Chapter 203: Seal of Reconciliation

"Monkey."

"I've always hated that look on your face."

Shimura Danzo slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, intending to pierce the other person: "It is I who would protect the village at any cost, while it is you who always compromises the village's interests for the sake of enemy village, yet you still have the audacity to make such grandiose claims..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not concerned about Shimura Danzo's denigration, and he retorted coldly: "You have never been about protecting the village at any cost; it's only for your own desires and power that you would go to such lengths, even harming our own comrades in the village!"

"It's for the sake of Konoha!" Shimura Danzo snorted angrily, and with his mouth pursed, he spat out a breath as sharp as bullets: "Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"

As Danzo's longtime friend, Hiruzen knew him well; even before Danzo could pucker his lips completely, Hiruzen had already anticipated his move and skillfully evaded it in advance!

"Danzo!"

"Reflect on your actions!"

"Are you truly doing this for Konoha?"

Hiruzen wanted to tear off Danzo's mask: "All this time, you've been secretly accumulating power, demanding support from major ninja clans under the pretense of acting for Konoha, while stealthily assassinating those within the village who oppose you..."

"You monkey, what makes you any different!" Danzo coldly stared at Hiruzen, bluntly exposing his hypocrisy: "In the name of so-called peace, you're willing to sacrifice fellow villagers, forcing them to commit suicide to beg for peace from enemy village. What difference is there between us?"

Danzo looked at Hiruzen and scoffed relentlessly: "Back then, everyone knew that Cloud Village wanted the Kekkei Genkai of Konoha, yet you weakly forced the leader of the Hyuga clan to commit suicide as a so-called sacrifice for peace..."

"That was for the peace within the village!"

Hiruzen believed that Danzo had forgotten the circumstances back then!

At that time, Konoha was troubled from within and without; Namikaze Minato had just been sacrificed, and the Uchiha clan was looming threateningly. What else could be done but to sacrifice the Hyuga clan?

"It's always about peace!"

Danzo spread his hands wide and cursed: "For the peace you talk about, for the so-called reduction of unnecessary sacrifices, how many people did Konoha sacrifice while you groveled to the enemy? If not for me, how many more would Konoha have sacrificed..."

Danzo watched Hiruzen and cursed with relish: "Although you want to wield power, you still stubbornly maintain the facade of the Hokage, and once Konoha has new power, you keep it in your hands, letting them sacrifice for your weak notion of peace..."

"Now you see the cost of peace!"

Danzo pointed out towards the Mist Ninja being taken away outside the Four Red Yang Formation, coldly saying: "Originally, I told you to hand over the Fourth Mizukage Yagura to me for handling, to completely suppress Mist Village, but you insisted on negotiating with the Mist. Now do you see the cost of peace?"

"This is you colluding with Mist..."

Hiruzen still wanted to shift the blame onto Danzo.

However, Danzo no longer shouldered the blame and pointed out the facts without regard to Hiruzen's accusations: "Do you think I am colluding with the Mist? Everyone in Mist has long been prepared to go to war with Konoha..."

"..."

Hiruzen was at a loss for words.

If possible, Hiruzen wanted to explain that it was because of Akihara Kagura, who kidnapped the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, but now was not the right time.

Just as Hiruzen understood Danzo, Danzo also knew his old friend very well: "Are you trying to say, this is because Kagura's capture of the Fourth Mizukage Yagura nearly broke Mist Village, which led to the crisis of war?"

"..."

Hiruzen remained silent.

Danzo seemed somewhat helplessly shaking his head: "You always impose your will on others, gradually turning some murderous wolves into a flock of sheep at the mercy of others, still believing this is the legacy of the First Hokage..."

"Have you forgotten..."

"Our teacher was the Second Hokage, Tobirama!"

Danzo stared at Hiruzen, coldly reminding him: "Teacher Tobirama would never think of betraying Konoha's interests to negotiate peace with other ninja villages. You're just hiding behind the First Hokage's pursuit of peace to cover your cowardice..."

Danzo has long been dissatisfied with Hiruzen's policies!

