Sarutobi Hiruzen at His Peak (Please Keep Reading!)

Danzo was briefly at a loss for words. Unease and fear crept across his grim face.

It wasn't just that he still felt some reverence for the Hokage.

It was also because Sarutobi Hiruzen was completely different from before.

His icy presence and the Chakra boiling so fiercely it was almost visible made Danzo feel as though he were looking at the spirited Ninja Hero of Konoha from years ago.

Only then did Danzo notice that the Third seemed younger.

"Kill yourself."

Sarutobi Hiruzen lit a cigarette and held it between his lips.

His body was used to the taste of tobacco, but he still thought the pipe was old-fashioned and outdated.

So he had switched to cigarettes.

Of course, cigarettes existed in the world of Naruto. Sarutobi Asuma would smoke them later on.

"For our teacher's sake..."

"I'll let you die with dignity."

Danzo's remaining eye widened. He had never expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to show him no mercy.

Based on past experience, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen was angry, he would never be this calm.

At most, he would strip Danzo of his position and hand down some inconsequential punishment.

That was one of the reasons Danzo had dared to try to assassinate Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Danzo's expression shifted repeatedly as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose killing intent and terrifying presence were unmistakable.

At last, he realized that his old friend was dead set on taking his life.

"The victor becomes king, and the loser is condemned. I have nothing to say..."

Danzo was, after all, a formidable man. He showed no fear and spoke directly.

"But I want to die with the reputation of a hero."

"Don't let this affect the Shimura Clan..."

Shimura Danzo seemed to have accepted his fate and began to deliver his last words.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He had no intention of dragging anyone else into this.

If Shimura Danzo truly cooperated, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't mind letting him die with a good reputation.

Danzo was despicable and ambitious, but he had still contributed to Konoha over the years.

Then Danzo took out a Kunai and, expressionless, placed it against his own neck.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's lips curled into an amused smile.

Too bad.

There are no second chances...

"Whoosh!"

Danzo wasn't about to surrender meekly. In his own deluded mind, only he could become Hokage and save Konoha. He didn't believe he had done anything wrong.

Sarutobi Hiruzen tilted his head slightly, dodging the Kunai as it shot toward him.

The sound of the Kunai striking wood rang out at the same time as Danzo leapt up and burst through the ceiling.

Sarutobi Hiruzen made no further move. He simply finished his cigarette and tossed the butt to the floor.

Meanwhile, Danzo emerged through the hole in the ceiling, his face dark with confusion and resentment.

"It must have been Kakashi!"

"He still had hope for the weak Third!"

Danzo had guessed who had leaked his plan.

This wasn't surprising. Every time the Hokage changed, he would pull some strings. Normally, the Third turned a blind eye to his actions.

He just hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude to be completely different this time.

"What's going on with Sarutobi Hiruzen?"

That was what made Danzo so uneasy and confused.

"It's like he's become a different person. Even his appearance has grown younger..."

Danzo was about to escape Konoha through Root's secret passage and regroup elsewhere.

He had a strong sense of self-preservation. As long as he stayed alive, he still had a chance to fulfill his dream of becoming Hokage.

"Hm?!"

"What?!"

Danzo looked up and suddenly realized the sky had changed completely.

It was no longer blue, but a deep, rich purple.

"The Four Violet Flames Formation..."

"A powerful Barrier Jutsu formed by four Jonin..."

"Only an attack on the level of a Tailed Beast Bomb can break through..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice drifted calmly from behind Danzo.

"You don't recognize it, Danzo?"

The best techniques weren't necessarily the newest ones. Sarutobi Hiruzen particularly liked this powerful Barrier Jutsu, which could restrict movement.

Danzo's expression darkened completely, as if water might drip from it.

"You're sure you want us both to go down together?"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen..."

"True, I broke the rules..."

"But I've already paid the price."

Danzo still hoped Sarutobi Hiruzen was as softhearted as before and would let him go.

Just as he had let Orochimaru go earlier.

"I'll establish Root outside Konoha and help you eliminate your rivals."

"We can keep working together!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't be bothered to respond.

This old bastard still thought the two of them were a Wolong and Fengchu duo.

If he had to be one of them, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't choose either.

"If I have to be someone, I'll be the Cao Thief!"

"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"

How powerful had the Third's Ninjutsu been at his peak?

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had only just arrived in the world of Naruto, didn't know. But now, he could truly wield the full power of the Third at his peak!

A vast wave of heat instantly engulfed the entire rooftop. Flames burning at thousands of degrees consumed every bit of oxygen in the air.

In an instant, the tiles beneath their feet were charred black.

Even the Jonin maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation nearby felt the heat and began to sweat.

"Sarutobi!"

Danzo cried out in shock. He hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to attack so decisively.

Fortunately, he was no ordinary Jonin, and his reaction was swift.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A fierce gale swept through, lifting the rooftop tiles and halting the advance of the firestorm's tendrils.

But wind fed fire. In the cycle of the five elements, Fire Release countered Wind Style.

The moment the Great Flame Technique was checked, the Wind Style Chakra fueling it made the flames burn even more fiercely.

Of course, Danzo knew how the five elements countered one another. But all he needed was that brief moment when the flames stalled.

"You forced me into this, Sarutobi!"

Danzo's face twisted into a snarl as a green Chakra began to ripple around him.

"Wood Release: Cutting Great Spear Tree!"

Danzo's right arm began to writhe wildly, growing as if it were alive. In an instant, it had become a towering tree!

The flames of the Great Flame Technique could burn through iron and stone, but they had no effect on the tree before him.

Because this was the power of the God of Shinobi—Wood Release!

Hidden behind the tree, Danzo had avoided the firestorm, but his mood was still foul.

He knew all too well that if he hadn't revealed Wood Release, there would still have been room to maneuver.

Even if he defected from the village for a while, he could later claim he had been undercover or carrying out a mission.

But once this powerful and politically sensitive ability was exposed, Danzo's reputation would hit rock bottom. Senju Hashirama was one of Konoha's untouchable icons.

How could Danzo be allowed to experiment with his cells at will?

What happened in private was one thing, but such politically sensitive matters couldn't be discussed openly.

"So this is what you were counting on..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the enormous tree that had risen right up to the barrier and thought, Just as I expected.

Happy New Year, everyone!