NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Illusions
At the gates of Konohagakure.
In less than half a day, Tobirama and his group returned to the village, dust-covered but swift. As ninja, their travel speed was extraordinary. The three special jōnin accompanying them were only slightly winded, while Tobirama himself remained unaffected, his composure intact.
The same could not be said for Saitō, a civilian. Though he had been carried on Genma's back and didn't have to walk, the journey was far from smooth. With the group leaping across trees and running over water, the constant jostling had left Saitō nauseated. The moment they arrived at the gates, he collapsed to his knees and began retching.
"Genma, take Mr. Saitō to the Konoha Hospital for some rest," Tobirama instructed, his tone calm but commanding.
Genma nodded, slinging the groaning civilian over his shoulder. Saitō managed a weak word of thanks before Genma carried him off toward the hospital.
Tobirama turned to the remaining two ninja by his side. His sharp gaze swept over them as he gave his next order.
"We're heading to Shimura Danzō's residence."
Although questions lingered in their minds, the two shinobi stayed silent, following Tobirama without hesitation.
As they passed through the village, many Konoha residents and ninja paused upon seeing Tobirama's return. Some initially stepped forward to greet him, but his cold and imposing demeanor made them think twice. Their gazes followed the group as they marched with purpose toward the home of one of Konoha's advisors.
Shimura Danzō's residence was unlike those of the other advisors. Instead of being situated within the Shimura clan's main compound, his home was on the outskirts of the village—a quiet, isolated area. The remote location and desolate surroundings suited Danzō's secretive nature, a reflection of his penchant for operating in the shadows.
While this was technically Danzō's home, he rarely stayed there, spending most of his time in the Root's underground base. Yet today, in a rare deviation, Danzō had chosen to remain in his residence.
Inside Danzō's dimly lit home.
Although the house was built to face the sunlight, Danzō had closed all the windows and doors, shutting out the brightness. Seated cross-legged in his bedroom, he sipped tea in silence.
"If only I had acted faster than Sarutobi Hiruzen back then," Danzō thought bitterly, "the title of Hokage would have been mine."
Despite his outward calm, his trembling hands betrayed his inner turmoil. The teacup in his grasp shook slightly, revealing his unease.
By now, the plan should have been completed. The Four Symbols Seal Squad must have already eliminated the target.
"I'm sorry, Sensei," Danzō muttered internally, trying to justify his actions. "Your resurrection is an obstacle. You belong to the past. There's no reason for you to exist in this world any longer."
He clenched his fists, repeating the thoughts over and over in his mind as if to absolve himself of guilt.
"Orochimaru has done far worse," he reassured himself. "At worst, I'm just the second coming of Orochimaru."
Danzō's thoughts drifted to the time. The squad should be reporting back any moment now.
And yet, despite his self-reassurances, a gnawing sense of unease lingered in his chest. Could his sensei, Tobirama, really be so easily defeated?
"No, impossible!"
Danzō shook his head, trying to dispel the doubt. He knew the strength of the Four Symbols Seal Squad. The technique they wielded was designed for one purpose: taking down overwhelmingly powerful enemies, even at the cost of their own lives.
"Not even someone like Uchiha Madara could survive that technique if he were resurrected," he thought, gripping the teacup tightly.
Minutes turned to hours. The tension in the room grew unbearable. The tea on the table had long gone cold.
"Why hasn't there been any response?"
A dark shadow loomed over Danzō's thoughts. If the plan had failed, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Four Symbols Seal was a secret known to only a handful within Konoha's upper echelons. If his sensei was still alive, he would undoubtedly deduce who had orchestrated the attack.
"My dream of becoming Hokage would be over. Worse, I'd be branded as a traitor—a killer of my own sensei."
Danzō shook his head violently, refusing to accept such a possibility.
"No! He's dead. I'll be Hokage soon. Konoha will finally rise to the pinnacle of the shinobi world under my rule!"
A dark grin spread across his face as he envisioned the glory awaiting him. He could already hear the cheers of the villagers hailing him as Hokage.
But then—
BANG!
The old wooden door of his home was suddenly kicked open with a deafening crash.
Danzō flinched, his entire body stiffening. His teacup slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor.
"Who dares to barge into the future Fifth Hokage's home?!" he growled, his voice trembling.
He slowly lifted his gaze, and his breath caught in his throat.
A stark white tuft of hair stood tall, framed by a piercingly cold gaze.
It was him.
Senju Tobirama.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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