Danzo was momentarily stunned when he saw the apron-clad Itsuki, but quickly recovered...
"BOOM!!!"
A massive explosion erupted.
Danzo's house... was blown up.
"Danzo!" Itsuki, having escaped the explosion, pointed at him with trembling fingers and gritted his teeth. "The dinner I spent so much time preparing, you, you, you dog! Wasting food like that is disgraceful, don't you get it?"
This old dog is ruthless!
Itsuki never expected that Danzo had planted numerous explosive tags all over his own house.
With just a single hand sign, the place was set to explode instantly.
If Itsuki hadn't been a skilled Flying Thunder God ninja, he would've been caught for sure.
Danzo, wearing a dark expression, coldly said, "Uchiha Itsuki, you've got some nerve showing your face in Konoha at a time like this. Today will be your last!"
"I've heard that before." Itsuki sneered.
"Hmph!"
Without further words, Danzo reached for the seal on his arm.
"BAM!"
Itsuki appeared in front of him in an instant, brushing past Danzo.
With a dull thud, Danzo's head exploded.
"Huh?"
Itsuki frowned.
Something felt off.
Sure enough!
The next moment, Danzo's body vanished.
"What the…?"
Itsuki was suspicious.
He hadn't even given Danzo a chance to release the seal on his arm!
Itsuki, having read the original story, was certain that Danzo's arm was full of Sharingan eyes.
Don't say that just because the Uchiha clan wasn't wiped out, Danzo couldn't have that many Sharingan.
Get real!
The Uchiha clan had been around for a long time.
They'd fought in wars for many years.
Since the five great ninja villages came into existence, three major wars had been fought, and countless smaller conflicts never stopped.
The Uchiha were not like the Hyuga, where the main family never saw combat, and the branch family had their eyes sealed upon death.
Over the years, too many Uchiha had died in battle.
Especially during the Third Great Ninja War.
The Uchiha were the main force, and practically the entire clan fought against Kirigakure, leading to unimaginable sacrifice.
With sacrifice comes Sharingan.
All of the Uchiha clan's stored Sharingan had already fallen into Itsuki's hands.
It was quite the collection!
He even had a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, though those were in the possession of Shana.
He also had plenty of Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Danzo having 8 or 10 Sharingan on hand wasn't that far-fetched.
You think I'm joking?
Do you really think the Hidden Roots would be that foolish?
So!
Itsuki, unlike in the original plot, wasn't going to waste time talking. Given the chance, he aimed to take Danzo down.
But!
He hadn't expected that Danzo had already activated the Uchiha forbidden technique: Izanagi!
*Buzz!*
A new Danzo appeared before Itsuki, completely unharmed.
His hands were already forming seals.
Yes!
Both of his hands!
The seal on his arm had been released!
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
*Bang!*
Itsuki moved just a step to the side, effortlessly dodging Danzo's attack.
With the Sharingan, he precisely tracked the trajectory of the attack, avoiding it with minimal movement.
"It's over!"
Itsuki sighed.
This was Konoha, after all!
And during a time of war!
A large number of Konoha ninja were on their way.
Unless Itsuki was willing to reveal the full power of his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he had no choice but to retreat.
Should he expose it?
If he did, he could destroy Konoha right now!
Itsuki hesitated.
Tobi was still lurking in the shadows, and there was no telling how many backup plans Madara Uchiha had in place.
Konoha definitely had White Zetsu spies!
If Itsuki revealed himself now, once Madara was revived, the first person he'd likely come for was Itsuki.
And facing Madara at his peak, Itsuki wasn't confident in victory.
Even though they were both maniacal laughers, there were levels to it.
Madara's laugh was louder, wilder, and more hysterical.
"Forget it!"
Itsuki removed his apron, smiling at Danzo. "Danzo, you'd better be careful. I know the Flying Thunder God technique. One day, I'll take your life."
"The Apron Mom bids farewell!"
*Whoosh!*
Itsuki vanished.
"That bastard!"
Danzo gritted his teeth, his face contorted with rage.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh!*
One ninja after another appeared.
"Danzo-sama, here…"
"Uchiha Itsuki!"
Danzo's voice was ice-cold. "Uchiha Itsuki used Flying Thunder God and appeared in Konoha. Spread the word, and investigate!"
"Yes!"
The ninjas scattered, leaving Danzo's base behind.
"Damn it!"
Danzo cursed again.
This time, it was out of fear!
He couldn't help but be afraid!
So close!
He was so close to dying.
Fortunately, the moment he saw Itsuki, he triggered the explosion and simultaneously started the seals for Izanagi.
It cost him his right eye.
That damned Uchiha Itsuki! He wasn't pulling his punches!
If Danzo had hesitated even for a moment, he would have been done for.
"Sarutobi, this is all your fault!"
Danzo gritted his teeth. "If you'd taken out Uchiha Itsuki sooner, would we be dealing with this now? When will you stop being so indecisive?"
"Danzo-sama!"
An Anbu appeared, kneeling before him. "The Hokage has requested your presence."
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted and followed the Anbu.
He wasn't just going to see Sarutobi Hiruzen; he was going to stay with him.
After all, his house had been blown up, and where else could he go but Sarutobi's place?
It's not like he was going to sleep in the dungeon.
What, was he crazy?
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already returned home, waiting for Danzo.
He didn't dare wander around.
He was worried Itsuki might pop out of nowhere and take him down.
When Danzo arrived...
The two legendary beasts of Konoha had a brief conversation before Danzo settled in for the night.
Sarutobi's house was big enough, after all.
His wife, Biwako, had long passed, so Danzo had plenty of freedom.
The Konoha ninja, meanwhile, were combing the area for any trace of Uchiha Itsuki.
They searched throughout the night, but found nothing.
"Did he leave?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked uncertain.
He couldn't believe that Uchiha Itsuki would leave so easily.
But...
The sensory ninjas had checked multiple times.
"Increase the patrols! Have the sensory team work extra hard!"
Sarutobi ordered. "And increase Konoha's barrier to full power!"
"Yes!"
The Anbu disappeared.
*Sigh*
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a deep sigh.
Why hadn't he realized before just how troublesome the Flying Thunder God technique could be?
And how on earth had Uchiha Itsuki learned it?
Sarutobi shook his head and headed to the bath.
Danzo wasn't sleeping either.
He was fuming inside.
Why only target him?
At least if Itsuki had hit more people, Danzo might feel a bit better.
And he didn't believe Itsuki had left so easily.
Who knew where he might be hiding? Maybe... he was still in Sarutobi's house.
Danzo's eyes flew open wide.
Sarutobi's house?!
No way!
That place hadn't been thoroughly searched!
Danzo quickly sat up, sharpening his senses, ready to find Sarutobi.
Suddenly!
*Bang!*
"Ooow... argh…"
A loud thud and a blood-curdling scream echoed.
Half of Konoha must have heard it.
Then came a hysterical roar: "Uchiha Itsuki! I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill you! Aaaaaah!!!"
"Sarutobi!"
Danzo rushed over.
What he saw made him instinctively tighten his legs.
Sarutobi Hiruzen lay naked on the floor, clutching his groin, his face twisted in agony.
It was like he'd been through a three-day, three-night storm.
In that moment, Danzo was reminded of the fear Itsuki had once instilled in him.
(End of Chapter)