"Kaze Release: Senpū Ran Jin (Wind Release: Thousand Wind Chaos Blades)…"
Across from him, Hyūga Shigeo didn't even dodge—he directly used Kaze Release to counter.
A sharp whistling filled the air. Around Shigeo, thousands of Kaze Release: Kazebasami (Wind Release: Wind Blades) formed and surged toward his opponent.
"So strong!"
An injured Root Anbu member quickly retreated. Danzō, upon seeing this, used Mokuton (Wood Release) to block. However, Shigeo's Senpū Ran Jin didn't just travel in straight lines—many blades curved and swerved. Danzō blocked in front, but behind, his pants were slashed open, and his backside took a direct hit.
The Kazebasami cut into his body, the pain unbearable. These weren't ordinary wounds—wind-inflicted lacerations were far worse. And with Shigeo's immense chakra reserves, the Senpū Ran Jin had tremendous power. One of the blades pierced into Danzō's hip bone before vanishing.
"Argh!" Danzō couldn't help but scream. He countered with Kaze Release: Shinkū Taigyoku (Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere)!
This jutsu fired like a machine gun, unleashing a barrage of wind bullets. Danzō's eyes bulged as he glared at Shigeo, sending a relentless storm of attacks his way.
Shigeo coldly snorted. A massive Doton (Earth Release) wall rose before him, blocking the strikes. With a flash of Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), he appeared right behind Danzō.
"Otoshi no Jutsu (Impaling Technique)…"
"Enough—don't kill him!" The Third Hokage appeared, quickly stopping Shigeo. His hand seal wasn't yet finished when Danzō turned and tried to grab Shigeo with Mokuton.
Now it was both the Hokage and Danzō closing in on him.
Seeing this, Shigeo opened his mouth:
"Kiton: Kibaku (Vapor Release: Explosion)!"
A massive blast shook the air. The Third retreated, but Danzō, injured in the hip, was too slow. Desperate to survive, he threw himself flat on the ground—but even then, the right side of his face was scorched by the blast.
The explosion was so powerful that his entire back was exposed. His clothes were shredded into tatters. Even if his body wasn't directly harmed, his pride certainly was.
Kakashi rushed to Shigeo's side, bowing his head slightly:
"Are you alright?"
Shigeo stepped back, his brows tightly furrowed as he looked at the men before him.
The Third quickly spoke up:
"Hyūga Shigeo, today I asked Danzō to test you. Congratulations, you've graduated from the Academy. This is your forehead protector. Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to form a team and carry out missions."
He handed over a forehead protector.
Shigeo's brows furrowed even deeper. He glanced at Danzō, who was now being covered by Root operatives with a cloak. Standing with a limp, Danzō's eyes burned with malice.
"So the Hokage himself sent Danzō? Telling him to bring me back alive or dead?"
Shigeo's entire body turned icy cold. Slowly, he began to float upward, his figure rising into the night sky.
In the moonlight, his robes fluttered. He looked like a god descending to earth.
"He only wanted to awaken your fighting spirit!" The Third Hokage lied.
Shigeo laughed bitterly.
"Each and every one of you… such methods. Not even sparing a six-year-old child. Danzō, don't think I don't know the things you've done."
Danzō's eyes narrowed, cold and sharp.
"The doubt in my heart… Is this Konoha truly worth so many lives?" Shigeo asked. With a single leap, he vanished into the night.
"Danzō, if you hadn't forced him, he wouldn't have left!" The Third shouted furiously. "Anbu! Pursue him! But no physical confrontation! And summon Jiraiya and Tsunade back immediately. Find that child!"
Regret weighed heavy on him. If he had known Shigeo's heart was already set, he wouldn't have defended Danzō. Shigeo wasn't like other children. His mind was sharp—sharper than most adults.
But Shigeo hadn't left the village at all. He was sitting on a power pole just outside the Uchiha compound.
Reaching out with Kaze Release, he tapped against the window of Itachi's room.
Moments later, Uchiha Itachi leapt out to meet him.
The two walked to a small park by the Hokage Rock. From there, the entire village could be seen. Under the night sky, no one else was around.
"Itachi, I came to say goodbye," Shigeo said.
"Where are you going?" Itachi frowned.
Recently, he had been too focused on training, hardly speaking with Shigeo. He'd heard the rumors, though. People spoke of Shigeo's power with awe. Itachi had felt proud for him. But why was he leaving now? What had driven him to this decision?
"The world is vast. As long as I can protect myself, I can go anywhere," Shigeo replied, not wishing to explain.
Itachi nodded. The two children stood silently, watching the village for a long time.
Itachi, with his sharp mind, had already played out countless scenarios in his head. Finally, he said quietly:
"Luckily, I've seen your strength. Otherwise, even if it cost me my life, I wouldn't let you leave Konoha. The world outside is cruel. During the Third Great War, I saw countless children die… I'm glad you're strong enough to survive. Will we meet again?"
"We will. Itachi, before I go, I'll do one thing for you. I hope your family can always live in peace, together and whole," Shigeo said, smiling.
"What thing?" Itachi asked.
"Just a small matter. No need to say more. I must leave now. Farewell."
With that, Shigeo vanished into another dimension.
Itachi sighed deeply, gazing out at Konoha. No matter what choices Shigeo made, he would always be his friend.
…
In the depths of a hidden tunnel, footsteps echoed. A distant chamber glowed with light, pained screams emanating from within.
"Danzō-sama, you must endure. The wound has to be cleaned before further treatment. Please, hold on."
"I can endure—just hurry up!" Danzō growled.
His voice was full of fury:
"Hyūga Shigeo… that brat. Today's humiliation, I'll never forget it. One day, I'll make sure you die at my hands.
Hmph, you think you're clever? In the end, I forced you out of Konoha. From now on, you're the enemy of the village. Your friends will want to kill you. Jiraiya and Tsunade will only want to capture you. You think you've won? I'll tell you this—you'll never defeat me in this lifetime…"
(End of Chapter)
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