Danzō couldn't describe how happy he felt at that moment.
It was like being constipated for thirty years and then gulping down a bucket of oil, everything flowing out smoothly in an instant.
The comfort was second only to the day Yami became Hokage.
"Hiruzen, Konoha didn't change at all in the thirty years under your leadership. The ninja academy became nothing but a kindergarten, Genin just played house, and the number of Elite Jōnin and Kage-level masters kept declining."
Danzō waved his arms excitedly. "Look at it now, this vast territory conquered by Yami!"
"This is Konoha! This is the Will of Fire!"
"Wherever the leaves fly, it is our land!"
Danzō's high-spirited look was nothing like an old man nearing death. Instead, he looked like a young man at his prime. Hiruzen couldn't help but feel jealous.
How did this old guy have such good fortune, producing a descendant like Yami who had accomplished a feat even the First Hokage had not?
If only he had been born in the Sarutobi clan…
Hiruzen sighed.
Yes, if Yami had been born into the Sarutobi clan, things might have been completely different.
After all, only a radical like Danzō could have cultivated Yami's character. His own sharpness had long since been worn away.
"Danzō, I admit that the changes and development of Konoha far exceeded my imagination. I also admit it was my mistake not to consider letting Yami become Hokage."
Hiruzen readily admitted his error.
In essence, Hiruzen also wanted Konoha to grow stronger and become the most powerful village. Otherwise, he would not have died at Orochimaru's hands.
Loving the village and clinging to power were not completely contradictory.
But he lacked ability, and his character was too weak. He always clung to his belief in diplomacy, so he distrusted Yami, fearing that he would lead the village into destruction.
Even so, he couldn't tolerate Danzō's smug expression.
"To be honest, Yami's success is entirely due to his own talent and hard work.
I am the one who held him back, and you are no less so.
On the contrary, you only benefited from Yami's help.
Otherwise, how would you have had the chance to manage government affairs as acting Hokage?"
The proud Danzō suddenly froze.
"You bastard, Hiruzen, you're just jealous I have such an amazing grandson!"
"Heh, at least I was Hokage. What about you, Danzō?"
"Did you ever ask Lord Tobirama whether he would have let you be Hokage if you had been the last one to stay behind?"
At that point, no more words were exchanged. Danzō directly moved to strike, ready to teach Hiruzen a lesson. Hiruzen wasn't about to back down either, unleashing his Five Elemental Releases with numb hands.
On the busy street, Tobirama and Hashirama exchanged a glance, then ignored the fight.
"Brother, Yami has changed many of the policies of the ninja academy I founded. He's even planning to establish civilian schools for sciences and other fields. The venues are already being prepared."
Hashirama scratched his head in his simple way. "Yami's idea is great. If the ninja world is peaceful, there won't be a need for so many shinobi. Developing people's livelihoods is the right path."
He looked at the bustling streets, listening to the laughter of young couples and families, the chatter and bickering of old ones. His eyes were intoxicated.
This was the kind of scene he had always dreamed of.
Yami had not only achieved it, but even done better than he imagined. Not only were the villagers living in peace, even the shinobi were no longer mere tools, forced to sacrifice themselves for the village.
"Brother, a new era has arrived and old problems have been solved, but that doesn't mean everything is fine," Tobirama suddenly said seriously.
Hashirama was stunned. "Tobirama, are there more powerful enemies?"
Tobirama reminded him, "Have you forgotten? The Sage of Six Paths mentioned the Ōtsutsuki clan. Those aliens are likely to come harvest chakra from the ninja world."
Hashirama's expression grew serious as well.
He had already seen the power of the Ōtsutsuki. Both Kaguya and the Sage of Six Paths were terrifyingly strong. The ninja world was constantly plagued by disasters. Even after civil strife, they still had to guard against foreign threats. When would it ever end?
"What are you going to do?" Hashirama, never one for deep thinking, asked directly.
"Brother, don't return to the Pure Land. Konoha still needs your strength.
I will research ways to completely revive both of us, to strengthen the ninja world, and…"
Tobirama hesitated, then whispered, "There is still a way to extract tailed beasts while preserving the Jinchūriki. Yami must become the Ten Tails' Jinchūriki, with an immortal body. He is our strongest trump card."
Hashirama thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Do it, Tobirama."
Inside the Hokage's training chamber, Yami slowly opened his eyes. Two beams of divine light shot out from his pupils, landing on the steel floor and burning two large holes instantly.
Yami frowned.
"My power surged too much. I can't control it properly."
[Ninja World Bond Progress: Fire (20%), Lightning (20%), Earth (20%), Sand (20%), Water (20%)]
[Ninja World Bond reaches maximum value. Become the most popular person in the ninja world. Everyone loves you deeply. Reward: Chakra doubled. All talent skill levels increased by ten levels.]
[Beyond the Ninja World Limits]
The war had ended, and the mission to bind the entire ninja world that Yami had accepted long ago was finally completed.
After receiving the reward, his body almost exploded. Not only had his chakra doubled, but the rise in talent levels also triggered countless chain reactions. After giving orders to the troops, he had rushed into seclusion. Only after several days had he barely adapted to his new state.
[Status Panel]
[Name: Shimura Yami]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 21]
[Date of Birth: April 1, Year 46 (Konoha Calendar)]
[Chakra Attributes: Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Lightning, Yang, Yin (Rules)]
[Total Chakra: 9.2 Chakra Fruits (1 fruit ≈ 10 Hashiramas, 1 Hashirama ≈ 11 Narutos, 1 Naruto ≈ 100 Kakashis, 1 Kakashi ≈ 5 Standard Jōnin)]
[Bond Points: 188,888]
After glancing at his status panel, Yami couldn't help but feel proud.
That's right, he was already this strong. If he didn't feel a little cocky, then he wouldn't be human, he'd be a coward.
Stretching his shoulders and neck, his bones crackled. Yami stood up and walked out of the secret chamber.
The old toad had managed to live a few more days, but it didn't matter. Today would be his death day.
(To be continued.)
***
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