Less than ten minutes.
Chiyo, having just finished her match, hurried back to the dical room.
"I’m back!"
"Is everything alright?"
"What? He’s already awake?"
Chiyo, who had won joyfully, upon hearing Danzō was conscious, didn’t knock—she imdiately entered the treatnt room.
As she stepped in, she saw Danzō strangling a Sunagakure ninja by the neck with one hand.
They seed to be fighting.
"What are you two doing?!"
Chiyo was shocked and quickly intervened.
Danzō had no choice. Since now wasn’t the ti to fight, he released White Zetsu from his grip.
This guy was cunning—he must have sensed Chiyo’s return and already transford back into the real Sunagakure ninja.
"It’s nothing. Tanaka was just teaching Taijutsu."
"Kazekage-sama, I’ll leave you two to talk." The ninja disguised as a Sunagakure shinobi was highly cooperative and promptly left. His goal was achieved; no need to interact with Chiyo further.
After careful calculation and analysis, this overly emotional Kazekage Chiyo wasn’t suitable to be an ally.
On the other hand, Danzō, who harbored resentnt toward Konoha Village and Tobirama, was more worth exploiting.
Besides, their fierce battle earlier was clear for anyone to see.
Danzō and Hiruzen fought with full intent—they truly wanted to win at all costs. Such emotions and behaviors were hard to fake.
Perhaps this was also the main reason why White Zetsu and others decided to approach Danzō.
"What happened? Danzō? What really went on between you two?"
Chiyo wasn’t foolish—she sensed sothing was off.
What kind of Taijutsu training involved choking soone by the neck? That wasn’t that kind of ga, especially not in a dical room... Could the rumors around the village be true?
Was Danzō really having orientation issues?
But that didn’t make sense either! Wasn’t he previously...
Chiyo’s mind spun—her earlier joy over victory vanished.
"You won?"
Danzō deliberately changed the subject and asked.
"Of course I won!"
"Was Kakuzu tough?"
"Not too tough. And the thod you taught was really useful—that man really does put money above everything else! He can be bribed with just cash!"
"You actually bribed him with money?"
"Yes. But he suggested it himself. Not long after the match started, he secretly approached and proposed I pay him a certain amount, and he’d intentionally surrender."
Clearly, Danzō still underestimated Kakuzu.
That man ca to the tournant not to claim the championship, but to earn massive wealth!
His journey defeating previous opponents was rely to raise his price, so he could face a wealthy, high-quality opponent.
And as the Kazekage managing Sunagakure, Chiyo was undoubtedly one of the most valuable targets for such a sell-out.
So without Chiyo even speaking, Kakuzu offered himself first.
"Tch, seems he’s greedier than I thought!"
"Indeed unexpected."
"So, how much did he ask for?"
"One hundred million!"
"What?! Not cheap!"
An enormous sum—one hundred million ryō. For poor Sunagakure, it was an astronomical price.
Fortunately, when Chiyo ascended the throne, she crushed several rebellious families and seized vast wealth.
Otherwise, she might not have been able to afford this huge sum.
"It really is too expensive..."
"You agreed?"
"Of course I agreed."
Chiyo nodded resignedly.
During the match, she had already considered it. Facing Kakuzu multiple tis was enough to prove his strength wasn’t trivial.
If she fought at full power, knowing Kakuzu’s weaknesses, she’d likely defeat him.
But she’d inevitably expose many trump cards and abilities.
Needless to say, information was crucial in ninja battles.
Unless absolutely necessary, Chiyo, aiming for a top-two finish, naturally didn’t want to reveal her trump cards too early, avoiding becoming a target for future opponents.
Therefore, Chiyo could only accept Kakuzu’s offer and cheat by paying.
Successfully using money’s power to easily win this match.
"Your choice was right. After all, compared to the crisis threatening the entire village’s survival, a little money ans nothing. As long as we secure a top-two position, it’s all worth it. If needed, we can request more funds from the Land of Wind."
Danzō nodded in agreent with Chiyo’s decision.
In facing such a high-level ninja tournant, the more trump cards you could hide, the greater your chance of winning.
"Alright, now let’s talk about your issue. What were you two really doing just now? Don’t think I’m easy to fool!"
Chiyo climbed onto Danzō’s bed, grabbed his collar, and demanded angrily.
"..."
Danzō hesitated. He couldn’t possibly reveal White Zetsu’s identity outright, could he?
That would likely only complicate things further—and he hadn’t even decided whether he should cooperate with White Zetsu or not.
"Tell quickly! Or else..."
Chiyo grabbed Danzō’s lower abdon.
Danzō flinched and quickly explained:
"I was just warning him!"
"Warning about what?"
"I discovered soone in the delegation, behind your and my backs, secretly contacted remnants from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure who infiltrated Konoha Village..."
"What?! Is there such a thing?!"
"Yes. We focused too much on the matches—maybe that gave those village remnants an opportunity. I suspect they probably want to use us to cause trouble in Konoha..."
