Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
A series of deafening explosions shattered the silence of the night, sending tremors through the earth beneath.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Wasn’t I just pulling an all-nighter grinding the Arena?”
Naobito opened his eyes with a pounding headache.
Before him stretched a dense, ominous forest.
In the distance, flames lit up the night sky, while the air reeked of smoke and gunpowder.
Where the hell am I?
Before he could process the situation, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
“Are you alright, Danzō?”
Danzō?
Naobito stared blankly at the brown-haired man before him.
The man’s face was painfully familiar.
It was the very character he’d been dominating with in the Arena just moments ago—
A young Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The problem was…
If that was the young Hiruzen Sarutobi, then who was he?
Naobito swallowed hard.
A dreadful realization began creeping into his mind.
Seeing his bewildered expression, concern flashed across Hiruzen’s face.
He leaned closer and waved a hand in front of Danzō’s eyes.
“What’s wrong, Danzō?”
“Don’t tell me that explosion rattled your brain?”
When Danzō failed to respond, Hiruzen’s concern deepened.
“Whatever the case, we need to get out of here first.”
Without another word, he hoisted Danzō onto his back and began leaping rapidly between the massive tree branches.
Enemies were pursuing them.
Staying behind meant certain death.
As he bounced along through the forest, Naobito finally pieced together his situation.
There was no doubt about it.
He had transmigrated.
And not just anywhere—
He had landed in the brutal world of shinobi, where human lives were often worth less than dirt.
The good news?
He came from a prestigious ninja clan.
He was one of the Hokage’s direct disciples.
A future leader of Konoha.
A man destined to stand just below the Hokage and above countless others.
The bad news?
His name was Shimura Danzō.
Damn it…
He screamed internally.
As one of the original story’s most infamous villains, Danzō’s reputation could be summarized in two simple words:
Evil and Incompetent.
The “evil” part was obvious.
Shielded by the Third Hokage’s trust, Danzō carried out countless inhumane experiments and persecuted many of Konoha’s most loyal shinobi.
He stole Shisui’s eye.
Pushed the Uchiha toward rebellion.
Dragged countless talented young ninja into Root and turned them into emotionless tools.
He had practically driven a village overflowing with talent to the brink of destruction.
And Danzō deserved a massive share of the blame.
As for the “incompetent” part…
The list of legendary failures was endless.
Stabbing a Susanoo with a kunai.
Trying to take enemies down with suicidal sealing techniques.
Treating priceless Sharingan like disposable consumables.
One embarrassing moment after another.
Most villains simply stood on the opposite side of history.
Danzō, however, was rotten to the core.
For the sake of becoming Hokage, he would stop at absolutely nothing.
And now…
Of all people, Naobito had become him.
Danzō nearly wanted to slap himself awake.
Noticing something strange about his companion, Hiruzen spoke gently.
“Don’t worry.
Sensei is just ahead.”
“Sensei?”
Danzō’s eyes lit up instantly.
There was only one man they would call that.
The younger brother of the God of Shinobi.
Master of forbidden techniques.
The Second Hokage—
Tobirama Senju.
That old schemer—
No, wait.
Sensei is still alive!
Danzō hurriedly corrected himself in his thoughts.
This was incredible news.
If Tobirama was still alive, then the timeline was still very early.
Many of the unforgivable crimes committed by the original Danzō hadn’t happened yet.
There was still time to change everything.
Hearing the confusion in his voice, Hiruzen’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Danzō…
don’t tell me you’ve forgotten Sensei too?”
If he couldn’t clearly sense Danzō’s chakra, Hiruzen might have suspected someone had replaced him.
Realizing this, Danzō immediately waved him off and shrugged away his support.
“Mind your own business, Monkey.”
Just as he’d expected.
Rather than getting angry, Hiruzen’s face broke into a relieved smile.
Yes.
That was it.
That familiar attitude.
This was the Danzō he knew.
“Don’t say that.”
Hiruzen laughed while continuing forward.
“Right now, I can’t afford to lose my most important comrade.”
Danzō merely snorted and resumed his cold, aloof persona.
Soon, several more figures arrived and gathered around them.
“You all made it!
Thank goodness.”
Hiruzen landed in a clearing and greeted the others.
Standing quietly behind him, Danzō carefully examined the group.
Besides Hiruzen, there were:
Koharu Utatane.
Homura Mitokado.
Torifu Akimichi.
And Kagami Uchiha.
Every one of them was a member of the Hokage’s Escort Unit.
Combined with the fact that they were being relentlessly pursued, the current point in history became obvious.
The First Shinobi World War.
Moments later, the appearance of Tobirama Senju confirmed Danzō’s deduction.
Exhaustion was visible in the Second Hokage’s narrow eyes.
His blue Hokage armor was covered in damage, and even his silver hair was stained with dust and debris.
Kneeling down, Tobirama pressed his fingers against the grass.
His slender fingertips traced a small circle on the ground as he spoke in a grave tone.
“Twenty of them.”
“Judging by their tracking ability…”
“It should be Kinkaku leading an elite pursuit squad.”
During the alliance summit between Konoha and Kumogakure, the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers—furious at the prospect of peace—had suddenly launched a coup.
They assassinated the Second Raikage on the spot.
They also inflicted devastating losses upon Konoha’s delegation.
Fortunately, Tobirama Senju’s strength was extraordinary.
Through sheer power alone, he had carved a bloody path through the encirclement and led his escort squad to safety.
But the danger was far from over.
