Chapter 15: We Misjudged Danzo-sama
"Hokage-sama!"
The anguished cries of the Konoha shinobi filled the air.
Within the Four Violet Flames Formation, Hiruzen's frail body was pierced by the Kusanagi Sword. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, and his vision blurred.
"Old man, just rest easy now."
Orochimaru, standing before him with the Kusanagi Sword impaling his teacher's chest, revealed a fleeting trace of complexity on his otherwise sinister face.
"Old man?" Not "teacher"?
Hiruzen's mind, muddled by the approach of death, suddenly cleared for a moment at those words.
So that's how it is, Orochimaru...
This is how you see me?
He finally understood his most prized student, though understanding did not mean acceptance.
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. The flames will continue to illuminate this village, nurturing the growth of new leaves.
This is the true Will of Fire!
As Hiruzen's frail body collapsed, Orochimaru withdrew the Kusanagi Sword. His gaze swept over the grief-stricken Konoha shinobi below, only to recall the plan he had arranged with Deidara.
It was time to conclude this!
Leaving the barrier of the Four Violet Flames Formation, Orochimaru leapt beside Kakuzu and Hidan. Biting his right thumb, he swiftly formed seals before pressing his hand to the ground.
Boom!
A massive cloud of smoke erupted, revealing Manda, whose colossal size rivaled that of a tailed beast.
Hiss!
Although snakes couldn't express emotions, the malevolent grin on Manda's face was unmistakable. Its eyes gleamed with the sinister joy of a predator spotting its prey.
"Orochimaru, so you've finally made your move against Konoha?"
"This time, I demand a hundred sacrifices!"
Orochimaru, though irritated by Manda's arrogance, had no choice but to rely on the serpent's immense power.
"Fine, Manda. You'll get them."
In the shadows beneath Konoha lay Root, a clandestine organization operating in secret. Even as Konoha faced a dire crisis, Root remained inactive, awaiting the perfect moment under Danzo's command.
Dozens of masked Root operatives knelt on one knee, as motionless as statues, awaiting their leader.
Soft, rhythmic footsteps echoed, accompanied by the tap of a cane. A man with one eye covered by bandages emerged from the darkness.
Danzo tilted his head slightly, gazing at the ceiling of the underground hall as if his sight could pierce through the layers of earth to witness the battle above.
It was time.
After all these years of scheming and sacrifice, the Hokage's seat would finally belong to him!
"Move out!"
With a single command, the masked operatives swiftly followed Danzo to the surface. Surprisingly, the village hadn't suffered extensive damage. Most of the destruction came from Orochimaru's summoned snakes and a handful of Sound ninja.
The real devastation lay near the meeting hall, where the surrounding streets were completely obliterated. Manda's massive form loomed over the battlefield, each movement of its serpentine body carrying the destructive force of a B-rank jutsu.
With Orochimaru personally joining the fray, Konoha's forces were completely on the back foot. Their only hope of turning the tide lay with Guy opening more of the Eight Gates.
As Danzo led his operatives to the battlefield, the Konoha shinobi showed visible disdain.
That old bastard!
Danzo had a terrible reputation in Konoha. Now, during the village's time of crisis, his decision to remain idle had only worsened his image.
"Asuma, don't do anything rash!" Kurenai restrained Asuma, whose bloodshot eyes burned with hatred. His glare at Danzo was nearly as venomous as the one he directed at Orochimaru, the man who had killed his father.
If Root had acted sooner, would Hiruzen have been forced to die alone, without aid?
Danzo, unfazed by the hostility, stopped at the edge of the battlefield and called out in a booming voice.
"Orochimaru!"
"The reinforcements you secretly arranged have been wiped out by Root! Surrender now, your defeat is inevitable!"
What?! Orochimaru had hidden reinforcements?
It dawned on the Konoha shinobi that Root hadn't been idle but was fighting unseen battles in the shadows. Their earlier resentment turned into guilt and admiration.
So this is Root... protecting Konoha silently, seeking neither fame nor recognition. How could we have been so blind?
Orochimaru smirked and played along.
"Danzo! I've already killed the Third Hokage. Do you think I'd be afraid of you?"
"Hmph, deluded fool!"
"Today, I'll finish what Hiruzen started and clean up this mess!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"
A barrage of air blades shot from Danzo's mouth toward Orochimaru atop Manda.
Hiss! Pathetic attack!
Manda moved to deflect the wind with its hardened scales but was abruptly jolted by a sudden force, interrupting its movement.
What's going on? Orochimaru?!
To Manda's astonishment, the slippery Orochimaru, known for his evasiveness, was actually injured by Danzo's wind jutsu. Blood flowed from a wound on his arm.
"Impossible! Just a simple Wind Style?" Orochimaru's face showed genuine shock.
"Ah, I see now," he muttered. "It's infused with an extreme degree of chakra nature transformation. Even my body modifications are useless against it!"
Danzo: "…"
Orochimaru, could you at least try to make it convincing? We haven't even exchanged blows properly, and you're already acting like I've won.
Danzo quickly adjusted.
"Indeed! My body may have aged, but I have never stopped honing my abilities."
"And you, Orochimaru, is this truly the extent of your power? The so-called 'Sannin'—how disappointing!"
Danzo's shameless confidence managed to sell the act.
It's not that Orochimaru is weak. It's that I, Danzo Shimura, am simply too strong!
"Tch! A miscalculation." Orochimaru scowled. "Looks like I'll have to retreat for now. Manda, hold them off!"
Leaving Manda behind, Orochimaru retreated. After all, Manda could unsummon itself in case of danger, buying precious time for his escape.
"Curse that Orochimaru, always making me do his dirty work. This time, I'm demanding an extra hundred sacrifices!" Manda grumbled but fulfilled its duty. Its massive body formed an impenetrable wall before the Konoha forces.
"Everyone, focus on defeating Manda and protecting the village!" Danzo commanded.
"As for Orochimaru and the invaders, leave them to me!"
"Yes, Danzo-sama!"
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