Chapter 87: Stirring Up Trouble! Danzo’s About to Be Left With Nothing!
"It seems you've truly fallen into darkness!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, dressed in his Hokage robes, glared at the bodies of the fallen Konoha ninjas, his face filled with rage. "You've committed an unforgivable crime. Stand down!"
"Or else…"
The Third Hokage didn't finish his sentence, but his cold gaze said it all. His eyes held a clear and uncompromising warning: if Danzo refused to surrender, Sarutobi would take matters into his own hands to end this chaos.
Beside him stood a group of powerful allies, each radiating a strong aura: the ANBU Deputy Commander, the Jonin Commander Nara Shikaku, and the unmistakable white-haired Jiraiya.
With over a dozen elite Jonin and ANBU members in attendance, this small force was enough to crush an entire battalion on the battlefield.
Seeing the reinforcements, Danzo's face turned grim.
Sarutobi...and even Jiraiya were here!
The moment had passed.
That cursed Nohara Kazuya had slipped through his fingers yet again!
Danzo had known that moving so many Root members would eventually attract the attention of the village. He'd simply hoped to finish off the freed Konoha ninjas—or kill Kazuya himself—before Sarutobi caught wind.
Too bad...
The plan failed again!
So frustrating!
Danzo Shimura clenched his teeth in anger. If it hadn't been for Kazuya Nohara and his terrifying Wind Release jutsu, his plan would have succeeded!
As for trying again…
Danzo didn't have the courage.
Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Kazuya Nohara…
With those three around, they could kill him a hundred times over!
Just then, as Danzo was about to admit defeat and surrender, Jiraiya, who was standing on a tree branch, laughed loudly and said, "Kazuya! Don't worry; the renowned White-Haired Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya, has arrived to save the day!"
"I…"
"…am completely in control of the situation!"
"Everyone can relax!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiraiya struck a bizarre pose from his perch on the branch.
However—
As if it were the choice of some Stone Gate of Fate, Jiraiya's left foot slipped, and he tumbled from the tree, about ten meters high, landing headfirst.
Boom!
Dust billowed as he hit the ground, leaving a small crater.
Kazuya: "…"
Shisui Uchiha: "…"
Danzo Shimura: "…"
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"
The assembled shinobi were all left speechless, expressions deadpan.
"Cough, cough!"
"Cough cough cough…" Jiraiya climbed out of the hole, waving the dust away. Embarrassed, he laughed, "My bad, hahaha! Guess I drank a bit too much last night and I'm still not fully awake!"
"Hahahahaha…"
With that, Jiraiya laughed heartily, acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. Perhaps his goofiness helped diffuse some of the intense atmosphere, easing the tension considerably.
At least, the Third Hokage's previously furious expression softened, adding a touch of exasperated fondness for his student's antics.
Under his mask, Kazuya's expression turned a bit more complex.
Is Jiraiya foolish?
No way!
Those who thought the Toad Sage was a simpleton probably had grass growing over their graves already!
This…
This is how Jiraiya expresses his love for the village!
Everyone here, whether a Root ninja or otherwise, was a Konoha shinobi.
If they started fighting, it would only hurt the village.
So, seeing the atmosphere turning hostile, Jiraiya used his ridiculous antics to lighten things up.
Better he made a fool of himself than let people lose their lives.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage of this village. I don't want to have to say this again."
Finally, the Third Hokage spoke up.
After a long silence, Danzo finally raised his hand, reluctantly ordering, "Lay down your weapons. Do not disrespect the Hokage."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
The Root shinobi obeyed, dropping their weapons.
Clink! Clink!
The clearing was suddenly littered with kunai and short swords.
"Danzo's done for…"
A faint smile appeared on Kazuya's face.
The Third Hokage's earlier pleas hadn't worked on Danzo's men, but now that Danzo spoke, his men immediately surrendered. It was a show of power.
But…
If something were to happen down the line, who would these Root shinobi truly follow—Danzo or the Third Hokage?
Kazuya smirked.
Has Danzo gotten so used to the Hokage's leniency that he's lost his political sensitivity?
Does he remember how the Cloud Village's leader met his end?
"Elder Danzo…"
Kazuya commented dryly, "Your men are quite the disciplined elite."
"Hmph!"
Danzo scoffed, pride flashing in his eyes. "My orders are absolute. My men would sacrifice their lives without hesitation if I commanded it."
"Incredible!"
Kazuya didn't say any more but glanced around.
Sure enough, the Third Hokage's face was darkening by the second.
Tch, tch.
No matter what the order is, even to give their lives, they would obey?
Today, they dared to attack the Deputy Head of the Anbu, tomorrow they might eliminate the Konoha Council, and before long, they could think it's perfectly fine to kill the Hokage himself.
Not like it hasn't been done before!
"Danzo Shimura…"
The Third Hokage's eyes twitched several times before he finally gathered his resolve. "As Hokage, I hereby announce that from today onward, Danzo Shimura is relieved of his position as Hokage's Advisor."
After a lengthy pause, the Third Hokage added, "Danzo, return to the village with me to face the village's judgment."
"Fine."
Danzo's expression was full of reluctance, but he nodded stiffly.
No choice.
He was outmatched; he'd simply lost.
Soon enough, a squad of Anbu arrived to escort the disarmed Root shinobi back to the village. With crimes like attacking fellow shinobi and attempting to assassinate the Anbu Head, Danzo was in deep trouble.
"The position of Hokage's Advisor…"
"This is only the beginning!"
Kazuya saw through the Third Hokage's hesitation. If Danzo hadn't brought so many men, risking a catastrophic conflict, the punishment might have been more severe.
Most likely, this was the final straw, the last push to completely strip Danzo of his power!
In the past, the Third Hokage had tolerated Danzo's defiance of authority, partly out of sentiment and partly because Konoha was short on capable people.
If the Fourth Hokage had been alive, Danzo's schemes would have been dealt with long ago.
But now…
The Third Hokage had a better choice.
That choice was Kazuya!
He had a solid basis to act against Danzo now!
Of course…
This was only Kazuya's speculation, but he'd soon find out back in the village if he was right.
"You…"
At this point, Jiraiya approached, a mix of admiration and awe in his voice. "It's been a while since I've seen you, and you've only gotten more terrifying!"
Ding!
[You picked up 100 Chakra points]
Ding!
[You picked up 100 Chakra points]
Ding!
[You picked up 200 Combat Experience points]
What mediocre loot…
"Jiraiya-sensei…"
Kazuya punched Jiraiya lightly in the chest. "Good to see you again, still as dashing and stylish as ever!"
Boom!
A minor burst of strength!
Boom!
With that, Jiraiya was sent flying by a single punch.
Ding!
[Youhave collected 800 Chakra points]
Ding!
[You have collected 600 Chakra points]
Ding!
[You have collected 300 Combat Experience points]
[You have collected 400 points of Chakra]
…
A brilliant golden light fell from Jiraiya's body.
Underneath the mask,
Kazuya's face revealed a satisfied smile.
Tsk tsk!
The quality of this golden light is worthy of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Three of Konoha!
...