Don't Stain Me With Your Darkness

"Yo."

"The Fifth Hokage-in-waiting has arrived."

Toji scrutinized the young Danzo before him.

With his black, spiky hair, gloomy and rebellious eyes, and the signature X-shaped scar on his chin, the boy exuded a fierce, predatory aura.

One could call Danzo wicked, but never mediocre; he was truly a standout among the youths of this era.

Toji gave a slight nod. "I recognize you. Tobirama's second disciple."

Danzo felt a surge of irritation; you should address him as Lord Tobirama! But he dared not reveal his true thoughts in front of Toji, so he could only reply in a low voice, "Yes, I am Lord Tobirama's disciple."

"You... are not bad. Take me to see Tobirama."

Toji did not refuse and readily followed him.

It had been over a month since Tobirama was placed under house arrest.

Toji could barely remember the last time they had spoken.

With the Reanimation jutsu now banned, he wanted to take this opportunity to probe Tobirama's stance and see if this great inventor had truly given up or if he still had other ideas.

Toji was led by Danzo to the tea room where Tobirama was being held.

After delivering him to the room, Danzo clasped his hands behind his back and consciously took up his post at the door, acting as a silent guard.

Toji saw Tobirama once again.

His frame looked a bit thinner, but the month of confinement had not made him look decadent. Instead, it had caused him to internalize his sharp edge, making him appear even more composed and profound—like a sheathed sword, its sharpness hidden, yet all the more intimidating.

To put it in plain terms...

He had become even more devious.

Coming with ill intent, Toji grew vigilant.

"Tobirama, long time no see."

"Toji, you've come."

Tobirama gestured for Toji to sit and poured him a cup of tea himself.

Without cutting straight to the point, he asked first, "Toji, what do you think of this disciple of mine?"

Toji replied with a hint of dark humor, "Danzo? The boy has plenty of spirit. In my opinion, he has the makings of a Hokage."

"..."

Tobirama was momentarily choked for words, but he quickly returned to normal. "Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura—both of these children are the best of the Ninja Academy. They will surely become the backbone of the village in the future."

"Even before the Ninja Academy was founded, I saw their potential and took them under my wing to train them personally..."

Tobirama first conveyed his own will to Toji, then abruptly changed the subject. "Toji, I heard you also took on a disciple at the Ninja Academy?"

"Yes, her name is Matsumoto Waka. I think she has potential, so I am teaching her medical ninjutsu."

"Toji, do you think learning medicine can protect Konoha?"

Here it comes.

His expression remained calm. "Medical ninjas can ensure that the wounded receive treatment, reducing casualties and avoidable sacrifices."

"You also believe that medical arts can only reduce casualties, not eliminate them, right?"

"Yes."

"Ninjas must eventually go to the front lines to kill, and where there is killing, people will inevitably die. To achieve true peace, one must either possess overwhelming power to protect their comrades, or find a way to ensure their comrades never die."

Seeing Toji remain silent, Tobirama assumed he had been swayed and continued, "That day, my research into forbidden jutsus was halted by the Hokage. Do you know what kind of jutsu it was?"

"I named it—the Reanimation jutsu."

"In my vision, this jutsu can summon the souls of deceased ninjas back to the world of the living, resurrecting them in physical form."

"The more powerful the jutsu, the greater the price." Toji's expression did not change as he calmly countered, "So, what is the cost?"

"The development process requires human experimentation, which means people will die because of this jutsu. But these sacrifices are necessary. By sacrificing a few outsiders, one can protect the lives of comrades and ensure the continuity of their souls."

"The Ninja World is in turmoil, and peace is merely an illusion. Various factions are expanding their military strength and studying forbidden jutsus; they only refrain from acting because they fear the power of my elder brother. But my brother is human, too—he will grow old one day."

"One day, the dormant Warring States period will return."

"To protect Konoha and preserve peace, I must continue my research into forbidden jutsus."

"This is my Ninja Way."

Toji understood what Tobirama meant—if your neighbors are raising ninjas and you only learn medical ninjutsu, you are destined to be plundered in the end.

Tobirama stopped hiding his intentions and finally revealed his true purpose:

"Join me, Toji. I need your power."

"The development of this jutsu cannot be done without your strength."

"You possess the talent to develop ninjutsu, and as the director of Gospel Hospital, you can easily obtain the human subjects required for your experiments."

"Everything is for the sake of peace."

Tobirama's voice echoed through the tearoom, lingering long after he spoke.

A long silence followed.

Toji set down his teacup, his expression calm. "Tobirama, you are not wrong. Reanimation may truly become the final line of defense against death, and it could serve as a trump card for peace."

Tobirama's eyes brightened, and he was just about to respond:

"So you are sayi—"

"However, I refuse."

The curve that had just begun to form on Tobirama's lips collapsed. "Why?"

"The peace I pursue is one earned through mutual understanding between people. These hands of mine are meant to save lives, not to develop terrifying forbidden techniques or create more slaughter."

Toji straightened his posture, not yielding in the slightest.

"I cannot control what others think or do. But I will remain consistent and hold fast to my own ninja way."

"Asking me to use my talents for forbidden arts, or to turn a hospital that brings gospel to the villagers into a repository for human subjects—that is absolutely impossible."

"I will not report today's events to the Hokage. I do not approve of your ninja way, but I will defend your right to speak it to the death..."

"Do not let your darkness tarnish the ideals of the Hokage and myself, Senju Tobirama!"

With that, Toji stood up abruptly and turned to leave.

Behind him came Tobirama's final attempt at persuasion and his warning:

"The Ninja World will not become better because of idealists; it will only become worse because of the ambitious."

"Toji, you are too naive. Sooner or later, you will understand me."

"You will regret this!"

Bang!

The only answer he received was the sound of Toji slamming the door.

Toji's silhouette faded into the distance.

Danzo stood at the entrance.

He saw his teacher sitting upright on the cushion, holding his teacup with an expressionless face.

He looked even more exhausted than before.

Danzo silently clenched his fists.

He did not know exactly what had happened in the tearoom, but from the atmosphere, it was clear that the conversation had been far from pleasant.

In that moment, Danzo thought to himself.

Konoha owed its current status as a hegemon largely to his teacher's contributions. If one day he could stand in his teacher's position, he would surely be able to shoulder everything for him and share this heavy burden.

As a disciple, inheriting his teacher's will and relieving his pressure was the unshirkable duty of Shimura Danzo!

And yet, Toji had actually caused his teacher to show such a look of exhaustion...

"What an abominable guy."