"How on earth did this happen? Why haven't any other konoha ninjas come to reinforce us? What about the others?!" Sarutobi Kenta, Chūnin, a member of the Sarutobi family, gritted his teeth and cut off two Root anbu with a ninja knife, showing no mercy to the opposing Root member.
The intensity of their fight had drawn the attention of all Konoha ninjas. Yet, despite this, no reinforcements had arrived—neither from other Shinobi clans nor from civilian ninjas.
Facing hundreds of Sarutobi clan ninjas, the thirty-odd Root members, staunch supporters of Danzo, were outnumbered. Still, being groomed by Danzo meant they possessed considerable skill. Even the weakest among them were on par with elite Chūnin.
Like Danzo, they understood their chances of surviving until sunrise were slim. In such dire circumstances, dying with dignity on the battlefield and taking Lord Danzo's enemies with them to the underworld seemed a better option than futilely dying by execution. They were not driven solely by the desire to fight. They were fighting to survive.
Observing elderly, women, and children fleeing in panic, they charged forward without hesitation. Even Jōnin hesitated when confronting these mad skilled Chūnin, the roots showed no mercy to feeling civilians.
And so, the battle reached a tense stalemate.
..
Outside of the Sarutobi clan, other ninjas were notably absent. Instead, elite investigative teams from their respective clans had been dispatched. They were tasked with observing the unfolding conflict within the Sarutobi clan and reporting back to their families.
The roots, led by Shimura Danzō, clashed with the Sarutobi clan under the leadership of Sarutobi Hiruzen. News of this confrontation swiftly reached their respective clans, causing unease among those who could read the tense atmosphere.
Questions arose immediately. How had Danzō and his root anbu escaped from prison? Many doubted they could have eluded the supervision of Namikaze Minato, a renowned ninja of exceptional sensory skill.
Furthermore, should they intervene? Both Danzō and Hiruzen, the former Hokage and the former Hokage assistant were formidable figures not to be underestimated.
"Shikaku, what's your take on this?" Yamanaka Inoichi sought counsel from their Ino-Shika-Chō think tank.
"Let's turn a blind eye, pretend we saw and heard nothing," Nara Shikaku interjected decisively.
Nara Shikaku, nodding in agreement with Tatsuya's earlier guidance, offered his insight. "If we want to survive this, feigning ignorance is our best strategy."
It was reminiscent of the situation seven years ago with Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Similar decisions were being made by the Ina-Shika-Cho patriarchs.
"Patriarch, what should we do?" Uchiha Takeshi inquired about Uchiha Fugaku within the Uchiha clan.
"Pretend we didn't see anything; everyone retreats," Uchiha Fugaku responded without hesitation.
Yet, he couldn't help but marvel at the ruthlessness of Tatsuya's methods. The impending clash between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, a clash between Kage and his shadow, threatened to be lethal and maddening which made his Uchiha blood excited.
...
...
"Stop, Danzō! Have you forgotten? We trained together under Teacher Tobirama's guidance and swore to uphold his will of fire from the past."
Mitokado Homura collapsed to the ground at that moment, clutching his leg where the "Third Mizukage" had injured him before. Tears streamed down his face as he watched Danzō approach.
"You've lived a much better life than me during these thirty years, haven't you, Homura?"
Danzo's kunai crackled with condensed Wind Style Chakra, shaping into a meter-long sword as he sneered, "You and Koharu, both far weaker than me, have managed to wield control over Konoha's financial and medical departments for so many years without taking any blame or risk. Are there no regrets in your life? Thanks to me, you've been able to relax in your advisory roles and enjoy the benefits, haven't you?"
"On strength, talent, and strategy, how could you justify holding such high positions? It's all because I couldn't stand in the limelight, isn't it?" Danzo probed, his words cutting deep into Mitokado Homura's soul, leaving him speechless.
Even today nobody in Konoha could deny Danzo's actions over the years hadn't benefited Konoha, yet he, Utatane Koharu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen were undeniably favored within their circle, allowing them to occupy Konoha's highest echelons for thirty years.
Danzo's laughter was bitter. "And when I faced life-and-death crises, you didn't consider saving me but how to exploit my final worth. Homura, how do you justify that?"
"N-no, that's not... I didn't..."
Struggling for words, Mitokado Homura hesitated. Suddenly, he noticed Utatane Koharu, attempting to slip away through a back door, pointing towards him and shouting, "Yes, it was Koharu! Koharu agreed before me!"
"Son of a bitch!" Utatane Koharu cursed inwardly as she neared the back door, hoping to escape unnoticed. However, before she could make her getaway, Mitokado Homura's voice rang out.
But Homura didn't wait for a response. A sharp Wind Style Chakra Kunai pierced through Utatane Koharu's left foot, pinning her to the ground with a sharp cry of pain, "Ah!"
...
"This is quite exciting," Nawaki commented from the distant eaves, clapping his hands in amusement. "I always thought the bond between these four was unbreakable, but it looks like it's heading towards disaster."
"Believing there's sentiment in politics shows naivety, Nawaki," Tatsuya remarked with a smile.
Nawaki flushed. "Could you please stop reminding everyone of my naive days?"
"Are you going to run Koharu?" Danzo redirected the conversation, taunting Danzo. "Don't abandon your comrade."
"Enough, Danzo, please," Homura interjected weakly.
Ignoring their pleas, Danzo seized Utatane Koharu by his white arm bearing Hashirama's face imprint, effortlessly tossing her beside Mitokado Homura. With a sneer, he taunted them both, "You two have been enjoying yourselves for so many years, yet you can't even run properly. Isn't it time to face the consequences?"
As soon as the words left Danzo's lips, he swiftly swung the Wind Style Chakra Kunai in his hand, piercing the hearts of both victims.
"Danzo!!!" The cry echoed through the air.
At that moment, the Monkey King Staff suddenly struck Danzo from behind, slamming him against the wall. Wind Style Chakra Kunai protruded from Sarutobi Hiruzen's shoulders and legs, blood staining the ground.
"That's enough!!" The blow from the stick had inflicted a potentially fatal injury on Danzo.
"Quick, save us, Hiruzen!"
"Hiruzen, please, call for Tsunade!"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, clinging to life, reached out desperately to Sarutobi Hiruzen. They refused to die here, unwilling to accept their fate. They wanted to live for another twenty or thirty years at least.
"Oh ho ho what a pitiful sight. What happened?" Nawaki's voice suddenly interjected, tinged with a hint of sarcasm that anyone not deaf could discern.
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