Danzo Comes Calling

[Ding! Disciple-taking mission complete. Reward issued.]

Another insanely powerful reward was in the bag. With Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu, he would never have to fear illusions again!

But when it came to actual combat experience, he was still a complete newbie!

He needed to fight more people to improve himself.

After eating and drinking his fill, he left the dango shop!

"Brother Shao Nan, Hanabi's formal gift for becoming your disciple will also be delivered tomorrow. See you tomorrow!"

After saying that, Hyuga Hiashi took Hanabi away. Hinata quietly followed behind them!

I knew this old man wouldn't let her go that easily! What a sly bastard.

He must be planning to let more people know tomorrow that I took his daughter as my disciple!

"Shao Nan, it's getting late. I'll head home first!"

"Kurenai, you showed us around for so long. Come have dinner at my place, or I won't feel right about it!"

When it was time to pay after finishing the tri-colored dango, he realized he did not have enough money on him!

In the end, Kurenai Yuhi paid the bill!

After Kurenai tactfully declined, Shao Nan could only carry Chino and follow the pink pig toward the Senju Compound.

At that moment, a lecherous-looking man lurked in the shadows, an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth as he muttered, "Good thing she didn't go home with that man!"

Meanwhile, at Konoha's Root.

"Hiruzen, take care. I won't see you out!"

When Danzo learned that Shao Nan had used Wood Release, a sense of fear unconsciously rose within him!

Although Konoha had Tenzō, a Wood Release user, his Wood Release was only good for landscaping and building houses.

He recalled witnessing the First Hokage's Wood Release alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi when they were young. It had truly encompassed all creation.

Then there had been his battle with Madara Uchiha, a fight powerful enough to reshape the terrain and create the Valley of the End.

That alone showed just how powerful such Wood Release was.

But how could a Wood Release technique like Deep Forest Emergence reappear in the Ninja World?

Although he had implanted the First Hokage's cells into himself, he could not use that all-encompassing power at all.

After years of research in cooperation with Orochimaru, they had only managed to create a Wood Release ninja capable of landscaping.

The manpower, resources, and funds consumed during that research had been far too great.

After that, he had lost all interest in the First Hokage's cells!

No, I need to get to know—or perhaps befriend—this man called Shao Nan!

Perhaps he could be the key to my becoming Hokage!

Just as Shao Nan followed Tonton back to the Senju Compound where Tsunade lived.

Shao Nan saw someone completely unexpected, standing beneath the streetlamp ahead with a cane in hand.

Night had fallen. One lamp, one man, one cane!

Shao Nan knew that he was Konoha's dark figure, Danzo.

Ignoring Danzo, he shouted inside, "Tsunade, I'm back!"

Chino shouted along with him, "Mommy, your little treasure is home!"

Danzo was stunned when he heard that. Could Tsunade really have married this man? And even had a daughter?

Seeing that the child's hair color was somewhat similar to Tsunade's, Danzo instinctively concluded that she was Tsunade's daughter!

"Daddy, there's an injured grandpa over there. Should we help him? He looks so pitiful!"

Shao Nan was astonished. Was Chino truly that innocent, or was she pretending?

Back at the restaurant, she had known how to steal food!

Forget it. He would find a chance to ask her clearly later.

He had adopted her already. She was his precious little girl now. Surely she would not harm him!

"Chino, you can't talk to or approach strangers, understand?"

"Mommy, Chino missed you so much!" When she saw Tsunade come out.

Chino jumped from Shao Nan's arms, ran to Tsunade, and wrapped her little arms around her leg!

Tsunade also saw Danzo. After picking Chino up, she looked at him with undisguised disgust and asked.

"What wind blew you here?"

Seeing the expression on Tsunade's face, Danzo immediately felt a trace of displeasure!

I, Danzo, have devoted heart and soul to this village. Why should I have to endure your disdain?

Everything I have done was for the village. Not a single person in Konoha understands me. Even my old friend Hiruzen Sarutobi is the same, using his power to bully me.

"Tsunade, this old man came specially to offer congratulations."

Tsunade frowned. "You'd be that kind-hearted? Get lost. I don't have time to bother with you."

"This must be one of Konoha's higher-ups, Danzo, right?" Shao Nan stepped forward.

Then he continued to Tsunade, "It's windy outside. Take Chino inside first. I'll be in shortly."

Upon hearing that, Tsunade had no idea what Shao Nan was planning this time.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Honey, be careful. This person isn't simple."

After saying that, Tsunade carried Chino inside without waiting for Shao Nan to respond.

