Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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Thud—

Gojo Kaigetsu knelt unceremoniously on the bed, facing Tsunade, who leaned against the headboard with her arms crossed.

He was… in trouble!

Tsunade, who had maintained Gojo Kaigetsu's face in public, finally unleashed her pent-up fury after returning to her private quarters in the Senju clan compound.

Her face like frost, she held up her old clothes, now tainted with another woman's scent, and demanded, "Gojo Kaigetsu… care to explain why my clothes smell like another woman?"

"What have you been doing while I was away from Konoha?"

"I think we need to look at this dialectically... Firstly, this was just a substitute, providing me with emotional support... Secondly, Tsunade, aren't you curious why Orochimaru threw nine consecutive Sacred Cup?"

Gojo Kaigetsu's interruption successfully diverted Tsunade's attention. She subconsciously asked, "Why?"

"Wasn't it really the Sage of Six Paths and Grandfather's spirits appearing?"

As a seasoned gambler, Tsunade was more than familiar with the Sacred Cups game.

To put it politely, it was an ancient belief, a sacred ritual to summon sages. More plainly… it was a gambling game based on probability!

It was a bet on the probability of consecutive alternating outcomes (one heads, one tails).

Mathematics wasn't Tsunade's forte. She naturally couldn't calculate the probability of nine consecutive Sacred Cups like Orochimaru could, even with pen and paper.

But as an experienced gambler, Tsunade had learned one thing during her long career fleecing unsuspecting sheep: anything she couldn't calculate had an extremely low probability.

Especially something like this… nine consecutive times.

It could almost be summarized as "impossible."

"Could it be… that the divining block made from Grandfather's Wood Release… was rigged?"

"No, I checked it. That kind of trickery can't fool a ninja's eyes."

Tsunade suddenly lunged forward, fiercely grabbing Gojo Kaigetsu's vitals. "Speak! What in the world happened?!"

Hiss—

Why was his Infinity not working?! Someone, help!

Gojo Kaigetsu gasped, feeling his life force draining away.

Indeed, how did he do it?

Gojo Kaigetsu's Blue and Red techniques could not only be used on himself but also on other people or objects, achieving effects similar to Shinra Tensei and Bansho Ten'in.

Perhaps they lacked the raw destructive power of the Rinnegan's abilities… but Gojo Kaigetsu's Six Eyes had their own advantages!

The Six Eyes allowed for extremely precise chakra manipulation. Blue and Red could be applied to minute targets to achieve pre-determined outcomes.

And because of this precision, even a pure Byakugan user might not detect the chakra fluctuations Gojo Kaigetsu employed, let alone an ordinary ninja without such visual prowess.

As for Orochimaru's delusion while unconscious… that was a clever application of Gojo Kaigetsu's Unlimited Void domain expansion.

Through a combination of ninja techniques, he had staged a supernatural spectacle, shattering Orochimaru's conviction.

Such a tactic might be useless against a normal ninja, but for Orochimaru, it was a critical hit.

Orochimaru… was a ninja who defied conventions. He was willing to believe in absurdities like immortality, let alone the possibility of the Sage of Six Paths or Hashirama Senju's will manifesting in the world, which, within the context of the shinobi world, was plausible.

It was a shame the Three Evils weren't present; otherwise, Gojo Kaigetsu would have tried to make Orochimaru burn himself out further.

…

…

A new day dawned, the sun rising as usual.

The people of Konoha suddenly noticed that the village's alert status seemed to have been lifted.

The most obvious sign was the reduced number of patrolling ninjas and the frequency of their patrols. The checks at the village gates were also less thorough.

Meanwhile, both the fate-unknown Advisor Gojo and Tsunade, the long-absent founder of Konoha's medical system reform, appeared at Konoha Hospital simultaneously.

The great and esteemed Gojo Kaigetsu was covered in bandages, practically carried out of the hospital by Tsunade.

Faint traces of blood were still visible near his ears. Despite his severe injuries, he appeared before the public, raising his clenched right fist to the sky and shouting the slogan, "Make Konoha Great Again!"

