After a prolonged standoff, Sunagakure and Kumogakure finally retreated.
Witnessing this, all the Konoha ninjas and civilians stationed in Kikyo Castle erupted into deafening cheers.
"We won!"
"We held the line! We won!"
"Long live Konoha!"
"Long live Lord Danzo!"
"Long live Lord Danzo!"
Amid the thunderous cheers, the hearts of every ninja and civilian were united as one.
They shouted Danzo's name, celebrating this hard-fought and glorious victory with abandon.
Standing atop the city walls, Minato Namikaze chuckled at the scene.
With such an overwhelming display of admiration, anyone unaware of the situation might have mistaken Danzo for the Hokage.
Danzo, too, wore a faint smile, watching from above as the retreating enemy forces scattered like ants.
The celebratory atmosphere filled the entire town.
Observing this, Minato silently studied the elder standing beside him.
He had long heard of Danzo's infamous reputation, so much so that it was said even children stopped crying at the mere mention of his name.
Stories of Danzo stealing an old man's cane, snatching candy from children, and kicking a cripple's good leg were widely circulated, painting him as a notorious figure.
Minato's mentor, Jiraiya, had repeatedly warned him to avoid getting involved with Danzo at all costs.
However, after interacting with him personally, Minato found that Danzo wasn't as terrible as the rumors suggested.
At the very least, Danzo had shown immense courage and a strong Will of Fire, stepping up during a crisis.
Moreover, he seemed kind and approachable, without any signs of the oppressive or bullying behavior people spoke of.
"We owe this victory to you, Elder Danzo," Minato said sincerely.
Whatever Danzo's personal flaws might be, his performance in this battle was beyond reproach.
In response to Minato's compliment, Danzo's gaze lingered on him for a long moment.
"Elder Danzo, is there something on me?" Minato asked, feeling puzzled by the prolonged attention.
Danzo chuckled softly, his raspy voice breaking the silence. "Minato, do you know why I'm happy?"
Minato scratched his head in confusion and ventured a guess. "Because we won the battle?"
Danzo shook his head. "Not entirely."
Minato tried again. "Because we protected the people of Kikyo Castle?"
Danzo shook his head once more. "Not entirely, either."
With a sigh, Minato asked, "Then please enlighten me, Elder Danzo."
Resting his hands on the wall, Danzo slowly said, "It's because I've seen the future."
"The future?" Minato seemed to understand, but not fully.
"Yes, the future," Danzo affirmed with a nod. "I've seen Konoha's future and the future of the ninja world."
He turned to face Minato and Shisui, who was standing guard nearby.
"That future lies with you. Not just you, but also with Kakashi and countless other young people."
"This is the essence of the Will of Fire."
Danzo's words left Minato and Shisui deep in thought, standing there silently as they reflected.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal. The flame illuminates the village and allows new leaves to sprout," Danzo continued, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"Though I dislike Hiruzen's indecisiveness, his explanation of the Will of Fire is undoubtedly correct."
"That's why my primary concern today wasn't whether we could win this battle—it was your growth."
"As long as you young seedlings continue to take root and grow, what does it matter if this withered old tree burns itself to ash?"
"Fortunately, you didn't disappoint me!"
Danzo's gaze toward the two young ninjas was filled with the kind of admiration a senior holds for promising juniors.
The overwhelming kindness in his expression could easily make one believe he truly cared for them like family.
"Lord Danzo…"
Danzo's heartfelt words left the young Shisui deeply moved. He felt an indescribable sense of awe, as though Danzo were glowing before him.
"So this is the true essence of the Will of Fire…"
Minato Namikaze looked at Danzo, and for the first time, he realized that this infamous elder might be the one who truly embodied the Will of Fire.
The intensity of Danzo's resolve seemed to surpass even that of Minato's mentor.
Minato couldn't help but wonder why his mentor, Jiraiya, had always advised against associating with such a senior. Could there have been some misunderstanding between them?
While Minato was lost in thought, Danzo suddenly erupted into a fit of violent coughing.
Clutching his mouth and nose with his hand, Danzo tried to conceal it, but Minato's keen eyes caught the sight of crimson blood seeping through his fingers.
"Are you injured, Lord Danzo?" Minato's tone was filled with concern. With the front line only just stabilizing, Konoha couldn't afford to lose such a pivotal figure.
Even setting aside his strategic importance, Danzo's unwavering Will of Fire was something worthy of everyone's respect.
Shisui, alerted by Minato's words, quickly responded. "Was it the injuries you sustained in the Battle of Akagakani? I'll call for a medic right away!"
"No need!" Danzo waved his hand, his face pale as he spoke. "It's nothing serious. I'll just head to the field hospital for some treatment. The enemy has just retreated; we must avoid causing unnecessary alarm!"
Danzo then turned to Minato. "I leave things here in your hands."
Watching Danzo's now hunched figure, Minato's admiration for him only deepened.
"Don't worry, Lord Danzo!"
"Good."
With that, Danzo nodded and, supported by Shisui, made his way toward the hospital.
---
System Notification:
"Detected Uchiha Shisui's admiration. Gained 1 Exclusive Skill Point (Illusion) and unlocked the skill package Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu (C-Rank)."
"Detected Namikaze Minato's admiration. Gained 1 Skill Point and unlocked the skill package Four Symbols Seal."
Receiving this unexpected bounty, Danzo couldn't help but let a small smirk creep across his face.
However, the slight smile tugged at his internal injuries, causing him to cough up another mouthful of blood.
Shisui's expression turned even more anxious, and he carried Danzo at top speed to the hospital.
Danzo's injuries weren't some act to garner sympathy—they were very real.
After his battle with A in the Akagakani Gorge, Danzo had sustained severe injuries.
Not only was his left arm fractured, but the blow to his head had left him with significant internal trauma.
Danzo wasn't some descendant of the Senju or Uzumaki clans, blessed with extraordinary vitality.
He was just an ordinary, frail ninja. Taking a direct punch from A without losing consciousness was already proof of his remarkable resilience.
He had received only cursory treatment before rushing to Kikyo Mountain, where he immediately dove into another intense battle.
From the moment he departed for Akagakani, he hadn't closed his eyes for even a moment. His body was utterly exhausted.
Now that Minato was holding the fort and there were no external threats, the moment Danzo allowed himself to relax, his body finally gave way.
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This Danzo Is Weird 140 advanced chapters: (5-10 ch updates everyday)
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