Confronting Danzo

"This guy managed to defeat Yamamoto! That means he's already reached Kage Level! And he's still just a kid!?"

"Terrifying! The power of that lightning is truly frightening!"

Qingyun and Yamamoto's battle had shocked everyone. It was only natural: Qingyun's Rumble-Rumble Fruit was simply too powerful. Even against a Kage Level opponent, he could easily knock them flat.

"Haah... haah..." Yamamoto breathed heavily. He'd thought he could put up a fight. Even as a Kage Level shinobi, he could hold his own for a while—but he'd never expected to meet this Konoha prodigy and find himself completely outmatched.

"You're incredibly strong! No wonder Danzo wanted you dead. 'Genius' doesn't even begin to describe you. Even the First and Uchiha Madara couldn't match your talent," Yamamoto said.

"Since that's the case, Yamamoto, are you convinced? And the rest of you?" Qingyun hadn't intended to kill them. He wanted to bring the Bounty Exchange under his control so that, if the need arose, it could become one of his assets.

Qingyun didn't want to be ordinary. He wanted to change the entire Shinobi World, because in the future, it would face new challenges.

"Third Shinobi World War, Akatsuki, Uchiha Madara... Qingyun would face all kinds of dangers. So he had to grow stronger fast, while also expanding his own forces.

"We're convinced. We're all convinced."

Even Yamamoto, the Bounty Exchange's strongest fighter, had submitted. There was no need to mention those weaker than him.

Now that Qingyun had brought the Bounty Exchange under his control, it would be much easier to get things done in the future.

"I'm the Third Hokage's student. You've all seen what I can do, and I'll become Hokage one day. When that happens, you won't have to live such hard lives anymore."

"I'll take you all in."

Qingyun knew that accepting these rogue ninja meant making enemies of the other villages. They were all troublesome liabilities; if handled poorly, they wouldn't help him at all and would only bring him trouble.

But fear couldn't solve anything. Qingyun believed he could handle whatever problems came his way. For now, the most important thing was to grow stronger and build up his forces.

"You're so young, with limitless potential. You're the Third Hokage's student, and you have such foresight. I believe you'll become Konoha's Hokage, and I hope you won't go back on your word." As the Bounty Exchange's leader, Yamamoto naturally wanted the people under him to live better.

Of course, he also hoped they could all make money.

"Here, take this. Consider it a tip." Qingyun casually handed them several million ryō. He had plenty of money and didn't care about the amount.

A few million meant nothing to Qingyun, but to these people, it was a considerable fortune.

"This is one of the benefits of swearing allegiance to me. From now on, I'll make sure you live better! Of course, if anyone betrays me, I don't think I need to explain what I'll do, do I?"

Lightning suddenly crackled all around Qingyun. Everyone took a step back. They'd already seen what he could do, and they both admired and feared him.

Seeing that he'd made his point, Qingyun stopped intimidating them.

He dispelled the lightning and left the Bounty Exchange.

"I have to get back to Konoha right away!"

"Danzo! Just you wait! You actually dared to hire someone to kill me. Jealous of me, are you? I'll show you what happens when you mess with me!"

Qingyun knew exactly what kind of person Danzo was. He hadn't wanted to bother with him, but who could have guessed that Danzo would actually make a move against him? Anyone who dared to target Qingyun would pay the price. He didn't care if Danzo was a Konoha advisor or the leader of Root—he was going to settle the score.

After leaving the Underground Bounty Station, Qingyun followed the marks he'd left behind and retraced his route back to Konoha.

As soon as he returned, he headed straight for the Hokage's office.

He pushed the door open and saw the Third Hokage sitting upright at his desk.

"Teacher, I'm back."

"Hmm? Qingyun! Minato and the others said you still had something to investigate. How did it go? What did you find?" The Third Hokage asked directly.

"Someone posted a contract at the Underground Bounty Station. It was a Kage Level shinobi." Qingyun told the Third Hokage everything that had happened.

The Third Hokage looked at Qingyun in surprise. "Then do you know who hired someone to capture you?"

"That person was—" Before Qingyun could say Danzo's name, three people suddenly entered from outside.

Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.

"猿飞, this boy is just like White Fang. He completed his mission but didn't return to Konoha right away. He must be up to something," Danzo accused Qingyun before he had a chance to speak.

"Hmph! Danzo, you know exactly what you did. Don't try to twist things around." Qingyun glared at him.

"Kushina was kidnapped, and Minato went to rescue her. He left the village without authorization too. By your logic, does that make Minato a rogue ninja?"

"Qingyun accepted a mission to rescue them, so of course he needed to find out what had happened. And he completed the mission successfully. He also knows who was behind it," the Third Hokage said, taking his student's side.

"Tell us, son. Who was the culprit?" The Third Hokage was fiercely protective of his own, especially the talented Qingyun. He wouldn't let the other advisors bully him.

"The culprit was Danzo!" As soon as Qingyun said it, the atmosphere froze.

"Danzo?!" Sarutobi didn't doubt Qingyun's words. He simply turned to look at Danzo.

Danzo said nothing and offered no explanation. Knowing him, Sarutobi immediately realized that Danzo was almost certainly involved.

"Why did you do it?" Sarutobi asked bluntly.

"Do you remember Uchiha Madara? This boy's talent and strength might even surpass his. He isn't from the Uchiha Clan, but I don't want him turning out like Madara and eventually becoming a threat to Konoha." Danzo tried to make excuses.

"What do my talent and strength have to do with Uchiha Madara? You're just making false accusations!" Qingyun shook his head. "Danzo, just say it. Do you want me to join Root?"

To Qingyun's surprise, Danzo nodded. "Yes. Only by joining Root will you truly become one of us in Konoha! Only through my training can you become truly loyal to Konoha."

Qingyun couldn't stand Danzo's twisted logic and immediately retorted, "Hiring someone to kill me is enough to get you thrown out of Konoha. I'm just a little more talented and capable than most. What business is that of yours?"

"You brat! How dare you talk back to me?!" Danzo seemed furious.