The Hardworking Genius

In a whirlwind of energy, two green figures approached Danzo while still moving in frog jumps.

"Lord Danzo!"

Xiao Li hopped toward Danzo with admiration and respect written all over his face, calling out as he came.

Danzo smiled at the two of them. Though he found their behavior somewhat amusing, he did not look down on them.

He knew the future. The two before him would both become powerful men worthy of respect. Whether in character or strength, they had earned Danzo's recognition.

"So, A Kai is well suited to be your teacher, isn't he?" Danzo asked with a smile. His attitude toward Xiao Li, the first person to recognize and admire him, was quite gentle.

After arriving in this world, he had run into Xiao Li while getting accustomed to his body.

He remembered this thick-browed, big-eyed youngster vividly.

Through a simple conversation, Danzo learned that Xiao Li lacked the talent to become a ninja, yet was unwilling to resign himself to being a civilian.

Naturally, he introduced him to the renowned teacher he should not have met until several years later: Might Guy.

And because of A Kai's teachings, Xiao Li came to deeply acknowledge and respect Danzo, earning him the Good Person System's first Skill Point.

"A Kai Teacher is very good." Xiao Li glanced at the foolishly grinning A Kai Teacher beside him and nodded seriously.

"Lord Danzo! Thank you for introducing Xiao Li, this disciple, to me. You have allowed me to continue down the path of youth!" Might Guy suddenly thrust out a hand, gave a thumbs-up, and flashed his gleaming white teeth.

Danzo could not help twitching at the corner of his mouth. "As long as you're a good fit. As long as you're a good fit."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "But as it happens, I have something I'd like to ask of you."

As he looked at Might Guy, an idea arose in Danzo's mind.

"Please speak, Lord Danzo," Might Guy replied, though his heart tightened.

He might look foolish on the outside, but he was not foolish within.

Danzo's reputation in the village had not been particularly good before. His friend Kakashi had once worked under Danzo, and Kakashi had warned Guy not to associate with him.

But because of Xiao Li, Might Guy still hoped to repay this favor from Danzo.

"It's noon already. Let's find somewhere to have a meal together," Danzo suggested.

At the bustling Barbecue Restaurant, Danzo booked a private room and sat across from Might Guy.

Xiao Li stood to the side, grilling meat for them.

"You should know about what has been happening between the village and Kumogakure recently, right?"

Once they were seated, Danzo asked first. Like his father Might Duy, Might Guy had lacked the natural talent to become a ninja.

But thanks to the Eight Gates and his hard work, he had already become a special jonin. He should have received some information about Kumogakure's affairs.

Might Guy nodded, his expression turning serious.

It seemed this favor would not be easy to repay. Still, having a disciple like Xiao Li meant he had no regrets.

"Sarutobi intends to sacrifice the life of Hyuga Hiashi's younger brother, Hizashi Hyuga, in order to hold Peace Talks with Kumogakure." As Danzo spoke, he picked up a slice of grilled meat with his chopsticks and ate it.

"The various clans of the village have all agreed to this. They intend to swallow their anger."

Xiao Li's hand trembled as he grilled the meat. He did not know what the Kumogakure incident was about, but sacrificing someone from their own village for Peace Talks still stirred something within him.

Though Xiao Li's movement was slight, both Danzo and Might Guy noticed it.

Danzo said nothing, quietly waiting for Might Guy's response.

"Although it is regrettable, I still respect the village's decision," Might Guy voiced his opinion. He was not the child of some great clan.

As a commoner, he was already satisfied to have attained his current position and strength.

"That answer isn't very youthful or passionate," Danzo said with some disappointment. He had thought he might hear something stirring from Might Guy.

He had not expected this fellow to be just like that old man Sarutobi.

Might Guy opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. His face flushed bright red.

These matters had never been his to decide, yet Danzo's words pierced his heart like a needle, leaving him deeply troubled.

"I've already sent people to kill those men from Kumogakure. Peace Talks are no longer possible." Danzo took a light sip of tea, regretting that this world had no soda.

"What?!"

Might Guy stared at Danzo with wide eyes.

Xiao Li was also somewhat shocked.

"Since the First Hokage founded Konoha, we have always held our heads high. I will not allow this to begin in my generation. Even if it was a decision made by Sarutobi as Hokage, I will oppose it," Danzo continued.

His words were calm, yet they inexplicably made Xiao Li and Might Guy's blood boil.

"Since Peace Talks are no longer possible, and Kumogakure provoked this incident in the first place, I have taken all responsibility upon myself and will lead the forces to the front lines."

"Sarutobi agreed to my decision, but he has one condition: I must recruit the people who will accompany me myself."

Danzo finally stated his purpose. "And I have my eye on you, Might Guy. I believe you are someone unwilling to remain ordinary, someone willing to give everything for the village."

"I want you to be the sharp blade of this expedition. I believe you can show them just how great a price Konoha's hot-blooded men are willing to pay for this home."

His eyes fixed directly on Might Guy across from him, filled with appreciation and fervor.

Although Might Guy might have been wary of Danzo's approach at first, Danzo knew his personality well enough that breaking through that wariness would not be difficult.

Xiao Li was already trembling all over, flames burning in his eyes. Might Guy, however, had been through much more. Though a fire had already been stoked within him, he still forced himself to endure it.

The fist beneath the table had already clenched tightly.

He belonged to the Hokage's faction and knew very well about the entanglements between the Third Hokage and Danzo.

"Did you know, Guy? Your father actually surprised me greatly."

Seeing that Might Guy was still holding on, Danzo wore a warm smile. He picked up another piece of meat and said unhurriedly, "Might Duy... he truly was someone worthy of admiration."

The moment those words left his mouth, Might Guy's previously conflicted expression abruptly lifted, his gaze locking onto Danzo.

"Burning his life away, opening the Eight Gates formation, facing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist alone, and achieving a record of four dead and three fleeing. He used his life to protect yours."

"To be honest, before he produced that record, I did not think highly of him. Even the others in the village sneered at this so-called hard work."

Danzo's words entered their ears, and without realizing it, Might Guy's eyes had reddened.

He remembered that time, when his father had cast aside his own life to show him the path called youth.

"Might Duy, a Konoha genin—he used his life to make me remember his name, and to make many people in the village remember yours as well."

"Hard work is not without reward."