Newspaper

As a modern man, Danzo understood very well the importance of public opinion and information to a world.

By controlling the flow of information and public discourse, and given enough time for everyone in the ninja world to recognize the importance of newspapers, Danzo could become a good man in everyone's eyes.

"Lock the two of them in the same room."

Danzo gestured for Shisui to take the two away, then said to Darui, "Don't worry. I won't kill you. Once your Raikage pays a sufficient price, I'll let you both go home."

Darui stared fixedly at Danzo, his eyes full of humiliation and fury, yet there was nothing he could do.

Several days passed.

A newspaper called the Konoha Morning News began circulating throughout the Land of Fire.

Everyone learned that, under Shimura Danzō's leadership, Konoha had achieved an excellent result in this war against Kumogakure. Not only had it defeated Kumogakure's forces, but it had also captured an important figure from Kumogakure.

"Shikamaru, what are you reading?"

Early in the morning, Naruto arrived at the Ninja School with a yawn.

A few days earlier, with Hokage's help, Naruto had successfully entered the Ninja School and been assigned to the same class as his three good friends.

"Here."

Shikamaru pushed the newspaper toward Naruto. "Your Uncle Dan won a battle. He should return to the village before long."

Shikamaru had found the title a little awkward at first, but over time, he had gotten used to calling him that along with Naruto.

"!"

Naruto's eyes widened. The moment he heard there was news about Uncle Dan, he snatched up the newspaper from the desk.

The first thing he saw was the four red words: Great Victory at the Front. Next came a description of how Danzo had crushed Kumogakure, followed by a brief introduction to Shimura Danzō.

"S-So Uncle Dan was from the same era as Grandpa Sarutobi!"

Naruto stared wide-eyed at the introduction about Danzo.

Because of Danzo's youthful face, Naruto had always assumed Danzo was his father's friend. He had never expected their connection to be even more complicated.

"You only just found that out? Idiot!" Ino mocked him from the side. Only the Uncle Dan he kept talking about could make normally mature Naruto wear such an expression.

"But he clearly looks so young."

Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.

"Lord Danzo and Hokage are from the same era. It seems that, thanks to the Second Hokage's blessing, he recovered from his aged state overnight and became young again. This has long since spread throughout the village, and you actually didn't know?" Inuzuka Kiba chimed in as he sat down nearby.

Before they knew it, a group of children from various clans had gathered around Naruto.

Inuzuka, Aburame, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka.

Unlike the others, they did not reject Naruto because of his identity. Instead, they found themselves drawn closer to him by his warm smile.

"Ah, it's because I still haven't earned everyone's recognition, so no one tells me about this kind of news." Naruto spoke carelessly, but his words made people's hearts ache.

When Uncle Dan comes back, I'll ask him what I should call him. I can't call Hokage Grandpa while calling him Uncle, can I?

Naruto thought to himself.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage Office, Mitokado Homura slapped the table and roared forcefully, "Sarutobi, I went to the front lines as you asked to take over that man's position. In the end, that old bastard not only injured me with one punch, but humiliated me in public too. How am I supposed to keep being a consultant after this?"

Utatane Koharu frowned and chimed in, "He went that far?"

Before Mitokado Homura had even returned, Anbu had already sent back a detailed record of the entire incident. They had known about it from the start.

To be honest, Homura had indeed been somewhat in the wrong for shaking troop morale in order to seize power.

But Danzo could not just attack him directly!

They had known each other for so many years.

"If he doesn't send back an apology letter, then I'm not going to be a consultant anymore!" Mitokado Homura said angrily to Sarutobi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. His attention was not on the fact that Mitokado Homura had been beaten at all.

"So his strength really recovered?" Sarutobi stared intently at Mitokado Homura, his eyes filled with gravity as an immense pressure bore down on him.

Sarutobi had personally tested Danzo's strength back then. It had absolutely not been an act.

Mitokado Homura had wanted to bring up his humiliation again and ask Sarutobi to urge Danzo to send an apology letter, so that he would have a way to save face.

Yet, just as he opened his mouth to speak, he met Sarutobi's bloodshot eyes.

Swallowing hard, Mitokado Homura temporarily suppressed the words at his lips and said, "H-He recovered."

"His speed and strength were both about the same as when he was young. His speed may even be considerably faster. His strength has definitely returned to its peak."

Bang.

Sarutobi's uncontrollable rage drove his palm down onto the desk.

Just as he thought.

He knew that old bastard would not give up so easily.

How ridiculous that he had actually sympathized with him.

"Gather the people from the clan. I'll personally visit the battlefield and replace Danzo," Sarutobi said to the air beside him. A black figure wearing an Anbu mask abruptly appeared.

No one doubted his identity. This Anbu was undoubtedly from the Sarutobi Clan.

"Hokage, this is a newspaper that suddenly appeared in the village today." Rather than accepting the order and leaving, the Anbu Ninja who had appeared so abruptly handed over a newspaper.

Sarutobi took the paper in confusion. After only one glance, the veins on his forehead nearly burst.

"Danzo!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen ground out the name through clenched teeth. At this moment, he was like a volcano on the verge of eruption; the instant he saw its source, he would explode.

The more he had trusted Danzo and pitied him before, the more ashamed and furious Sarutobi now felt.

Danzo had drawn him in with just a few words. Back then, Sarutobi had even thought Danzo's understanding of the Will of Fire ran deeper than his own, and had felt ashamed over how much personal profit he had pursued from his position.

"Find out where this newspaper came from. Seal off every Newspaper Office connected to it," Sarutobi Hiruzen said coldly.

"It can no longer be concealed. This newspaper isn't merely being sold in Konoha, but throughout the entire Land of Fire," the Anbu Ninja said. "We have been unable to trace the Newspaper Office that published it."

Danzo was determined to undermine his foundations and seize his position.

He was already so old. Why could he not just be an honest consultant like Koharu and Homura?

Killing Intent arose in Sarutobi's heart. Though Danzo was an old friend who had worked alongside him for many years, Danzo was now truly planning to openly compete with him for the position.

As for who was helping conceal the owner behind this Newspaper Office, Sarutobi did not even need to think to know.

A trace of chill flashed through his eyes.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not dare imagine how much Danzo's reputation would rise in Konoha and throughout the Land of Fire once this newspaper spread.