The match had now ended.
Uzumaki Ryuji, only slightly injured, was carried away by a group of Uzumaki ninja. And the winner, Chiyo, quickly left the arena, heading straight to Danzō's location.
"Sister-in-law, did your nephew intentionally surrender?"
Seated in the highest seats, Tobirama asked with a smile to Mito beside him.
"Not entirely intentional. He truly couldn't defeat that young Kazekage, so there's nothing wrong with surrendering."
In this fight, Ryuji didn't display the relentless tenacity he showed yesterday, nor did he fight to the death against Chiyo.
Instead, after forcing Chiyo to reveal part of her abilities and realizing he couldn't win, he surrendered immediately.
Therefore, he wasn't seriously injured.
"So this kid doesn't want to face Kagami in the final, right?"
Tobirama instantly saw through Ryuji's plan. The Uzumaki Clan possessed many ways to fight to the death.
Yet he used none of them—surrendering so easily.
Clearly, he didn't want to enter the final and face Kagami.
No choice.
The Uzumaki Clan had just relocated near Konoha Village—their foundation was weak. How could they dare provoke the Uchiha Clan?
It wouldn't matter if the Uzumaki and Hyūga Clans clashed; since they were evenly matched, minor conflicts might even be beneficial.
But the Uchiha and Senju Clans? They absolutely dared not provoke them.
Especially Kagami—one of the top candidates for future Hokage. The Uzumaki Clan didn't want to antagonize Kagami and the entire Uchiha Clan.
Besides, he couldn't win anyway—better to surrender.
"Ryuji and the Elder are truly different. The Elder is the most stubborn man in the whole clan."
Mito rarely smiled. No one knew better than she did about their clan leader's rock-hard character.
Back then, if Hashirama hadn't come personally, Mito might never have married into Konoha Village.
"Tch! Compared to stubborn Uzumaki Asahina, his grandson is much smarter!"
Tobirama was very pleased with Ryuji. After all, if the future Uzumaki Clan leader was as stubborn and detestable as the current one, it would make communication and integration far more difficult.
Now, this boy seemed self-aware—he could be called half a Uzumaki genius.
"But that young Kazekage… does she seem to understand our clan's sealing techniques well?"
Mito was slightly curious and asked Tobirama.
"Most likely Danzō leaked the information…"
"Danzō? He's been a spy for so long—that child must've suffered greatly. The Sunagakure issue…"
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I already have a plan. Soon, I'll resolve the Sunagakure issue—and all other nations."
"Alright."
Mito said no more. She always had faith in Tobirama.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After that, both morning matches concluded.
The tournament would soon go on midday break.
Tens of thousands of tourists and spectators streamed out of the arena, heading to nearby village streets to eat and rest. To Konoha, they looked like walking money-making machines.
Of course, many spectators had brought their own meals and remained inside the arena. They wouldn't budge from their seats—just to wait for the more exciting third-place match and final in the afternoon.
Time passed swiftly.
Soon, it was nearly 2 p.m., and the third-place match was about to begin.
Tobirama from Parallel World 2 and others returned to the highest spectator seats.
With them came Hiruzen, his body partly wrapped in bandages, along with Kagami and others.
After a day of treatment and rest, Hiruzen had mostly recovered. Though his combat strength wasn't fully restored, his basic movements were no longer impaired.
"Sensei, I…"
Hiruzen looked at Tobirama, his heart filled with guilt.
He'd still disappointed Tobirama—he failed to defeat Danzō!
Of course, he wasn't obsessed with beating Danzō. He was just afraid Tobirama would send him to the moon, making him leave the village, leave his comrades, leave Biwako…
"Don't be such a crybaby. Your performance was actually good. It's just that Danzō's progress was more shocking."
"Danzō, he…"
"Saru, losing isn't scary. What's scary is losing spirit and courage. Don't you believe you can defeat Danzō again in the future?"
"No! I do believe!"
"Then train hard, and aim to win next time!"
"I understand! I'll train twice as hard!"
Hiruzen felt energized. He felt Tobirama truly cared for him—as if he were glowing.
"But the punishment for losing can't be ignored."
"Huh?"
"After the ninja tournament ends, Saru, you'll go to the moon to guard."
"What?!"
Hiruzen was shocked, instinctively tightening his buttocks.
(Damn, damn, is Sensei Tobirama going to abandon me?)
(Will my happiness in life disappear?)
(No!)
"Why so tense?"
"You're not going alone. Koharu, Homura, and every Konoha ninja who lost in this tournament will go together."
"I'll find a good teacher for you on the moon to train you properly. You'll also help him with some tasks."
Tobirama flashed a cruel, sly smile.
