Chapter 81: Danzo’s a Real One, Always Sharing His Wisdom
However, Kazuya had little interest in Terumi Mei's tangled emotions.
Fall in love?
No!
He preferred rivers over romantic entanglements!
Let's be realistic!
Fortunately, with Terumi Mei and Yagura around, his journey in Kirigakure had been rather interesting and fruitful.
Tailed Beast Power at LV5!
Water Release: Water Barrier, Water Dragon Bullet, Great Waterfall Technique, Water Shockwave LV5!
His power had increased tremendously!
In particular, with his LV5 Tailed Beast Power enabling him to maintain tailed beast transformation regularly, combined with his sage energy, Kazuya's combat power could potentially suppress even the likes of the Edo Tensei Pain!
An immense boost!
Additionally…
During the negotiations, Yagura made significant concessions.
In addition to opening two tax-exempt trade ports to Konohagakure, he also released all Leaf Village prisoners held in Kirigakure.
Seventy-four Leaf ninjas, all captured during the Third Shinobi World War, were released from their prison cells due to Kazuya's presence.
In an instant, Kazuya became a deity in the hearts of these Leaf ninjas.
They had thought they would spend the rest of their lives suffering in Kirigakure's prisons, waiting for death.
Yet, unexpectedly, they had seen the light of day again!
"Lord Kazuya!"
"Waaah… You are truly our savior!"
"Thank you, Lord Kazuya!"
"Great, Lord Kazuya, you are magnificent!"
"Bow down! Bang! Bang! Bang…"
Those released Leaf ninjas were in tears.
Some were so moved they dropped to their knees, repeatedly banging their heads against the ground.
[You have gained 50 chakra points]
[You have gained 40 chakra points]
[You have gained 20 points in Wind Release talent]
[You have gained 20 points in Earth Release talent]
[You have gained 50 points in battle experience]
…
Streams of golden light flew toward him.
"The quality is barely acceptable…" Kazuya felt a hint of disappointment, but his face wore an expression of deep emotion as he trembled and said, "You are all ninjas of the Leaf Village, heroes who have shed blood for the village. There is no need to thank me…"
"What I have done cannot be compared to the sacrifices you have made for the village."
"The main purpose of my visit to Kirigakure this time…"
"Is to bring you all back home!"
After speaking, Kazuya encouragingly patted the back of a Chunin who had been the most fervent in his bowing.
The young man had quite the flair!
If one didn't know better, they might think he had just received a monetary reward!
"Lord Kazuya!"
"We can go home; we can go home!"
"It turns out the village has not forgotten us!"
"Thank you, Lord Kazuya, for granting us a new life!"
"Lord Kazuya, I will never forget your kindness!"
The Leaf ninjas present were all ecstatic.
Even Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, who were standing nearby, had their eyes slightly red.
What a touching scene!
A toast to this hard-earned peace!
A salute to the great Lord Kazuya!
...
Two days later.
After initially drafting the cooperation agreement, Kazuya set off on the return journey with the group of Leaf ninjas.
They had arrived on a single boat.
On their way back, however, they were on five boats.
Soon, the ships cut through the waves and sailed westward.
"Lord Kazuya is truly a ninja with great righteousness!"
"If he could become the Fifth Hokage, both Kirigakure and Konohagakure would surely welcome a long-awaited peace!"
The Fourth Mizukage Yagura gazed at the receding ships, quietly reflecting.
Nearby, a Kirigakure ninja nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Mizukage…"
At that moment, Terumi Mei in the crowd wore a complex expression.
In her beautiful eyes, relief was mixed with regret and a feeling of sadness that even she couldn't articulate.
...
Meanwhile, intelligence from Kirigakure had returned to Konohagakure.
At this moment…
In the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat in the Hokage chair, puffing on his pipe as he looked at the intelligence scroll in surprise.
"Kazuya…"
"Truly remarkable!"
The Third Hokage smiled once, saying, "Sending him to Kirigakure was a wise decision; Kazuya has perfectly completed his mission."
"They even managed to bring back 74 captured ninjas from the village!"
"This is truly an impressive feat!"
The Third Hokage was delighted.
Prisoners of war!
The issue of handling captured ninjas had always been a headache for the higher-ups of every village. They couldn't simply ignore it, but dealing with it was always a complicated and troublesome task.
And yet, Kazuya had somehow managed to rescue every single one of the Leaf Village ninjas captured by the Mist Village! It was nothing short of a miracle.
With a little publicity, this rescue could dramatically enhance the Leaf Village leadership's reputation.
"Kazuya…"
"He's even more capable than I imagined!"
The Third Hokage exhaled a ring of smoke, his aged face brimming with satisfaction.
Indeed…
The time for the young generation had come!
At the Root Organization's base, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
In one of the rooms, Root ninja Ryoma Aburame knelt on one knee, his face covered in cold sweat. In front of him stood a man wrapped in bandages—none other than the leader of Root, Danzo Shimura.
"Is the information reliable?" Danzo asked darkly.
"Yes, Lord Danzo," Ryoma replied, his voice tinged with both fear and respect. "Nohara Kazuya went to the Mist Village, coinciding with the Kaguya clan's rebellion. The details aren't clear, but he ultimately rescued 74 Leaf prisoners and is currently returning from the Land of Water."
Danzo turned, his expression twisted. "Who would have thought that an insignificant member of the Anbu could grow this strong…"
"This is my mistake!"
Danzo was filled with regret. If he had known this was going to happen, he would have ended Nohara Kazuya back in the hospital three years ago!
But now, it was nearly impossible to make a move.
"I can't allow him to return to the village safely," Danzo muttered through gritted teeth. "If he does, it will only make it harder for me to become Hokage…"
He knew that the Hokage would surely capitalize on this prisoner rescue to bolster Kazuya's reputation within the village.
Hiruzen wanted to put that brat on the path to power!
Why him and not me?!
I am far more suited to be Hokage!
Danzo considered his options for a moment before giving his orders, his voice cold and sinister: "Ryoma, gather the Root ninja. We have a mission—to intercept and eliminate Nohara Kazuya before he returns to the village."
"He must not make it back!"
Danzo's killing intent filled the room, chilling the atmosphere.
"Yes, Lord Danzo!" Ryoma replied without hesitation. As long as it was Danzo's order, the Root ninja would take on even the Hokage himself!
Danzo's eyes narrowed. If Hiruzen was going to hesitate, then he'd decide for him. Sooner or later, he'd see that only Danzo Shimura was fit to lead the village!
Meanwhile…
A strange black-and-white figure suddenly rose from the ground in a secluded area of the Land of Water.
"So, it's Nohara Kazuya, huh?"
"Even the Jinchuriki couldn't handle him…"
"Oh-ho-ho… Should we report this to the boss?"
"Of course, he's a crucial part of Lord Madara's plan!"
"Then let's move, oh-ho-ho…"
With eerie laughter, the black-and-white figure vanished into thin air, as if it had never been there.
At that moment, Kazuya and his team had begun their journey back home. It would take a few more days to reach the borders of the Land of Fire.
Standing at the front of the boat, Kazuya gazed out at the endless sea, deep in thought.
Suddenly…
Two figures appeared behind him.
"Kazuya-senpai, I have a question I'd like to ask you."
Uchiha Shisui stood there, his face grave.
Kazuya turned around to see both Shisui and Itachi looking serious.
A question, huh?
Kazuya's gaze sharpened slightly. He had a hunch about what Shisui wanted to ask.