Danzo: Between You and Hiruzen, There's Already a Thick Barrier.

"I'm really sorry, but we're full here."

The owner of a small eatery, wearing a standard fake smile, sent away Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, who had wanted to eat there.

This was the fourth place. This owner was relatively good-tempered, at least polite.

The previous place had been full of curses, and the owner even spat on the ground near their feet. If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't stopped him, Shimura Danzō would have fought him.

"Isn't there still a seat over there?"

Shimura Danzō was furious, pointing at the empty seat.

To think that a Jonin of Konoha, a shadow guard for the Hokage, would be chased away like this just trying to eat.

Even a clay figurine has some temper, let alone me. I'm trying to patronize your business. In this day and age, only the ninja lords can afford to eat out every few days. Ordinary folks wouldn't dare be so extravagant; being able to eat their fill is good enough.

"That table is reserved. The customers will be here soon."

The owner of the eatery was starting to lose patience. These two in front of him, who abandoned the Hokage and caused the Hokage's sacrifice, were cowards, deserters, and unworthy of being ninja of Konoha.

And they still wanted to eat here?

Go eat dirt!

"I'll wait right here and see when your customers arrive!"

Shimura Danzō, pushing away the Hiruzen Sarutobi who was still trying to stop him, was determined to get justice.

"Enough! Do I have to spell it out for you?"

"I don't want your business!"

"You're all a bunch of deserters, cowards, unworthy of being ninja of Konoha!"

"You all killed Hokage-sama!"

"Get out!!"

The owner of the eatery didn't want to argue with them anymore and started yelling.

"What did you say?"

"I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

Shimura Danzō jumped with anger. These lowly commoners, who only enjoyed the protection of Konoha, had no idea how dangerous the situation was at the time, nor the greatness of their teacher Tobirama Senju's Will of Fire!

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly pulled Shimura Danzō back. In Konoha, there were rules: ninja could not attack civilians without reason.

Violating this would mean a trip to the Military Police Force for tea. The Uchiha were not known for their mercy; you wouldn't get out without losing a layer of skin.

Especially at this critical juncture. If they entered Uchiha territory, they might not come out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't let Shimura Danzō act foolishly.

"What, you want to hit me?"

Seeing Shimura Danzō about to make a move, the owner of the eatery immediately raised his voice.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were too conspicuous now. Someone nearby had already been watching, and a crowd of onlookers quickly gathered.

A group of indignant villagers began to verbally attack Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō.

Cowards!

Traitors!

Deserters!

Every word bombarded their ears. Some even insulted their parents and families. They relied on the sheer number of people, unafraid of Shimura Danzō's outburst.

The Uchiha had given special instructions: if these people dared to lay a hand on them, they would be arrested and thrown in jail. Once in the Uchiha's Military Police Force, they would likely never get out, so there was no need to worry about retaliation.

Shimura Danzō's eyes were red, so angry he could kill. Hiruzen Sarutobi was also not feeling well, his face ashen, but he still had his reason.

Clashing with the villagers now would bring no benefit. It would only make Mito Uzumaki difficult and lower his standing in her eyes.

They were just villagers misled by public opinion; there was no need to get angry with them.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tightly held Shimura Danzō's hand, afraid that Danzo would lose control and unleash a few Wind Style: Vacuum Spheres.

"Let's go, Danzo, don't get entangled with them."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled Shimura Danzō and rushed out of the crowd, jogging to an open space.

"Damn it, damn it!"

"These lowly commoners!!"

Shimura Danzō picked up a branch and furiously thrashed the weeds, venting his anger. After dozens of strikes, he finally calmed down.

"Hiruzen, aren't you angry?"

Shimura Danzō looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who stood beside him. Earlier, Hiruzen Sarutobi had endured the villagers' insults without a word, silently taking their abuse.

Shimura Danzō was left to fight alone, but unfortunately, he lost.

Angry?

Of course, he was angry. To be insulted to their faces by a group of people, with their parents and families brought into it, anyone would be angry.

Getting angry is useless. The more you explain, the more excited they get, thinking you're flustered!

Hiruzen Sarutobi isn't foolish. He'd already been warned by Mito Uzumaki that the Uchiha would use public opinion to bring him down.

Having been warned, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't be easily provoked by ignorant villagers, falling into the Uchiha's trap.

Perhaps Uchiha ninja were hiding near the crowd, observing them from the shadows, just waiting for an opportunity to drag them into the Uchiha's Military Police Force.

Hiruzen Sarutobi actually guessed correctly. The Uchiha were indeed watching him, but they weren't the only ones.

The Senju, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, and others had all sent people.

"Now is not the time to get angry."

"I have more important things to do. A village's Kage wouldn't be brought down by such matters."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was already restraining himself with the mindset of a Hokage. To become a qualified Hokage, one must possess the Hokage's mindset.

Mere insults? He would endure them gladly to become Hokage.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's confident and spirited demeanor, Shimura Danzo felt an inexplicable surge of anger.

Had the gap between him and Hiruzen Sarutobi already become this vast?

The gap in strength could still be overcome through diligent training, but the gap in mindset and vision couldn't be easily bridged by effort alone.

A regrettable, thick barrier had already formed between Shimura Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen, I won't lose to you!

Looking at his good friend Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already surpassed him by a large margin in terms of vision, he wouldn't give up so easily.

Shimura Danzo, who believed he had never been inferior to Hiruzen Sarutobi his entire life, still felt that the only thing lacking between them was a bit of opportunity.

If Tobirama Senju had chosen him back then, he wouldn't have been any worse than Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Regret and unwillingness filled his heart.

"Danzo, let's train."

"This prime time shouldn't be wasted."

Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't forgotten Mito Uzumaki's reminder. She could help him deal with the Uchiha, but he still had Toma Senju as an opponent waiting for him.

He had to train diligently and improve his strength as much as possible during this period. Mito Uzumaki was still stalling for him. Once Lord Tobirama's body was brought back to Konoha, the real test would descend.

He couldn't disappoint his teacher, Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi vowed inwardly.

At this very moment, a young man stood before the gates of Konohagakure.

He had black hair and a handsome appearance, bearing seven to eight parts resemblance to Hashirama Senju.

Toma Senju looked at the gates of Konoha. His mood, which should have been one of joyous return to the village, was now filled with unease, as if a catastrophe had befallen Konoha.

What could have happened to make his mother so urgently summon him back to the village?