The painful process continued, but as he gradually grew accustomed to it, Danzo began focusing on the changes in his body.
He had no idea how long the process had lasted. He only knew that the small room he was in had long since been shrouded in steam, with both the ceiling and walls drenched.
He no longer felt pain or heat. His pain receptors seemed to have gone numb. All Danzo felt now was thirst.
He wanted water—lots and lots of water.
Bang!
Unable to endure the torment any longer, Danzo leaped out of the room, turning into a dark blur as he raced toward a nearby river.
Might Guy and the others, who had been waiting outside the door, stared dumbfoundedly at the state of the room. Then they widened their eyes again at the long trail of white mist in the air.
They had not seen Danzo's figure clearly, but there was no doubt that the white mist had been left behind by him.
Without hesitation, everyone followed after Danzo.
When they caught up to him, they found Danzo lying beside the riverbed with a yawn, holding a grilled fish in one hand.
"Everyone's here."
Danzo smiled and greeted them, his expression perfectly natural, as if he were not the one currently lying naked in the sun.
"There."
He pointed at the riverbed while putting on the clothes handed over by Root, then said without changing expression, "Since we won, we ought to reward everyone. I caught so many fish, and I steamed them while I was at it."
Everyone present, even the usually thick-headed Might Guy, stared at Danzo with disbelief written all over their faces.
Who was he trying to fool?!
Where was the river?!
Such a huge river!
They had set up camp here