A Parting Shot at Danzo

Seeing Danzo suddenly appear unharmed behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely baffled.

It's good that Danzo is alive, but how did that old guy even survive? I clearly saw him die with my own eyes!

Danzo survived, of course, thanks to Izanagi.

By using the technique Izanagi to alter reality, deny death, and deceive the entire world, he achieves resurrection in a certain sense, and once again stands behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

To unleash this technique, all that's needed is to sacrifice one Sharingan.

Although the Uchiha Clan has not been wiped out, it is not difficult for Danzo of Root, to obtain a few spare Sharingan.

Therefore, it would be even less difficult for Danzo to activate Izanagi to alter reality just before his death, amidst terrifying lightning capable of killing him.

This is why Danzo survived.

However, the most important thing now is that Danzo needs to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a reason, since Hiruzen Sarutobi just witnessed him being annihilated in the lightning.

Seeing the doubtful look in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Danzo pursed his lips and gave a reason that even he himself found unbelievable:

"Hiruzen, you've misunderstood. What just died was my Shadow Clone Technique. It seems I even fooled you."

Are you kidding me? Is it the real body or Shadow Clone Technique? Do you think I, a Ninjutsu expert, can't tell?

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi really wanted to say this.

However, after thinking it over, Hiruzen Sarutobi still didn't say it, because he knew that his old friend had been in charge of Root for so many years, and although his strength hadn't increased much, he still had some trump cards up his sleeve.

This strange resurrection of Danzo must be one of the trump cards he's accumulated over the years, right? Hiruzen Sarutobi guessed.

Furthermore, Hiruzen Sarutobi speculated that the ability to evade death just now definitely came at a price, and Danzo might be feeling the Danzo right now.

Since that's the case, I'll just turn a blind eye. Anyway, Danzo isn't dead, so I shouldn't be too harsh on him.

So, Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Danzo behind him, swung his staff, and continued to stare seriously at Yun Yan opposite him, confronting this mysterious enemy.

Yun Yan had clearly seen the scene where Danzo resurrected out of thin air behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, and he could certainly guess that it was the effect of Izanagi.

However... even though he had already suspected it, Yun Yan was still quite annoyed when he saw with his own eyes that this old guy had an unknown number of extra lives.

This old dog... it seems we can't kill him using conventional methods.

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi is also present, so it won't be so easy to take Danzo's life right now, which is a real pity.

Since that's the case, let's retreat. We've already caused a ruckus tonight, gotten our revenge, obtained the Hashirama Cells, killed Danzo once, and haven't even revealed our identities yet. That's about enough.

Thinking of this, lightning crackled around Yun Yan as he once again used the extremely swift Lightning Body Flicker.

To Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprise, the No-Face, accompanied by crackling electricity, suddenly retreated, disappearing into the forest almost instantly. The bright lightning receded further and further away, soon to vanish from Hiruzen's sight!

Seeing the speed of that Lightning Body Flicker, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew something was wrong.

Oh no, the opponent is much faster than me! I probably won't be able to catch up!

But even if that's what I think, I still have to keep pursuing it.

With the enormous stick still tucked under his armpit, Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his foot and activated his Body Flicker Technique, intending to chase after them personally.

Whether they can catch up is another matter, but they must show their determination to pursue; otherwise, where will they put their face as the Hokage?

But just as Hiruzen Sarutobi had this thought, and before he even took that step, the situation changed again.

Just as Yun Yan into Light Release into the forest, a lightning-shining Thunder Swallow suddenly emerged from the depths of the forest!

The Thunder Swallow spread its wings and let out a loud cry. It emerged from the forest at great speed, skimming the ground as it hurtled towards Danzo!

Thunder Swallow's target is Danzo! That's for sure!

Moreover, Thunder Swallow flies extremely fast and fiercely, and the lightning that gathers and flashes on Thunder Swallow's body is extremely terrifying. If Danzo were Danzo by this move, he would probably die again!

