The howling wind cut across the silent battlefield like a thousand sharpened blades, its shrill scream piercing everyone’s ears.
Kakui’s expression changed dramatically.
He had never imagined that after fighting nonstop for so long, Danzō could still unleash an attack of such terrifying power.
Without hesitation, he ordered the giant rhinoceros beetle beneath him to change course, desperately trying to evade the incoming strike.
But Danzō’s arrow was simply too fast.
Too sudden.
The moment Kakui turned around, an overwhelming wall of wind pressure had already engulfed his entire body.
Reflected in his widening pupils was a spiraling arrowhead rotating at incredible speed, packed with dense Wind Release chakra.
Guided by the map provided by the Tree of Fortune, Danzō’s accuracy had reached an almost absurd level.
BOOOOM!!
A deafening explosion erupted high in the sky.
The arrow became the eye of a raging storm.
Violent currents of wind exploded outward, transforming into countless invisible blades that tore through everything in their path.
Yet Danzō still wasn’t satisfied.
To ensure the kill, he refused to stop.
His muscles tightened as he drew the bow once more.
Chakra surged wildly through his arm.
One Wind Release spiral arrow after another shot into the sky.
The storm grew even more violent.
The churning gale swallowed the mountain-sized beetle and Kakui atop it completely, burying them within an endless sea of razor-sharp wind blades.
Only when the red marker representing the enemy finally faded into gray within his mental map did Danzō slowly lower his hand.
Blood seeped from every pore of his body.
It flowed down his skin and dripped from his fingertips.
His entire right arm had been stained crimson.
Yet his expression never changed.
A gentle breeze stirred the dark strands of hair across his forehead.
His eyes remained calm and unwavering.
There was no excitement.
No triumph.
No joy.
Only cold determination.
The scar running across his jaw made him appear even harsher and more imposing.
And thus—
One of the Kinkaku Unit’s elite commanders, the infamous Giant Insect Ninja, Kakui—
Had fallen.
High above the battlefield, the colossal rhinoceros beetle that had earned a fearsome reputation during the Warring States Era finally lost all signs of life.
Its enormous body, once capable of dominating entire battlefields, could no longer remain airborne.
Like a collapsing mountain, it plummeted toward the earth.
Its massive shadow stretched across the battlefield as it fell.
The massive corpse crashed into the forest below like a falling mountain.
The impact sent dust and smoke billowing into the sky, shaking the earth beneath it.
That single scene plunged the remaining Cloud shinobi into utter silence and despair.
“Lord Kakui…
lost…”
“It’s over…”
“We’re finished…”
Whispers of hopelessness spread through the surviving Cloud ranks.
The last traces of resistance vanished from their eyes.
Their spirits had been completely crushed.
On the other side of the battlefield, the Leaf shinobi were in no better condition physically.
Every one of them was exhausted.
Their bodies were covered in wounds of varying severity.
Some could barely remain standing.
Yet as they looked toward the lone black-clad figure standing at the center of the valley, an uncontrollable surge of excitement and reverence welled up within them.
Shimura Danzō.
It was this man who had slain the enemy commander in their darkest hour.
This man who had dragged them back from the brink of annihilation.
The next moment, they watched as Danzō slowly raised an arm.
His deep, steady voice echoed across the battlefield.
“Everyone…
we won.”
“We…”
“Are going home!”
For a brief moment, silence reigned.
Then every Leaf shinobi rose to their feet.
The cry they had suppressed for so long finally erupted from their throats.
“We won!”
“We’re going home!”
“Long live Konoha!”
“Long live Lord Danzō!”
The thunderous roar shot into the sky and reverberated throughout the shattered valley.
It lingered for a long time before finally fading.
Standing atop Dream Eater’s massive head, Danzō quietly accepted the glory and admiration directed toward him.
As expected…
Amid the overwhelming cheers and celebration, the Tree of Fortune within his mind began to tremble once more.
Fresh vitality burst from its branches.
The branch representing Prestige flourished again.
A stream of pure chakra poured into his body.
His nearly depleted reserves slowly began to recover.
“Unity is strength…”
“For me, that’s become a literal ability.”
Danzō muttered inwardly.
The next moment, the summoning was released.
Baku, who had been about to say something, vanished in a cloud of white smoke before it could speak.
Without the giant beast supporting him, Danzō suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion crash over him.
His vision blurred.
His body swayed.
Then he fell.
After all, he had only been in this world for less than three days.
Although he had inherited the original Danzō’s memories and gained the physique of the Senju Clan, the strain of prolonged combat had placed tremendous pressure on his mind.
While facing enemies, sheer determination had carried him forward.
But now that the battle was over…
Now that he could finally relax…
All the accumulated fatigue came flooding back at once.
Fortunately, Hiruzen reacted instantly.
Before Danzō could hit the ground, he caught his longtime friend securely in his arms.
Koharu, the team’s medical specialist, hurried over as well.
After this battle, Danzō had become the unquestioned center of their group.
Combined with Tobirama’s final appointment, he was all but guaranteed to become the Third Hokage once they returned to the village.
At a moment like this, nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
Thankfully, after a thorough examination, Koharu found no serious issues.
“He’s just exhausted.”
“He fell asleep.”
“There’s nothing seriously wrong with him.”
Her words immediately relieved everyone.
A few even laughed.
“That idiot really has nerves of steel.”
Hiruzen shook his head with a helpless smile.
Though from another perspective, perhaps it was also proof of how much Danzō trusted them.
Only after hearing Koharu’s diagnosis did Senju Bu finally relax.
Ignoring the wounds covering his own body, the old warrior bent down and hoisted Danzō onto his back.
“Senior Bu, let me carry him.”
Hiruzen stepped forward and extended a hand.
But the old man refused immediately.
“No need.”
“I will personally take care of the Third Hokage.”
His tone left no room for argument.
As a veteran who had survived the Warring States Era, Senju Bu had witnessed countless nations and clans destroy themselves through power struggles and internal conflict.
He did not believe Tobirama’s disciples would commit such acts.
But what if?
What if something went wrong?
What if greed or ambition took root?
Then the village that Hashirama and Tobirama had devoted their lives to creating would be reduced to ashes.
That was something Senju Bu could never accept.
Therefore, as Tobirama’s chosen successor, Danzō had to remain under his personal protection.
Even if it cost him his life, he would deliver the future Third Hokage safely back to Konoha.
Seeing the old man’s unwavering resolve, Hiruzen could only scratch his head and give up.
As for the possibility that Senju Bu might harm Danzō?
The thought never even crossed his mind.
This was one of the founding veterans who had stood beside Lord Hashirama during Konoha’s creation.
Even if every one of Tobirama’s disciples somehow betrayed the village, Senju Bu never would.
He would never betray Konoha.
Never betray his teachers.
Never betray the dream they had built together.
With Danzō secured on his back, Senju Bu immediately issued his command.
“Everyone.”
“We return to Konoha at once.”
“No matter the cost…”
“We will escort the Third Hokage safely home.”
The old veteran slowly lifted his head and looked toward the distant horizon.
A faint smile appeared on his weathered face.
“We’re…”
“Going home.”
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