Don't joke.
Since he lost the bet earlier, he had to be forced to "molest" the tiger's butt.
How could he bear this suffering alone?
All these losing participants would go to the moon to be tortured… no… trained properly!
Hiruzen felt relieved upon hearing his comrades would accompany him to the moon.
This proved Tobirama wouldn't abandon him—he was training them!
"But, Sensei—"
"I know what you want to ask. Ask Biwako herself later."
"If she agrees, you two can go to the moon together to train. It'll only take three months."
"After three months, you'll all return."
"If she refuses, don't force her. Understand?"
Tobirama guessed the 'monkey's' worries.
Hiruzen feared that if he went to the moon too long, Biwako would marry someone else, leaving him regretful for life.
But this was exactly what Tobirama wanted.
Look at Danzō and Kagami—in their hearts, there was no woman, so their techniques were pure and extraordinary.
But this 'monkey,' the moment he got a girlfriend, he immediately lost to Danzō. Though not directly related, Tobirama still disliked it.
Yet, Tobirama still had a heart.
He gave him a chance—letting Hiruzen ask Biwako himself.
If she refused to accompany him to the moon to endure a little hardship and couldn't withstand loneliness for just a few months, such a partner wasn't worthy.
Better for Tobirama to be the villain and cut off a bad relationship for Hiruzen!
"Understood! Thank you, Sensei!"
Hiruzen's face lit up. He silently admired Tobirama—he truly gave him a chance.
If anyone claimed Tobirama didn't understand love in the future, he'd be the first to rip their mouth open!
"Enough, don't stand there like an idiot. Find a seat."
Though Tobirama looked cold, his heart was soft. He couldn't bear seeing the injured Hiruzen standing foolishly.
"Yes, sir!"
"By the way, Sensei, the next match seems to be Danzō vs. Uzumaki Ryuji, right? Will he…"
Hiruzen, having just sat down, grew worried about Danzō again. He feared Danzō was still injured and unsure if he could fight.
"Don't worry. Uzumaki Ryuji is still under treatment—he can't fight anymore. He's already surrendered."
Ryuji wasn't foolish. He'd watched Danzō's fight against Hiruzen.
He wasn't confident he could withstand the S-rank Wind Release technique Rasenshuriken.
Rather than torment himself, better to surrender.
Besides, given the size and fame of the Uzumaki Clan, they didn't need high rankings for glory. Making the top three might attract unwanted attention.
"So Danzō automatically wins?"
"Yes."
"What?! That guy—he's already secured third place in the ninja tournament?"
"Why? Jealous?"
"No. I'm just happy for him. To get here, he must've suffered a lot. I…"
"Hmph! Good you realize it. Danzō never stopped training while spying in Sunagakure. While you lot in Konoha were too comfortable. That's why I'm sending you all to the moon to train!"
"Yes, sir! I'll never disappoint Sensei's expectations again!"
Hiruzen reignited his enthusiasm, his spirit blazing once more.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time,
Below in the arena, as time passed.
Sure enough, Danzō and the Sunagakure team entered together, then he stepped onto the stage alone.
Danzō's steps were light—though clearly not fully recovered, he'd regained partial chakra, possessing seventy to eighty percent of his combat strength.
Of course, Danzō was only here for formality.
If Uzumaki Ryuji wanted to fight, he'd surrender.
For Danzō, besides his battle against Hiruzen, the outcome of other fights didn't matter—he didn't care.
But after waiting a while,
Ryuji didn't appear. Instead, another Uzumaki ninja came to announce his surrender.
"Since participant Uzumaki Ryuji is absent and has surrendered,"
"I declare: The winner of this match is participant Danzō!"
"Congratulations to participant Danzō, who has won third place in this year's ninja tournament!"
The referee announced the winner.
Roars erupted like waves—though mixed with plenty of jeers and mockery.
But undeniably,
He won, unexpectedly earning the honor of third place in this tournament.
All of it felt like a dream.
Danzō unconsciously looked up, gazing toward Tobirama in the highest seats.
He didn't have Byakugan—he couldn't see Tobirama's expression or gaze from afar—but he was one hundred percent certain: he hadn't disappointed his teacher!
(Sensei, thank you for giving me this chance.)
(Be at ease—now and in the future, I won't let you down!)
(And you, old Danzō from another world—I am different from you. But your unfulfilled desires, I will fulfill them all!)
Danzō suppressed the joy in his heart, clenched his fist, raised it high—his heart burning with passion.
No one is born evil and dark.
It was the same for Danzō—perhaps it only took one time.
Just one victory shining under the sun could completely transform his ambitions and character, give him sufficient confidence and drive, and cleanse all filth and darkness, allowing him to radiate warm, comforting light!
