Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu

"You have caused great trouble for the Daimyo's Mansion with your actions this time, and His Excellency the Daimyo himself has suffered endless humiliation. Konoha Village must bear full responsibility for this!"

The official from the Daimyo's Mansion had intended to say this, but upon seeing the ninja responsible for the negotiations before him, all his prepared words vanished. Even the Daimyo himself showed a look of fear.

Damn Hiruzen Sarutobi, to send this guy here...

The officials present exchanged glances, each inwardly cursing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Sitting on Konoha's side were Danzo and his bodyguard, Aburame Ryoma.

While Yamanaka Zen was investigating the incident, the two of them had departed for the Daimyo's Mansion to inform the Daimyo of the matter.

"This mission has failed, your Konoha..." After glancing at Danzo, who sat opposite with one eye slightly closed, one of the officials, prompted by the Daimyo's gaze, forced himself to speak.

Hearing this, Danzo merely looked up at the official, scaring him so much that he couldn't even speak properly.

Through the continuous efforts of the First and Second Hokage, the cooperative system, initially dominated by the Daimyo's side, had gradually shifted towards the ninja side.

Especially after Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha to victory in the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Fire's control over Konoha Village was limited to economic means.

Therefore, facing the Daimyo's Mansion, the ninja side had long lost the respect they held during the Warring States period and had gradually become more assertive.

This was especially true for this Hokage Assistant, Danzo.

His language was disrespectful, his attitude was terrible, and he had repeatedly refuted the Daimyo's proposals in front of everyone. He was the person the Daimyo least wanted to see.

"This incident is Konoha's internal affair, and we will handle it internally." Giving the speaking official a warning look, Danzo, knowing he was merely a mouthpiece, looked directly at the Daimyo.

"Y-yes, yes, is that so? Haha, indeed..." The Daimyo, who almost jumped out of his seat from Danzo's glare, opened his folding fan, blocking Danzo's gaze, and let out a few awkward laughs.

"Since His Excellency the Daimyo has no objections, I shall take my leave." Danzo, who had settled the Daimyo in just a few words, was unwilling to stay long. Seeing that the officials had nothing substantial to say, he lost interest in bickering with them and prepared to leave.

Hearing that Danzo was about to leave, the Daimyo breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly signaled his subordinates to escort him out.

As the heavy gates were closed, completely shutting out Danzo's figure, the officials present finally became indignant.

"This incident has caused us such great losses, yet Konoha treats it so lightly; it's truly disrespectful!"

"I believe Hiruzen Sarutobi is no longer fit to be Hokage. Your Excellency the Daimyo, should we dismiss him?"

"Exactly, we should send a formal complaint regarding this matter and severely reprimand Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

Amidst the cacophony of discussions, the Daimyo snapped his folding fan shut and nodded in agreement: "Indeed, we should reprimand Hiruzen Sarutobi for sending that fellow Danzo here!"

Is that the main point?

Konoha, Danzo's residence.

"Knock, knock, knock."

As the wooden door was lightly knocked upon, Kazashiro, hearing the sound, thought Danzo had returned and hurried forward to open the door.

To his surprise, upon opening the door, he saw a familiar face.

"Third Hokage-sama?"

Kazashiro was clearly taken aback to see Hiruzen Sarutobi before him, unable to understand why Hiruzen would come at this hour.

Could it be...

Danzo is dead?

Impossible, wasn't that old man supposed to live a long life in the original story? Could this be the legendary transmigration effect?

Did some small flap of my wings at some point directly kill Danzo?

"Hehe, Kazashiro, are you home alone?" Hiruzen, unaware that the young man before him had already sentenced Danzo to death in his heart, chuckled and patted his head before glancing inside.

"Uh, Nonō-nee is also here..." Kazashiro turned to introduce Yakushi Nonō to the Third Hokage, but found that she, who had been sitting on the sofa explaining Medical Ninjutsu to him moments ago, had vanished without a trace.

Even the scroll containing the Medical Ninjutsu was nowhere to be seen.

"No, it's just me." Realizing that Hiruzen did not wish to meet Nonō, Kazashiro changed his answer.

"Hehe, is that so? May I come in then?" Hiruzen cast a subtle glance towards the roof. Having already noticed Root ninja lurking around, he didn't expose them but instead asked Kazashiro.

"Of course, please come in." Kazashiro quickly moved aside, inviting his father's old friend into his home.

Upon entering, Hiruzen first surveyed the layout of the house, finding the decor to be in line with his old friend's personality: rigid and simple, with only the necessities of life and no other decorations.

Not even the calligraphy he had gifted him was displayed.

"Have you eaten dinner yet?" Seeing Kazashiro about to offer him tea, Hiruzen quickly stopped him, pulled him down to sit, and asked.

"I have, have you?" Kazashiro nodded honestly and replied.

"I have too. Actually, the main reason I came was to inform you that your father has been dispatched by me on a top-secret mission and won't be back for a few days. Don't worry, if you need anything, you can come find me at the Hokage Building."

Smiling as he observed Kazashiro, Hiruzen did his best to convey his goodwill.

"Speaking of which, it's been about a year since you came to the village. As your elder, I haven't given you any gifts yet." Seeing that the Root ninja were taking good care of Kazashiro, Hiruzen felt reassured. He reached into his chest and, in front of Kazashiro, pulled out a scroll.

"You, like Asuma, have passed the Ninja Academy exams. In the future, you will inherit your father's legacy and become a ninja of Konoha. Therefore, this ninjutsu should be very helpful to you." Unfurling the scroll, Hiruzen showed a hint of pride on his face.

"This is a ninjutsu I created based on my teacher, the Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama Senju's Shadow Clone Jutsu. It's called 'Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu'."

Good heavens, I'm familiar with this ninjutsu.

Isn't this the "powerful" ninjutsu you've been using from start to finish?

In this new era where the First Hokage pilots giant robots and the Second Hokage uses explosive tags in tandem, you're the only one still clinging to this traditional ninjutsu.

Back in the era I lived in my previous life, you'd at least be crowned a master artist.

However, this ninjutsu is indeed a significant help to someone like me, who doesn't have any noble bloodline.

"Thank you very much, Lord Third. I will definitely study this ninjutsu well," Kazashiro said with a sweet smile, picking up the scroll and acting as if he couldn't put it down.

He's just being nice, I'll just play along.

Kazashiro thought with a small internal complaint as he smiled.