"You've caused a great deal of trouble for the daimyo's residence with this operation. His Excellency the daimyo himself has suffered endless humiliation, and Konohagakure must bear full responsibility!"
That's what the daimyo's officials originally intended to say, but when they saw the ninja in charge of negotiations, all their prepared words vanished. Even the daimyo himself showed a look of fear.
Damn Hiruzen Sarutobi, he actually sent that guy...
All the officials exchanged glances, cursing Hiruzen Sarutobi in their hearts.
On Konoha's side sat Danzō and his bodyguard, Aburame Ryōma.
While Yamanaka Zen led the investigation into the incident, Danzō and Ryōma traveled to the daimyo's residence to report the matter.
"This mission failed, and you Konoha..." One official, prompted by the daimyo's gaze, forced himself to speak as he glanced at Danzō, whose solitary eye was half-closed across the table.
Danzō merely looked up at him, and the official was so intimidated he could barely finish his sentence.
Thanks to the efforts of the First and Second Hokage, the cooperative system once dominated by the daimyo's side had gradually shifted toward the ninja.
Especially after Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha to victory in the Second Great Ninja War, the Land of Fire's only remaining method of control over Konohagakure was economic.
Thus, when facing the daimyo's residence, the ninja side no longer showed the respect of the Warring States period—they had become increasingly assertive.
Especially this Hokage advisor, Danzō.
His language was blunt, his attitude harsh; he had repeatedly refuted the daimyo's proposals in public, making him the last person the daimyo wanted to see.
"This is an internal matter for Konoha. We will handle it ourselves."
Danzō shot a warning glare at the official, recognizing him as nothing but a messenger, and stared directly at the daimyo.
"Y-yes, is that so, haha, I suppose that's true..."
Under Danzō's gaze, the daimyo nearly jumped out of his seat. He hastily opened his folding fan to shield himself and forced a few awkward laughs.
"Since the daimyo has no objections, I'll take my leave."
Danzō, having resolved the matter in just a few sentences, had no intention of lingering. Seeing that the officials had nothing more to say, he prepared to leave.
Hearing Danzō was leaving, the daimyo breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ordered his attendants to see him out.
Once the heavy doors had closed, completely shutting out Danzō's presence, the officials finally vented their indignation.
"This incident has brought us such losses, yet Konoha treats it so lightly—how disgraceful!"
"I don't think Hiruzen Sarutobi is fit to be Hokage anymore. Daimyo-sama, should we dismiss him?"
"That's right, we should send a formal letter to sternly reprimand Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Amid the noisy discussion, the daimyo snapped his fan shut and nodded in agreement:
"Yes, we should indeed reprimand Hiruzen Sarutobi—for sending Danzō here!"
Is that really the main point...?
...
Konoha, Danzō's residence.
Knock knock knock.
As the wooden door was gently knocked, Feng Bai, hearing the sound, assumed Danzō had returned and hurried to open the door.
But to his surprise, the person standing outside was a familiar face.
"Lord Third?"
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi at the door, Feng Bai was clearly taken aback, unable to fathom why he'd come at this hour.
Could it be...
Danzō was dead?
No way—wasn't that old man supposed to live a long life in the original story?
Could this be the so-called butterfly effect of a transmigrator?
Had some unnoticed flap of his wings led to Danzō's death?
"Hehe, Feng Bai, are you home alone?"
Unaware that the little guy before him had already sentenced Danzō in his mind, Hiruzen smiled and patted Feng Bai's head, then glanced inside.
"Uh, Nonō-nee is also..."
Feng Bai turned to introduce Yakushi Nonō, but realized she had vanished—along with the medical ninjutsu scroll she'd been showing him.
"Just me, actually."
Noticing that Nonō clearly didn't want to meet the Third Hokage, Feng Bai changed his answer.
"Hehe, is that so? May I come in?"
Casting a subtle glance at the rooftop, Hiruzen had already noticed the lurking Root ninjas but didn't expose them, simply asking Feng Bai politely.
"Of course, please come in."
Feng Bai quickly stepped aside to welcome his father's old friend.
Upon entering, Hiruzen first surveyed the layout, finding the decor to match his old friend's personality—strict, simple, with only the essentials and no extra decorations.
He even noticed that the calligraphy he'd gifted wasn't hung up.
"Have you had dinner?"
Seeing Feng Bai about to serve tea, Hiruzen quickly stopped him, pulled him to sit down, and asked.
"I have. What about you?"
Feng Bai nodded honestly.
"I've eaten too. Actually, I came to tell you that I've sent your father on a confidential mission. He won't be back for several days, so don't worry. If you need anything, come find me at the Hokage's office."
Smiling kindly at Feng Bai, Hiruzen tried to express his goodwill.
"You've been in the village for a year now, and as your elder, I haven't given you any gifts yet."
Seeing that the Root ninjas were taking good care of Feng Bai, Hiruzen felt reassured. He reached into his robe and, in front of Feng Bai, produced a scroll.
"You and Asuma have both passed the ninja academy exams. You'll inherit your father's legacy and become a Konoha ninja. This jutsu should be very helpful to you."
Unrolling the scroll, Hiruzen revealed a trace of pride.
"This is a ninjutsu I created based on my teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju's Shadow Clone Technique—called the 'Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique'."
Wow, I know this jutsu well.
Isn't this the 'super powerful' ninjutsu you use from beginning to end?
In an era where the First Hokage piloted Gundams and the Second Hokage spammed explosive tags, only the old man stuck to such traditional ninjutsu.
If it were my previous life, you'd definitely earn the title of 'master artist.'
Still, for someone like me without any noble bloodline, this jutsu is actually quite a useful help.
"Thank you very much, Lord Third. I'll be sure to study this ninjutsu diligently."
Feng Bai flashed a sweet smile and picked up the scroll, acting as if he cherished it deeply.
He's being kind—no harm in playing along.
Feng Bai smiled outwardly, while quietly complaining inside.
🔥 Want to read the next 50+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]