Fantasy

At Konoha's main gate.

In less than half a day, Tobirama's group returned to the village, travel-worn and dusty.

As ninja, they traveled at astonishing speed. The three special jōnin were only slightly out of breath, while Tobirama felt nothing at all.

Saito Shizumo, however, was an ordinary man. Though he did not have to walk while riding on Genma Shiranui's back, the ninja had been leaping through trees and running across water the entire way. After being jostled around for so long, he had long since been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea. The moment they reached the village, he collapsed at the gate and threw up.

"Genma, take Mr. Saito to Konoha Hospital and let him rest for a while."

Genma Shiranui nodded in acknowledgment, then carried Saito Shizumo, who barely managed a word of thanks, toward the hospital.

Tobirama looked at the two people beside him and continued giving orders. "Our target now is Shimura Danzō's home."

Though they had many questions, neither of them spoke. They simply followed silently behind Tobirama.

The Konoha villagers and ninja who saw Tobirama Senju return had wanted to step forward and greet him, but when they saw the cold expression on his face, they all stopped in their tracks.

The group charged aggressively toward the home of Konoha's Hokage advisor.

Unlike the other Hokage advisors, Shimura Danzō's home was not located within the Shimura Clan compound. Instead, it stood at the edge of Konoha.

The area was remote and desolate, with few people passing through. It suited the style of the darkness of the ninja world perfectly.

Though it was Danzo's home, he rarely stayed there. Most of his time was spent at the Root base instead.

Yet today, Danzo was unusually staying at his residence.

Inside Danzo's home.

Although the residence had been built in a sunny location, Danzo habitually kept the doors and windows tightly shut. He sat upright in his bedroom, drinking tea.

If I hadn't been one step slower than Hiruzen Sarutobi back then, how could the position of Hokage have fallen into Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands?

Shimura Danzō thought to himself.

Though he appeared to be casually sipping tea, his trembling hands holding the cup exposed the fact that he was nowhere near as calm as he looked.

If nothing unexpected happened, Sensei should have been sealed by the Four Symbols Squad by now, right?

I'm sorry, Sensei. Your resurrection blocked my path. You were already dead, so why insist on remaining in this world...

I was right...

Shimura Danzō continuously gave himself psychological suggestions, trying to excuse his act of murdering his teacher.

Didn't Orochimaru do the same kind of thing? No matter how rotten I am, I'm only the second Orochimaru, aren't I?

By now, it should almost be time for them to report back, shouldn't it?

Yet Shimura Danzō felt a powerful unease in his heart. He did not think his teacher would be so easily killed by him.

Impossible!

No one understood the power of the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique better than him. This technique had been invented precisely to perish together with powerful enemies. Even if the legendary Madara Uchiha were resurrected, he would probably die beneath this technique, wouldn't he?

Time passed second by second.

Danzo grew increasingly anxious inside the house. The tea on the table had long since been drained in a single gulp.

Why hasn't there been any response?

Could the plan have failed!?

If that were true, then he was likely finished.

The Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique had once been a treasure of the Uzumaki Clan. After the Uzumaki Clan's destruction, it had fallen into Konoha's hands. Only a small number of Konoha's higher-ups knew of this technique.

If Sensei was not dead, he would definitely guess that Danzo had done it. If Sensei found out, Danzo's dream of becoming Hokage would be completely shattered, and he would also bear the infamy of murdering his teacher.

No, impossible. Sensei is definitely dead!

I, Danzo, will soon become Hokage! Hahahaha!

Shimura Danzō had already begun fantasizing about the scene of countless people cheering after he became Hokage. I will make Konoha return to the pinnacle of the ninja world!

But at that moment, the old wooden door was violently kicked open.

Danzo's entire body trembled.

Who dared barge so boldly into the home of the Fifth Hokage?

Danzo slowly raised his head, and a stiff lock of white hair entered his view.