Seeing the approaching Thunder Swallow, Hiruzen Sarutobi made this judgment.

In a short time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gripping the large club in his hand, couldn't help but turn back and glance at Danzo again.

The old man was still somewhat dazed at this moment; in his current state, there was no way he could dodge the Thunder Swallow at such speed!

What should I do? Should I stay to save Danzo, or rush out to chase after that mysterious No-Face?

If Danzo were to rush out and give chase now, he might be able to catch up.

Regardless of Danzo's words, even if Danzo is killed by Thunder Swallow, he could still possibly revive using the same method he just used.

So... should we gamble on this possibility?

For a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated, unsure of what to choose.

Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decisive choice at the crucial moment. He immediately followed his heart, stood still in a very short time, chose the perfect angle and timing, and swung his Adamantine Staff!

Yes, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to stay and save his old friend Danzo instead of immediately pursuing the mysterious No-Face.

The reason is simple: when faced with two evils, choose the lesser. For Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, the Danzo and mastermind, is still the most important.

Although the No-Face's origins and strength were mysterious, and he had caused a great disturbance at Root and embarrassed Konoha, he ultimately did not pose a direct threat to him as Hokage. Moreover, he wisely fled as soon as he saw him appear.

Taking all these factors into account, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to stay and save Danzo.

Little did they know, this was exactly what Yun Yan wanted.

After leaving Danzo, Yun Yan unleashed a Thunder Swallow, its target still Thunder Swallow, with the aim of delaying Sarutobi's pace and time, preventing the old man from catching up.

As expected, that's what Hiruzen Sarutobi chose.

He swung his thick, large stick—an extremely hard and indestructible stick—and smashed it into the flying Thunder Swallow mid-air.

Although Thunder Swallow was powerful, its texture was not as hard as that of the Enma. When it was hit hard from above by this big club, it couldn't help but let out a miserable howl and explode into a pile of disordered lightning.

Thunder Swallow was intercepted in mid-air by Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of Danzo.

It seems to be going smoothly; Hiruzen Sarutobi successfully intercepted the Thunder Swallow.

However, hidden within this Thunder Swallow was a little scheme by Yun Yan, and it was this little scheme that caused Danzo to suffer a silent loss later on.

As the Thunder Swallow was smashed to pieces in mid-air, in its final moments, it opened its beak and spat out a sharp and pointed Lightning Senbon.

The weapon called "Senbon" is shaped like a steel needle; it is thin, long, and very tough. It has a small destructive range but strong penetrating power.

The Lightning Senbon that Thunder Swallow spat out before her death was similar in shape to the real Senbon, but because it was condensed from lightning, the lightning senbon was obviously more powerful!

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched helplessly as the Thunder Swallow he had smashed with his staff spat out a Lightning Senbon before dying, which shot towards Danzo at Lightning Senbon speed!

Oops!

With that thought in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out to grab the Lightning Senbon.

Unfortunately, the Lightning Senbon Needles were extremely fast, almost like a flash of light, so fast that Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even have time to reach out.

Although he didn't have time to reach out and grab it, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't that nervous.

He reasoned that while the Lightning Senbon Needles were fast, their power couldn't compare to a Danzo Thunder Swallow. He figured Danzo should be able to block it, even if he couldn't dodge it.

At least they definitely won't die!

If Danzo were killed by such a small Lightning Senbon Hiruzen Sarutobi would have to reconsider whether he had misjudged him.

This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's idea.

Then the Lightning Senbon shot forward rapidly, accurately and precisely striking Danzo's... right arm.

Yes, the Lightning Senbon Thunder Swallow Yun Yan remotely controlled before his death, which he shot out, were not aimed at Danzo's heart or throat, but at Danzo's right arm, which was covered by his wide sleeves.

Why target the arms?

Because several Sharingan had already been embedded in Danzo's right arm, which was wrapped in wide sleeves and bandages!