Within the purple barrier, the air seemed to freeze for an instant.
"Danzo?!"
The Third Hokage deflected a heavy punch from the First Hokage and retreated two steps.
Seeing that the newcomer was his old friend, Shimura Danzo, a look of astonishment flashed across the Third Hokage's aged face.
Outside the barrier.
The Anbu ninja and Kakashi, who had been keeping half an eye on the battle, were both utterly stunned.
Root's leader, Shimura Danzo? Why was he here? And how had he broken through the Four Violet Flames Formation?
Even Orochimaru, who was controlling the Impure World Reincarnation, narrowed his golden, slit-pupiled eyes. He licked his lips, amusement and deep suspicion showing in his gaze.
Hadn't Danzo conspired with him to launch the Konoha Crush Plan and kill the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
What was he doing here now? Had Danzo changed his mind? Did he want to stop Orochimaru from killing the old Third Hokage?
Orochimaru immediately grew wary.
"Danzo, what are you doing here?" the Third Hokage demanded in a low voice.
Danzo's single eye was cold, and his voice rasped. "Hiruzen! You've sat in the Hokage's seat for far too long!"
"So long that your weakness and so-called kindness have allowed Konoha to rot from its very roots and grow feeble!"
"Just look around!"
Danzo swept his arm toward the fighting beyond the barrier. "This is the result of your leadership!"
"What exactly are you talking about?"
The Third Hokage's expression darkened.
"Don't blame me, Hiruzen! For the sake of the village's future, I have no choice but to come and send you off myself, my old friend!"
As Danzo spoke in a low voice, he grabbed the bandages wrapped around his right arm with his left hand and yanked them away.
Beneath them was a ghastly pale arm covered in densely packed Sharingan.
Ten Sharingan in all, embedded in his arm, slowly turning as they radiated an ominous aura.
"Th-this is...?!"
The Third Hokage's eyes widened with fury. "Danzo... have you lost your mind?!"
"I haven't! These are all necessary sacrifices for the village!"
Danzo's voice was cold as he swiftly formed hand seals. "Hiruzen, now it's your turn to sacrifice yourself for the village!"
"Wood Release: Violent Tree Gun!"
Boom!
Danzo's right arm, implanted with First Hokage Cells, suddenly swelled and warped. Something beneath the skin writhed like a giant serpent.
The next instant,
several thick, sharp wooden vines shot out, tearing through the air and thrusting viciously toward the Third Hokage.
"Wood... Release! Danzo! Not only have you stolen Sharingan, you've dared to tamper with Lord First's power as well?!"
The Third Hokage roared in fury, murderous intent filling his voice. "Danzo... you've gone too far!!!"
The Third Hokage immediately swung his Adamantine Staff at the wooden spears rushing toward him, smashing into them with all his might.
Inside and outside the barrier,
everyone who witnessed Danzo's arm, covered in Sharingan, and his Wood Release was shocked.
Whether Anbu or Kakashi, all were stunned.
Danzo, the Darkness of Konoha, had not only implanted so many Sharingan—he had even mastered Wood Release!
And now,
he was trying to assassinate the Third Hokage. What was he trying to do? Was he declaring war on the village?
The amusement on Orochimaru's face froze completely, replaced by astonishment.
He had conspired with Danzo to launch the Konoha Crush Plan, kill the Third Hokage, and let Danzo take his place.
But he had never imagined that Danzo would enter the fray himself.
And in full view of everyone, he had exposed the secrets of his Sharingan and Wood Release, openly breaking with the village to kill the Third Hokage?
What was he trying to do?
Did he no longer want to become Hokage?
Or...
Was something wrong with this Danzo?
"Orochimaru, what are you standing around for? Have the First and Second Hokage attack together! Kill the Third Hokage at once!"
Danzo's furious shout interrupted Orochimaru's thoughts.
Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupiled eyes flickered with uncertainty, still full of suspicion.
But there was no time to think it through. He gave a sinister chuckle, pushed aside his doubts, and formed hand seals.
"If Lord Danzo says so, then please, esteemed former Hokage, fight in earnest!"
The First and Second Hokage, in their Impure World forms, attacked even more fiercely.
The Third Hokage had already been struggling to keep up, and now he was thoroughly outmatched.
With Danzo joining in, he was instantly caught in a deadly three-sided assault.
His Adamantine Staff whirled in an impenetrable defense, but he could hardly fend off attacks from the First, Second, and Danzo all at once.
"Pfft!"
A high-pressure water blade grazed the Third Hokage's ribs, drawing blood, while a wooden spike pierced his calf.
The Third Hokage was suddenly in grave danger. Resolve and sorrow flashed in his eyes.
"Get back!"
The Third Hokage swept his staff horizontally, forcing the First, Second, and Danzo back for a moment. Then he clasped his hands and swiftly formed hand seals.
"If that's how it is... then don't blame me! Reaper Death Seal!"
"Boom!"
A chill that made the soul tremble instantly spread through the barrier.
Behind the Third Hokage appeared the phantom of a demon, a short blade clenched in its mouth.
It was the Shinigami!
Of course, no one but the Third Hokage, the one performing the jutsu, could see it.
Not even Orochimaru or Danzo!
Danzo had been on guard against the Third Hokage using the Reaper Death Seal. Now that he saw him perform the sealing jutsu, Danzo immediately withdrew and vanished from the spot.
He had intervened in the battle between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage purely to smear Danzo's name, so he wouldn't be able to rest in peace even in death.
Now that he had achieved his goal, there was no need to keep fighting the Third Hokage.
The 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 Hokage noticed Danzo vanish, and a complicated feeling passed through his heart.
He had actually wanted to use this chance to take his old friend with him.
But all his remaining chakra had gone into performing the Reaper Death Seal. He had no strength left to pursue Danzo.
If he'd escaped,
then so be it!
The Third Hokage took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to the Impure World First and Second Hokage. Resolve flashed across his face.
Then he controlled the Shinigami's phantom, extended its chakra arms, and resolutely reached for the two former Hokage.
The souls of the First and Second Hokage were quickly pulled out by force and drawn one after another into the seal on the Third Hokage's abdomen.
The two legends who had once shaken the shinobi world fell silent for good, leaving only shattered dust to drift slowly to the ground.
At last, the Third Hokage grabbed Orochimaru as he tried to escape.
The moment he was caught, Orochimaru finally saw the phantom of the Shinigami behind the Third Hokage, the short blade clenched in its mouth.
"Reaper Death Seal! So that's it... that bastard Danzo..."
Orochimaru understood why Danzo had run off so quickly. That old bastard had used the Reaper Death Seal.
"Let me go! You old fossil! You old bastard!"
Orochimaru panicked and unleashed all his strength, struggling wildly.
But it was futile!
After a fierce struggle, the Third Hokage managed to seal only Orochimaru's hands before finally falling.
Orochimaru had been lucky enough to survive, but his hands were crippled, leaving him unable to perform even ninjutsu for the time being.
He screamed in agony as he shouted at the Sound Four, "Get me out of here! Now!"
The Sound Four didn't dare delay. They released the Four Violet Flames Formation, helped Orochimaru up, and quickly left Konoha.
The Konoha Crush Plan ended with the Third Hokage's death.
Of course, Konoha had also lost a highly accomplished Pot Kage.
However,
Danzo had kept such a low profile in the village that many people didn't know who he was.
Even if Danzo was dead, it would probably be some time before anyone found out.
Before you continue