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The forest had grown darker as night deepened, casting long, intricate shadows across the battle-scarred clearing where Hiruzen and his disciples stood amidst the remains of their recent skirmish.
The damp, cool air clung to them, mingling with the scent of smoke and earth, remnants of the rogue ninja's hideout.
Though they had barely caught their breath, a new and menacing presence now surrounded them, emanating from the encircling Root operatives whose expressions lay hidden behind emotionless masks.
At the center of this encirclement, Danzo Shimura stood with quiet authority, his figure draped in a dark cloak that seemed to absorb the last fading rays of light.
His eyes was sharp, calculating, almost gleaming with a fervor that none of the young shinobi present had ever seen.
Hiruzen regarded him with an unwavering, calm expression, his body relaxed yet alert, prepared for whatever might unfold.
The disciples exchanged glances, their faces reflecting the mixture of confusion and anticipation as they took in the silent power play between the two elders.
"Danzo," Hiruzen's voice cut through the stillness, a mixture of surprise and disappointment. "What is this? Why have you brought such a force against us?"
Danzo's smirk was slight, his voice low yet piercing, carrying an unmistakable edge.
"Konoha's future, Hiruzen," he replied coldly, his gaze sweeping over the young shinobi assembled before him.
"For too long, you've allowed weakness to fester, poisoning the roots of our village, distributing high-rank techniques to the ninja clans and controlling the village, like it's your own. Konoha deserves a leader with the resolve to make difficult choices... to protect its interests at all costs."
Jiraiya, wide-eyed, took a step forward, fists clenched. "You're insane, Danzo! These are our comrades you're using against us!"
Danzo's expression remained unmoved as he focused on Hiruzen.
"You've grown complacent, Hiruzen, too lenient. Konoha is our inheritance—our legacy. But you... you only wish to control it. It's time for a change, for me to take its rightful place at the head of this village and free from your clutches."
Tsunade stepped up beside Jiraiya, her eyes hard as steel. "You think you can just waltz in here with your Root troops and take over?"
Danzo's gaze shifted to Tsunade, a hint of a sneer in his voice.
"Such bravado, Tsunade. This isn't merely a coup—it's an intervention for the sake of Konoha's future. Your sensei may have taught you to fight well, but what has he taught you about loyalty to the village's true purpose?"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, yet his tone remained steady.
"Danzo, you're not merely misguided—you're lost in your ambition, in your hunger for Hokage position."
He took a measured breath, choosing his words with care.
"I know your desire to become Hokage. It's never been about the village, has it? This is about your ego, thinking you are the great than me, your need to wield Konoha as a weapon to satisfy your own desires."
Danzo's mouth tightened, his gaze darkening. "You think I seek power for my own sake?"
He took a step closer, his voice rising, betraying the anger simmering beneath his composed exterior.
"Everything I do, I do for the village, for its survival. I am willing to make the sacrifices."
The disciples glanced at one another, murmuring. Orochimaru, ever watchful, stepped closer to Hiruzen.
"And yet, Danzo," Orochimaru drawled, his voice as cold as his gaze, "your actions speak louder than your words. Tell me, what would you sacrifice here tonight?"
Danzo's gaze flicked to Orochimaru, then back to Hiruzen, dismissing the younger shinobi.
"You've kept secrets from everyone, Hiruzen, even from them. They don't know the true risks village face, the dangers that lurk outside our borders. Konoha deserves a leader who will wield all the tools at his disposal—tools that you have denied us."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, his voice almost casual. "Is that why you attempted to take the remains of the First Hokage from the mausoleum? To use it as one of your 'tools'?"
A ripple of shock passed through the disciples as they processed Hiruzen's words.
Jiraiya's mouth fell open, Tsunade clenched her fists, and Orochimaru's eyes glinted with interest.
Danzo's expression faltered for the briefest moment before he regained his composure.
"Hiruzen," Danzo's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "you speak of 'tools' as if they are objects of contempt. But the First's remains are a source of immense power, a power that you would squander in favor of... diplomacy."