This woman really has me wrapped around her finger! We're already home, and she's still calling me honey!

She's forcing the husband-and-wife label onto us!

How am I supposed to chat with beautiful women in the future?!

"You know this old man, Shao Nan Senju?" Danzo asked calmly.

"Of course. The leader of Konoha's Root, eliminating every threat to Konoha! Otherwise, how could Konoha enjoy such peace and prosperity?"

Shao Nan spoke with an impressively sincere expression.

After hearing that, Danzo seemed to have found a kindred spirit.

At last, someone understood him. It seemed Shao Nan had looked into him before, but how much did he know?

Just then, Shao Nan continued, "It's such a shame you aren't Hokage!"

Danzo stepped up before Shao Nan, joy appearing on his face.

The more he looked at Shao Nan, the more he liked him!

Meanwhile, Shao Nan felt goosebumps rising all over his body.

Not again. Another old man looking at me like that.

"Shao Nan Senju, why do you say that?" Danzo asked with a smile.

Shao Nan gathered his thoughts, then said, "Your methods are just as forceful as the Second Hokage's. As for that old man, the Third Hokage, all he knows is how to compromise! It's truly a shame you aren't Hokage."

Although many people hated Danzo, no one could deny that he had devoted his entire life to Konoha!

He had aspired to become Hokage since the Second Hokage's era, and for decades, he had never forgotten that original ambition!

Even during his battle with Sasuke Uchiha, he had held something back.

He had not used Shisui Uchiha's eye, only wanting to preserve his strength and do everything possible to help Konoha eliminate Obito Uchiha!

Unfortunately, Danzo had been fooled by one of Sasuke's inconspicuous genjutsu, and in the end, he blew himself up and sealed himself away.

"What a pity. None of them understand me!"

"It's fine. Haven't I appeared now? At the next Hokage election, I'll cast a vote for you in the name of the Senju!"

"Brother Shao Nan, are you serious?" Danzo was so excited that he had started calling Shao Nan his brother.

Then he continued, "Brother Shao Nan, don't you want to become Hokage?"

"Hey, hey, that won't do, Elder Danzo! How could I call you brother?

I have no interest in the position of Hokage!

My goal is only to restore the Senju clan's glory!"

Danzo had always been vicious and ruthless, with endless schemes and plots.

After hearing Shao Nan's words, he considered them very carefully. Shao Nan seemed uninhibited, bold, and straightforward.

The more I look at him, the more I like him!

But is it really appropriate for him to help me rise to power in the name of the Senju?

This is quite a huge favor to owe!

My brain, hurry up and think of a proper way to repay him!

A flash of inspiration suddenly crossed Danzo's mind!

He resembled Lord Hashirama so much. His personality should not be too different either!

Lord Hashirama had been immensely powerful, but he had also been quite the romantic!

When he was still young, he and Hiruzen Sarutobi had received the teachings of Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama Senju.

He remembered that many times, Lord Hashirama would use the excuse of taking him and Hiruzen out to train.

Then, behind the back of his wife, Lady Mito Uzumaki, he would go to the pleasure quarter to listen to geishas sing little tunes.

Inspired by Lord Hashirama, I opened not only gambling houses, but also pleasure quarters.

It was all for gathering intelligence and conducting intelligence transactions.

All my life, everything I, Danzo, have done has been for the village.

Yet the position of Hokage had always slipped past me.

Luckily, Shao Nan has appeared now. He is crucial to turning things around for me!

It seems I need to summon my granddaughter back from the pleasure quarter!

I'm sure Shao Nan Senju would not refuse a beautiful young woman capable of toppling kingdoms!

My granddaughter is the top geisha in the largest pleasure quarter in the entire Ninja World!

She is proficient in every skill of the pleasure quarter! Even now, she remains untouched!

At that thought, Danzo's perpetually gloomy face broke into a radiant smile.

"Brother Shao Nan, we hit it off at first sight. Naturally, we should call each other brothers!

Tomorrow, this old man will certainly send you a generous gift to celebrate your return to the Senju clan!"

Shao Nan really wanted to curse at that moment. Every one of them kept talking about sending a generous gift, a grand gift!

They were all just talking, without any real action.

If tomorrow's gifts don't satisfy me, just wait and see how I deal with you all!

"In that case, I'll look forward to your gift, old brother!"

After saying that, Shao Nan headed toward the house. He had only taken a few steps when Danzo's voice called out to him.

"Brother Shao Nan, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Your old brother has a gift for you right now!"