Deep underground, not far from Kannabi Bridge, a dimly lit base lay hidden in the shadows.
The flickering candlelight swayed with the subtle currents of air, as if it could be snuffed out at any moment.
A pale figure slowly emerged from the earth.
"It's all set, but this is a bit too cruel for Obito, don't you think?" The voice was lighthearted yet filled with anticipation.
Leaning against the cold stone wall like a lifeless corpse, Uchiha Madara slowly opened his weary eyes. Time had etched deep marks into his body, leaving him frail yet still commanding.
"At last… It begins. Obito will understand one day. He'll thank me for this." A strange light flickered in his aged, clouded gaze.
"That girl had two Jōnin by her side. Took me some effort to handle…" White Zetsu chuckled, clearly proud of itself.
"Enough. Don't dwell on the trivial. Stick to the plan. Go."
With those words, Madara seemed to drain the last of his strength. His eyelids grew heavy, and he let them fall shut.
"Hee hee… The show is about to start. I can't wait to see Obito cry his heart out… I wonder what that will feel like?"
As White Zetsu's body sank back into the earth, the vast underground chamber was swallowed once more by silence. It was like a tomb, dark and still.
Alone, Uchiha Madara remained slumped against the wall, unmoving—like a corpse that had long since lost the breath of life.
...
Konohagakure
"Did you hear? The Suna-nin have invaded the Land of Fire!"
"I heard they killed a lot of people…"
"Didn't we already defeat them? Are they negotiating a ceasefire?"
"That's just a smokescreen to deceive us."
"We never should've trusted them. We should've crushed Sunagakure from the start!"
"..."
Ever since Danzō and the Third Hokage had parted on bad terms, rumors had spread through Konoha like wildfire—claims that Sunagakure had disguised their forces as bandits and raided villages along the Land of Fire's borders.
When even the village newspaper began publishing reports of burned-down settlements and massacred civilians, public outrage erupted.
To the people of Konoha, the once-defeated Suna-nin were nothing more than weaklings. The idea that they dared to challenge their conquerors was unthinkable.
As the rumors spread, discontent toward Sunagakure surged, despite the leadership's attempts to suppress it.
Both civilians and shinobi alike bristled with anger.
Even the Third Hokage had no choice but to convene a Jōnin meeting to address the issue.
Yet before they could reach a resolution, another explosive revelation surfaced—
Every single Suna-nin involved in the invasion had already been eliminated by Root. The few survivors were now being transported to Konoha as prisoners.
The announcement sent a wave of excitement through the village. Civilians erupted into cheers, celebrating the decisive victory.
Stories of Root's exploits spread once again, their reputation growing ever more formidable.
But amidst the jubilant atmosphere, Konoha's upper echelons remained silent.
The great clans, ever perceptive, sensed something amiss beneath the surface.
Though the villagers laughed and celebrated, an undercurrent of unease ran through the air.
The clan heads ordered their members to refrain from discussing the matter, choosing instead to observe how things unfolded.
And at the heart of it all, standing on opposing sides in the Hokage's office—
...
Danzō and the Third Hokage faced each other in quiet confrontation.
"What exactly are you trying to do, Danzō?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his voice calm but firm.
"I'm following my own path as a shinobi. I will bring this war to an end," Danzō replied flatly.
Hiruzen struck a match and lit his pipe, taking a slow, deliberate puff.
"If you truly wish to end the war, then you should refrain from interfering so recklessly."
Thin wisps of smoke curled through the air. In the dim light, the deep wrinkles and age spots on Hiruzen's face stood out starkly. His voice carried the weight of years.
"But your methods… I cannot accept them. Root cannot accept them. And the people certainly will not accept them either. Face it, Sarutobi—you're old."
Danzō's tone was devoid of emotion, merely stating a fact.
The rift between them had become irreparable. Danzō knew there was no turning back.
Had Hiruzen been only a shinobi or a teacher, he would have been an exceptional man.
But as Hokage? To Danzō, he was merely adequate at best.
Hiruzen exhaled another plume of smoke, the weariness in his gaze deepening.
"No matter your thoughts, I have already submitted my resignation to the Daimyō. Once the war is over, I will step down as Hokage. And you, Danzō—you will step down as leader of Root."
He paused, watching Danzō through the haze of smoke.
"Until then, I don't want to hear another disruptive word from Root within Konoha."
His tone, though steady, carried an unmistakable weight. A warning.
Danzō met his gaze impassively but sighed inwardly. He wasn't sure if it was a sigh of relief or regret.
"If I were you, I would have had me imprisoned by now instead of wasting breath on empty threats. You indulge your friends too much… and you're far too soft on outsiders."
Turning toward the door, Danzō stepped forward, but just before leaving, he halted.
Without turning back, he spoke again.
"I'll handle Sunagakure's affairs. And one more thing—I have no interest in the position of Hokage, whether you believe me or not."
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the shadows.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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