Assembly

"This guy is even more of an old stubborn mule than Sarutobi. How are these little brats supposed to grow if they never experience the flames of war?"

Early the next morning, Danzo emerged from the Shimura Clan Grounds, grumbling under his breath.

In the end, he still had not managed to recruit another squad. He had merely spent the night resting in the original owner's house.

Shimura Yi treated those children like treasures. How could they become shinobi if they were spoiled like this?

Danzo felt a deep frustration at their failure to live up to expectations.

But now was not the time to waste on him. The moment he woke up, Danzo received word from Root.

The forces from each clan had already assembled and were ready to depart for the front lines at any moment.

"Ryoma, have all aspects of the route been confirmed?" Danzo asked as he walked, speaking to the empty surroundings. Yet he was certain Ryoma was concealed somewhere nearby.

With his mental faculties enhanced, Danzo could now vaguely sense the movements around him even without relying on his eyes.

That was also why he had been able to detect Sarutobi's Telescope Technique.

His current mental perception was like a passive sensory ninjutsu. Within a certain range, he could detect hostility in advance.

"This subordinate has arranged for personnel to verify the route. A small squad has also been stationed at intervals to ensure the army will not be discovered during the march," Ryoma said respectfully as he revealed himself.

Danzo nodded.

This was one of his little strategies as well.

Since they intended to launch a surprise attack and end the war quickly, they had to conceal their movements from the very beginning, starting with the assembly of troops bound for the front lines.

By the time they reached the village entrance, a vast crowd was already fully equipped and ready to depart.

Because of their sheer numbers, the Uchiha and Hyuga Clan members would head to the front lines with him first, while the other clans would depart in batches.

"This time, we will make those people from the Land of Lightning understand that a tiger's tail is not to be touched!"

Sarutobi stood atop a hastily erected platform, loudly rallying morale.

The large group of shinobi below wore calm expressions. Quite a few civilians who had come to watch, however, were fired up, as though they wished they could roll up their sleeves and march to the front lines to die themselves.

Listening to Sarutobi, Danzo could not help muttering with a smile, "With speeches like that, he couldn't even qualify as an elementary school principal back then."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on without end. Its light will continue illuminating the village and allow new leaves to sprout." Sarutobi clenched his fist and looked at everyone below. "Everything we have given is worth it! Everything is for the village!"

"For Konoha!"

Though this phrase had been spoken countless times, every member of Konoha would still feel a sense of honor whenever they heard it.

The shinobi below, who had been calm moments ago, seemed as though they had been injected with adrenaline. They shouted along with Sarutobi, "For Konoha!"

Sarutobi had condensed those words from the will of the Second Hokage. He had said them countless times since taking the Hokage's seat—at least, that was how it was from Danzo's perspective.

As for everyone else, he did not know.

Danzo bit down hard on his lip, keeping his face taut to stop himself from laughing.

At such a solemn moment, who knew how many eyes were watching him? If he laughed now, it would affect his reputation.

"This war will be commanded by Shimura Danzō."

After droning on for quite a while, Sarutobi finally introduced Danzo.

"Danzo? Who's Danzo?"

"How dare you call Lord Danzo by name!"

"Lord Danzo was in the same generation as the Hokage and achieved brilliant military exploits during the Second Shinobi World War!"

"I've never heard of him before."

Just as Danzo had expected, only those with considerable seniority knew his name.

Yet most of those who knew it were elders of the various clans, and their status was not low either.

"But why does Lord Danzo still look so young?"

"Could Lord Danzo possess Senju blood as well?"

"If Lord Danzo is leading us, this mission will certainly be foolproof!"

The shinobi below erupted into discussion when they saw Danzo's youthful face. But with Tsunade as precedent, it was not too difficult to accept.

Especially after hearing the elders of their families explain Danzo's origins, these younger shinobi became even more reverent.

He was from the same generation as the Third Hokage, a disciple of the Second Hokage, and born into the Shimura Clan.

Whether in seniority, strength, or ability, this young-looking man undoubtedly gave them immense confidence.

"Uncle Dan was actually this amazing?"

Far from the crowd, Naruto stood on a tree branch with Chakra clinging to the soles of his feet. He stared wide-eyed at Danzo atop the platform, his eyes full of disbelief.

Even someone this incredible respected Father and Mother. Just who were they?

Yet at the same time, another doubt surfaced in Naruto's heart.

"Ah!"

His concentration broke, and Naruto's already unsteady Chakra became even more chaotic. Losing his balance, he cried out and fell from the branch.

Naruto's cry and the commotion caught the attention of others.

Danzo had noticed Naruto's figure earlier. The instant Naruto lost his footing and began to fall, the figure that had been standing atop the platform shot out like an arrow.

The distance was somewhat great.

But with A+-rank speed, Danzo did not need Chakra or the Body Flicker Technique to steadily catch Naruto before he hit the ground.

"U-Uncle Dan?"

Naruto looked around in confusion before realizing that Danzo was holding him again. Somewhat embarrassed, he looked at him as he spoke.

"Kid, if you want to watch, come to the front openly. Can you even see clearly from that far away?" Danzo's eyes shifted as he smiled and carried Naruto toward the crowd.

"Uncle Dan, what are you doing?!" The little Naruto struggled constantly in Danzo's grip like a chick being carried away.

"No! Let me go!"

As the crowd drew nearer and nearer, Naruto's pupils contracted, and he struggled even harder.

He could roughly guess what Uncle Dan intended to do.

But how could he possibly do something like that?

Though he already knew his identity and wanted to gain others' recognition, Naruto had no idea where to begin.

But unfortunately, no matter how unwilling Naruto was, their commotion had already drawn the attention of many onlookers.

Sarutobi frowned as he watched the scene. He was puzzled, but also surprised by what Naruto had called him.

"Uncle Dan?"

The generations were completely mixed up now.

Everyone watched coldly.

"That monster is causing trouble again, isn't he?"

"The whiskers on his face are disgusting."

"A monster is still a monster."

One venomous remark after another entered Naruto's ears. His struggling gradually stopped, and his face darkened.

"Didn't you say you wanted everyone's recognition?" Danzo's smile faded as he looked at Naruto, who had stopped struggling in his hand, and spoke calmly.

Naruto did not answer this time. He remained quietly in Danzo's grasp.

He did not know what to do.

Especially after learning his identity, Naruto had become even more sensitive toward these villagers who did not know the truth.