Where Is Danzo?

Where Is Danzo?

After everything that had happened, Hiruzen Sarutobi had finally come to fully understand Xu Fan's power.

He felt that the old process—entering the Ninja Academy, becoming a Genin, receiving guidance from a Jonin Leader, and taking the Chunin Exams—was clearly no longer suitable for Xu Fan.

He might as well use this opportunity to bring him directly into the Anbu.

Kakashi could guide him.

That was the path most suited to Xu Fan right now.

Moreover, there was more than one benefit to doing so.

Ever since Obito, Rin, and Minato Namikaze had departed one after another, Kakashi had kept throwing himself into darkness.

He had even wanted to free himself through death.

But...

Tenzō's appearance had shown him a turning point. Kakashi had taught Tenzō what comrades were and what the Will of Fire meant.

At the same time, those feelings would slowly influence Kakashi as well, pulling him back from the darkness.

If Tenzō could do it, then Xu Fan could too.

Under Kakashi's guidance, he would come to cherish his comrades and inherit the Will of Fire.

Secondly...

Kakashi would also be able to keep a better watch over Xu Fan, ensuring that his power did not become so violent.

"Join the Anbu?"

Xu Fan looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi before him, somewhat surprised by the decision.

"Yes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Anbu is short for Special Assassination and Tactical Squad. Its members are outstanding ninja selected from the village. Their primary duties are protecting me and preventing enemy invasions."

"Sometimes, they also take on missions such as gathering intelligence or assassination."

"But in daily life, you can still move about under the identity of an ordinary person."

"I see." Xu Fan deliberately put on a look of sudden realization, but in truth, he knew no less about Anbu than Hiruzen Sarutobi did.

Besides, Anbu was not a lifelong position. Both Kakashi and Tenzō had eventually left Anbu and become Jonin Leaders.

In other words, this path was a shortcut for him to become a Jonin.

And once he became a Jonin, he would be qualified to become Hokage.

"There is one more important point."

Seeing that Xu Fan had absorbed the information, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again and extended an invitation. "I have decided to negotiate with the Raikage of Kumogakure in the Land of Iron. I hope you can accompany me."

"Negotiations?"

Xu Fan frowned slightly. The Land of Iron lay west of the Land of Fire and north of the Land of Lightning, wedged between these two great nations.

If Konoha and Kumogakure went to war, the Land of Iron would become a buffer zone for the conflict.

Given that relationship, it was hardly strange that the Land of Iron was willing to provide both sides with an opportunity to negotiate.

"Rest assured, the Konoha leadership has rejected the proposal to hand over Hizashi."

"This is thanks to you."

The corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth lifted into a kindly smile.

But that smile quickly vanished, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

In the world of Naruto, there was no such thing as a blitzkrieg.

Even Obito had publicly declared war at the Five Kage Summit.

"If the Raikage is willing to let the matter rest, then everyone will be happy. Otherwise... if they want war, then we can only face it."

"Peace survives when sought through struggle; peace perishes when sought through compromise."

Hiruzen Sarutobi repeated Xu Fan's words.

Yet in the next instant, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject.

"But struggle does not necessarily mean declaring war. It can also be an attitude," Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly.

Though he did not spell it out, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already made his meaning perfectly clear.

He intended to take Xu Fan to the Land of Iron to negotiate with the Raikage, then use Xu Fan's power as a deterrent during the talks.

That way, Kumogakure would be forced to yield.

Xu Fan looked at the old man before him and could not help but complain inwardly.

So in the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi still chose a compromise?

It would clearly be better to use this opportunity to declare war on Kumogakure, then weaken the Uchiha Clan's strength.

"Will it just be the two of us?" Xu Fan asked directly.

In his memory, a meeting of this level required at least two Elite Jonin to accompany a village's Kage.

One combat type and one Sensory Ninja.

"Tenzō will be coming as well," Hiruzen said bluntly.

Although Kakashi and Itachi Uchiha were equally outstanding, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, the deterrence of the Sharingan was far less tangible than that of Wood Release.

Everyone knew how Lord Hashirama Senju had once awed the entire ninja world.

Now that Konoha possessed two Wood Release experts at once, even Kumogakure likely would not dare declare war rashly.

At the same time, Tenzō was also a capable Sensory Ninja.

But just as Xu Fan had thought, this was merely Hiruzen Sarutobi's compromise.

Though he was the Third Hokage, he was indecisive and overly merciful by nature.

"Mm." Xu Fan nodded. "But that means we will have to think of another way to resolve the Uchiha Clan issue."

"I will think of another way," Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, uttering his classic line when it came to resolving the Uchiha Clan issue.

"When do we leave?"

"Three days from now." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused briefly. "Before then, you can report to the sub-squad led by Kakashi. I think you will like the atmosphere there."

The squad led by Kakashi could be called the backbone of all Anbu. Aside from Kakashi, Tenzō and Itachi Uchiha were both there as well.

With Xu Fan joining them, not only would the squad's strength increase, but the bonds between these powerful individuals would deepen.

"I understand." Xu Fan nodded, but then suddenly changed the subject. "What about Danzo?"

When he heard Danzo's name, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained calm, but his heart skipped a beat.

As expected...

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing. He had thought Xu Fan would share his tacit understanding regarding Danzo and refrain from mentioning him.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi could understand those feelings.

After all, Danzo had tried to get rid of Xu Fan twice.

"He..."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to speak, Xu Fan seized the initiative.

"He isn't dead."

Xu Fan remained completely calm, confirming his suspicion from Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction.

Danzo was not dead.

More precisely, he had used Izanagi to rewrite the reality of his own death.

"I agree to join Anbu. I also agree to travel with you to the Land of Iron."

"But this is the one thing I cannot accept."

"Perhaps in your eyes, wherever there is light, there must be darkness. The world cannot function without either side."

"But in my eyes, Danzo is not the only Root, nor is he the only darkness."

"So..."

"Where is he?"