The village's significance, the place it held in his eyes, was now utterly different from before.
Danzo could only explain this change in outlook one way.
This must be what it means to grow!
As his strength and experience grew, his understanding and judgment of the past changed as well.
For instance, if he returned to the Nine-Tails Night now...
Perhaps he would not order the destruction of the Uchiha Clan.
Because in his eyes, the clan's power was no longer enough to threaten him.
At that thought, his black-and-white eyes abruptly changed, turning blood-red with three tomoe. Then the three tomoe transformed again.
A completely new pair of eyes appeared, their intricate patterns resembling several overlapping hexagons.
They were unmistakably the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"This world..."
Danzo sighed softly.
His worldview and understanding had changed enormously. Even his temper had mellowed, no longer as extreme as it once was.
That was also why he had not contacted Hiruzen Sarutobi in years.
Even the friendship he had once cherished seemed scarcely worth mentioning anymore.
Year 60 of Konoha.
Xia Le had been here for quite some time, and the two children in the courtyard had grown accustomed to his presence.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dull impacts rang out as their fists collided.
Though they were only around ten years old, the two boys' strength was nothing like it had been before.
"What's wrong, dead last? Didn't you eat?"
Sasuke sneered.
"I'm not dead last anymore!"
Naruto shouted.
He twisted at the waist and sent another kick flying at Sasuke.
Sasuke raised both arms and blocked it.
"In my eyes, you'll always be dead last."
"Unless you can beat me!"
Sasuke spoke with a cold sneer.
He sprang forward like a tiger or leopard, appearing behind Naruto in the blink of an