Countless Konoha villagers who witnessed this scene were moved to tears, involuntarily raising their right fists and chanting "Gojo!" in unison.

News of Gojo Kaigetsu's survival reached the Uchiha clan, leading to several young ninjas awakening their Sharingan.

Merchants, initially hesitant due to concerns about potential political upheaval in Konoha, seemed to be swayed by this awe-inspiring display of fervor, solidifying their resolve to invest in the village.

Furthermore, inspired by the latest issue of "Iki," which featured an article on the "Konoha-Suna Trade Route," they flocked to Konoha's Commerce Bureau, inquiring about storefront bids along the new trade route. With the existing commercial streets of Konoha saturated, expanding into newly developed trade routes seemed a wise choice.

For a time, Konoha's economic development seemed to experience a surge thanks to Gojo Kaigetsu's return.

Shortly after, the Tanzaku Delivery Service, responsible for transporting Kisame Hoshigaki and Samehada, arrived in Konoha.

This unexpected surprise delighted Gojo Kaigetsu, who generously paid Tsunade's delivery fee and even added a substantial bonus.

According to the intel Tsunade had divulged in bed, Kisame Hoshigaki, the Mist ninja, seemed to have undergone a personality change, becoming somewhat… compassionate.

This sparked new possibilities in Gojo Kaigetsu's mind. With another grand gesture, he had Kisame imprisoned in Konoha's secret prison, with no intention of returning him to Kirigakure as a political gesture.

As for Samehada…

Gojo disliked the sword's flamboyant appearance and contemplated having Orochimaru melt it down and reshape it into something more to his liking.

"What shape, though?"

In the underground laboratory, Gojo Kaigetsu stared at the pulsating Samehada through the protective barrier…

"They say, 'Susano'o clad in a great Buddha, two people destroy four nations.' Should I melt Samehada down and forge some equipment for the future Mahoraga inside me?"

…

…

Inside the Konoha Tower Meeting Room

Perhaps to prevent leaks about the plan to blitz Kusagakure, the number of meeting participants was significantly reduced.

Representatives from large clans not absolutely loyal to Konoha were excluded.

Shikaku Nara sat with his arms crossed, his gaze frequently drifting towards Orochimaru, who seemed like a changed man.

Dude… you weren't like this yesterday, were you?

Weren't you vying for the command position of the Kusagakure Blitz Unit? Why were you acting so detached today? Like you've transcended worldly desires?

"Ahem—"

Gojo Kaigetsu, who had rushed to the meeting straight from the hospital, slowly stood up.

Covered in bruises, he coughed lightly. "Tomorrow, we will officially launch a special military operation against Kusagakure. Simultaneously, a statement regarding my assassination attempt will be released."

"At that time, I ask that all village departments coordinate their efforts."

"Prepare to receive the investigation team dispatched by the Daimyo~"

This surprise attack on Kusagakure was a clear declaration to the shinobi world: Konoha was no longer entirely under the Daimyo's control. The Land of Fire's military organization had begun to decouple from the nation.

Regardless of the reasons given, the Daimyo likely wouldn't be easily convinced.

"But… it doesn't matter. Whether the old Daimyo believes it or not, we still need to put on a good show. The financial aid rightfully owed to Konoha must be delivered, not a single Ryo less."

"Otherwise~ Konoha can't guarantee that our neighbor, Iwagakure, won't launch a plundering war against the Land of Fire or something."

Minato's lips twitched subtly.

This was the reply from the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, he had just received before the meeting.

In his reply, Onoki not only expressed strong approval for Gojo Kaigetsu's "Blitz Kusagakure" plan but also subtly hinted at the possibility of deeper cooperation between the two villages – [Strengthening oneself by nurturing an enemy].

Once the Kusagakure blitz was successful, Konoha and Iwagakure would share a border, leaving the nations behind them vulnerable to invasion without a buffer zone.

Thus, the value of the villages to the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth would increase, essentially turning them into border troops. Not providing full pay? Not providing extra pay? Well, then, who knows, bandits from Iwagakure/Konoha might just come knocking~

Of course, the motivations of both parties were different.

