Chapter 82. Hiruzen, Save !
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At this mont—
Outside the Konoha.
In the forest.
As a professional bounty hunter, he, Kakuzu had already been waiting here for quite so ti.
Unfortunately, his 600 million had yet to appear.
A hero of the Konoha?
The Second Hokage's disciple?
The Third Hokage's close friend?
Hah! He's hiding like a scared turtle. What's the point?
"Bah! Trash!" Kakuzu spat angrily on the ground. He broke off a twig and stuck it between his teeth, his mouth full of stitched lines pulling into a grimace as he muttered, "600 million...!"
But alas—
The defenses around Konoha were too tight.
Sneaking in would be far too dangerous.
Especially now, with the war raging outside, all the ninja villages were on high alert. Konoha's defenses were tighter than ever!
Still, his 600 million in Konoha was calling to him!
Leaning back against a tree with his hands behind his head, Kakuzu closed his eyes again. Over the past few days, he'd seen plenty of Konoha ninja coming and going, but none of them were worth 600 million.
He decided to wait a little longer. If no opportunity arose, he'd return to the black market, gather more intelligence, and co back for his money next spring when the flowers blood.
Suddenly—
"Boom!"
A thunderous explosion echoed through the forest.
Birds scattered, insects buzzed, and sand and debris flew everywhere.
Kakuzu's eyes snapped open, narrowing as he looked ahead.
"Are other ninjas attacking Konoha?!"
Or...
Was soone trying to steal his 600 million?!
Either way—
Kakuzu sat up straight, a sinister smile tugging at his stitched lips.
"An opportunity...!"
It had arrived.
...
Originally, he was planning a quiet trip to the Land of Rain.
But who would've thought—barely outside Konoha, trouble found him.
Shimura Danzo, clad in his ninja vest, frowned deeply as he looked at the seven figures surrounding him. They wielded strange weapons, and their presence was unmistakable.
"Kirigakure! The Seven Ninja Swordsn!"
It seed—
These n had been lying in wait outside Konoha, waiting for him.
As expected...
It's not just Iwagakure after my body!
Danzo stared at the seven pairs of predatory eyes watching him like prey. His tiger-like gaze sharpened as he declared coolly, "It seems my lack of activity has made many forget the infamous na of the Ninja of Darkness!"
His words fell.
"Not at all," said a short-haired man with jagged teeth, carrying a chipped broadsword on his shoulder. "Shimura Danzo—your na is well-known! But our Mizukage has invited you to Kirigakure to discuss an important peace plan for the ninja world!"
"Bah! Peace plan?" Danzo sneered disdainfully. "Just say you're after my body! Stop making excuses! Shaless scum! I've seen plenty of n like you!"
Did they really think—
He had earned the title of Ninja of Darkness for nothing?
The dark underbelly of the ninja world.
The darkness of Konoha.
He had seen it all!
"Juzo, I told you to stop wasting words! He's not so fresh academy graduate naive enough to believe such lies." A green-haired ninja beside him chid in mockingly, "If he doesn't want to co willingly, fine. We only need his body. Knock him out and drag him back. Worst case..." He licked his lips. "Just the head will do."
"Hahaha! True! We're here to take him, not negotiate!"
The rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsn burst into laughter.
Danzo's face grew colder as he glared at the group treating him like prey. With a snort, he retorted, "If you want to take , let's see if you have the skill to back it up!"
Danzo had anticipated the possibility of trouble during this trip.
And to claim the legendary eyes he sought, he was prepared to face any obstacles without hesitation!
That's why he had brought so many Root ninjas along on this mission.
But encountering the Kirigakure's assassination squad—the Seven Ninja Swordsn—was a twist he hadn't foreseen!
But this place is not far from Konoha. Once a battle occurs, Konoha will definitely receive the news soon.
