Chapter 29:Danzo Or The Villagers.
"The audience should stay in the auditorium and not run around," Zenkichi said coldly, glancing at the Konoha ninjas in the Hokage Rock Shelter with an emotionless expression.
He then turned his attention to the Nine-Tails, noticing that it was currently being suppressed by the Third Hokage and the others.
After all, the Nine-Tails at this point was not in full form. Even a complete Tailed Beast would struggle against so many Kage-level opponents.
"Hokage-sama, have you forgotten something?"
"As your enemy, I'm still here."
Zenkichi's tone was ice cold. His body transformed into light particles and rose into the sky, reconstituting himself in midair.
Eight-Span Magatama!
Golden light particles formed on Zenkichi's fingertips before firing down continuously toward the Third Hokage and the others.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
The Third Hokage created a tall, thick rock barrier to resist the light blasts, but it had limited effectiveness. The beams rained down from above at a steep angle, and the earth wall couldn't block many of them.
Hiruzen and the others had no choice but to dodge in all directions.
With the pressure lifted, the Nine-Tails had a chance to recover. Without hesitation, it gathered chakra and condensed a purple Tailed Beast Bomb in its mouth.
The Tailed Beast Bomb exploded internally before releasing a devastating energy beam. It destroyed large parts of Konoha, and the shockwave reached the Hokage Rock, partially collapsing the shelter.
"Beautiful!" Zenkichi clapped slowly, smiling in satisfaction.
"Roaaar!"
The Nine-Tails howled as the red chakra cloaking it dispersed, revealing the battered figure of Uzumaki Kushina.
"One minute's up!"
"You helped the Nine-Tails and caused massive destruction to Konoha. I'll never forgive you!" Kushina glared at Zenkichi, gritting her teeth.
"Oh? A threat? Harsh words? I'm terrified," Zenkichi said mockingly, his expression unfazed.
"Did you hesitate when you tried to seal me moments ago?"
"We're already at war. Don't speak as if you're still standing on moral high ground."
Zenkichi scanned the battlefield and noticed Tsunade tending to Namikaze Minato's injuries with medical ninjutsu.
"Zenkichi, don't forget what you said!" Kushina stood between him and Minato, her tone serious.
"Relax."
"I'm a man of my word. I won't do anything to Namikaze Minato again."
"Even if he tries to strike again, I won't go all out on him."
Zenkichi spoke casually, allowing the Third Hokage and others to breathe a sigh of relief.
"But…"
"I only said I'd spare Minato. I never said I'd spare you."
"And those in the shelter behind you… There must be tens of thousands."
"So, tell me—what can you do to protect yourself and them from me?"
Zenkichi's words caused the expressions of the Third Hokage and others to darken.
His body turned into golden light. Countless particles zipped through the air, and in an instant, he appeared next to Shimura Danzo.
"Speed is weight."
"Elder Shimura—"
"Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Zenkichi's leg shimmered with golden light.
Bang!
A powerful kick shattered Danzo's clone into rubble.
"Substitution technique, huh? How scary," Zenkichi drawled mockingly.
In the next instant, he appeared midair once more, reformed from light.
Below him was the real Shimura Danzo, sent flying from the earlier kick.
"The whole of Konoha is within my surveillance range. Where do you think you're going, 'Konoha's Pot King'?"
Zenkichi raised his hand and fired a laser at the approaching Jiraiya, forcing him to retreat.
"Don't worry."
"Konoha still holds many secrets I've yet to uncover. This battle isn't ending anytime soon."
"I'm quite interested in this so-called 'bond' you all keep preaching. Let's see what it's really worth."
Zenkichi's tone was eerily calm, making the Third Hokage and others feel a chill down their spines.
He moved again, appearing beside Danzo and placing one foot on his chest.
Raising his other foot, golden light crossed his leg, preparing to strike Danzo's head.
"Your turn, Hokage-sama."
"Come now, make your divine choice."
"One: Place Danzo's life above all else. Let hundreds of Konoha villagers die for him. I'll spare Danzo and never target him again."
"Two: Sacrifice your old comrade for Konoha. Danzo is one of your own—let him die for the village. I'll let the villagers go and won't harm them."
Zenkichi glanced toward the shelter nearby, speaking with casual menace.
In canon, the Third Hokage was notoriously lenient toward Shimura Danzo.
Danzo interfered in the Uchiha massacre, instructing Itachi to annihilate the clan; attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage, only stopped by Hatake Kakashi; performed unethical human experiments; stole Hashirama's cells; and may have even been involved in the suicide of the White Fang.
Despite all this, Hiruzen had consistently let Danzo off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.
Was Danzo the one he valued most?
Zenkichi wanted to know just how deep that relationship ran—and what Hiruzen would choose when forced to weigh his friend against the village.
Zenkichi stared at the Third Hokage lazily, eyes filled with curiosity.
"How deep does your bond go? Let's find out. Choose wisely—it reflects your true heart."
"Stop dreaming!"
"I am the Third Hokage. I won't compromise with you so easily!"
"I'll protect Konoha—and I'll save Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted and charged toward Zenkichi without hesitation.
"What a pity. Looks like you've been abandoned."
Zenkichi smiled slightly and looked down at Shimura Danzo.
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