Perhaps Onoki simply wanted to extract more funds from the stingy Land of Earth Daimyo to develop his village. As for Gojo Kaigetsu's intentions… well, those were harder to decipher.

In any case, under Gojo Kaigetsu's guidance, the two villages quickly set aside their animosity from the Third Shinobi World War and agreed on two points of cooperation:

Firstly, [Blitz Kusagakure]. Secondly, [Strengthening Oneself by Nurturing an Enemy].

A shinobi world where Konoha rejoiced, Iwagakure rejoiced, and only Kusagakure wept, had been achieved.

"Now, regarding the appointment of the commander for the blitz unit…"

Here it comes!

Despite his mental preparation, Shikaku Nara couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

"After careful deliberation by the Konoha elders and the Hokage, we have decided to appoint Elite Jonin Orochimaru as the commander-in-chief of this blitz mission."

Huh?

Orochimaru?

The unexpected twist left Shikaku stunned. Wasn't it supposed to be Fugaku Uchiha?

He subconsciously glanced at Fugaku, but the Uchiha leader's expression remained unchanged, not a hint of dissatisfaction showing.

'This is absurd… something feels wrong.'

However, what shocked Shikaku even more was yet to come.

The newly appointed Orochimaru stood up. Upon hearing the words "commander-in-chief," his eyes remained devoid of emotion, as calm as if he were listening to something completely unrelated to himself.

His voice was hoarse. "I thank you for the trust and support, but… my body is failing, and my abilities are declining. This is the case now, and it will only worsen in the future. I fear I cannot shoulder such an important responsibility."

"To ensure the successful execution of the village's plan and safeguard Konoha's interests in the shinobi world, I refuse to accept this appointment."

"Oh, is that so~" Gojo Kaigetsu nodded readily. "Orochimaru-senpai, please take care of your health. Then… regarding the commander position, do you have any recommendations?"

Recommendations~

Orochimaru calmly stated, "I believe the current head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha clan head Fugaku Uchiha, is fully capable of serving as commander-in-chief."

"Good! Then Fugaku Uchiha it is!"

"Fugaku Uchiha, step forward!"

Shikaku could barely hear the subsequent appointment ceremony.

What in the world… kind of grand reconciliation was this?

It was as unbelievable as if Huawei had abandoned Kirin and embraced Snapdragon again!

Why, overnight, had Orochimaru, who had been on their conservative side, switched to the enemy camp?

He had heard that Orochimaru met with the Third Hokage yesterday. So, was this the Third Hokage's order? His troops were ready to fight to the death, but why had His Majesty surrendered first?

A wry smile touched Shikaku's lips. He hadn't expected that, after all his meticulous planning, the leader of his own faction would be the first to throw in the towel, completely deflating his morale.

It was like in a fair 5v5 competitive game, the ninja on his team who had farmed the most resources suddenly started feeding the enemy team information. It was incredibly frustrating.

Looking at Orochimaru and Fugaku Uchiha standing opposite each other, Shikaku felt as if he were witnessing the final curtain call of the power struggle between the old and the new, leaving him feeling somewhat listless.

'Forget it, let it be. Fate has its own arrangements…'

Without a moment to mourn the betrayal of the conservative leader, the next development arrived swiftly—

As the appointment ceremony concluded and Orochimaru and Fugaku Uchiha took their seats, Gojo Kaigetsu, with a serious expression, dropped another bombshell:

"Upon investigation, Danzo Shimura has been found to have completely abandoned his ideals and beliefs, never truly loyal to the Will of Fire, and utterly lost the principles of a Konoha ninja. He lacks the understanding of 'One Konoha, one government, one Hokage,' harbors excessive political ambition, and displays despicable political conduct! He resorts to any means to achieve his goals, secretly harming fellow ninjas, violating Konoha's forbidden regulations…"

A long list of accusations poured from Gojo Kaigetsu's mouth, filling the eyes of the clan representatives with fear.

Was the world… truly changing? No mercy shown whatsoever?

Wasn't this a bit too ruthless?