Danzō revealed the information Kagami provided, perfectly tid to warn Chiyo.
"What do they actually want to do?"
"I don’t know either, so I specifically warned others, hoping they wouldn’t be exploited—wouldn’t beco bait for their revenge against Konoha."
"You know, once they cause heavy casualties in Konoha, we’ll all die!"
Danzō’s explanation made perfect sense and imdiately struck Chiyo’s fears.
Sunagakure currently only wanted the prize and capital to slightly resist Konoha Village.
Not to wage all-out war against Konoha now!
Even Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure had been destroyed. If Sunagakure, already drained of blood, truly fought Konoha, it’d be suicide!
Chiyo didn’t believe the remnants of clans whose villages were destroyed would have good intentions when contacting Sunagakure ninja.
As Danzō said, they most likely wanted to exploit their side—or drag them into trouble!
Whatever it was, Chiyo couldn’t accept it.
"I understand. I’ll handle this matter."
"I’ll talk calmly with them and ensure they won’t cause any problems."
Chiyo gave Danzō her assurance.
She indeed didn’t want to cooperate with remnants of other clans. After all, her goal was to participate in the ninja tournant, win honorably, get the prize, then find a way to bring it back to the village.
She wouldn’t harm a single Konoha civilian, nor would she commit suicide alongside these clan remnants.
"Do you need my help...?"
"No need. I can resolve this myself. You rest well!"
Chiyo held Danzō back.
She felt sad and touched that Danzō, severely injured and lying in bed, was still busy handling matters for her and Sunagakure.
But for such a small issue, as Kazekage, she believed she could manage it herself.
"Alright. Be careful."
"Definitely."
Though Chiyo wanted to stay longer with Danzō, important matters ca first.
She had to leave the dical room and deal with the Sunagakure delegation issue.
She wouldn’t let so foolish teammate get them all killed.
Of course, Chiyo also assigned another Sunagakure ninja to care for Danzō.
Danzō didn’t mind. All afternoon, he rested patiently.
By evening, Chiyo returned, bringing and feeding Danzō dinner.
Then she had to leave again.
When night fell,
As the Sunagakure ninja went to the bathroom,
Danzō quickly created a shadow clone, transford it into an ordinary person, slipped out the window, and, using the cover of darkness, stealthily infiltrated the Hokage’s office with practiced ease.
No choice.
The changes in the Sunagakure ninja delegation and White Zetsu’s cooperation offer made Danzō uncertain—he needed to consult Tobirama.
And he had to report this to Tobirama.
As for the promised rewards from White Zetsu?
Don’t joke.
Tobirama had already guaranteed he’d beco Hokage. Could White Zetsu offer anything higher than that?
Even if so, it could never shake Danzō’s loyalty to his teacher and Konoha Village!
He, Shimura Danzō, would forever be a ninja of Konoha Village!
Of course, if he beca Hokage of Konoha Village, that would be even better...
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
*TAP-TAP—!*
Kagami stood before the Hokage’s office door, knocking, ready to et Tobirama.
He didn’t know why—since Tobirama argued with his clone, he’d been extrely angry today, as if under threat.
But in the entire world, who could threaten Tobirama?
Oh, perhaps their ancestor Madara.
But Kagami’s intuition told him this had nothing to do with Madara—most likely, it was because of Tobirama’s clone.
"Co in."
Tobirama’s voice ca from inside. Kagami opened the door and entered.
But he suddenly realized Danzō was also in the office, and apparently a sound-and-sense-sealing barrier separated the room.
Kagami quietly closed the door, being very cautious.
"Sensei! Danzō, why are you here? Your injury..."
"It’s just a clone—don’t worry. I ca to report to Sensei..."
Danzō’s clone explained.
"Kagami, you’re here at the right ti."
"Sensei, what’s going on?"
"Danzō brought important news. It seems our prey has finally appeared. From now on, you both must act well."
Tobirama’s face brightened slightly.
It wasn’t in vain he’d devised such a grand plan and spent so much money. That damn Black Zetsu couldn’t resist temptation and was already getting caught.
He’d paid a steep price for this!
Even being humiliated and provoked by his future self, rembering it made Tobirama furious.
Yet, Tobirama knew well that their enemy wasn’t fully trapped yet.
They’d only sent White Zetsu to test, like a fish testing whether the bait on a hook was real and edible.
Therefore, he too had to act convincingly in the final scenes, holding the fishing rod tightly so the fish wouldn’t grow suspicious.
Against a cunning enemy like Black Zetsu, even the tiniest carelessness was unacceptable.
"I understand. What should I do?"
Kagami didn’t ask further. He only needed to be the sword in Tobirama’s hand, cutting down every threat to the village.
"Kagami, Danzō, from now on I need you both to do this... and this..."
Tobirama smirked slyly and began carefully laying out the plan.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next day, the seventh day of the Ninja Tournant.
The final day, where the top four contestants would compete for champion, runner-up, and third place.
