Assassination and Counter-Assassination

Because Kakashi, that salted fish, surrendered too quickly, the duel lacked any flashy spectacle, leaving Kizaru somewhat dissatisfied.

However, the effect Kizaru desired had been achieved.

The perfect invisibility Kizaru displayed on the stage, combined with his wide-range, high-density Wind Release ninjutsu, fully demonstrated his impressive strength.

In a shinobi village, the best way for a ninja to show their value and earn respect is through their own power.

After this duel, the vast majority of Konoha ninjas knew that Danzo had brought back a genius ninja. Beyond Danzo himself, the declining Shimura clan had produced another Jonin, and an elite one at that.

Never underestimate a Jonin; in any of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, if a clan can produce a single Jonin, that clan can instantly leap into the upper-middle tier of the village.

Jonins are rare talents in the Five Great Shinobi Villages and hold significant sway within their respective villages.

Therefore, following this duel, Kizaru's reputation in Konoha was firmly established.

Danzo, who had watched the entire duel, was also very satisfied with Kizaru's performance.

After the match concluded, Danzo specifically sought out Kizaru to offer some words of encouragement.

That same evening, in order to further win Kizaru over, Danzo convened a full clan meeting within the Shimura clan, where he explicitly confirmed Kizaru's status as the clan's second-in-command and his own successor.

From the title alone, what Danzo offered seemed like a huge investment, full of sincerity.

But in reality, the entire Shimura clan consisted of only a handful of people—fewer than a hundred in total, most of whom were elderly, weak, sick, or disabled.

The position of second-in-command and heir that Danzo gave Kizaru was essentially worth nothing.

However, the identity Kizaru was currently feigning was precisely for a public status and the