Missing You, Old Danzo-Danzo's Final Sacrifice? [Two-in-One]

"We're not afraid even if they get close. Let's see who beats whom then."

Uchiha Gin wasn't worried in the least.

His body had already reached the stage of using Lightning Release to stimulate cellular activity. Ordinary training no longer helped much, so he was using Lightning Release to stimulate his cells and gain some improvement.

The Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Armor wasn't a particularly difficult jutsu. You just needed an extreme level of control over Lightning Release and the ability to withstand being struck by lightning without dying. Then you could train yourself to use it. But very few people could meet those conditions.

Uchiha Gin planned to strengthen himself with First Hokage Cells once stimulating his cells with Lightning Release stopped having an effect.

The Akatsuki were recuperating.

Konan was overseeing the reconstruction of Amegakure. Meanwhile, the Animal Path Pain modeled after Hanzo had been completed and brought back into public view, where he suppressed the many outbreaks of unrest.

Naturally, some people refused to accept it and wanted to test him. In the end, Hanzo simply summoned Ibuse, and everyone fell silent.

After all, this was the unique summon of Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure. No one else in the Ninja World had it.

Then Hanzo announced that Deva Path and Konan had become Amegakure's new deputy leaders, and that everyone had to follow their orders. The turmoil in Amegakure gradually died down. There were still conflicts within the village, but those who stirred them up were quickly dealt with, and no one dared speak up again.

"The conflicts within Amegakure have been resolved, but the outside world is probing us more and more. Konoha in particular has sent a lot of Anbu to investigate."

Konan spoke to Nagato.

The other Akatsuki members had already left to take on other bounty missions and earn funds for the organization.

Amegakure was what Nagato and Konan wanted, and it was also a means of revenge.

"Just have Animal Path Hanzo show his face."

"Gather the intelligence. Then have Hanzo appear around the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth."

Nagato said.

He thought Hanzo was well suited to the name Animal Path.

"Even though Hanzo has shown himself, we probably can't hide the fact that Amegakure was badly damaged. The three great villages may test us, and the fighting could spread through the Land of Rain."

That was what worried Konan most.

The Land of Rain had become a battleground for the three great nations. They wouldn't let the fighting spill into their own countries, so they would have to choose a defenseless nation like this one. The Land of Rain, which bordered all three, was the best choice.

"If they dare attack, then let them experience Wrath of God."

Nagato said coldly.

He was no longer who he used to be. Now, he was a god.

Konan looked at Nagato's emaciated body, her expression full of concern. At least this time, he hadn't used those few extremely costly techniques.

She wanted to urge Nagato to give up. The danger posed by Uchiha Madara was impossible to gauge, and opposing the entire Ninja World made their path far too difficult. But looking at Nagato now, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

"Whatever happens, I'll stay with you to the very end!"

Konan made up her mind.

Jiraiya was in the Land of Hot Water, using binoculars to observe the women's hot springs and gather material, when his brow suddenly furrowed and he turned around.

"Anbu from Konoha?"

Jiraiya was puzzled.

In the years since he'd left Konoha, he'd kept in touch with the village, sending back information about what he encountered on his travels.

But this was only the second time Konoha had come looking for him. The first had been to tell him that Minato had died.

"Could something have happened to the old Third?"

Jiraiya felt a little panicked.

"Lord Jiraiya, this is a confidential letter from the Third Hokage. He asks you to read it and return to Konoha as soon as possible."

The Anbu member knelt and handed Jiraiya a letter.

Hearing that the message was from the old Third, Jiraiya relaxed, though he still wondered why he'd been summoned back so urgently. Tsunade had returned to Konoha.

After Jiraiya opened the envelope and read the letter, he stared in shock.

"You want me to go back and compete with Orochimaru for the position of Hokage?"

"Me?"

Jiraiya pointed at himself, unable to believe it.

Chapter 60: Missing You, Old Danzo—Danzo's Final Sacrifice? [Two-in-One]

"What exactly is the Uchiha Clan planning?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the intelligence report. The Uchiha were working to reduce the cost of producing ninja tools, and he couldn't figure out their purpose.

With Danzo's fate unknown, he was extremely irritated.

He no longer dared underestimate Orochimaru or the Uchiha. If they started a rebellion now, the odds were far greater than if the Uchiha had acted alone. Orochimaru was more than capable of becoming a new leader.

"Is there still no news of Danzo?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

"Yes. Sunset confirmed that Lord Danzo did not escape from Amegakure."

"Amegakure is now under lockdown. An Anbu squad failed to infiltrate it and lost contact. The village has announced that Hanzo isn't dead, only injured, but we haven't obtained any concrete evidence yet."

The Anbu member quickly reported the intelligence.

Root Organization, under Orochimaru, had also sent in a report, but it was much the same as what Anbu had gathered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could tell that Orochimaru was nowhere near as good as Danzo at gathering intelligence. But there was no suitable replacement, and with Orochimaru in Root Organization, he could at least have someone keep an eye on him.

