The Curtain Falls

Within the violet barrier, the air seemed to freeze for an instant.

"Danzo?!"

The Third Hokage parried a heavy punch from the First, retreating two quick steps.

Seeing that the newcomer was his old comrade Shimura Danzo, a flicker of bewilderment crossed the Third's aged face.

Outside the barrier.

Both the Anbu ninja and Kakashi, who had been keeping one eye on this battle, were equally stunned.

The leader of Root, Shimura Danzo? Why was he here? And how could he break through the Four Violet Flames Formation?

Even Orochimaru, controlling the Impure World Reincarnation, narrowed his golden slit pupils, licked his lips, and let a hint of amusement and deep suspicion show in his eyes.

Hadn't Danzo conspired with him to launch the Konoha Crush Plan, aiming to kill the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

What was this sudden appearance about? Was Danzo trying to back out? Trying to stop him from killing the old Third?

Orochimaru immediately grew wary.

"Danzo, why are you here?" the Third demanded in a deep voice.

Danzo's single eye was icy, his voice hoarse: "Hiruzen! You've sat in the Hokage's seat for far too long!"

"So long that your weakness and so-called mercy have rotted Konoha from the roots, made it weak!"

"Look around now!"

Danzo swept his arm, pointing at the flames of battle outside the barrier: "This is the result of your leadership of the village!"

"What are you even saying?"

The Third's face darkened.

"Don't blame me, Hiruzen. For the village's future, this old comrade can only see you off himself!"

Danzo said in a low voice, his left hand grabbing the bandages wrapped around his right arm, yanking them off with a sharp pull. The bandages scattered.

Revealing a pale arm densely covered with Sharingan eyes.

A full ten Sharingan, each embedded in the arm, slowly rotating, exuding an ominous aura.

"Th-this...!?"

The Third's eyes nearly split: "Danzo... you've gone mad!!"

"I'm not mad! These are all necessary sacrifices for the village!"

Danzo's voice was cold, his hands forming seals at lightning speed: "Hiruzen, now it's time for you to sacrifice for the village!"

"Wood Release: Violent Tree Gun!"

Boom!

Danzo's right arm, transplanted with First Hokage Cells, suddenly swelled and deformed, the skin writhing as if giant serpents churned beneath.

The next second.

Several thick, sharp wooden vines shot out, tearing through the air, and stabbed viciously toward the Third Hokage.

"Wood... Release! Danzo! Not only have you stolen Sharingan, but you dare to defile the First Hokage's power!!"

The Third roared in fury, his voice a howl of killing intent: "Danzo... you've gone too far!!!"

The Third immediately swung the Adamantine Staff, meeting the oncoming wooden spears with a heavy smash.

Inside and outside the barrier.

Witnessing Danzo's arm full of Sharingan and the Wood Release.

Both the Anbu and Kakashi were deeply shocked.

Danzo, the Darkness of Konoha, had not only transplanted so many Sharingan but had even mastered Wood Release!

Now.

He was attempting to assassinate the Third Hokage. What exactly was he trying to do? Was he declaring war on the village?

The amusement on Orochimaru's face froze completely, turning into shock.

Though he had conspired with Danzo to launch the Konoha Crush Plan and kill the Third, with Danzo taking over in the aftermath.

He never expected Danzo to personally step in?

And in full view of everyone, exposing the secrets of the Sharingan and Wood Release, tearing away all pretense to force-kill the Third?

What did he want?

Did he no longer want to be Hokage?

Or...

Was there something wrong with this Danzo?

"Orochimaru, what are you standing there for? Have the First and Second attack together, kill the Third immediately!"

Danzo's sharp shout cut through Orochimaru's thoughts.

Orochimaru's golden slit pupils flickered, still unsettled.

But the situation left no room for further deliberation. He let out a few sinister low laughs, suppressed his doubts, and formed hand seals:

"Since Lord Danzo says so, then, two former lords, please show a bit more of your true strength!"

In their Impure World forms, the First and Second Hokage's attacks grew fiercer.

The Third Hokage, already struggling to hold his ground, was completely overwhelmed.

Now with Danzo added to the fray, he was instantly caught in a three-sided pincer, a death trap.

The Adamantine Staff swung in an impenetrable whirl, but it couldn't block the simultaneous strikes from the First, Second, and Danzo.

"Pfft!"

A high-pressure water blade grazed the Third's ribs, drawing blood, while a wooden spike pierced through his calf.

The Third was instantly in dire straits, a flash of resolve and sorrow crossing his eyes.

"Get back!"

The Third swept his staff in a wide arc, temporarily forcing back the First, Second, and Danzo, then clapped his hands together and rapidly formed seals:

"If that's how it is... don't blame me! Reaper Death Seal!"

"Boom!"

A chilling aura that made the soul tremble instantly filled the barrier.

Behind the Third, a phantom figure of a demon holding a short blade in its mouth materialized.

That was the Shinigami!

Of course, only the caster, the Third, could see it.

Not even Orochimaru or Danzo!

Danzo had been carefully watching for the Third to use Reaper Death Seal. Now that he saw the sealing technique actually activated, he immediately retreated and vanished from the spot.

He had interfered in the battle between Orochimaru and the Third solely to smear Danzo's name, ensuring he couldn't die in peace.

Now that his goal was achieved, there was no need to keep fighting the Third to the death.

This Forbidden Jutsu, Reaper Death Seal, was still extremely dangerous.

Once sealed, you'd end up in the Shinigami's stomach, playing mahjong with the Konoha F4.

The Third caught a glimpse of Danzo disappearing, a flicker of complexity passing through his heart.

He had actually wanted to take this chance to bring his old friend along.

But all his remaining Chakra had been poured into executing Reaper Death Seal, leaving no strength to pursue Danzo.

Since he fled, then let him flee!

The Third took a deep breath, his gaze falling back on the Impure World First and Second Hokage, a look of resolve crossing his face.

He then directed the Shinigami's phantom to extend a Chakra arm, resolutely reaching toward the two former Hokage.

The souls of the First and Second were forcibly pulled out, one after another, sinking into the seal within the Third's abdomen.

The two legends who had once dominated the ninja world fell into utter silence, leaving only crumbling dust drifting slowly down.

Finally, the Third reached out and grabbed Orochimaru, who was trying to escape.

The moment he was caught, Orochimaru finally saw the Shinigami phantom holding a short blade behind the Third.

"Reaper Death Seal! So that's it... that bastard Danzo..."

Orochimaru understood why Danzo had fled so cleanly—this old fool had used Reaper Death Seal.

"Let me go! You old bastard! You decrepit thing!"

Orochimaru panicked, unleashing all his power in a frantic struggle.

But it was futile!

In the end, after a tug-of-war, the Third only sealed Orochimaru's hands before completely falling.

Though Orochimaru barely clung to life, his hands were crippled, leaving him unable to even activate ninjutsu for a time.

Amid pained screams, he barked at the Sound Four: "Get me out of here, now!"

The Sound Four dared not hesitate. They dispelled the Four Violet Flames Formation, helped Orochimaru up, and quickly fled Konoha.

The Konoha Crush Plan ended with the Third's fall.

Of course, Konoha also lost a meritorious Pot Kage.

But, Danzo kept such a low profile in the village that many didn't even know him.

Even if Danzo died, no one would likely notice for a while.