Second Shinobi World War Erupts, Shimura Danzō Forced to the Battlefield

Half an hour later, in front of the gate of the Hyuga clan's residence.

Under the "witness" of several representatives from major clans, Sen finally signed his name.

He had not only invited the Hyuga, but even sent Shadow Clones of people from the Sarutobi and Shimura main families, under the guise of "fairness and justice." He even paid out of his own pocket, giving each witness ten thousand Ryo as "compensation for their hard work."

"Alright, you two, look at the camera, smile!"

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Under the murderous glares of two Root Ninjas, Sen pulled them towards an old-fashioned camera not far away and made a peace sign.

"Click—!"

An old man from a nearby photo studio shouted, "Sen, it's done! Every word on the contract is clear, so you can rest assured!"

After the photo was taken, Sen sent the photographer away, and everyone felt strange.

The sword Sen had taken out earlier seemed fine, and the giant mouth could indeed devour the opponent's Chakra when used, but... why did it feel like Sen knew this sword would be lost? Could someone have infiltrated Root and stolen it?

But in the next second, they dismissed the thought. Root was a place where not even a fly could get in, who would dare to steal from there?

Sen ignored their thoughts, took the photo, handed over the money, and headed home. Now, he just needed to wait for the other party to repay his principal.

Several days later, Shimura Danzo was eating when a masked ninja suddenly burst in.

"Lord Danzo, something's wrong, Samehada is gone!"

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzo slammed his bowl onto the table.

"Ah! You bunch of useless trash! Didn't you have a result already? Where's the sword? Did someone dare to invade my Root?"

The person quickly knelt on the ground and replied, "According to the investigation, that sword... seems to have been forcibly recalled by Kirigakure using some kind of reverse summoning ninjutsu. Other than that method, no one could have made Samehada disappear into thin air instantly."

"That's not surprising. It seems Kirigakure still had a trick up its sleeve," Shimura Danzo said calmly, pushing the food on the table back into his bowl.

The Root Ninja asked in a low voice, "Then... what about Uchiha Sen's IOU?"

"What IOU? He's going to the battlefield with Sarutobi Hiruzen in two days. Whether he'll come back alive is another matter. We'll pretend the matter of the sword never happened!"

The masked ninja reminded him softly, "But I remember he had significant war merits, so he shouldn't have to go to the battlefield now. This was Jiraiya's suggestion.

And judging by the time he left the village... it's exactly one month. This means this is a trap Uchiha Sen set up in advance!"

"Is the Monkey still in the office?" Shimura Danzo finished his last bite of rice and yawned as he walked towards the door. "I'll just go talk to him."

"He's still there."

Receiving confirmation from his subordinate, Shimura Danzo felt this was a minor issue. With his status, he could forcibly send anyone to the battlefield, let alone someone with significant war merits, or even a descendant of the Senju Clan.

What was a mere Uchiha with some war merits?

Walking into the office building, Shimura Danzo said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was handling official documents:

"Monkey, arrange for more people to go to the battlefield. Haven't the Land of Wind started sending spies to the village? Let's just deal with them all."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped writing, took a drag from his cigarette, and felt annoyed.

"Danzō, you think I don't know they're sending spies?" He looked at the list in his hand. "These people have made significant contributions on the battlefield, and their short leave cannot be canceled. If we break their spirits, who will work for the village in the future?

Last time I suggested arranging for the elders to lead the team and command the front lines, you disagreed."

Shimura Danzo pulled up a chair and sat opposite him, speaking persuasively: "When did I object? As long as you're not arranging for some old man who's about to die. I came here to ask you to arrange for those Uchiha people to go as well.

As long as it's for the good of the village, it's worth sending everyone to the battlefield."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. He didn't expect his old friend to have such resolve.

"Do you really think so?"

Shimura Danzo paused, then nodded. "Naturally."

"With your words, I'm relieved." Sarutobi Hiruzen opened a scroll and wrote dozens of names. After finishing, he let out a long breath, as if completing an important task. He sat in his chair and looked at Shimura Danzo, saying, "It seems that after all these years, it wasn't just me, but everyone, who misunderstood you, Danzo. You, too, possess the Will of Fire!"

Shimura Danzo stood up nonchalantly, reaching for the document, and muttered dismissively, "Stop rambling. What could possibly make you, a monkey, value something so much..."

However, as his gaze swept over the contents of the scroll, the smile on his face instantly froze, turning ashen inch by inch.

[Second Shinobi World War Reserve Expeditionary Personnel]

[Overall Head of Sand Country Battlefield: Sarutobi Hiruzen]

[Overall Head of Earth Country Battlefield: Sarutobi Sasuke]

[Overall Head of Lightning Country Battlefield: Shimura Danzo]

[...]

[Departure Time: Three Days Later]

Shimura Danzo: "???"

"Bang!"

Shimura Danzo slammed the table, his anger burning:

"Sarutobi Hiruzen! I'm a Konoha elder! What do you mean by sending me to the front lines?! And to the most dangerous Kumogakure!"

The Second Shinobi World War was almost a foregone conclusion. The last Shinobi World War saw the death of even top-tier ninja like Senju Tobirama, and Danzo's current strength was only slightly above that of an elite Jonin.

Going now, and to fight Kumogakure of all places, wasn't that just asking for death?

"Ah?" Now it was Sarutobi Hiruzen's turn to be confused. "Didn't you just say you were willing to go to the front lines for the sake of the village?"

"I just wanted that Uchiha Sen kid..." Danzo couldn't bring himself to say the rest.

After all, there were Anbu ninja recording outside the window. If he said it, his position as an elder would likely be over!

Seeing Shimura Danzo's ashen face and evasive eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately understood the other man's true intentions.

I'm such a fool! How could Danzo ever possess the Will of Fire!

"Hmph, Danzo, you're becoming more and more outrageous. Have you lost all your resolve as a ninja over these years? Besides, Kumogakure might not even participate in the war. They suffered heavy losses last time. I'm just sending you to stand guard!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with heartache, "How did you become like this?"

Shimura Danzo's face flushed and paled, anger burning in his eyes.

He knew very well that Sarutobi Hiruzen was using moral blackmail, suppressing him with the so-called "Will of Fire."

He wished he could flip the table right then and there and roar, "To hell with your Will of Fire! That Uchiha Sen kid set me up, and you still want me to go die?"

But his reason told him that if he uttered those words, the prestige he had built in Konoha for years would be destroyed, and his position as an elder would be lost.

His chest heaved violently, each breath a torment. He forced himself to calm down, hiding all his emotions beneath a mask-like expression.

He slightly raised his chin, trying to conceal his inner turmoil with a calm, even slightly arrogant tone.

"Stand guard, is it... Fine." Danzo said coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "In three days, I will personally go and see what capabilities Kumogakure truly possesses."

Three days later, at dawn, all the ninja of Konoha were assembled.

Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered all ninja to head to the border of the Land of Fire to defend against the enemy.

Sen soon learned that because the threat from Kirigakure had been lifted, Konoha was able to mobilize more troops to deal with Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

However, Konoha's sudden troop increase provoked the other two great ninja villages.

Friction between the three sides escalated, and finally, the Second Shinobi World War broke out a full six months earlier than in the original story!