Danzo snatched up the bottle, intending to drain it in one go, but then saw the large words "Medical alcohol" on its label.
?
Someone was trying to murder him, the Hokage's successor!
Danzo wanted to smash the alcohol on the ground, but remembering his poor subordinates, he gently set the bottle beside his feet instead.
Although there was no liquor in camp, his enthusiasm for Takahashi Yū remained undiminished. The more he looked at him, the more he liked him.
"Ahem, Takahashi, I never imagined you had such grand ambitions!"
"Just don't tell outsiders next time. It could bring trouble down on you."
Only now did Danzo begin to grasp it. "Worldly power"-even he, the Second Hokage's legitimate successor, had never considered such a heretical topic in the shinobi world.
But now that Takahashi Yū had opened his eyes, he suddenly felt that perhaps that really was all there was to it. It was like an enclosed valley abruptly opening up, an endless gale rushing in. His cold eyes grew even deeper.
Outsiders?
Wait, so you're an insider now?
Takahashi Yū used his chopsticks to scrape the rice he had slapped onto the table back into his bowl, utterly baffled. What exactly was Danzo trying to do?
He decided to go straight on the offensive:
"Brother Danzo, are you planning to use rumors to drive Sakumo to his death?"
Huh? How could you have such a despicable idea!
Danzo had wanted to rebuke him like that! But something felt wrong. He had analyzed Takahashi Yū's personality thoroughly. A man like this would never come up with such a dark idea.
Then what was it?
A hint?
A hint at what?
Rumors?
Someone's reputation had to be bad before rumors could be used to attack them!
Was he hinting that I could fall victim to malicious rumors at any moment?
Damn you, Tsunade! Just wait until I get back to the village. I'll show you!
No, there was more!
The Hatake were a samurai family to begin with, and Sakumo had received a samurai's upbringing from childhood. He really might be driven to his death by malicious rumors!
Provided it went against Sakumo's convictions!
At this thought, Danzo slowly shook his head.
What sort of situation could go against the convictions of someone like Sakumo?
It was too difficult. Hatake Sakumo was the renowned White Fang of Konoha. He was kind, cared for his comrades, and enjoyed great prestige among rank-and-file ninja.
Ever since the war began, he had served as Danzo's adjutant on the Land of Lightning front. Even Danzo could not help marveling that he was practically the Will of Fire reborn! Even if the First came back to life, he would have to bow down to him!
Wait!
As though he had suddenly remembered something, Danzo's back was instantly soaked with sweat, and fine beads of perspiration covered his forehead.
Konoha Ninja Code: the mission comes before all else.
This was a ninja code Hiruzen Sarutobi had once issued to attract more people to commission missions in Konoha and secure a greater share of missions.
Turmoil surged through Danzo's heart, and his head swam.
That damned monkey! He wasn't fit to be Hokage at all!
A code like this ran completely counter to the Will of Fire!
And I hadn't even noticed back then! The monkey's skills ran so deep!
As long as someone failed a mission to save a teammate, he, as Hokage, could whip up a storm of public opinion that swept through Konoha.
Then he could have the rescued teammate stand before Konoha's ninja and accuse their rescuer of saving them instead of completing the mission. That would be enough to shatter the convictions of everyone who carried on the Will of Fire!
Huh? Why did this feel so familiar?
Danzo was drenched in sweat, shocked by the thoughts in his own head.
Danzo forced himself to calm down, grinding his teeth until they creaked. The X-shaped scar on his chin kept twisting as he clenched his jaw.
His narrow eyes involuntarily narrowed further.
And another thing.
Those who obeyed the ninja code lacked the Will of Fire, and therefore lacked the qualifications to become Hokage!
Those who disobeyed the code would be attacked as unfit ninja!
When murkiness became the norm, clarity could no longer be tolerated.
This was meant to cut off ordinary people's path upward and turn the Hokage position into an internal succession!
The monkey was trying to tear out Konoha's roots!
Sarutobi: how come I didn't know any of this???
In the original story, Danzo bore the title Darkness of the Shinobi World. Suspicious by nature, he always approached things with the most despicable ideas in mind.
He was practically an engine of misunderstandings, a manufacturer of conspiracy theories.
But who could say this was not an enormous conspiracy?
Those who possessed the so-called Will of Fire all shared a common failing.
They were always softhearted toward people from their own village, which meant they compromised easily. Internal succession sounded nice, but in reality, those who held power would keep holding it!
Danzo looked at Takahashi Yū with a strange gaze. Who would have thought a brute like you possessed such great wisdom?
Watching Danzo alternate between silence, deep thought, and anger before him, Takahashi Yū grew even more "frightened."
Was Danzo having some kind of episode? Takahashi Yū shoveled a mouthful of white rice from his bowl.
"Brother Takahashi, you really are a talent!"
"I'll make proper arrangements for Sakumo. He's my adjutant, after all. I won't let anyone plot against him!"
Danzo spoke to Takahashi Yū with righteous indignation.
Takahashi Yū: ?
What are you talking about?
Weren't you the one behind it?
"Talking to you really taxes the brain... but I've gained so much! Brother Takahashi, we'll put Konoha back on the right track!"
"We absolutely cannot let people who hold office and do nothing ruin Konoha!"
Danzo spoke passionately to Takahashi Yū, his hands half-clenched in the air as spit flew everywhere.
"If those of us who possess the Will of Fire work together and drive out those blinded by power, Konoha will be great again in our hands!"
Danzo clenched his hand into a fist in front of Takahashi Yū's face.
Then, without even looking at Takahashi Yū's reaction, he flung the tent flap high and walked out of Takahashi Yū's tent.
Takahashi Yū: ?
Did I say anything?
Didn't I just ask whether he was going to make a move against White Fang?
How had he gotten so worked up?
All he needed now was to shout, "Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born to their stations?"
There'd better not be any foxes crying in camp tonight...
Danzo's frenzy left Takahashi Yū utterly baffled.
He looked at the food on the table and the enormous bowl in his hands.
Things had come to this. Might as well eat first.
Danzo strode out of the tent, his steps brisk and his bearing full of vigor.
Although Sakumo knew Danzo wanted to speak to Takahashi Yū alone, he had still dutifully stood guard a short distance away.
Seeing Danzo approach in such high spirits, Sakumo was somewhat surprised.
"What is it, Lord Danzo? Did you gain a great deal?"
"Gain a great deal? No, I'm simply no longer lost. I've rediscovered my original purpose!"
Hearing Danzo's reply, Sakumo smiled and said to him,
"I haven't seen you this at ease since the war began, Lord Danzo."
At that, Danzo smiled at Sakumo too.
"How many times have I told you? Don't call me 'Lord.'"
There was one thing Takahashi Yū had been wrong about from beginning to end. Thanks to the butterfly effect he had caused, Sakumo had not gone to the Land of Wind battlefield. Instead, he had remained with Danzo on the Land of Lightning front, where the pressure was greatest, defending against the Raikage without ever parting.
Sakumo, who perfectly embodied the Will of Fire, had long since earned Danzo's approval. And the current Danzo was not the deranged man he would become later. He was upright and cared for his subordinates, and Sakumo regarded him as someone worth following.
"Sakumo, we need to properly thank Takahashi Yū."
Sakumo said, "What for? For defeating the Raikage and ending the war?"
Danzo said, "No. For his warning."
"?"
Hatake Sakumo looked with some confusion at this commander, who had always shared his soldiers' hardships and comforts.
"I almost lost you, Sakumo..."
Before you continue