Shikaku subconsciously gaped. On the eve of the Kusagakure blitz, wasn't dropping this bombshell a bit too reckless?

Shouldn't they at least wait until the storm had passed before slowly boiling the frog? Why start with a fiery stir-fry?

"After careful consideration by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, it has been decided to strip Danzo Shimura of all his positions, including Konoha elder, Root leader, and Konoha ambassador to Kirigakure. He is ordered to return to Konoha immediately and submit to an investigation by a special review panel."

"That is all!"

The Third Hokage was aware? So… was everything orchestrated by the Third Hokage behind the scenes?

Understanding dawned on Shikaku's face. If the Third Hokage had approved, or even initiated this, the impact and intensity wouldn't be as terrifying as initially imagined.

At least, it avoided the possibility of a civil war within Konoha.

With the Third Hokage involved, Danzo… former elder Danzo, would definitely return to the village for trial, instead of gathering forces outside and plotting actions detrimental to unity, such as [Operation Clean Slate], [Return to the Third Hokage], or [Danzo's Political Intervention].

'Turbulent times…'

'How did a perfectly good Konoha end up like this?'

'What happened last night? Not just Orochimaru, but even the Third Hokage…'

Such doubts plagued the minds of Shikaku and the other clan representatives. However, these questions would likely remain unanswered, forever recorded in Konoha's history books as unsolved mysteries.

Overnight, the power struggle between Konoha's old and new factions had concluded decisively.

With this series of appointments, it could be said that there would be no more Third Hokage era in Konoha! The Third Hokage would become nothing more than a revered figure etched on the Hokage Rock.

"With Danzo removed from his post, the position of Konoha's ambassador to Kirigakure is now vacant. After deliberation by the Konoha Elder Council…"

"Shikaku Nara, head of the Nara clan, is hereby appointed as the new ambassador to Kirigakure!"

"Eh? Me?"

Shikaku met Gojo Kaigetsu's ambiguous gaze, a chill running down his spine. Was this an attempt to eliminate all opposition?

Was it because he had voiced support for Orochimaru during yesterday's closed-door discussion with the Fourth Hokage? Were they now exiling him to the borderlands?

While Kirigakure was considered a major village, compared to the bustling Konoha, it was a remote and desolate place.

Shikaku wasn't some selfless saint. He had a large family business to consider. Even after retiring from his ninja career, he could still live comfortably as a wealthy man.

Given a choice, he would naturally prefer to remain in Konoha and enjoy his life.

But now, he was being exiled for choosing the wrong side~

Shikaku opened his mouth slightly, but the words of refusal wouldn't come out. He had always been a pessimist. Who knew, perhaps a single "I refuse" would lead to the "Nara Clan Annihilation Night" once the storm subsided.

Gojo Kaigetsu was puzzled by his reaction. Wasn't being dispatched to another village as an ambassador, essentially a feudal lord in Kirigakure, a good thing? Danzo had already established Konoha's influence in Kirigakure; wasn't inheriting that a desirable outcome?

He practically wanted to put his arm around Shikaku and ask, "Nara-senpai, do you want peaches or not?"

Yet, he still looked as if he were about to die!?

Was he, Gojo Kaigetsu, truly such a bad person?

Gojo Kaigetsu's expression darkened. Only because of Shikaku's past generosity with deer antlers and his intelligence did he entrust him with this lucrative position.

And this was how he showed his gratitude?

If given a chance and he failed to seize it, he couldn't blame Gojo-sama for being ruthless. "The appointment is for approximately one year. Once the village selects an ambassador more suited to the… constitution of Kirigakure, you may return, Nara-san."

"That… couldn't be better!" Shikaku quickly agreed, fearing Gojo Kaigetsu might retract his offer.

Gojo Kaigetsu: ?

Sometimes, he truly couldn't comprehend the thought processes of these shinobi world people.

Seeing that all announcements had been made, Minato Namikaze, the CEO of Konoha Corporation, began his concluding remarks:

"That concludes this meeting."

Then, Minato produced a Hokage Order.

Each Hokage Order was crafted from the remnants of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.

