Chapter 471: A Reckoning for All Debts
"Lord Danzō." Jiraiya tried to calm Danzō's emotions to prevent him from doing something desperate, switching to a respectful title. "Actually, when I was young, I admired you. I admired your contributions to Konoha. Back then, you were a brave and skilled warrior, a model for all ninja."
His tone shifted, his gaze falling on the Sharingan covering Danzō's body with disgust. "But look at you now. You talk about the Uchiha being evil, but what are you? It's truly nauseating. Do you even deserve to be called a Konoha ninja anymore?!"
Naruto's Talk no Jutsu had four steps: "make the opponent recall painful memories," "make oneself recall painful memories," "carry out love and justice," and "believe in me, I can change everything." At its peak, this jutsu could not only tame beasts but also unleash a person's hidden potential, making things like a long-paralyzed patient stand up and carry sacks of rice a simple matter. Jiraiya had not yet grasped its essence, and Danzō, at his age, wasn't buying it.
Danzō sneered. "What is a ninja? A ninja is one who bears all sins. You lack sufficient resolve and sufficient talent, Jiraiya. Even if you became Hokage, I would still look down on you."
"We don't need your approval, old man," Tsunade called out.
"Hehe, this is quite a pathetic sight, Lord Danzō." Orochimaru stood on a treetop, watching the show. The three Sannin formed a triangle, trapping Danzō completely.
Kabuto, still pretending to be a bystander: "???"
Lord Orochimaru, when did you come back to life? If you're alive, what's the point of all my scheming?
Kabuto had obtained the complete set of learning scrolls for the Impure World Reincarnation from Danzō, far more comprehensive than what Ino had given him years ago. He was planning to leave Konoha, find a body, and resurrect Orochimaru. Now, the living man was standing right in front of him. He was speechless. All his efforts had been for nothing.
Although he wore the mask of a Root ninja, Orochimaru recognized him instantly.
Orochimaru greeted him like an old friend. "Kabuto? It's been a while."
Sensing that this Orochimaru was fundamentally different from the one in his memory, Kabuto removed his mask and looked up at the man on the branch.
He chose his words carefully. "Lord Orochimaru, have you been revived for a long time? Why are you with Konoha ninja? Have you abandoned subordinates like us?"
Orochimaru answered casually, "Yes, the past is the past. I've found a new direction for my research."
Kabuto was extremely dissatisfied with this answer; it was a denial of the very belief that had defined his life.
"...You are not Lord Orochimaru at all. You're just an imposter."
Orochimaru replied, "Say whatever you like. It makes no difference to me."
Kabuto was no saint to begin with, and Orochimaru's dismissive attitude ignited the anger in his heart.
He had a fanatical admiration for Orochimaru, believing it was the sole purpose of his existence.
When Orochimaru was killed by Sasuke, he didn't think of revenge, but of continuing Orochimaru's research.
He had consumed Orochimaru's flesh and blood, considering himself the continuation of his master's life, beliefs, and wisdom.
Kabuto possessed no Kekkei Genkai, yet he had almost single-handedly initiated the Fourth Great Ninja War.
His goal wasn't the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and he certainly didn't know the old man selling power-ups. He simply wanted to prove that his own talent surpassed the so-called Kekkei Genkai, surpassed all those geniuses.
When facing the combined forces of Itachi and Sasuke, he had many options, yet he chose to take them on two-on-one, which spoke volumes about his character.
Kabuto appeared humble, but he was an incredibly proud person deep down.
He felt that the Orochimaru before him had betrayed the dream he held in his heart. This was an imposter, an enemy that needed to be eliminated.
"Such a murderous look in your eyes, Kabuto. You are as excellent as ever."
"I, who have inherited Lord Orochimaru's dream, can become even more excellent."
The exchange between the bankrupt boss and his former employee was merely a sideshow. Kabuto's skills were formidable, easily on par with an elite Jonin like Asuma. He didn't move to help Danzō, nor did he engage the Sannin. Instead, he took two steps back, positioning himself where he could either attack or retreat.
Jiraiya only glanced at him, noting he was Orochimaru's former subordinate before turning his attention away.
The focus remained on Danzō.
Danzō's face grew darker. As the Sharingan on his body closed one by one, the Hashirama cells within him threatened to run rampant again. The Reverse Four Symbols Seal was just a bargaining chip; he didn't want to die. He wanted to live!
"Whatever crimes you have fabricated for me, my intentions have always been for Konoha's sake. Clear the path, and do not push me any further!" he issued his final ultimatum.
Tsunade attempted to use Wood Release to restrain him, but Danzō was exceptionally sensitive to it. She had barely formed two hand seals when he noticed. With ruthless decisiveness, Danzō activated the first seven formulas of the Reverse Four Symbols Seal. One more, and the sealing jutsu would be unleashed. At that moment, everything within a radius of several hundred meters around Danzō would be swallowed.
"Our Lord Danzō is just bluffing. He's too fond of life to die," Orochimaru said in a gleeful tone, eager to stir up trouble.
He goaded Jiraiya to charge forward. Don't be afraid, it's no big deal. The worst that could happen is one dead Hokage.
Jiraiya wasn't afraid of sacrifice, but he didn't want to die in vain.
He didn't want to die, and he certainly didn't want Tsunade to die. Faced with the mutually assured destruction of the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, he ultimately didn't dare to risk their lives.
They reached a compromise. Jiraiya would not declare Danzō a rogue ninja, and in return, Danzō would not sell Konoha's secrets.
After reaching an agreement, Danzō slowly retreated. Kabuto left with him. Not long after leaving the village, the two parted ways.
His trusted subordinates were gone in an instant, but Danzō wasn't too panicked.
He had assets in all the major ninja villages and two secret bases within the Land of Fire. He could gather his forces again and perhaps, one day, return to become Hokage.
The primary goal was to survive!
"Cough, cough, cough..." Reaching a mountain stream, Danzō leaned against a pine tree and coughed up blood. Sensing the tree's life force, the Hashirama cells in his body seemed to surge uncontrollably. Three branches, dozens of meters long and covered in flesh and lymphatic tissue, sprouted from his shoulder blades. For a seventy-year-old man, this internal and external mutation was so painful it almost made him pass out.
Danzō gritted his teeth. "You cannot defeat me! You can't beat me, I... cough, cough..."
His vision blurred. Suddenly, he noticed a man and a woman standing beside him, watching him calmly.
The man was handsome, with short orange hair and numerous black piercings on his nose and ears.
What stood out most were his eyes—purple, with a strange ripple pattern. They were the Rinnegan.
"Akatsuki members?" Danzō's eyes were filled with double vision, but he vaguely made out his enemies and immediately broke into a cruel smile.
This time, he didn't hesitate, instantly activating the Reverse Four Symbols Seal.
He thought his actions were swift, but in front of Tendo Pain, they were as slow as a snail.
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