"Why have you come to see this old man again?" he said calmly, his right eye bandaged, sitting on a worn-out wooden stool. "The Fourth Hokage?"
A trace of bitterness showed on his face...
"You must know, this old man is now Konoha's most heinous criminal!"
Conspiring with the Third Hokage, forcing the Uchiha clan to their deaths, bringing disaster to Konoha, and then, because of long-standing dissatisfaction over uneven distribution of spoils, unable to stand the Third Hokage taking the lion's share, he hardened his heart, used the Mangekyo obtained during the Uchiha clan's annihilation to control the Nine-Tails, instigated a Konoha internal conflict, and schemed to kill the Third Hokage...
Just listen to what people are saying?
He and Hiruzen had been close friends since childhood, would he scheme to kill him?
That's right...
He would!
Danzo sighed inwardly...
He indeed had such thoughts, but they were just thoughts, he hadn't even had time to put them into action yet!
How could he be saddled with such a huge blame for no reason?
Even back in the day when Hiruzen wanted him to take the fall, he would give him a heads-up, let him prepare. This time...
He was completely unprepared when it was slammed onto his head, and damn it, they even used a Sealing Technique, making it impossible for him to shake it off.
But what was the use of thinking about this now?
Danzo raised his head and looked at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, standing before him...
"Is Konoha doing alright now?"
"Ah, it has stabilized," Minato nodded, looking at the calm Consultant Danzo, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry, Konoha must do this now."
Thinking of how the Third Hokage and Consultant Danzo were now, he felt somewhat guilty. If it weren't for him, perhaps Konoha wouldn't be in this state, especially the Sarutobi and Shimura clans...
They were already preparing to change their clan crests and surnames to evade the ninja village's accountability...
But...
No matter how guilty he felt inside, he had to continue now.
"Yes!" Danzo, hearing Minato's words, sighed with emotion and said bitterly, "It's all for Konoha..."
From the moment they became Konoha ninja...
They had always been for Konoha. As long as it could bring stability and peace to Konoha, nothing was off limits for sacrifice, even him and Hiruzen...
Could be sacrificed.
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns strong. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout.
This is Konoha's legacy...
The Will of Fire!
The youth are the future hope of Konoha. The older generation must trust and protect them, while making sacrifices when necessary. But their sacrifices are not meaningless; they inspire the youth, allowing them to become the future pillars of Konoha.
But...
He originally thought he would shine for Konoha, earn a good reputation, and finally grow old amidst praise.
He never expected that now...
He and Hiruzen, one the light of Konoha, one the darkness of Konoha, would both bear the burden of crime and leave amidst a chorus of condemnation.
You must know, the sincere heart that desired to protect Konoha within them had never changed!
Why did it turn out like this?
But now, nothing matters anymore...
Danzo lifted his haggard old face, looked at the apologetic Minato before him, sighed, and said slowly, "What business do you have coming here to find this old man? Just say it directly."
"The Land of Fire and Konoha must now find a new way to coexist peacefully." Hearing Danzo's words, Minato said seriously, "If no changes are made, in the future Konoha will surely be surpassed by other ninja villages, and the Land of Fire will become even more dangerous."
"Why are you telling this old man all this?" Danzo leaned on his cane, glanced dismissively at Minato, and said scornfully, "This old man is now a criminal of Konoha. I cannot help you."
"No..." Minato shook his head, saying with a serious expression, "Consultant Danzo can help Konoha. You must know..."
In a resolute tone...
"This is all to protect Konoha, protect the Land of Fire, protect the peace of the ninja world!"
"..."
This series of persuasive words, why does it sound so familiar?
Danzo looked speechlessly at Minato, feigned a couple of coughs, and said, "Just say directly what you need this old man to do."
Hearing these words makes his heart feel uneasy!
"Currently, the families within Konoha have their own thoughts about the present situation." Minato wore a bitter smile on his face, shook his head, and said, "There are also rogue ninjas at the Daimyo's palace urging the Daimyo to take advantage of Konoha's weakness to destroy Konoha outright."
He heard that the Third Hokage's youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma, is currently serving as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja at the Daimyo's palace. He didn't know what the situation was like now?
Why hasn't any news come back?
Although he didn't agree with Konoha's current situation either, still...
He never thought about directly destroying Konoha, killing all of Konoha's ninja...
Just think of how many clans, how many people are inside Konoha Ninja Village!
Are they all supposed to die?
The path to a stronger nation that Minato hoped for was peaceful, without slaughter, not outright destruction. If it were destroyed, what change would there be for the Land of Fire?
Wouldn't recruiting a new batch of ninja just end up the same as before?
Therefore...
"Konoha needs your help..."
His gaze burned as he stared at Danzo...
"Consultant Danzo!"
However...
Danzo was stunned for a moment, sighed helplessly, and said, "In this situation, how can this old man be of any help now?"
He was now just an old, lonely man with his chakra sealed and his eyes gouged out.
"No!" Minato shook his head with a firm expression and said seriously, "Consultant Danzo, you can help."
Under Danzo's puzzled expression, he revealed a mysterious smile...
"As long as you go back to your old trade..."
...
Late November, Year 48 Konoha Calendar...
Konoha's former high-level consultant, Shimura Danzo, dissatisfied with the ninja village's judgment against him, escaped from Konoha with the help of a group of already notorious Root ninja.
Upon hearing this news, the villagers of Konoha became restless and fearful again.
After all, that was the strong ninja who nearly destroyed Konoha!
However, after the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato's self-criticism and explanation, the village calmed down again...
Shimura Danzo was now just a paper tiger with its fangs pulled. Without the Mangekyo, what could he do?
But facing potential external threats and internal worries, the entire ninja village united once more.
Even some clans, seeing the external threat of Shimura Danzo and the internal scrutiny from the ninja redeemed from the Land of Whirlpools, gradually began to accept and recognize the Fourth Hokage's orders...
Otherwise...
What might happen?
Who... knows?
Of course...
None of this had anything to do with the Land of Whirlpools.
Early in the morning, Uzumaki Jun led his family to the Land of Whirlpools' officially opened Three-Tails Sea Amusement Park...
Looking at the familiar sea amusement park before him and the lively scene, his heart was filled with emotion...
There are many ways to collect the Tailed Beasts; it doesn't always have to involve fighting and killing. And now, before him, there was an even better method. Why must one always use the crude method?
Similarly, those implementing family planning... why did the Purple Yam end up disgraced and universally condemned, while others...
Under praise and gratitude, work hard to earn money?
So...
There are many methods; one doesn't necessarily have to choose the worst...
Uzumaki Jun, holding two red-haired infants, smiled at the Three-Tails floating before him and said, "How have you been?"
"Not bad," the Three-Tails said flatly. "It's just that there are always kids running around here. It's really too noisy."
Also, these strange things appearing on this stretch of sea, to be honest...
It's a bit uncomfortable for him to swim around!
But, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. What else could he do now?
"Don't worry, everyone feels a bit unaccustomed when they first start work." Uzumaki Jun smiled at the Three-Tails and said, "You'll get used to it slowly after a few days. And also..."
He narrowed his eyes...
"You must remember what is written on the labor contract you signed..."
"Conscientiously obey the organization's arrangements, complete tasks assigned by the organization, abide by the law and behave properly, without violating the law..."
"Otherwise, not only will you not get paid, but I will also..."
"Pulverize you!"
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