It was said that in Konoha, seeing a Hokage Order was akin to seeing the Hokage himself. Holding a Hokage Order was like possessing a master key to Konoha.

It granted access to anywhere and everywhere, bestowing the highest authority within the village. In times when the Hokage was unable to command the village's military forces, the holder of the Hokage Order became the acting Hokage during emergencies.

The order remained valid until a formally appointed acting Hokage was selected.

In Konoha, only Gojo Kaigetsu possessed one.

However, there were different types of Hokage Orders. The one Gojo Kaigetsu possessed had a carving of the Thousand-Armed Buddha on its back.

But if the back of the order depicted a snarling Nine-Tailed Fox… that signified the most urgent military and political command!

As Minato slowly infused his chakra, a fiery red character, "Return," shimmering like lava, appeared on the front of the order.

Its meaning was self-evident – [Return to the village immediately! No exceptions!]

If an ordinary dispatched ninja saw such a Hokage Order, they would likely be paralyzed by fear, their ninja way shattered.

But to deal with a stubborn conservative like Danzo, this might not be enough.

Minato first handed the order to Kakashi, who was waiting outside. Kakashi quickly passed it to an ANBU ninja specializing in messenger hawks.

The hawk, carrying the Hokage Order, flapped its wings and soared towards Kirigakure.

"One Hokage Order is not enough."

Minato declared solemnly, clapping his hands. Three more Hokage Orders, crafted from Wood Release, appeared on the meeting table.

All four Hokage Orders were present.

Shikaku was astonished. As expected, even the Third Hokage's order…

Almost without pause, Minato, like an ox plowing a field, continuously infused his chakra into the orders.

[Return], [Return], [Return]…

Kakashi continued to act as a relay, releasing one messenger hawk after another.

Four consecutive Hokage Orders were dispatched.

The clan representatives present couldn't help but gasp…

Imagine being in Danzo's shoes.

Receiving a single Hokage Order, he could easily use the excuse of "A shinobi on a mission outside the village is not bound by the Hokage's orders" to refuse compliance. Upon returning to the village, his status would likely protect him from severe punishment.

But four consecutive Hokage Orders…

To still use the excuse of being "on a mission" to refuse returning would be naive. He would be branded a missing-nin and hunted down.

Considering Danzo Shimura's personal conduct and the things he might have done in Kirigakure to provoke the locals… once Konoha issued a missing-nin pursuit order, Danzo would face the combined forces of two villages.

Unless he was completely insane… the wisest choice would be to return to the village.

"Praise Konoha!"

As the meeting concluded, the representatives rose to their feet, chanting the slogan in unison.

"Praise Konoha!"

…

…

Danzo Shimura, currently enjoying his life as a five-star feudal lord in Kirigakure, had been quite content lately.

When he first arrived in Kirigakure, he harbored resentment. After all, who would willingly retreat to the remote and desolate Kirigakure as a defeated underdog?

But over time, Danzo had come to terms with it.

Not only had he resolved his inner conflict, but he had even found a certain enjoyment in his situation.

Here, there was no infernal political rival like Gojo Kaigetsu to constantly oppose him. He could freely establish Root bases on this small island nation.

Unfettered, Danzo unleashed his true self. Root's roots had burrowed deep into the Land of Water, secretly recruiting dozens of talented youngsters as Root reserves.

Whether they possessed darkness in their hearts or not, after a few days of Root training, even those without darkness would surely awaken it.

If not for the Mizukage's constant vigilance, Danzo would have attempted to extend his reach towards Kirigakure's bloodline limit clans.

Simultaneously, Danzo, like a leech, was steadily extracting considerable wealth from Kirigakure. Besides the mandatory portion submitted to the village, there was ample cash to fuel Root's unbridled growth.

Root was developing even faster here than in Konoha, giving Danzo a long-lost sense of exhilaration!

There were no true losers in struggles; there was only strategic retreat to avoid Gojo Kaigetsu's sharp edge, to a land beyond his reach, where one could freely unleash their talents and amass power.

