Chapter 65: Desperate Danzō...

Sarutobi Hiruzen's decisive break stunned everyone present!

Though Shimura Danzo was indeed utterly deranged, no one had imagined that this Hokage would be so resolute…

Of course, everyone also understood that if he had not chosen this path, Danzo's crimes would inevitably have stained the entire Konoha leadership, impossible to dispel or cut free from…

Akimichi Choza and the others were momentarily rendered speechless.

"…Very well, since the Hokage-sama has spoken, our Akimichi clan will also do our utmost to track down that bastard Danzo's whereabouts, to avenge Torifu-senpai!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Good."

"I'll also notify the entire ninja world, informing the other four great Hidden Villages and various factions, calling for a combined effort to hunt down and eliminate Shimura Danzo!"

Having said so much, everyone else was left with nothing further to vent their anger on. They could only let it rest.

However…

Hatake Kakashi suddenly spoke up: "In that case, I'll lead my own Anbu squad to pursue Shimura Danzo as well…"

"Hokage-sama, you're not going to stop me, are you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his fist, but his face remained perfectly calm.

"Of course not."

"This is precisely the Anbu's duty."

"Kakashi, I'll leave the matter to you."

Kakashi did not respond, not even a word.

Hiruzen's heart was incensed, yet he had no recourse.

Currently, what he wanted most…

Was for Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Chiyu to clash at once, then…

Destroy each other, suffering mutual annihilation!

…

News that Shimura Danzo had defected from the Konoha and become an S-rank rogue ninja shook the entire Konoha Village, and indeed the whole ninja world.

In order to "hunt" Danzo, Hiruzen also made public certain Root intelligence only known to the Hokage, which naturally included those Root safehouses.

But when Hatake Kakashi and others arrived, they found those hideouts completely empty—everyone had vanished.

He had no choice but to regroup with Chiyu, relaying the intelligence he had discovered.

By now, Hatake Kakashi had wholly become Chiyu's loyal follower.

"Danzo's disappeared. Likely he's no longer in the village."

"Finding him won't be easy."

But Chiyu simply shook his head.

"No."

"He'll willingly let me find him."

Kakashi, being a sharp mind, caught on immediately, a light flashing across his gaze.

"So you mean to say…"

"He'll deliberately lure you out, to settle the score and seek revenge?"

"That is quite possible…"

A snide grin appeared on the lips of Aoki and Yamakaze.

"After all, the captain has thoroughly ruined Shimura Danzo, turning him into a hated rogue ninja, a stray dog loathed by all. He must loathe our captain to the bone. There's no way he'll just let it rest."

"Exactly. Even if Captain didn't go after him, Danzo will likely leak some hint or clue in order to draw the captain into a battle."

Kakashi fell silent for a moment.

"Chiyu-sama, if that's the case, you absolutely must be fully prepared."

"Shimura Danzo has always acted from the shadows. If he's choosing to confront you head-on, it means he must feel very certain. Once he shows himself, he'll surely have readied all sorts of cunning traps and ambushes."

"And what's more…"

"There's no knowing how many powerful ninja he may resurrect with Edo Tensei. Even if you're tremendously strong, you can't fight off so many on your own…"

"So, at that time, please allow me to come along."

Chiyu understood his intent. Beyond worry for Chiyu's safety, of course…

He also wished to avenge his father personally!

Kakashi's father, the Konoha White Fang Hatake Sakumo, had become Danzo's puppet. Such disgrace, such enmity—unbearable!

Exchanging glances, Aoki and Yamakaze too could empathize with Kakashi's feelings.

The Konoha White Fang…

A name that once resounded throughout the ninja world…

It was precisely because of that fame that Danzo had set his sights on him…

Aoki's concern also reflected in his tone. "Kakashi's right, Captain. Danzo's gained unknown forbidden techniques, plus an Edo Tensei army of the departed. Not to mention the rest of Root still loyal to him. Such a huge force can't be challenged by you alone, no matter how powerful…"

Immediately Yamakaze added, "Yes! Captain, let us go with you!"

But seeing the three pairs of fervent eyes turned on him, Chiyu firmly shook his head.

"No."

"Why, Captain?"

With cool composure, Chiyu explained, "The Patriarch has taken many of our clansmen to fight the Cloud. The Police Force must protect our entire family. Suddenly following me to fight Danzo would be unwise."

Aoki and Yamakaze were left speechless.

They were aware he was right.

With Patriarch Fugaku absent, if the Police Force left as well, the Uchiha would be left at others' mercy.

"Then what about you, Kakashi…?"

"You think Sarutobi Hiruzen will allow you to chase Danzo?"

Kakashi caught his drift.

"I can do so in a personal capacity. As for Anbu—I know, they answer to the Hokage ultimately…

"Still, I do have some men I trust…"

"But above all…"

He gave a faint smile. "Chiyu-sama, I'm not under your command. You've no authority to forbid me from going."

Chiyu made no objection either way.

Kakashi said, "Then it's settled. I will…

"Settle the score with Danzo personally!"

…

Somewhere in the Land of Fire, in a hidden underground lair,

Shimura Danzo's face had never looked so grim.

The oppressive atmosphere was hellish.

Barely over a dozen men remained at his side, all members of Root. They held their breath, too afraid to speak.

Their sweat dripped upon the floor.

The catastrophe had come so quickly. While Chiyu was wiping out three Root hideouts, Danzo had been in yet another one, quietly training with the forbidden arts gleaned from Orochimaru.

Before he could respond, in just a moment he'd gone from being a prominent authority in the Konoha to a pariah, exiled, wanted by all!

That staggering turn of fortune made Danzo's hatred burn white-hot within him!

"Uchiha Chiyu, I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do!"

"And also…"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

"For so many years, I've done your dirty work in secret. Now just to preserve face, you discard me like a dog?!"

"You two…

"Both deserve death!"

His close confidant, "Terai," spoke softly.

"Danzo-sama, indeed they both deserve death, but our current strength…"

"Root lost many men to Uchiha Chiyu. Some others never escaped—caught either by the Police Force or by the Hokage… er, Sarutobi Hiruzen…

"And now Aburame Tatsuma's captured by Chiyu, while Captain Hinoe has been killed by him as well…"

Danzo snorted coldly. "What's there to fear?!"

"Don't forget, now I'm nothing like I was before…"

In the murky darkness, by the dim torchlight, Danzo gazed at his own arm.

The right arm.

It looked somewhat pale and mismatched with the rest of his body, yet emanated unimaginable vitality, an aura of power that made the air tingle.

Upon that arm, several Sharingan eyeballs were rolling about, scanning the darkness from all sides…

Terai glanced at them, feeling mildly nauseous but not daring to reveal it.

"That's what you obtained from Orochimaru, isn't it…?"

Danzo gave a chilling laugh.

"Indeed!"

"The cells of the God of Shinobi, First Hokage Senju Hashirama; the power of Wood Release; plus…"

"A full five Sharingan eyes!"

~~~

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