Ever since, Danzo has been a hardliner, whether dealing with external or internal matters, preferring a strong stance rather than opting for the so-called peace like Hiruzen, which affects the entire atmosphere of Konoha.

Under the leadership of Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, Konoha's ninjas actually believed that sacrificing the interests of the village and even its ninjas in exchange for the enemy's willingness to negotiate peace was justifiable!

The villagers of Konoha actually believed that peace could be negotiated!

Since ancient times, there has been no peace negotiated through talks; peace has always been fought for, relying on the blood and sacrifices of Konoha's ninjas on the front lines!

However...

Many people naively thought that peace could be negotiated, not realizing that a peace bought at the price of humiliation is a disgrace, a result of Hiruzen's nearly forty years of governance in Konoha!

Outside the Four Red Yang Formation.

Akihara Kagura stood outside, watching the heated argument between the two.

"They're really going at it…"

Hatake Kakashi stood beside Akihara Kagura, feeling the battle and argument raging between the two elders, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, and couldn't help but comment subconsciously.

"Let them argue."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, unconcerned about the fierce argument and battle inside: "Both of them are old, how long can they keep arguing?"

"..."

Kakashi didn't know what to say next; he was more curious about another matter and asked with a furrowed brow, "Kagura... don't you want to become Hokage?"

"Do you think I still have a chance to become Hokage?"

Kagura's lips curled into a self-mocking smile, continuing, "The Third Hokage publicly stated in front of everyone that I am not suitable to be Hokage..."

To be honest,

Kagura believed there was little benefit for him to become the Hokage.

What if he did become Hokage, not only losing a stable position but also if other esteemed predecessors like the First and Second Hokage were dismissed, then what?

"Actually, you are the one who should really be Hokage."

Kakashi gazed at Kagura; he strongly agreed with Kagura becoming Hokage because only Kakashi knew that Kagura was kind to the weak and his own people.

Once Kagura became Hokage, he would definitely protect the villagers who respect and admire the Hokage, even though those villagers only admire the person sitting in the Hokage's position.

"No one will acknowledge me."

Kagura was very aware of this.

"That's because they don't understand you!"

Kakashi felt that Kagura was quite unaware of his own value.

However…

Kakashi couldn't say much more.

Because if Kagura couldn't become Hokage, then among the Sannin of Konoha, Jiraiya becoming Hokage would be the same; Jiraiya was Kagura's teacher and certainly understood Kagura well, and he would surely hand over the position of Hokage to Kagura in the future.

"The old ones are fighting above…"

"The young ones are fighting below…"

Kakashi glanced at the fierce battle and shouting of Hiruzen and Danzo on the high platform, then looked down at the examination hall where Temari and Aburame Shino seemed to be playing like children: "Today's Chunin Exams are really lively…"

"..."

Kagura didn't say anything.

Because Kagura knew that today's excitement was just beginning.

On the spectator stand, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was enjoying the show very much, watching the battle between Hiruzen and Danzo with increasing pleasure.

Not just him.

The ninjas from the Sand Village were also enjoying the view.

Even the fact that Temari was losing to Aburame Shino didn't bother them.

Originally, Temari might have had a chance to win; her Wind Release was actually quite effective against Aburame Shino's bugs, as long as she was careful not to get hurt by them.

However…

Temari was somewhat distracted.

Perhaps it was the battle on the high platform that attracted her, or perhaps it was because she was still affected by the battle with Shikamaru; she didn't react in time when using her Wind Release ninjutsu, exposing a flaw that Aburame Shino exploited with his bugs.

"Aburame Shino wins."

Genma Shiranui announced Aburame Shino's victory, continuing to announce the start of the next match: "Next up, Uzumaki Naruto versus Karin."

This would be a battle of the Uzumaki clan.

Uzumaki Naruto had not expected to fight Karin, although he was still ambitious, even thinking he could rely on the Nine-Tails chakra inside him to fight…

But…

In his eagerness to fight, Naruto could only use the chakra of one tail and was not able to compete against Karin, who was a perfect counter to a Jinchuriki.

Moreover…

Naruto wasn't very keen on fighting Karin.