Let that Gojo Kaigetsu wallow in Konoha's prosperity! Let the village's affluence dull his ninja spirit!

One day, he would return to Konoha with the political achievements of Root in Kirigakure and reclaim everything that belonged to him!

Knock knock—

Just then, Torune Aburame respectfully approached Danzo, carrying a pure white hawk.

"Danzo-sama, a message from the village."

"Hmm?"

Danzo, who was enjoying his tea, paused. "It's not time for the scheduled communication with the Konoha Root base, is it?"

Despite being in Kirigakure, Danzo had left behind a group of Root ninjas in Konoha to regularly report on village affairs.

"No… it's not from Root. It's from ANBU."

"ANBU?"

Danzo's confusion deepened.

Usually, communication between him and the village was handled by designated personnel. ANBU represented the Hokage's will.

A message from ANBU meant that the Hokage wanted to communicate with him directly.

'What could it be?'

With a belly full of questions, Danzo accepted the hawk. He casually formed a hand seal, and the hawk exploded in a puff of white smoke, revealing the item it carried.

This was…

Upon seeing the object, Danzo's pupils constricted, and he straightened up involuntarily.

A Hokage Order!

A relic of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release, still brimming with vitality even after fifty years.

Danzo held the Hokage Order in his hand, feeling a burning sensation. The shimmering crimson "Return" deeply shook him.

'Minato Namikaze… is ordering me back to the village?'

Torune Aburame also saw the Hokage Order in Danzo's hand, his voice laced with uncertainty. "A Hokage Order?! How… Did the Fourth Hokage discover something?"

"Danzo-sama, what should we do?"

"Hmph!"

He couldn't lose his composure as the leader of Root in front of his most loyal subordinate. Despite his inner turmoil, Danzo forced himself to remain calm, setting the Hokage Order aside.

Crossing his arms, he snorted. "Torune, you still have much to learn."

"You don't understand the principle of 'A shinobi on a mission outside the village is not bound by the Hokage's orders.'"

Danzo continued, either bolstering his own confidence or reassuring his subordinate, or perhaps both.

"The local factions in Kirigakure are deeply entrenched, the political situation is volatile, and the people are unruly and weak. This is the perfect opportunity for Root to flourish. I absolutely cannot abandon Root's promising situation in Kirigakure and return to the village!"

"The Fourth Hokage, secluded in his tower, doesn't understand the complexities of the shinobi world. He must have listened to the slander of those around him to issue such an unreasonable order."

"I… refuse to accept it! Once Root's situation in Kirigakure stabilizes, I will naturally return and submit my report!"

So that was it!

Admiration shone in Torune Aburame's eyes behind his dark glasses. "A brilliant insight, sir!"

"Then, we shall temporarily keep this Hokage Order and ignore it."

"Naturally! The Fourth Hokage is a foolish boy. If Hiruzen were in charge, he would understand me."

Danzo indulged in his usual reminiscence of past glories, assuming the unexpected Hokage Order incident was over. However…

"B-Bad news, Danzo-sama!"

"What now?!"

A nameless fire ignited within Danzo. He turned and berated the unknown subordinate who had barged in. "Can't you see I'm talking to Torune? What's the matter? Why are you panicking?"

"A-A hawk, another hawk has arrived." The subordinate stammered, approaching and presenting the hawk from Konoha.

"What? Another one?"

Danzo took the hawk in astonishment, clapping his hands to disperse it into smoke. Another ancient Hokage Order lay within!

Upon seeing the characters on it, Danzo's heart sank. "This is Lord Hashirama's Hokage Order…"

"This is… the second order." Torune was equally bewildered. Two consecutive Hokage Orders? Such an urgent command had never been issued since the founding of Konoha.

Torune hesitated.

It was as if the village had anticipated Danzo's reaction, knowing he would find a reason to disobey, and thus sent a second Hokage Order to emphasize the severity of the situation.

What could have happened in the village that was so urgent as to demand Danzo's immediate return?

"Hah… Absurd. Not content with using his own Hokage Order, he even used Lord Hashirama's."

