Growth

Munching on breakfast, Danzo rubbed his eyes wearily.

He accidentally aggravated the injuries on his body, causing him to grimace in pain.

Last night, Sarutobi, using the excuse that he couldn't go into battle without any strength and embarrass himself, forced him to train for a while.

But how could Danzo not understand the thoughts in his heart?

Cooperating with Sarutobi's intentions, he tried his best to show clumsy and sluggish movements, coupled with a gloomy and repressed face, which made Sarutobi believe his words.

After paying the price of a beating and exposing his strength, Danzo temporarily dispelled Sarutobi's wariness towards him. Sarutobi shouldn't stop his decision next.

Although that old guy is very stubborn, in a sense, he is very tolerant as long as it is something beneficial to Konoha.

Danzo is wholeheartedly for Konoha, he shouldn't stop him again.

"Did the Hidden Mist Village and Orochimaru reply?" Danzo asked, a Root ninja appearing abruptly beside him.

This person was Yume Ryoma, who had returned from delivering the letter to the Fire Country Daimyo.

"The Hidden Mist Village's higher-ups have agreed to your proposal, Orochimaru has not replied yet." Yume Ryoma replied respectfully.

Nodding, Danzo didn't continue to ask.

Looking at the bustling crowd on the street, this war definitely cannot be fought.

His decision this time was just to show his face in front of the masses, gain skill points, and improve to the point where he has the strength to protect himself as soon as possible.

He knew that it would be not worth the loss if Konoha Village were to launch a war that would hurt its foundation.

"Gather the Root members for drills. The Daimyo's letter should be on the way. We must prepare for war." Danzo said calmly.

"Yes."

Yume Ryoma nodded and disappeared before Danzo's eyes.

This speed...

Sighing inwardly, Danzo felt a little lost. If he had inherited all of the original owner's strength with this young body, he wouldn't have to be so timid now.

Perhaps it was because of the difference in thinking as a transmigrator, although Danzo could use ninjutsu, it was difficult to use it in battle.

Casting speed was one thing, combat instinct was another.

The most basic point for a Genin to become a Chunin is the transformation of combat instinct.

Many ninjutsu, taijutsu, and even genjutsu are used subconsciously during combat.

But Danzo really can't learn this kind of ninja instinct.

It's like an ordinary person transmigrating to a world of cultivation. It's hard to expect that kind of enlightenment of the Dao heart, a sudden realization that clears the clouds and sees the sun.

In the age of big data in his previous life, all the great principles have been analyzed into various levels of thought. Everyone understands the principles, but whether they can do it is another matter.

Danzo is in such a state now.

But his strength is not as useless as he said when he was talking to Sarutobi. Although his instinct as a ninja has disappeared, Danzo's physical fitness is even stronger.

He believes that as long as he relies on constantly adding points to learn skills, even if he loses a ninja's instinct, he will be able to gain a foothold in this world, and even reach the peak.

"Uncle!"

A slightly excited shout caught Danzo's attention. Amidst the disgusted gazes of others on the street, Naruto ran towards Danzo.

The Anbu ninja protecting and monitoring Naruto from the shadows wore a grim expression.

"Uncle, why did you disappear after I woke up?" Naruto asked happily as he approached Danzo.

Naruto felt a strange fondness for this uncle who had told him the truth and was also a friend of his parents.

This kid delivered himself right to my door. Sarutobi, don't blame me.

Danzo chuckled inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he explained to Naruto, "Originally, I was supposed to wait until you grew up to tell you these things. I took it upon myself to tell you, so I have to explain the situation to the Third Hokage."

With a single sentence, Danzo shifted the blame for concealing Naruto's identity onto Sarutobi. Danzo's maneuvers were smooth and effortless. After coming to this world, his ability to argue and pass the buck had gradually improved.

"Third Hokage Grandpa?"

As expected, Naruto pouted and remembered this matter.

Naruto seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Uncle, I still don't know your name."

"Danzo, you can just call me Uncle Dan," Danzo said after thinking for a moment. Although the seniority was a bit messed up, considering his age, it wasn't wrong for him to be his uncle.

"Uncle Dan!"

Naruto shouted excitedly.

Perfect, Danzo thought with delight. Once he established a connection, even if Naruto learned some truths in the future, he would show him mercy.

He wasn't confident in relying on the system to fight the Child of Destiny head-on.

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

Teuchi's Ichiraku Ramen didn't serve breakfast, so Danzo just picked a random noodle shop.

Faced with Danzo's order, the noodle shop owner didn't show the same simple honesty as before. Instead, he glanced at Naruto with disgust and said coldly, "This customer, we don't serve monsters here. If you want to eat with this monster, please forgive me for not being able to serve you."

Danzo was a ninja wearing a forehead protector, so the owner's words were still relatively polite, even though he didn't give him a good look.

Frowning, Danzo stood up, ready to reprimand the owner, but Naruto stopped him.

"Uncle Dan, it's okay." Faced with this person's attitude, Naruto was surprisingly calm.

Looking at Naruto, Danzo stopped the words at the tip of his tongue. This kid's mind is really quite mature. I wonder how Sarutobi managed to fool him like that in the original story.

The Naruto in the original story gave the audience the impression of being more like his mother, Kushina.

But the Naruto that Danzo had come into contact with didn't have the carefree goal of becoming Hokage. His calm and precocious demeanor was more like Minato in his memory.

An ordinary civilian, relying on his talent and wisdom, gradually squeezed into the Hokage faction, stood out, and finally became famous in one battle, gaining immense popularity in Konoha Village, which was mostly made up of civilians.

"Ah, it's been hard on you..."

Since Naruto was so sensible, Danzo went along with his wishes.

"I'm used to it. One day, I will gain everyone's recognition through my own efforts, not because of my parents," Naruto said, flashing a smile at Danzo, as warm as a small sun.

After learning the truth, Naruto had grown up overnight and had his own ideas.

Looking at Naruto, Danzo inexplicably felt a sense of healing.

This little guy...

He really is like his father.

Danzo led Naruto out of the ramen shop, looking at the disgusted and indifferent gazes from the street, and said, "Gaining everyone's approval isn't just something you can talk about. Whether it's combat power or ability, both are indispensable."

"The path you've decided on is more difficult than you imagine."

"Are you ready?"

"Of course, I am!"

Naruto's tone was firm, without the bewilderment and confusion he had when they met at Ichiraku.