Chapter 30:Please Me, And Maybe I'd Let You Live.

Danzo Shimura's eyes flickered, his mood a mixture of frustration and disquiet.

To be honest, if he and Sarutobi Hiruzen had switched places, he wouldn't have hesitated to abandon Hiruzen. He might've even been glad—the greatest obstacle standing in the way of his Hokage ambitions, gone.

But people are selfish, after all.

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave up on him in a tactful and roundabout way, and that stung. Deeply.

"Here you go!"

Zenkichi smiled faintly, grabbed Shimura Danzo, and casually hurled him toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Danzo!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen called out in surprise.

Truth be told, he had already prepared himself for the worst. He thought Zenkichi would kill Danzo the moment he got close—he had braced himself for it.

But to his surprise, Zenkichi let Danzo go that easily.

Danzo's expression twisted in conflict as he looked at Hiruzen. Somehow, despite the relief in Hiruzen's face, Danzo could still see the glimmer of disappointment behind it.

"Don't be careless!"

A greasy voice echoed as a golden flash burst forth. A thick golden laser pierced through Danzo's arm.

With his advanced Observation Haki, Zenkichi could sense every meridian, bone, and muscle within Danzo's body.

The laser shattered bone and seared through vessels and nerves with scorching heat.

"Some people are born for certain things."

"Don't underestimate yourself, Danzo."

"If anyone was destined to tear Konoha apart, it's you."

Zenkichi chuckled internally and watched indifferently as Hiruzen dragged Danzo aside.

"Bastard!"

Jiraiya and Uzumaki Kushina leapt into action, sealing jutsu formations flaring to life from both sides.

"It's useless!"

"Failure after failure—how long until you learn?"

Zenkichi spoke lazily, his body dissolving into golden light particles, then soaring into the sky to hover above.

"Hmm~ It seems you don't learn at all. But I can't blame you—after all, you have no means to deal with me."

Zenkichi's gaze swept over Jiraiya and Orochimaru. The intensity of his stare caused their hearts to clench, their stances turning defensive.

Eight-Span Magatama!

Golden light flashed in his hands. Dense clusters of light bullets surged and rained down toward Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were within range too, but this time, they didn't dodge.

Having been caught off guard before, they had already come up with a strategy to deal with the Eight-Span Magatama.

"Earth Style—Earth Dome Prison!"

The ground trembled. A sturdy rock dome rose up like a fortress, shielding the Third Hokage and others as the light bullets pounded it with roaring force.

"Earth Style? Impressive defense."

Zenkichi commented offhandedly, then unleashed an even greater barrage. The intensified assault shattered the earthen structure below.

The Third Hokage and the others were once again forced to scatter, desperately avoiding the golden bombardment.

"You let your guard down!"

A faint voice whispered near Jiraiya, making his expression freeze.

Suddenly, Zenkichi appeared at his side midair, arms folded. Before Jiraiya could react, Zenkichi spun, sending him flying with a sideways kick.

"You bastard…"

Jiraiya, one hand already forming seals, lunged. But Zenkichi dissolved into light once more and reappeared in the sky above.

He stomped downward, golden light gathering around his heel.

With a sharp kick, he fired a golden energy beam that slammed into the ground next to Jiraiya, triggering a massive explosion. The shockwave blasted Jiraiya off his feet.

"Zenkichi, what are you trying to do?!"

The Third Hokage shouted in fury upon seeing Jiraiya struck down.

"Don't panic. This is only number three."

Zenkichi stood with one foot planted on Jiraiya's back, smirking at the approaching Sarutobi and others.

"You prepared five different assassination strategies to kill me—did I complain?"

"Instead of wasting time being angry, maybe you should focus on solving my multiple-choice questions."

"Hokage-sama, it's your turn for a divine decision."

"To show my respect, I'll help test how strong your bonds really are!"

Zenkichi clasped his hands together. Golden light flared between them.

As he pulled his hands apart, a massive golden sword formed from pure energy.

"Sword of Totsuka!"

The glowing blade shimmered ominously, aimed directly at the fallen Jiraiya.

"Hokage-sama, time for a god-level choice!"

"Option One: Kill Orochimaru. Jiraiya survives, your student bond deepens."

"Option Two: Spare Orochimaru, the genius of Konoha. Let Jiraiya die."

Zenkichi stared down at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a smile. He was ready to unravel the very foundations of Konoha, one bond at a time.

Sarutobi clenched his fists. His voice was low and grim.

"Your request is absurd… You're just mocking us."

Zenkichi scratched his chin and nodded. "You're not wrong. Then how about this—new rule."

"You must attack Orochimaru. One minute."

"With the intent to kill."

"If I sense you've hesitated—or your strike lacks killing intent…"

"Slash!"

Without warning, Zenkichi swung the Totsuka Sword, severing one of Jiraiya's arms in a golden flash.

"You…"

Sarutobi's eyes widened in fury and disbelief.

"Oops. Sorry, my bad."

"Jiraiya looked like he was about to form a hand seal. I had to remind him not to."

Zenkichi's voice was casual as he glanced down at the injured Jiraiya.

"You scum…"

Jiraiya shouted in pain and fury.

"Zenkichi of Kirigakure, if you have the guts—just kill me! Face me in battle! What good is this cheap trickery?!"

Zenkichi raised an eyebrow in mild amusement.

"Battle?"

"To me, this isn't a battle—it's a scheme, an ambush, a stage. But never a true fight."

"Against me, you're helpless. You call this chaos a fight? Don't kid yourself."

"This is penance. This is you paying the price."

"Please me enough… and maybe I'll let you live."

His tone was flat, uncaring.

If he hadn't held back—Konoha would have been erased from the shinobi world that very day.

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