"The Fourth Hokage's actions violate tradition! When I return to the village, I will reprimand him personally!"

Danzo forced himself to look away, dismissing Hashirama's Hokage Order, clearly still intending to disobey.

"D-Danzo-sama, the hawk…"

Whoosh—

Without a word, Danzo flung a kunai, killing the hawk in his subordinate's arms.

The hawk's blood stained Tobirama Senju's Hokage Order.

Danzo's face darkened to its deepest shade. "Even Sensei's Hokage Order has been brought out?"

"Minato Namikaze… what is he thinking?"

A bad premonition arose in Danzo's heart. Such forceful summoning of an elder on a mission outside the village didn't suggest an urgent matter to discuss… Instead, it seemed that "Danzo Shimura's return to the village" itself was the urgent matter.

Damn it, he had become the target.

"Haa…" Danzo's eyes flickered.

A sense of betrayal washed over him. He consoled himself, "No, even if Minato Namikaze doesn't understand the sacrifices I've made for Konoha, Hiruzen always has."

"His Hokage Order hasn't appeared. Even if all of Konoha abandons me, at least Hiruzen will remain my steadfast support."

"D-Danzo…"

"Silence!"

Danzo could no longer remain seated. He shot up from his chair, swiftly retrieving Hiruzen's Hokage Order from the dead hawk…

This shattered Danzo's ninja way.

He stumbled back to his seat, his legs weak.

He murmured in disbelief, "How could this be? How could this happen?"

"Hiruzen, how could Hiruzen betray me?"

Images of Hiruzen Sarutobi flashed through Danzo's mind. He couldn't accept that his closest friend of decades, after just a month apart, had abandoned him.

Even the fastest degenerates didn't fall this quickly!

Danzo's eyes reddened, a frantic edge to his demeanor.

Having spent half his life struggling against Hiruzen Sarutobi and a couple of years against Minato, he now understood his predicament as the darkness of the shinobi world.

The light of Konoha… was too dazzling! It had eradicated all shadows where darkness could hide!

Under the radiant sun, only the new era's Will of Fire remained!

Minato Namikaze, Gojo Kaigetsu… even his closest friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi, were all forcing him, Danzo Shimura, back to the village to be eliminated!

Countless possibilities flooded Danzo's mind.

Upon returning to the village, the best he could hope for was an investigation by ANBU. The worst… was Hiruzen's staff, Minato's Rasengan, and Fugaku's Sharingan.

What if he didn't return? What if he remained here, gathering strength to launch [Operation Clean Slate]?

A formidable dilemma confronted Danzo Shimura—

If he defied four Hokage Orders, the highest commands from Konoha's administrative body… he would undoubtedly be branded a missing-nin, facing a joint pursuit by Konoha and Kirigakure!

Thinking about how much he had exploited the Land of Water and Kirigakure these past months, Danzo himself felt a shiver of fear.

While the Root he currently commanded thrived in the Land of Water, once labeled a missing-nin… Root would lose its legitimacy.

Even if its size increased tenfold, even if it possessed the strength to rival Konoha or Kirigakure's official military forces on the surface, resistance would be futile.

A village's strength lay not only in its military prowess but also in its logistical capabilities.

Without legitimacy, Kirigakure, allied with Konoha, wouldn't offer him any assistance. He would be trapped in Kirigakure, facing the combined might of two great villages with no escape.

Soldier Pills, shuriken, kunai, explosive tags, reserve ninjas… these resources were finite. Without a mature village logistical and ninja training system, these supplies couldn't be sustained long-term.

Once they were depleted…

Root, lacking the power to deliver a decisive blow, would inevitably perish.

Or… should he lead Root in a mass defection to Kumogakure, Konoha's adversary?

"Hmph…!"

Danzo's trembling hand suddenly steadied. "Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi… don't underestimate my ninja way! I would rather die in Konoha than become a traitor."

"Danzo-sama, what should we do?"

"Sigh…"

"All my efforts over the past month have been undone in a single day."

"Since they've forced me to this point, I won't let them underestimate my ninja way!"

"Pack up. We're returning to the village!"

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