Chapter 169: A Change in Circumstances
Chapter 169: A Change in Circumstances
It's often said that if you want to ruin someone, you first lift them high.
When they reach their peak, you let them fall. At that moment, regardless of who they are, it becomes difficult for them to accept the extreme contrast between glory and downfall.
At this moment, Konoha was undergoing a quintessential transition from glory to decline.
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Tonari had wandered the Land of Iron for three days, living as a ronin. During this time, he faced countless challenges from warriors.
For three days, he refrained from using chakra, immersing himself fully in the identity of a swordsman.
Although the time was short, he managed to experience a glimpse of what Hatake Sakumo had once felt.
In those three days of duels, there were wins and losses. Occasionally losing one or two bouts didn't matter, as these matches weren't to the death. On the contrary, they allowed him to learn new sword techniques from others, improving his own skills in the process.
After living as a wandering swordsman for three days, Tonari finally found the famed blacksmith recommended by Danzo.
The blacksmith had largely retired, but owing a favor to Danzo, he agreed to forge a short sword for Tonari. However, Tonari needed to provide the materials and cover the costs.
Having made a small fortune during his time in the Land of Water, Tonari didn't mind the expense. Moreover, he brought with him some metal spheres he had found in the Water Daimyō's hidden compartment, hoping the blacksmith could identify them.
The blacksmith revealed that these spheres were the raw form of chakra-conducting metal. Through special processing and refinement, they could be transformed into precious chakra-conducting materials.
Combining these with the fragments of Tonari's previous broken blade, a highly durable short sword from Root, and rare metals the blacksmith already possessed, the forging process began.
After three days of meticulous crafting, a short sword meeting Tonari's requirements was finally completed.
This sword was not only capable of withstanding his current strength but was also durable enough to grow with him as his power increased.
Additionally, the extensive use of chakra-conducting metal made the sword exceptionally responsive to chakra.
Tonari took great care in naming the weapon, coming up with a rather extravagant title: "Round Dance Flash Type II."
However, the blacksmith immediately vetoed the name, much to Tonari's dismay. Instead, the sword was named "Round Dance Blade", adopting only the first two words of Tonari's suggestion.
The blacksmith, though initially displeased with Tonari's choice, ultimately decided to incorporate the name as a sign of respect for the weapon's future wielder.
The name "Round Dance" came from the half-moon arc of light that appeared when Tonari drew the blade in a swift, horizontal slash. The arc of light lingered in the air for a full second due to the blade's unique properties and Tonari's speed.
Having achieved his goal, Tonari left the Land of Iron with his new sword, heading back to Konoha.
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When he arrived at the village gates, seven days had passed since the mission ended.
The guards at Konoha's entrance were visibly startled to see him returning so leisurely. Their expressions were odd—almost as if they'd seen a ghost.
"Did I... scare you?" Tonari asked with a mix of amusement and confusion.
The guards exchanged glances, then cautiously asked, "Tonari-sama, are you... unharmed?"
"Hm?"
Tonari frowned. "Why would I not be?"
"Well... we heard that Elder Danzo assigned you a mission..."
Tonari froze. Although he had chosen to enter through the main gate because Root's usual entrance was inaccessible, he was surprised that the guards knew about Danzo's mission. Missions assigned by Root were typically confidential.
More importantly, the guards' expressions and words suggested that they believed something had happened to him.
But why? Hadn't he already informed Orochimaru about his situation?
Feeling a growing sense of unease, Tonari said, "We'll talk later. I need to report to the Hokage first."
Without waiting for a reply, he vanished in a flash, heading straight for the Hokage Tower.
As he passed through Konoha's bustling commercial district, Tonari noticed an unusual atmosphere. Groups of villagers gathered in small clusters, engaged in animated discussions.
While it wasn't unusual for people to gossip, the sheer number of groups behaving this way was unsettling.
Something was wrong.
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Just as Tonari crossed the commercial district, his instincts flared.
His hand shot to the Round Dance Blade at his waist, drawing it in one smooth motion.
Clang!
A crisp metallic sound rang out as the tip of a gleaming blade fell to the ground.
In front of him stood five masked shinobi dressed in the attire of Konoha's ANBU. However, Tonari instantly recognized them as members of Root.
The leader glanced at his now-broken weapon, his surprise evident even through the mask's eye slits.
The group surrounded Tonari, their stance wary.
"Tonari-sama, Danzo-sama requests your presence," the leader said in a low voice.
Tonari's eyes narrowed. He didn't sheath his blade but responded coolly, "And if I say I'm reporting to the Hokage first?"
A moment of silence passed.
"Danzo-sama... requests your presence," the leader repeated firmly.
The other four shinobi drew their kunai, ready to act if necessary.
Tonari's tense expression relaxed slightly. He twirled the Round Dance Blade, creating a small, gleaming circle of light before returning it to its sheath.
"Fine. Lead the way."
The Root members didn't lower their guard but escorted Tonari to the underground base.
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Back in the dimly lit Root headquarters, Tonari immediately noticed the diminished chakra presence. It seemed many of Root's operatives had been dispatched elsewhere.
Danzo stood in his usual spot, leaning on his cane. Dressed in his signature white robe, he turned to face Tonari as the latter approached.
His gaze lingered on the sword at Tonari's waist.
"Your new weapon seems excellent," Danzo remarked in his low, gravelly voice.
"Thanks to your recommendation," Tonari replied evenly.
Danzo didn't react to Tonari's tone. His aged, wrinkled face creased into a faint smile.
"I've heard about your mission—about how you completed a highly challenging task despite being under the watch of Iwagakure's Han.
"Unfortunately, the others... didn't make it back. They sacrificed themselves for the sake of Konoha, becoming the nutrients for this great tree to flourish. That is the true purpose of Root."
Tonari's lips tightened at the mention of his comrades' deaths.
He wasn't surprised. Given the overwhelming number of Iwagakure shinobi at the Daimyō's residence—upwards of seventy or eighty, including Han—the mission had always been a suicide run.
Danzo's words about their sacrifice weren't entirely wrong. However, Tonari strongly suspected that Danzo had known about the daunting odds from the start. Sending only four people, including himself, was no different from a death sentence.
"Do you think this mission was a death trap?" Danzo asked, as if reading Tonari's thoughts.
Tonari didn't reply, but his silence was answer enough.
Danzo's thin smile deepened.
"In truth, the mission was straightforward: eliminate the successor to the Daimyō of the Land of Fields—a traitor who colluded with Iwagakure.
"Han and the other Iwagakure shinobi were supposed to be handled by... an external ally."
Tonari's eyes narrowed. He recalled Captain Akatsuka's assurance that a powerful ally would deal with Han. However, that ally never showed up.
Who was this mysterious figure? And why had they failed to appear?
Danzo's next words sent a chill down Tonari's spine.
"The ally... was Hatake Sakumo. The White Fang of Konoha."
(End of Chapter)
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