He also had evidence that Orochimaru was conducting human experiments, but didn't particularly want to use it. Orochimaru was his student, after all. Besides, if Orochimaru got into trouble, Sarutobi Hiruzen would be dragged into it as his teacher. He wanted his record to be spotless and didn't want a stain on it.

"Send word to me immediately if you learn anything about Hanzo or Danzo."

"Keep a close watch on every clan and find out whether they're colluding with the Uchiha Clan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave his final orders.

The Anbu would pass them on to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who would handle these matters.

"Yes, sir!"

The Anbu member received his orders and immediately went to pass them along.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood and looked out the window at Konoha.

I miss you, old Danzo!

He missed Danzo more than ever. How could Konoha have been so out of control if Danzo were still around? His decision to make Danzo step down had been a mistake!

"A merchant caravan from the Land of Fire's great nobles?"

Before long, Sarutobi Hiruzen spotted a large caravan on the street.

He'd known about its visit in advance, of course, since anyone entering the village had to apply beforehand. Konoha had strong purchasing power and was a frequent stop for merchants, though caravans this large were rare.

"???"

When Sarutobi Hiruzen saw someone from the caravan get down and start talking with Uchiha Fugaku, he realized something was wrong.

"Is this the Guardian Gem made with the Uchiha Clan's secret technique?"

The caravan's manager picked up a gem two centimeters in diameter and examined it carefully.

He was the steward of one of the five most powerful noble families in the Land of Fire. He'd come specifically to verify this special item. If it was genuine, there would be no shortage of buyers. Most importantly, it could be used to curry favor with the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

"Why not try it?"

As he spoke, Uchiha Gin took three Shuriken from his ninja tool pouch.

Before the caravan manager could say a word, Uchiha Gin threw them at him, right before his horrified eyes.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

The Shuriken seemed to hit glass, rang out sharply, and fell onto the tatami.

The caravan manager stared in astonishment, clearly unable to react for a moment.

"This Guardian Gem automatically releases a barrier to protect its owner. Any ninjutsu that comes within three meters activates it."

"It also activates if an object approaches the owner at a speed of more than ten meters per second. And the owner can activate it manually. That makes three ways to trigger the protection."

Uchiha Gin explained the Guardian Gem's abilities.

Rich people were most afraid of dying. They might have plenty of bodyguards around them, but nothing compared to a protective device they could carry at all times. Even if its defense wasn't very strong, people would still buy it. A Chunin could break through it with a little effort; it was just somewhat complicated to make.

"Is it really that powerful?"

Despite saying that, the caravan manager clutched the gem in his hand, unwilling to let go.

He could sense its value. After all, bodyguards couldn't stay by his side every second of the day.

At that moment, he very much wanted a gem of his own.

"You can have your people test it. You can decide whether to buy before you leave."

"But the barrier from this gem can last no more than thirty minutes. If it's never triggered, the chakra inside will run out after a year, and it'll stop protecting you."

Uchiha Gin continued.

"What? It only lasts a year?"

The caravan manager panicked when he heard that.

"This Guardian Gem is insurance. For great nobles, isn't it best if the barrier is never triggered?"

"Besides, having to replace it every year lets you show your value. If we make a deal, you'll be the exclusive agent for these gems from then on. Anyone who offends you won't be able to buy one in the future. Isn't that right?"

Uchiha Gin painted an enticing picture for the merchant.

Once he had enough money, he'd have no interest in continuing to make these little trinkets.

And if anyone dared come looking for an explanation, the hundred or so Three Tomoe thugs at his command would teach them what "reason" meant.

"You do make a good point!"

The caravan manager's eyes gleamed with greed as he listened to Uchiha Gin.

If it was really as he said, perhaps he could take his master's place and earn the favor of the daimyo of the Land of Fire. Even if he couldn't manage that, becoming a new noble didn't sound particularly difficult.

"If you're the exclusive agent, the Guardian Gems cost twenty million ryō each. Without exclusivity, they're fifteen million."

Uchiha Gin didn't hold back and named his price.

"???"

Fugaku's eyes widened.

That was highway robbery!

"You're robbing me!"

The caravan manager jumped up and glared at Uchiha Gin.

"The gem itself is worth nearly two million ryō. It takes about five gems to make one successfully, and it's an exclusive secret technique that only I know."

"Making more than twice the cost doesn't sound unreasonable."

Uchiha Gin snorted and didn't soften his stance. Instead, he was completely firm.

Now was the time to make a killing. How could he give in?

"No, that price is too high. I can't accept it."

The caravan manager shook his head again and again.

Two gems like these could buy Asuma's head. That was the price of the Hokage's son!

"If that's the case, then our partnership ends here."

"Actually, I've already been in touch with another company, but since our partnership has been closer, I chose to give you priority."

Uchiha Gin spread his hands, feigning helplessness.