt a tremor deep within. He glanced sideways at his friend's determined face. 

Perhaps... he really misunderstood his best friend!