Konoha at daybreak blossomed with a longed-for radiance in Shimura Danzō's eyes, while the packed Hokage Plaza stirred a surge of excitement deep within him.
Ryūchi Cave—Shimura Danzō was coming!
A gigantic black beetle, far taller than the Hokage Building, had folded its translucent wings beneath the morning light. The chakra it inadvertently leaked caught Danzō's attention.
As he sensed it carefully, it felt as though his mind had been cast into a vast ocean.
Fortunately, the clamor of discussion pulled Danzō back to reality. He estimated that this Seven-Tails had fused with the Tailed Beasts of at least three Ninja Nations.
As Danzō continued toward the Shimura Clan's area, he took advantage of the unobstructed view to count the enormous airships connected to the insect's carapace.
Though the number of passengers marked on the airships' surfaces was concealed by the night, it could not escape a ninja's keen eyes.
Each airship carried fifty people. On the broad street before him, five of them were connected in a long line, like the massive shadow of a Tailed Beast beneath the faint night sky.
Danzō felt a flicker of surprise at these enormous, oversized airships. He had not expected the alliance to bring out such a trump card.
After all, an ordinary aerial train only carried twenty people.
"Danzō!"
Surrounded by their classmates, Hiruzen's gaze crossed the bustling crowd and immediately spotted the lonely figure standing in the distance.
"Hiruzen!"
Danzō cast an apologetic glance at his father, who was watching him, then answered as he walked toward Hiruzen.
"Not bad. My chakra is barely enough for one and a half Danzō."
"Pretty good. As for me, just average—exactly two Danzō. Kagami, what about you?"
"Me? A little over one Danzō."
As he passed through the crowd and drew closer to