[Danzō vs Uchiha Kagami]
[Uzumaki Ryuji vs Chiyo]
These were the two morning matches.
The third-place match and final would be held in the afternoon, allowing participants rest ti and maximizing the tournant’s economic value.
Approaching nine o’clock, the first match was about to begin.
Konoha ninja Uchiha Kagami stepped onto the arena amid enthusiastic cheers, ready to fight.
But until exactly nine o’clock, the Sunagakure ninja participant Danzō still hadn’t appeared.
Until Third Kazekage Chiyo stepped forward and surrendered on Danzō’s behalf.
This ant Kagami won by default, automatically advancing and securing a ticket to the final.
Such a swift surrender, of course, left most spectators dissatisfied.
But considering yesterday’s intense battle, it was likely Danzō was still injured and hadn’t recovered. It made sense he’d withdraw.
However, this hurt a small group—extre gamblers who still placed full bets on Danzō’s victory.
They went bankrupt instantly.
Of course, with village and Anbu supervision, these bets didn’t involve many ordinary Konoha citizens. Those bankrupt were mostly foreign rchants and nobles who were already quite wealthy.
Basically, it wouldn’t affect Konoha Village’s fundantal economic balance.
Since the first match ended in surrender, the second match was accelerated.
Ten minutes later.
The second match was about to start.
The half-Konoha ninja from Uzushiogakure, Uzumaki Ryuji, and Sunagakure’s Third Kazekage, Chiyo, simultaneously stepped onto the arena.
Uzumaki Ryuji: The third son of current Uzumaki Clan leader Uzumaki Akira, a pure-blood mber of the Uzumaki Clan.
Since both his older brothers died in war, Ryuji, still under thirty, was now the primary heir to the Uzumaki Clan. Strictly speaking, he should call Mito "Auntie," since Mito’s father and Uzumaki Clan leader Ryuji were brothers.
But none of that mattered—regardless of family ties and identity.
Ryuji himself was an extraordinary ninja. He not only mastered most Uzumaki sealing techniques but was also highly skilled in regular ninjutsu, even mastering many Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai abilities exceptionally well.
His overall strength was also at Kage level.
Moreover, he—who should’ve died with his father and everyone during that night’s Uzushiogakure clan massacre—realized the world’s cruelty after the incident.
So, after joining Konoha Village, he worked hard, trained diligently, and enhanced his strength.
In yesterday’s battle, he honestly defeated Hyuga Toka, the heir of the Hyuga Main House.
In fact, he didn’t use any sealing techniques at all.
With only Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Kekkei Genkai, he defeated Hyuga Toka.
The battle was also extrely fierce.
They fought for a full hour, covered in blood, bones broken.
But in the end, Ryuji won thanks to stronger regeneration, vitality, and perseverance.
Eventually, both had to be carried away on stretchers.
Hyuga Toka, even now, remained wrapped like a white mummy, lying in bed unable to move.
In contrast, Ryuji was nearly fully recovered.
Within a single night, this man was back in peak condition.
The Uzumaki bloodline was terrifying!
Just the Kekkei Genkai alone was this strong, and they also possessed nurous unique sealing techniques in the ninja world. No wonder the Uzumaki Clan was the "pri cut" desired by the entire ninja world—everyone wanted a bite.
"Kazekage!"
Ryuji greeted first. He slightly respected Chiyo as Kazekage, despite her being a female ninja several years younger than him.
"Hello."
"I’m glad to et you here. There’s one question I’d like to ask—would the Kazekage be willing to answer?"
"Go ahead."
"The night Uzushiogakure was attacked, I heard the Kazekage was also there and briefly faced enemies from Kumogakure and Kirigakure. Is that true?"
"Yes, but actually—"
"No need to explain your reasons. I know many desire the Uzumaki sealing techniques. Regardless of motives, that night you and Sunagakure helped Uzushiogakure. Though minor, it’s worthy of gratitude. My aunt has always taught this..."
"Kazekage, I’m deeply grateful!"
Chiyo was stunned, feeling awkward.
They’d only gone to steal sealing techniques—never expected this. Though she’d briefly faced the Raikage and others, she basically lost imdiately. She felt unworthy of such thanks.
N-no need to thank ."
"To show this gratitude, I’ll fight with all my strength! I also ask the Kazekage not to hold back! If you can defeat , my clan leader father agrees to freely give one Uzumaki sealing technique as a gift to your village."
Ryuji requested sincerely.
This was approved by his father, aunt, and the Hokage.
"Really? Then I won’t hold back!"
Chiyo’s eyes sparkled—she never expected such an unexpected reward. She quickly pulled out a scroll and clenched her fist with enthusiasm.
The official match began. Ryuji attacked first.
"Kongō Fūsa!" (Adamantine Sealing Chains!)
In an instant, four dazzling golden chains suddenly erged from his back, pierced the ground, and sealed the sky.
After experiencing the clan massacre night, Ryuji wouldn’t underestimate any Kage. Therefore, he unleashed his strongest technique without hesitation!
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