Konoha's village entrance.
After learning why the beauty in his arms had fallen ill, Hitoshi Clan Head seemed to be in much better spirits.
And after a long buildup, Konoha Epic-Level Contributor Shimura Danzō finally stepped into the village.
He puffed out his chest, raised his head, and strode forward as he looked around.
When he had left, he had been like a bereaved dog burdened with the blame for the Nine-Tails Attack. Even these lowly commoners had dared curse him behind his back as he passed and spit on the ground he had walked over.
But upon returning, he had transformed into a triumphant hero returning home in glory.
He was the god who had saved Konoha from disaster!
Every movement radiated confidence.
From now on, who would dare look down on Shimura Danzō?
"You've had a hard journey."
Once the applause ended, the old village chief approached eagerly and grasped Danzo's hand.
"Although this isn't the right place, I still have to ask on behalf of everyone in the village: is the Tsuchikage certain that Iwagakure will attack Kumogakure?"
Nothing else mattered.
This was simply too important and had to be made clear.
If the strategy succeeded, it would surely be Konoha's most celebratory news in recent times!
"I did not fail my mission!"
Danzo pulled free of the old village chief's hand, wiped it on his clothes as if afraid of picking up the smoky smell from the old village chief's injuries, then stood with his hands behind his back and looked down his nose at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"I stirred up the winds and clouds on the front line. Why should I fear a mere Kumogakure?"
"With three strategies, I intended to crush Kumogakure in one decisive push and even go further by invading the Land of