With Tobirama's announcement, the wilderness survival exercise officially ended.
The group left the Forest of Death together.
Hiruzen and Danzo were somewhat dejected.
Especially Danzo—he never dreamed he'd become Kazuku's target to defeat in the blink of an eye.
Lord Tobirama had declared that Kazuku should defeat him in half a month.
Did Danzo not care about face?!
He was in a foul mood.
But leaving the Forest of Death meant they were in a safe zone.
After giving some brief instructions, Tobirama bid farewell to Kazuku and the others.
His heart was brimming with excitement and thrill.
It was easy to understand.
When you hear your kid got first in the school exams, as a parent, you'd be so elated you'd want to brag to every acquaintance.
"Oh, what a coincidence running into you! By the way, my kid got first in the school exams, so I'm taking him out for a treat."
And if you didn't run into anyone?
You'd go find them!
The usually aloof Tobirama Senju wanted to go door-to-door, proclaiming Kazuku's talent in the Forest of Death.
Uchiha, Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga—let them see how amazing his grandson was!
Hiruzen and the others watched Tobirama's figure fade into the distance, letting out a complex sigh.
"Half a month, huh."
Hiruzen and Kagami spoke in unison, their gazes fixed on Danzo.
Koharu, Menma, and Torifu shared similar looks.
Their eyes seemed to say, "Danzo, you're our batch's hope now. Work hard, strive—don't lose!"
You're up against a once-in-a-century monstrous genius, but you've got age and experience on your side!
Sensing the gist of their looks, Danzo felt every cell in his body roaring in protest!
"Enough, you guys!" he snapped.
This feeling infuriated him.
Kazuku was only seven.
If Danzo fought him, winning was expected, but if Kazuku beat him… his face…
No!
Danzo shook his head furiously, like a rattle.
He was a Konoha chunin! Getting thrashed by a seven-year-old? Absurd!
That idea was ridiculous from the start!
"Young Master Kazuku." After some internal turmoil, Danzo called out to Kazuku, who was about to head back.
Hearing him, Kazuku turned to face the future leader of Root.
"What's up, Danzo?" he asked.
The thought of the future Danzo—mastermind of Root, stealer of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, forcing Itachi to slaughter his clan—respectfully calling him "Young Master"…
Was this the treatment of the ultimate insider?
Danzo met Kazuku's eyes, took a deep breath, and with resolute determination, spoke as if making a grand decision.
"Young Master Kazuku, don't blame me for not warning you. In our fight, I, Danzo, will go all out!"
"If you think I'll hold back, I suggest you abandon that notion now!"
Even if Kazuku was only seven, Danzo didn't want to lose!
This was about the pride of their graduating ninja batch!
Especially his pride!
Pfft!
Kazuku stared at Danzo, dumbfounded, finding it somewhat amusing.
Not because of his determination, but…
Brother Danzo, who gave you the courage to talk about holding back?
Was it Liang Jingru?
Confidence and determination were good.
But blind arrogance? Not so much!
"Whatever makes you happy."
Kazuku waved dismissively, turned, and left, his mind filled with Danzo's serious expression.
He wasn't just Konoha's ultimate insider!
He had god-tier luck and a check-in cheat!
Even given a hundred years, Danzo couldn't compare!
"Little Brother Danzo, you think you're competing against someone with a bloodline?"
"You're up against a guy with a cheat!"
No holding back?
You should be begging me to throw the fight!
When half a month passed and Danzo realized his efforts were meaningless against Kazuku's cheat…
What expression would he have?
Kazuku couldn't wait to find out!
With that, Kazuku walked off under Hiruzen and the others' gazes.
Once Tobirama and Kazuku were gone, Danzo let out a relieved sigh.
For some reason, he felt uneasy.
"Hiruzen, Kagami, Koharu, Menma, Torifu—for the next half month," Danzo turned to his teammates, declaring solemnly, "please train with me in live combat!"
Hiruzen and Kagami exchanged glances.
Though Kazuku's challenge targeted Danzo, if Kazuku won, it wouldn't just be Danzo's face on the line.
"But, come to think of it, there's no way Young Master Kazuku could close such a huge gap in half a month, right?"
As soon as Kagami spoke, he realized something was off.
What should've been a statement came out as a question!
Meanwhile, Tobirama hurried excitedly to the Hokage Building.
It wasn't just the Hokage's office but also their home.
Big Brother Hashirama was resting there.
Tobirama's heart burned with overwhelming excitement as he pushed open the door.
Only to see Hashirama and his wife, Mito, in the middle of something.
Since Hashirama's terminal illness was diagnosed, village affairs had been handed to Tobirama.
Though not officially the Second Hokage, he was effectively acting as one.
Hashirama was rightfully enjoying his retirement.
After all, he'd fought for the village and peace his whole life.
What was wrong with enjoying himself now?
Ahem. Tobirama cleared his throat, looking away.
Once Mito got off Hashirama and went to prepare fruit, Tobirama casually closed the door.
Of course, Mito had just been giving Hashirama a back massage to relax his muscles.
"What's up, Tobirama? Shouldn't you be supervising the wilderness survival exercise in the Forest of Death?" Hashirama asked.
"The exercise is over."
"Over? Wasn't it ten days? It's been less than two hours! Did something happen to Kazuku…?" Hashirama bolted upright from the sofa, worried Kazuku had met with an accident!
"Accident? Hmph, if Kazuku survived ten days in the Forest of Death, he might've flattened half of it!"
Tobirama's eyes gleamed, his tone brimming with excitement. "You can't imagine what unbelievable things just happened in the Forest of Death!"
(End of Chapter)