Naruto simply used his special technique, summoning hundreds of shadow clones to surround Karin, but Karin easily dealt with them.

The battle on the high platform continued.

Shimura Danzo waved his sword and pressed forward!

Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped back, quickly forming hand seals, and summoned his own summoning beast: "Ninjutsu: Summoning Jutsu!"

A mighty ape appeared on the battlefield, looking at the enemy, somewhat dazed: "Fighting with Danzo again? Haven't you guys sparred in almost forty years? You're nearly seventy years old and starting a ninja spar like children again?"

This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's summoning beast, the king of the ape tribe, Enma, also Hiruzen's powerful ally in battle and a good friend!

"Enma!"

Hiruzen raised his hand and spoke solemnly: "Danzo is a rogue ninja from the village; I need you to help me kill him!"

"Is that so..."

Enma seemed to realize.

However, Enma quickly reacted, leaping into Hiruzen's hand and transforming into a golden staff, blocking Danzo's ninjato, even smashing the sharp blade directly!

"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"

Danzo opened his mouth and expelled a Wind Release ninjutsu, reapplying a wind-edged blade to his broken ninjato, charging at Hiruzen again!

But this time…

Danzo no longer had the advantage with his sword!

Hiruzen raised the golden staff, directly knocking Danzo out, leaping high into the air, swinging the golden staff down on Danzo's head!

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

Danzo expelled a blade-like Wind Release, pushing back Hiruzen in the air, then quickly formed hand seals to summon his own summoning jutsu!

"Ninjutsu: Summoning Jutsu!"

A large creature was summoned by him; the moment this Baku appeared, it directly used Wind Release to try to devour Hiruzen's body!

Hiruzen firmly planted the golden staff into the ground, his arms tightly wrapped around the staff to support his body against the dream-eater's Wind Release!

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

Hiruzen immediately formed hand seals, expelling a continuous stream of flames from his mouth!

No one was better at dealing with Danzo than Hiruzen; they had been playing together since before school, grew up together, became adults together, grew old together, and had countless encounters.

However…

Danzo always lost those encounters.

To achieve victory in a battle with Hiruzen, aside from powers he preferred not to reveal, Danzo would use almost any trump card he had in battles against Hiruzen, including the Baku summoning beast.

This time…

Hiruzen won again.

The flames followed the direction the dream-eater absorbed and devoured, even igniting the Baku's body with the help of the wind, and the severely damaged summoning beast instantly vanished in a puff of smoke!

Hiruzen, gasping for breath, pulled out the golden staff, transformed from Enma.

Hiruzen was already old, and although he knew he would definitely win the battle against Danzo, the fight still felt somewhat strenuous.

"Danzo, you lost…"

Hiruzen, holding the golden staff, approached Danzo.

"..."

Danzo, gasping for breath, looked at Hiruzen, because the battle had also taken a toll on him, his body was already aged, and without the transplanted cells from Hashirama, it was indeed difficult to sustain a fight.

But…

Danzo had one more trick.

Danzo watched Hiruzen approaching, unsure whether to use his trump card, at that moment he even felt an impulse to die together with Hiruzen!

Danzo then remembered their plan, looking through the Four Red Yang Formation at Akihara Kagura, hoping Kagura would quickly think of a way to save him!

"..."

Kagura quietly made a hand gesture.

"..."

Danzo's eyes slightly narrowed.

This damn guy!

Making him save himself!

However, Danzo understood that this gesture could indeed save him!

"For the sake of Konoha, I must kill you!"

Hiruzen raised the golden staff, about to smash it down and kill Danzo, his friend of nearly seventy years, on the spot!

"Monkey!"

Danzo clasped his hands together, quickly forming a hand seal, surprisingly the hand seal of reconciliation used by Konoha Village ninjas at the end of a spar!

All Konoha Village ninjas learn this hand seal when they enter the Ninja Academy; after a spar, both parties form a hand seal of reconciliation, signaling that any hatred in the battle is to be dissolved.

"..."

Hiruzen watched the all-too-familiar hand seal of reconciliation, memories of growing up with Danzo flashing through his mind, his hand movements gradually stopping.

~~~

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