Victory

The effect of Swift Step had already worn off, and its cooldown would take another day.

Danzo's A+-rank speed and mental strength had originally been enough to handle Darui's attacks, but after one careless taunt from him, Darui suddenly erupted.

Having firmly remembered the consequences, Danzo decided he should taunt his enemies less in the future.

In his previous life, he had often used words to throw his enemies into mental turmoil, but the people of this life could not be compared to those of his previous one.

Even if people in his previous life flew into a furious rage from his taunts, they could only roar helplessly before being shot down and killed by his firearms.

But the people of this life were different.

Watching Darui grow faster and stronger as he shouted, Danzo somewhat laboriously blocked his attacks.

"I heard the Third Raikage had already trained the Four Finger Spear Hand's four fingers down to one, earning the title of the strongest spear in Kumogakure?" Danzo asked as he dodged Darui's surprise attack.

Darui paused, then said proudly, "There is no need for you to comment on Lord Raikage's talent."

Darui's movements slowed, and Danzo did not take the opportunity to attack. Instead, he continued, "The Third Raikage really was formidable. Even your current Fourth Raikage cannot compare to him."

"Your Fourth Raikage's speed is so fast that even Minato cannot keep up."

"That was only because Lord Raikage was careless for a moment! Otherwise, there is no way your Hokage could keep up with his speed!" Darui's eyes widened. His figure flashed, and the movements of his hands became even fiercer.

Danzo drew a deep breath and used his exceptional mental perception to evade the attack in advance. "So you think your Fourth Raikage is stronger than the Third Raikage?"

Because of Danzo's words, Darui's movements slowed once more.

Getting distracted to think in the middle of battle was absolutely taboo.

"Both the Fourth Raikage and the Third Raikage are powerful. Neither can be compared to your Konoha Hokage."

But how could Darui fail to see that Danzo was trying to influence his state of mind?

He intended to take advantage of the situation, likewise disparaging their Hokage aloud to anger Danzo.

Danzo was currently slightly slower than him, but since Danzo himself was the target of the attacks, he could always evade after Darui made his move.

This made Darui somewhat anxious.

Both men had their own thoughts. They traded words like this, one attacking while the other only dodged.

"Although I do not know why you keep insulting our Hokage, I actually do not care that much."

Finally, after sensing the arrival of allied forces, Danzo smiled. "I do not think much of our Hokage either. Every one of them is stubborn and lacks the ruthlessness to accomplish great things."

"Tell me, if Hashirama Senju had not made a peace agreement back then, but had instead led an army with Madara Uchiha to fight four countries with one, would the ninja world today have been unified?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, Darui was completely dumbfounded.

During the Warring States Period, the various clans stood side by side. After entering the era of villages, the position of Kage had replaced that of Clan Head as the highest rank.

Every village's Kage could only assume the role after gaining the recognition of all the clans in that village.

Darui was well aware that Danzo had always been at odds with the Third Hokage.

But Darui could not understand why Danzo would so openly curse every Hokage of his own village without any reservation.

At the instant Darui was stunned, Killing Intent surged in Danzo's eyes. The longsword he had prepared erupted in a flash, slashing toward Darui's neck.

Clang—

This slash did not trigger a Critical Hit and was steadily blocked by Darui. He sneered, "You truly are better with words. You shook my focus with just a few sentences, but unfortunately, your strength and speed are not enough to use that chance to kill me."

His face was full of arrogance and pride. Though he said that, it was actually because he had guessed Danzo's intentions, so he had remained on guard every time Danzo spoke.

Faced with his arrogance, Danzo smiled and shook his head. "Young people these days are still too simple. Why do you think you guessed my intentions on your own, rather than that I let you guess them?"

It sounded like a tongue twister.

Darui was somewhat confused by Danzo's words, but then figures ambushing him from every direction made his eyes widen. He roared, "You were stalling for time!"

At some point, the Kumogakure ninja who had been helping him all around had turned into corpses.

In their place, more and more Konoha ninja were rushing over.

Danzo's words had merely been intended to stall his movements and lead his thoughts in another direction.

Darui immediately realized this.

"Actually, it was not only to stall for time."

As soon as the words fell, a longsword pierced straight through Darui's body from behind.

Darui's eyes widened. With difficulty, he turned to look at Danzo, who had appeared behind him at some unknown time, then looked at the taunting Danzo in front of him.

A clone!

"Have you not noticed that every one of your movements has actually been following my pace?" Danzo's voice softly sounded behind him.

Waiting for reinforcements was one reason for stalling, but Danzo would never place all his hopes on allied forces. Relying on himself was the foundation of his survival.

The simple and most basic Clone Technique and Transformation Technique could often produce the greatest effect under the most unbelievable circumstances.

Danzo had recalled the tactic Naruto and his good friend had used when facing Zabuza, then created an opportunity for himself.

Darui still intended to resist, but the Danzo who had been standing in front of him had already struck him with a palm.

Black curse marks like tadpoles spread across Darui's body. As they extended, the Chakra in his body was completely sealed.

It's over.

Darkness spread before his eyes. Before Darui lost consciousness, that was the only thought in his mind.

"Lord Danzo."

Uchiha Shisui appeared beside Danzo in a Body Flicker and respectfully dropped to one knee. "This subordinate arrived late. Please punish me."

After learning from Fugaku about Danzo's help toward the Uchiha, Shisui became even more loyal to Danzo.

"It's fine. Has everything been taken care of?" Having solo-killed Darui, Danzo was rather satisfied. He asked Shisui gently.

"Everything has been taken care of."

Shisui answered, then looked at Might Guy charging across the battlefield. "I did not expect there to be someone like A Kai in the village."

Because Kumogakure's surprise attack had disrupted the original plan, Danzo had sent A Kai to the border to deliver a message to Shisui.

Using the Eight Gates to travel allowed him to match Shisui's speed in terms of physical velocity. He could deliver the message in a short time, and in this team, only Might Guy could do it.

qwq So Mitokado Homura's surname was Mitokado? My mistake.