(This time, I, Shimura Danzō, will no longer be Konoha's root carrying darkness, but a flower of Konoha blooming brightly under the sunlight!)
Amid the cheers,
Several Sunagakure ninja surrounded Danzō, happily lifting him and carrying him off the stage.
Everywhere was filled with joyful atmosphere.
Though they didn't know Danzō was "serving Cao Cao while his heart belonged to Han," this victory and joy couldn't be hidden.
Right now, Danzō represented Sunagakure's honor.
"Congratulations!"
Chiyo folded her arms and nodded coolly at Danzō in praise.
Before others, she had to maintain her role as Kazekage.
"The next match is yours. Be careful!"
"I will."
"If you really can't win, don't push yourself! It's okay to surrender—second place is still great."
"Don't worry, I know my limits. I don't intend to die on the arena."
Chiyo patted Danzō, urging him to believe in himself.
"Good luck!"
"Good luck—for the village! For everyone I protect!"
Chiyo took a deep breath and stepped back onto the arena.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"This year's ninja tournament final will now begin."
"Please, participant Kagami from Konoha Village, and participant Chiyo from Sunagakure, enter the arena immediately!"
"Please enter the arena now!"
With the announcement over the loudspeaker, excitement across the entire arena intensified.
Everyone poured their hopes and energy into this final match.
No choice—the previous third-place match ended too quickly.
All spectators were fired up.
Their pants weren't even off yet, and the match was over. This pent-up excitement would surely explode even more fiercely in the next moment—
The upcoming ninja tournament final.
Just before the final began,
Lux also brought Tobirama from Parallel World 2, arriving instantly.
Uchiha Kagami vs. Chiyo.
Tobirama's "beloved daughter" battling the female ninja behind Danzō.
Of course, Lux wouldn't miss such a great show—he had nothing better to do anyway.
"Yo, old man, why are you still alive?"
"Nonsense—you'll die and I'll live!"
"Have you fulfilled your last bet yet?"
"None of your business. Just wait for the right moment."
At this question, Tobirama from Parallel World 2 couldn't suppress a cold sweat.
He needed to find a fail-proof opportunity to touch the evil Madara's butt.
Otherwise, he'd definitely die!
Even the Rinnegan couldn't save him.
And the best chance, of course, was to wait until the ninja tournament ended, successfully capture or deal with Black Zetsu, then meet Madara to discuss.
At that time, with such good news, even if he disrespectfully touched his butt, Madara wouldn't kill him, right?
But the risk was still huge!
The more Tobirama from Parallel World 2 thought about it, the angrier he became. He truly wanted to strangle his younger self.
How could he make such a crazy bet?!?!
"Tch! Don't cheat. If you dare cheat, even if Lord doesn't care, I'll tell my brother. Let him punish you and teach you what keeping promises means!"
Tobirama from Parallel World 1 had a wicked plan ready—he immediately invoked Big Brother Hashirama. He wasn't worried at all about Tobirama from Parallel World 2 breaking his promise.
After all, in his brother's eyes, "molesting" Madara's butt was something that strengthened bonds—completely harmless.
Once he found out, he'd definitely teach Tobirama from Parallel World 2 how to keep his word.
"You bastard!"
Tobirama from Parallel World 2 nearly lost control—his urge to murder his other self was overwhelming.
"Sister-in-law, this guy wants to gamble again!"
Tobirama from Parallel World 1 called for Mito's help—he understood tactics perfectly.
Mito immediately glared at Tobirama from Parallel World 2, who could only restrain himself.
But before his sister-in-law and Lux, he didn't dare act recklessly.
"No, we're fine. I was just inviting him to watch the final together." Tobirama from Parallel World 2 forced a smile and pretended agreement.
"Oh, the final? Who's fighting whom?"
"Kagami versus Chiyo."
"Interesting. That Uchiha kid actually made it to the final?"
The younger Tobirama from Parallel World 1 nodded, becoming slightly interested.
Thanks to Izuna and Naomi, he no longer hated the Uchiha as he once did.
Tobirama from Parallel World 2's eyes sparkled. He instantly suppressed his disgust, moved closer, slung an arm around his other self's shoulder, whispered, and provoked:
"How about it? Interested? Want to bet again? The final match!"
"Dream on! I'll never fall for your tricks…"
"Don't rush. This time, you pick first. And if you win, I won't just fulfill one more request—I'll also give you the Rinnegan fusion technique as a prize! How about that?"
Tobirama from Parallel World 2 placed a high-stakes bet—the devilish temptation and reward slightly tempted Tobirama from Parallel World 1.