Making a Big Deal Out of It

"You think you're the Hokage?"

Habara's words dripped with mockery, but that single sentence left Danzo silent, while the flames in his heart blazed even fiercer.

Already in a foul mood after losing more than a dozen subordinates, Danzo's inner fury was completely ignited by Habara's remark.

The Hokage had always been Danzo's dream, yet it was also something he had struggled his entire life without ever being able to touch.

For the position of Hokage, he had even been willing to assassinate his old friend, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Yet he could never forget that day, when he had sat proudly in the Hokage Seat, imagining Konoha's future flourishing under his leadership.

His old friend Sarutobi Hiruzen had silently appeared behind him, then addressed him in a grave yet casual tone.

"Danzo, you have overstepped. I am the Hokage."

The words had been spoken calmly, but they had carved themselves deep into his heart. He knew that as long as Sarutobi Hiruzen lived, he would never be able to sit in the Hokage Seat!

And today, this damned Uchiha Clan brat had said those words in front of everyone. How could Danzo not be enraged? How could he not lose his composure?

It seemed he truly had no chance of becoming Hokage anymore, but that did not mean some Uchiha brat could judge him however he pleased!

At the height of his rage, Danzo instead calmed down. The exposed eye of his stared coldly at Habara, and his voice was as chilling as True Ice.

"The truth of the matter is what I saw. You killed so many Anbu, and you still want to shirk responsibility?

I may not be the Hokage, but I am still a Leaf Ninja. For Konoha's sake, I must arrest you—and even kill you!

Seize him!"

As Danzo's words fell, the Root shinobi who had come with him moved as one.

This scene made the brows of every Leaf Ninja present twitch, and Shisui's expression turned ugly as well.

Habara, on the other hand, looked at Danzo with some surprise. This guy looked calm, but had he actually been angered out of his mind?

More than a dozen Root shinobi had surrounded him, and their final fate had been death. Now there were only three Root shinobi forming a squad—did they really think they could take him down?

"Or is he certain that, in front of so many people, I won't dare to go on a killing spree?"

The possibility flashed through Habara's mind, and what left him somewhat speechless was that if they truly only intended to arrest him, then the moment he showed killing intent, things would become troublesome.

Or rather, if he did that, he would be falling right into this old man's trap.

But now that they had come right at his face, how could Habara possibly stand still and take it?

Tightening his grip on the Ninja Sword in his hand, Habara decided to respond first and observe the situation. If they only wanted to arrest him, he would handle it normally. If they harbored ill intentions, Habara would teach them a lesson!

"Hm?"

However, before Habara could make a move, Shisui had already rushed forward.

The Ninja Sword on his back instantly left its sheath, and he immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to engage the three Root shinobi in battle!

Habara could not help frowning at the sight. Shisui was being a little too impulsive. What he was doing was definitely not a good thing, because he was an Anbu operative.

Although Anbu and Root had always been somewhat at odds, they would at least never openly come into conflict by any means.

It would have been one thing if Habara acted, since he was someone who "completely didn't know" Root existed. Shisui's circumstances, however, were rather special and troublesome.

Shaking his head helplessly, Habara flashed into the fray. This battle was completely different from the last one.

Just now, Habara could slaughter without holding back, but this time, there were so many people watching, and the other side had openly identified themselves as Leaf Ninja.

If Habara still attacked without restraint—especially while they had not yet gone for the kill—then he would be the one in trouble.

However, Habara and Shisui were both Mangekyo-level powerhouses. Even though they had not fully unleashed their strength, and there was no coordination between them at all—

They could still each lock onto one target while jointly restraining the remaining opponent.

Under their combined assault, they were evenly matched with the three Root shinobi for a time.

Habara could tell that although the three worked together flawlessly, they were also fighting uncomfortably while so constrained.

He also noticed that the three were likely not low in status. Danzo had just said they could "even kill you."

Yet none of them had gone for the kill. They clearly intended only to capture him.

If they did not possess a certain status and understanding, then this would not have been a back-and-forth exchange. It would have become a true clash of weapons.

"Stop! What are you all doing?" Just then, an angry shout suddenly rang out from afar.

Hearing that voice, Habara and Shisui instinctively exchanged a glance, then quickly stepped back.

The three Root shinobi stopped as well. In the end, they silently returned to Shimura Danzō's side.

Because the person who had arrived was Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Sarutobi Hiruzen walked into the Training Ground with a grim expression. The flames had long been extinguished by the other Leaf Ninja who had arrived earlier.

But this Training Ground could no longer be called a Training Ground. It was practically a Purgatory.

Still, Sarutobi Hiruzen was a Hokage who had endured war. He swept his gaze over the mangled corpses on the ground.

Though his brow twitched involuntarily, he remained composed and finally turned his gaze toward Habara.

"Tell me, what exactly happened here? And whose corpses are these on the ground?"

"Allow me to explain, Lord Hokage."

Before Habara could speak, Shisui stepped forward first. He respectfully bowed to Sarutobi Hiruzen before slowly speaking.

"Lord Hokage, Habara originally invited me to meet him at the Training Ground tonight. He wanted to practice his swordsmanship.

Naturally, I did not refuse his invitation. But when I arrived, it had already happened, and Habara told me everything."

Shisui did not speak quickly, but his account was organized and clear. It was obvious that his time in the Anbu had taught him how to report in the most efficient and concise manner.

Listening from the side, Habara could not help nodding inwardly. He also noticed that as Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, more and more Leaf Ninja had gathered around the scene.

Not only Civilian Ninja, but Clan Ninja had arrived as well. Habara even spotted Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku!

"Looks like I accidentally stirred up quite a spectacle."

Habara found it somewhat amusing, but this was good too. The more people there were, the safer he would be.

Besides, no one present was stupid. After what had happened tonight—especially Shimura Danzō's somewhat self-defeating performance—

The various clans likely had their own calculations now. The Uchiha Clan in particular probably had even more thoughts and disputes ahead.