Growth

Smacking away at his breakfast, Danzo wearily rubbed his eye sockets.

He accidentally pulled at his injuries and grimaced in pain again.

Last night, Sarutobi had used the excuse that he could not go into battle without even a shred of strength and embarrass himself to force Danzo into training for a while.

But how could Danzo not understand what Sarutobi was really thinking?

Playing along with Sarutobi's intentions, he deliberately moved clumsily and sluggishly. Together with his gloomy, repressed expression, it was enough to make Sarutobi believe his explanation.

By taking a beating and exposing his strength, Danzo had temporarily dispelled that guy Sarutobi's wariness toward him. Sarutobi probably would not interfere with his next decision.

That old man was stubborn, but in a sense, as long as something benefited Konoha, he could be very accommodating.

Since Danzo was wholeheartedly doing this for Konoha, Sarutobi should not stop him again.

"Have Kirigakure and Orochimaru replied?" Danzo asked. A Root Ninja abruptly appeared beside him.

This man was Yume Ryoma, who had returned after delivering a letter to the Fire Country Daimyo.

"Kirigakure's higher-ups have agreed to your proposal. Orochimaru has not replied for now," Yume Ryoma responded respectfully.

Danzo nodded and did not ask anything further.

Watching the crowds flowing through the streets, he knew this war absolutely could not be fought.

This decision of his was only meant to make an appearance before the public, earn Skill Points, and raise his strength to the point where he could protect himself as soon as possible.

If Konoha were truly made to suffer heavy losses by launching a war, he knew the costs would outweigh the gains.

"Gather the Root personnel for drills. The Daimyo's letter should already be on its way back. We need to prepare for war," Danzo said calmly.

"Yes."

Yume Ryoma nodded and vanished before Danzo's eyes.

That speed...

Danzo sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat dejected. If this young body had inherited all of the original owner's strength, he would not have to be so constrained now.

Perhaps because his way of thinking differed as someone from another world, although Danzo could use ninjutsu, it was difficult for him to unleash it in battle.

Hand seal speed was one matter; battle instincts were another.

The most fundamental change needed for a Genin to become a Chunin was the transformation of their battle instincts.

Many ninjutsu, taijutsu, and even genjutsu were used subconsciously in the midst of combat.

But Danzo truly could not learn that kind of ninja instinct.

It was like an ordinary person transmigrating into a world of cultivation. You could hardly expect them to suddenly comprehend their Dao Heart and attain enlightenment in an instant.

In the age of big data in his previous life, every grand principle had already been broken down and analyzed into layers of thought. Everyone understood the principles, but whether they could put them into practice was another matter entirely.

That was Danzo's current state.

But his strength was not nearly as worthless as he had claimed while speaking with Sarutobi. Though he had lost a ninja's instincts, Danzo's physical condition was superior.

He believed that as long as he kept spending points to learn skills, even without a ninja's instincts, he would be able to gain a foothold in this world and even stand at its peak.

"Uncle!"

A somewhat excited shout caught Danzo's attention. Amid the disgusted looks of the people on the street, Naruto ran toward him.

The Anbu Ninja secretly protecting—and incidentally monitoring—Naruto wore an unpleasant expression.

"Uncle, why were you gone when I woke up?" Naruto asked happily when he reached Danzo.

Naruto felt an inexplicable fondness for this uncle who had told him the truth and who was also his parents' friend.

This kid came to me himself. Sarutobi, don't blame me.

Danzo chuckled inwardly, but his face remained composed as he explained to Naruto, "I was supposed to wait until you grew up before telling you those things. I told you on my own initiative, so I had to explain the situation to the Third."

With one sentence, Danzo directly pinned the matter of concealing Naruto's identity on Sarutobi. Since arriving in this world, his ability to talk his way out of things and shift blame had gradually improved.

"Third Grandpa?"

Sure enough, Naruto puffed out his cheeks and remembered it.

As if recalling something, Naruto asked, "Uncle, I still don't know your name."

"Danzo. Just call me Uncle Dan," Danzo said after thinking for a moment. The seniority was a little confusing, but considering their ages, it was not wrong for him to be Naruto's uncle.

"Uncle Dan!"

Naruto cried out excitedly.

Perfect. Danzo was delighted inwardly. Once they had a connection, even if Naruto learned some truths in the future, he would show him mercy.

He was not confident that he could rely on the system to trade blows with the Child of Destiny.

"You probably haven't eaten breakfast, right? Boss, another bowl of noodles," Danzo called to the noodle shop owner, seeing Naruto's somewhat malnourished face.

Teuchi's Ichiraku Ramen did not serve breakfast, so Danzo had simply picked a random noodle shop.

In response to Danzo's order, the owner no longer showed the simple, honest demeanor from before. Instead, he shot Naruto a disgusted glance and said coldly, "Sir, we do not serve monsters here. If you wish to eat with this monster, then I'm afraid I cannot serve you."

Danzo was a ninja wearing a forehead protector. Although the owner did not look pleased, his words remained relatively polite.

Frowning, Danzo rose to reprimand the owner, but Naruto stopped him.

"Uncle Dan, forget it." Naruto was unexpectedly calm in the face of the man's attitude.

Danzo glanced at Naruto and swallowed the words that had reached his lips. This kid was truly quite mature. He had no idea how Sarutobi had managed to fool him into becoming like that in the original story.

The Naruto from the original story gave viewers an impression closer to his mother, Kushina.

But the Naruto Danzo had met was not carefree and loudmouthed, with becoming Hokage as his goal. His calm, prematurely mature demeanor was more like the Minato in Danzo's memories.

A mere commoner, Minato had relied on his talent and intelligence to gradually squeeze into the Hokage faction and make a name for himself. He ultimately became famous in a single battle and was immensely popular among Konoha's mostly civilian population.

"Ah, you've had it hard."

Since Naruto was being so sensible, Danzo followed his wishes.

"I'm used to it. One day, I'll earn everyone's acknowledgment through my own efforts, not because of my parents." Naruto flashed Danzo a smile, warm as a little sun.

After learning the truth, Naruto had grown up overnight and developed thoughts of his own.

Looking at Naruto, Danzo felt inexplicably healed.

This little guy...

He really was so much like his father.

Danzo led Naruto out of the noodle shop. Looking at the disgusted, indifferent gazes cast their way from the street, he said, "Earning everyone's acknowledgment takes more than words. Whether it's combat strength or ability, neither can be lacking."

"The path you've chosen will be even harder than you imagine."

"Are you prepared?"

"Of course I am!"

Naruto's tone was resolute, no longer carrying the confusion and uncertainty he had shown when they met at Ichiraku Ramen.