The enemy was still on their heels, and everyone present knew that the coming battle might very well decide their fate.
Unfortunately, the rebel forces led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku pursued relentlessly, driving the Konoha shinobi into a corner.
To protect his students, Tobirama Senju chose not to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape on his own.
Instead, he stayed behind and faced the crisis alongside them.
It had to be said—
At least under the First and Second Hokage, the Will of Fire truly had been practiced, not merely preached.
Danzō reflected silently.
Then Koharu spoke up.
“Sensei, we could set traps and use them to break through their encirclement.”
Her suggestion was immediately rejected by Kagami.
“It won’t work, Koharu.”
“Given our situation, someone has to stay behind and act as bait.
Otherwise, none of us are getting away.”
“Bait…?”
For once, Torifu’s usually cheerful round face became grave.
“Anyone who stays behind as bait is guaranteed to die.”
The blunt truth plunged the group into silence.
Even Tobirama remained quiet.
His gaze swept across each of his students.
He was waiting.
Waiting to see who would step forward and willingly sacrifice themselves when death was staring them in the face.
If I stay behind, I’ll die…
But if I die, I’ll never achieve my dream of becoming Hokage…
Hiruzen’s eyes flickered with hesitation.
Then he let out a bitter laugh inwardly.
Hah…
Hiruzen Sarutobi, what are you thinking?
The day you became a shinobi was the day you accepted the possibility of dying for the village.
The hesitation vanished.
His resolve hardened.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—
Another voice beat him to it.
“I’ll do it.”
The words came from the back of the group.
Danzō, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward.
“I’ll be the bait.”
“I’ll draw the Kumogakure forces away.”
The declaration shattered the silence.
His voice wasn’t loud.
Yet it carried an unquestionable finality.
“Danzō…”
Everyone turned toward him.
Especially Hiruzen.
At that moment, he felt as though something precious was slipping away from him.
After a brief pause, Hiruzen spoke.
“No.
I’ll stay behind instead, Danzō.”
“My abilities are more versatile.
I probably have a better chance of surviving—”
“Enough, Monkey!”
Danzō cut him off.
His eyes locked onto Hiruzen’s.
“From the day I became a shinobi, I was prepared to give my life for the village.”
“Are you questioning the nindō of Shimura Danzō?”
The nindō.
Hiruzen fell silent.
In the shinobi world, one’s nindō was more than an ideal.
It was a conviction greater than life itself.
To question someone’s nindō was nearly the same as severing all ties with them.
The others remained silent as well.
Ordinarily, they might have found Danzō arrogant, gloomy, or difficult to deal with.
But at this moment, none of that mattered.
All they felt was respect.
Everyone understood the Will of Fire.
Anyone could recite the words.
But when faced with a choice between life and death, how many could willingly sacrifice themselves so that others might live?
Danzō had stepped forward without hesitation.
That alone earned the admiration of everyone present.
Taking a deep breath, Danzō rose to his feet.
Without the slightest hesitation, he drew his blade.
Then he turned and began walking toward the direction of the pursuing Kumogakure rebels.
Hiruzen stared at the familiar figure.
Countless words filled his heart.
Yet none could pass his lips.
“That’s enough, Danzō.”
A calm voice suddenly rang out.
Tobirama Senju had spoken.
The Second Hokage stopped him in his tracks.
“As your teacher, how can I allow my student to become the sacrifice?”
“You are the young generation who will protect the village in the future.”
“The inheritors of the Will of Fire.”
“Konoha…”
“…I leave it in your hands.”
Slowly, Tobirama rose to his feet.
His calm eyes held unshakable determination.
“Sensei!”
Danzō immediately turned around.
“You’re the Hokage.
The strongest shinobi in the village.”
“Konoha still needs your leadership!”
Hearing the implication behind Tobirama’s words, Hiruzen stepped forward as well.
“Sensei, then let me stay behind with Danzō.”
The others quickly joined in, trying to persuade him.
But Tobirama merely shook his head.
His tone allowed no argument.
“Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire shall continue to burn.”
“Because I am the Hokage.”
“Because I am the strongest person in this village.”
“It is my duty to burn brightest.”
“To illuminate the path ahead.”
“To shield the younger generation.”
“That…”
“…is the true meaning of the Will of Fire.”
Silence fell once more.
Everyone lowered their heads, reflecting upon his words.
Tobirama looked at each of them in turn.
His voice became gentler.
“Koharu.
Homura.”
“The two of you are meticulous.
In the future, help fill the gaps others overlook.”
“Torifu.”
“You’re honest and straightforward.
When you see a problem, speak up without hesitation.”
“Kagami.”
“You are one of the few Uchiha who truly inherited the Will of Fire.
Become the bridge between the Uchiha and the village.”
“Monkey.”
He looked toward Hiruzen.
“You’re steady and dependable.
Do everything you can to maintain balance among all sides.”
“Never allow the village to fall into danger.”
The normally reserved Tobirama had spoken more words today than most of his students could ever remember hearing from him.
And that only deepened the unease in their hearts.
At last, the Second Hokage—
The man who had survived the Warring States Era and led Konoha to its present strength—
Turned his gaze toward Danzō.
“Danzō.”
“You did well today.”
“But remember this.”
“Protect those who admire the village and place their trust in you.”
“And nurture those who can be entrusted with the next generation.”
After speaking, he stared at Danzō for a long moment.
As though he had finally made up his mind.
Then he delivered a sentence that stunned everyone present.
“From this day forward…”
“You are the Hokage.”
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