Chapter 57 : Kotoamatsukami!!

"Teacher, what did you say just now? I don't think I heard it clearly."

What did Shimura Danzo just hear? 

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, whom he had respected so much, actually asked him to commit suicide?

Danzo would have preferred a harsh scolding from Tobirama-sensei, even if it was for the sake of training, rather than hearing such words.

"Danzo, face reality and save some dignity for yourself."

Hearing these cold and merciless words from Teacher Tobirama in the light curtain, Danzo felt a deep pain in his heart.

When they were retreating from Kumogakure, he was just a second slower than Sarutobi Hiruzen, and because of that, he lost the chance to become the Third Hokage.

For years, he worked tirelessly in Konoha, believing that everything he did was for the sake of the village's growth.

Even if he had to take the blame, it was all to make the village stronger.

He didn't do all of this just to become Hokage; he also wanted to prove to Tobirama Senju that choosing Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage was a mistake.

Only he, Danzo Shimura, could lead Konoha to greatness.

Only he, Danzo Shimura, was the rightful choice for Hokage.

In the end, not only was he labeled a scapegoat, but he was also humiliated by the mysterious light curtain.

His revered teacher, Tobirama, wanted him to commit suicide?

What kind of twisted world is this?

It was clear that Senju Tobirama's rejection was the hardest blow for Danzo.

At this moment, he was like a madman, his face twisted with rage. He pointed at the light curtain and shouted, "No, you're not Tobirama-sensei. You're just an imposter pretending to be him."

"I don't know about others, but the real Tobirama-sensei would definitely understand me."

"I have always been protecting Konoha in my own way."

"There's no way the real Tobirama-sensei would deny me."

After hearing those words, Senju Tobirama really wanted to say, "That's nonsense."

He acknowledges that his thoughts can be a bit dark at times.

But everything he did was to prepare for the worst.

The reason he studied forbidden techniques was to strengthen the village and ensure its future. Besides, he never used people from his own village as test subjects.

Although he segregated and isolated the Uchiha clan, they still received the respect and treatment they deserved. As long as the Uchiha didn't cause trouble, they would remain Konoha's top ninja clan.

He wasn't cruel enough to deliberately kill Uchiha members just to study the Sharingan.

But then there's this guy, Danzo.

He didn't even bother studying the Sharingan properly; he just embedded it directly into his own hand. And he even planned to wipe out the Uchiha clan for more Sharingan.

And now you're telling me that you learned such despicable and cruel methods from me?

Damn it, Danzo, you old fool, stop spouting lies, or I'll sue you for defamation.

Senju Tobirama was furious and really wanted to counter what Shimura Danzo said.

But when he saw how close Danzo was to losing his mind, he decided it wasn't worth arguing with him anymore.

No matter what he said, Danzo probably wouldn't listen anyway.

Then he turned to the Third Hokage and asked, "Monkey, do you need our help?"

Tobirama's meaning was clear—if you can't handle this, I wouldn't mind doing it for you.

After all, there were several people here eager to take down that old fool, Danzo.

"No need for the teacher to help. I'll take care of it."

"Alright, if that's the case, let's set the transmission time for tomorrow. Orochimaru, prepare the information on cloning. I'll review it when I arrive. Don't tell me you're not researching cloning."

"Understood, Second Hokage."

"Don't worry, you won't be at a disadvantage. I'll also bring my research materials on cloning."

"Haha, that sounds perfect."

The time for communication arrived, and as the light curtain disappeared, the atmosphere in the office became tense. 

The Third Hokage looked at his old friend with a complicated expression and said, "Danzo, the teacher is right. Save some dignity for yourself."

"Hmph, if you don't want to keep your dignity, I don't mind helping you."

The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, knew the Third Hokage couldn't do it, so he stepped forward, pressing down on Danzo and continuing to apply pressure.

Danzo was indeed feeling the weight of the pressure.

Right after the conversation with Senju Tobirama, he was already thinking of a way to escape.

However, the Third Hokage and his men had completely blocked all his escape routes.

Escape backward? 

Orochimaru was standing at the door, and he was no easy opponent.

Even if Orochimaru couldn't withstand his attack, as long as he delayed him for a moment, the Third Hokage and the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya would catch up.

Run forward and jump out the window? 

That wouldn't work either.

Danzo stood to the left, the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya slightly behind him on the right, and the Third Hokage in front of him on the right.

If he jumped through the window, he'd be caught in a pincer attack by the Third Hokage and the Fifth Hokage Jiraiya.

Neither option was viable.

The only way out now was to use Kotoamatsukami.

Thinking about it, Danzo quietly used Kotoamatsukami, known as the strongest illusion, on the Third Hokage.

The reason he targeted the Third Hokage instead of the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, or Orochimaru was simple: the Third Hokage was the teacher of both Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

With the Third Hokage supporting him and speaking on his behalf, maybe he wouldn't need to flee.

"Danzo, just surrender. You can't escape."

Danzo ignored the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, and instead focused on the Third Hokage, whose will had been altered by Kotoamatsukami.

"Hiruzen, do you truly want me to die?"

The Third Hokage, unaware that his will had been manipulated, took two puffs of his cigarette and said with difficulty, "Danzo, disband the Root and hand over all your Sharingans. I can promise you won't die."

"Do you mean it?"

Danzo was secretly pleased.

What's so difficult about disbanding Root? 

As long as he was still around, he could always rebuild it.

Moreover, with the Third Hokage under his control, he might even find an opportunity to have the Third Hokage remove Jiraiya from his position as Hokage, making Danzo the Sixth Hokage.

As for handing over all the Sharingans, that was an issue, but not an insurmountable one. At worst, he could steal them back later.

With the Third Hokage under his control, what did a mere Sharingan matter? Soon, the entire Konoha would be under his control.

"Old man, what are you saying?"

While Danzo was secretly delighted, the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, looked at the Third Hokage in surprise.

"I know what I'm saying. Danzo has worked hard for Konoha for many years. Even if he hasn't earned recognition, he has worked hard. Let's spare his life."

At that moment, the quick-thinking Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, noticed something was off with the Third Hokage.

Just moments ago, the old man had promised the Second Hokage that he would deal with Danzo, so why had his attitude suddenly shifted?

Recalling what the Third Hokage had once told him about Kotoamatsukami, Jiraiya suddenly realized that the old man was being controlled by Danzo.

"Old man, listen to me."

Aware that the Third Hokage was under the influence of Kotoamatsukami, the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, didn't want to alert Danzo. 

He approached the Third Hokage and whispered, "Old man, do you realize you're being controlled by Kotoamatsukami?"

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