Danzo was hiding behind a large tree, panting heavily.
But against Gisei Shiraishi's sensory abilities, hiding was useless.
The Garan Colossus smashed its massive fist into the tree. Danzo scrambled out from cover, only to be met by the Colossus's other fist coming straight for him.
Bang!
Danzo suddenly burst into smoke and disappeared.
A Shadow Clone?
Standing atop the Colossus's head, Gisei pinched his chin, deep in thought as he watched the real Danzo crawl out from under the tree roots.
He's been beaten into this state, yet his will to survive is still this strong.
Using a Shadow Clone to bait the attack resulted in significantly lighter injuries than taking the punch directly while hiding behind the tree.
However, this ends here.
Spitting fresh blood, Danzo began to crawl across the ground. This was the first time since becoming a ninja that he had been reduced to such a pathetic state.
Even when facing Hanzo the Salamander, he had ways to counterattack. But against Gisei's eerie abilities, he truly didn't know how to fight back.
He wanted to use the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing, but the Colossus in front of him was just ninjutsu. And Gisei, standing on top of it, was merely a clone.
Use a forbidden suicide seal to take out a clone?
Danzo couldn't stomach that level of humiliation.
By now, he knew he had been completely outmaneuvered by Gisei. But what frustrated him most was that he didn't even know how he had been outmaneuvered. That was what made him furious.
Watching the Colossus raise its fist once again, Danzo knew he was undoubtedly going to die. He simply spread his limbs and waited for the end.
"You win."
Danzo's weak voice reached Gisei's ears, but Gisei wasn't in the mood for chatting.
The Third Hokage was getting closer. If he didn't kill this guy right now, the chance would be gone forever.
The Garan Colossus's fist smashed down with intense killing intent.
"Danzo-sama!"
Ryoma Aburame, whom Gisei had been ignoring this whole time, suddenly lunged forward.
A shield of kikaichū bugs formed behind him. He grabbed Danzo and threw him out of harm's way, taking the full force of the Colossus's fist himself as he was smashed into the ground.
Gisei felt disgusted. A guy like Danzo actually has someone willing to die for him? Truly blind loyalty.
Danzo also seemed bewildered by Ryoma's action. A moment later, as he looked up at the Colossus's rising fist, the corner of his eye twitched violently.
Ryoma, who had been crushed into the dirt, didn't die immediately, but he wasn't much better off. It was clear he was breathing out more than he was breathing in.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!" (Futon: Shinku Taigyoku!)
Danzo's will to survive reignited.
But after being hit by the Wind Release jutsu, the Garan Colossus merely shed some dust. The flames on its body burned even more vigorously.
With a single sweep of its arm, it sent Danzo flying.
This time, Danzo didn't even have the strength to crawl.
Gisei manipulated the Colossus to raise its fist for the final blow.
"Stop!"
Outside the barrier, the Third's voice arrived before the person did.
The Garan Colossus's fist froze in mid-air.
Gisei sighed, knowing his plan to kill Danzo was dashed.
Killing my "good buddy" right in front of the Third...
Just thinking about it was a bit thrilling—even tempting.
But tempting as it was, Gisei knew he couldn't do it yet. Did he really think the Third's Adamantine Staff couldn't beat someone to death?
Although Danzo was a bastard, you had to admit his friends were truly loyal. The Third knew perfectly well that Danzo harbored ill intentions, yet he let him off time and again. Wasn't it just out of consideration for their childhood friendship?
If Gisei killed Danzo right in front of him, no matter how much the Third could endure, he wouldn't let Gisei walk away.
The firelight on the Garan Colossus gradually faded, and the massive construct slowly crumbled into stone.
Gisei jumped to the ground and walked slowly toward Danzo.
The crowd behind the Third grew larger.
First came the ANBU in their masks, then Anna Takemoto and Aonobu Kawai, followed by all the ninjas from their clan.
Gisei scratched his head. What kind of combination is this?
The Third actually came here together with the ninja clans of his faction. Did some unexpected situation occur?
The barrier began to crumble, and Sakumo Hatake was the first to rush out, taking his place behind the Third.
Gisei curled his lip, then casually kicked Danzo with his foot.
Danzo glared at him. Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had arrived, he knew he wouldn't die today.
Gisei beamed at him. "Danzo-sama, thank you for your hospitality. I am truly flattered."
"Don't get cocky. I miscalculated this time. Don't think you can be arrogant forever!"
"Well, bickering is meaningless."
Gisei used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Ryoma Aburame. He picked the man up by the leg and dragged him over to Danzo.
"Danzo-sama, your loyal subordinate doesn't look like he's going to make it. Truly pitiful."
As Danzo looked at Ryoma, a trace of genuine pain flashed through his cold eyes. His expression actually softened.
"Gisei... do you have a way to save him?"
???
Hearing Danzo's words, Gisei suspected he was having auditory hallucinations.
The cold, ruthless Danzo actually wanted to save someone?
Gisei looked at Danzo with eyes full of disbelief. "You want me to save him?"
By this time, the Third had already reached Danzo's side and was helping him up. Anna and Aonobu also arrived behind Gisei.
Danzo struggled, refusing the Third's support. He looked at Ryoma, then at Gisei, and slightly bowed his head.
"I beg of you."
A medical ninja from behind the Third had already checked Ryoma's condition and shaken his head after just a few seconds.
But having witnessed the regeneration ninjutsu Gisei used to instantly heal his own wounds, Danzo knew that Gisei definitely had a way to save Ryoma.
At this moment, the Third also seemed to understand. He, too, bowed his head slightly. "Gisei, I beg of you."
Gisei looked down at Ryoma, his mouth twitching. This guy really has good luck.
Danzo was actually willing to bow his head for him. Was he really that moved by Ryoma's sacrifice?
Gisei sighed. "Only my main body can do this kind of thing."
Bang!
Gisei released the summoning technique.
A swarm of butterflies appeared in the sky, gathering at the spot as Gisei's real body materialized in front of everyone.
Glancing at the astonished crowd, he offered no explanation. He walked over to Ryoma, checked his condition briefly, and said, "I'll say this beforehand: my medical ninjutsu has side effects."
As he spoke, the characteristic green light of medical ninjutsu lit up his hand, frantically stimulating Ryoma's cells. At the same time, he extended his other hand and placed it over Ryoma's heart.
Electric light flickered, jump-starting the stopped heart.
A minute later, Ryoma opened his eyes.
Seeing Gisei treating him, a look of confusion washed over his face.
Gisei grumbled, "You really have dumb luck, you know that?"
Five minutes later, Gisei finished the treatment.
"He can probably live for another ten years or so. Hurry up and find a wife to leave some offspring."
Gisei had an indescribably disgusted look on his face.
Ten minutes ago he wanted to kill this guy, and ten minutes later he actually had to save him. It was truly like taking off your pants to fart.
Completely unnecessary.