Hiruzen sighed, a look of regret crossing his face as he shook his head. "Danzo, power which is not your own is dangerous. First Hokage remains are like that—you think you can wield it. But you, Danzo... you are blind, consumed by the darkness of your own making."
Danzo's face twisted in anger. "Our own strength is not enough to protect the village! Do you think I don't know that?"
His voice was edged with fury, yet his eyes held a gleam of satisfaction as he regarded Hiruzen and his students, now effectively surrounded.
"Hiruzen, I have prepared for this day. Do you think I'd face you unprepared?"
Hiruzen's calm demeanor didn't waver, though his gaze sharpened.
"I know you've come with contingencies, Danzo. But I must wonder... what gives you such confidence that you could take care of me here?"
Danzo's expression shifted to one of cold triumph. "I expected you'd be prepared, Hiruzen. That's why I devised something... special for this moment."
With a subtle gesture, he signaled to the Root operatives who quickly starts forming hand seals, on their respective spots.
"This is a seal exclusively crafted to contain you. Just like you, I am also training Hiruzen, I have taken every precaution, even securing techniques from ancient Uzumaki scrolls, from my ninjas contributions. Once activated, this sealing area will prevent even you from escaping with flying thunder god. And should that fail... I have another."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed as Danzo reached into his cloak, pulling over his cloak, reaveling a black with dark red kanji scrawled across his chest surface.
His disciples stared at the scroll, sensing the ominous energy radiating from it.
"This is a reverse Four-Symbols Seal," Danzo announced, his voice steely.
"A jutsu that will destroy everything within its range upon activation—even me. Should it come to that, I'm prepared to take you, your disciples, and everyone here down with us."
Jiraiya's eyes widened, disbelief written across his face. "You'd sacrifice your own men, your entire Root force, just to get rid of Sensei?"
Danzo's expression was resolute. "If necessary, yes. For Konoha's sake, sacrifices must be made."
Tsunade's fists trembled with rage as she took a step toward Danzo, but Hiruzen raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
He turned back to Danzo, his expression almost sorrowful. "Danzo, you've deluded yourself into believing you're saving the village, but you're only tearing it apart."
Danzo scoffed. "This village needs to be reforged through fire and blood if it is to survive. Your methods will only lead it to ruin."
Hiruzen let out a weary sigh, his voice soft yet unyielding. "You don't own this village, Danzo. Konoha is mine. Every choice I make, every mission, every sacrifice, must be to safeguard this village peoples, making it the strongest village."
Danzo's jaw clenched as Hiruzen's words struck him, but he dismissed them, focusing instead on his plan.
"Enough of this rhetoric, Hiruzen. I've tolerated your idealism long enough. Tonight, your reign ends, and Konoha will be reborn under new guidance."
Hiruzen remained calm, his eyes sweeping over his disciples as they prepared themselves, each of them tense and waiting for his next command.
The light in his eyes grew intense, and he straightened, exuding an air of quiet confidence that unsettled even the Root operatives surrounding them.
"You underestimate me, Danzo," Hiruzen said, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Perhaps you've never mastered Tobirama-sensei's Flying Thunder God technique. So, you don't know the extent of this technique, Seals can't contain me at all. I just let you seal me, to see what other methods you have."
Danzo's eye widened momentarily before he masked his surprise. "You... you wouldn't dare try to flee."
Hiruzen gave a slight shrug, his tone almost playful. "That, Danzo, is precisely your weakness—relying on tactics alone without considering the strength of your opponents, thinking everything is under control. You believe this seal will hold me, yet you fail to gauze my true strength."
Danzo's expression hardened, but he held his ground. "Very well, Hiruzen. If you want to test your strength, you'll find no mercy here, even if you leave, what will happen to your students, I don't believe you can take all of them."
Hiruzen's gaze playful as he chuckled and looked over his disciples. "That's where you are wrong again Danzo, thinking I can't take them all? But, worry not, I will let them feel the true horror of the ninja world, by making you an example. Because they are also naive just like you."
At this, the tension in the air grew palpable. The disciples readied themselves, each drawing weapons and circulating chakra, prepared to face the Root operatives and stand alongside their teacher.
The shadows in the clearing seemed to darken, thickening with the anticipation of battle.
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