When that happened... he would retreat swiftly, leaving the aftermath to Hiruzen to clean up!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
Danzo took the initiative, puffing out his cheeks and unleashing a sharp wind blade toward the Seven Ninja Swordsn of the Mist.
At the sa ti, his Root ninjas, responding to his subtle command, launched a coordinated attack, engaging the infamous swordsn.
"Konoha's ANBU?"
But the Seven Ninja Swordsn were not afraid, smirking as they wielded their fearso blades to counter.
As elite assassins of the Kirigakure, they were not only the best of the best but also masters of close combat. There was no chance they would fall easily.
Moreover—
Assassination was their specialty.
Why else would the Mizukage have sent them to infiltrate this deep in secret?
"Be a good boy and co with us! 600 million ryo!"
"Hmph! You think you can invade Konoha territory and escape unscathed?" Danzo sneered coldly, his hands forming seals.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
Multiple air blades shot toward the swordsn, slicing through the mist.
Yet, it was clear why they were considered top-tier assassins of the Kirigakure. Each attack was expertly deflected.
"Old fools like you don't scare us."
"It doesn't matter! We only want your body!"
"..."
What a bunch of damned guys!
Danzo's expression darkened as the mist thickened around them. For a mont, hesitation flickered in his eyes.
By now, several Root ninjas had already fallen.
"Impressive... as expected of the Kirigakure's elite assassination squad," Danzo muttered under his breath, inhaling deeply as if steeling himself for a difficult decision.
Finally, he turned to the Root ninjas protecting him.
"Retreat!"
"???" The Root ninjas froze, hesitant.
"But Danzo-sama—"
"Retreat! Did you not hear ?!" Danzo barked, his gaze sharp. Yet his tone carried a note of practicality.
"The Konoha ninjas will have received word by now. It's ti for us to withdraw!"
At his command—
"Yes!"
As Danzo's unwavering followers, the Root ninjas imdiately split into two groups: one to cover the retreat by engaging the swordsn, and the other to escort Danzo to safety.
"Damn it! Don't let him get away!"
The Seven Ninja Swordsn noticed the shift and sprang into action.
"These pests are so annoying. Raiga, handle them!"
"Heh, this just got fun!"
The swordsn laughed maniacally as they unleashed their deadly weapons, turning the forest into a battlefield of carnage.
"Danzo Shimura! I don't know why you're worth 600 million, but we of the Kirigakure will take that bounty. Thanks for the donation!"
"We'll even give you a grand funeral!"
The chaos escalated.
Danzo, refusing to back down, unleashed another jutsu: "Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"
That jutsu stopped Suikazan Fuguki from the Seven Ninja Swordsn! Information about the Seven Ninja Swordsn, Konoha has it too!
The powerful attack clashed against the hulking Suikazan Fuguki's Sahada, resulting in a massive explosion.
"Hahaha! Your body is ours, Danzo!" Fuguki taunted.
"Keep dreaming!" Danzo shot back, retreating with a cold smirk. His presence was unwavering as he roared, "Even if I must bear the darkness and guard Konoha with one hand, I, Shimura Danzo, will remain fearless! You think you're worthy of taking ?!"
"Not bad for a forr hero of Konoha," one of the swordsn remarked mockingly. "But like we said—we're only after your body!"
Two of the swordsn closed in, moving to encircle him.
"Danzo Shimura! Your body belongs to the Kirigakure!"
Suddenly—
A shadow descended from above, accompanied by a cold and commanding voice.
"He belongs to ."
"?!"
Danzo's hardened expression faltered as shock washed over him.
He was surrounded.
The Root ninjas were too far to assist.
Was this... the end?
Was it truly over?
A thought crossed his mind, unbidden.
But just as despair threatened to overwhelm him—
Danzo's eyes sharpened, sensing sothing familiar. His lips moved almost involuntarily as he muttered:
"Hiruzen, save !"
And with those words—
"Danzo!!!"
A familiar, thunderous voice, filled with both anger and determination, erupted from behind him.
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