"Let's go!" Jiraiya tugged at Shigeo's arm, but he stood his ground.
"Danzo tried to kill me before. Now that we've met again, how could I let that go unpunished? Danzo, don't think you can hide from me…" Shigeo's eyes glowed red, his entire body radiating a fearless killing intent.
The oppressive aura poured into the hallway like a flood. Both Hiruzen and Jiraiya felt their skin crawl, as though icy claws were dragging across their spines.
Hiruzen's heart skipped a beat. He had just been told this boy harbored the chakra of five tailed beasts—and now, in the blink of an eye, his emotions were spiraling out of control. If something happened here…
"Danzo, what have you done again? Apologize now, or don't blame me if I can't hold him back!" Hiruzen barked. From youth to old age, he had always tolerated his most troublesome friend. He knew Danzo's intentions were for Konoha, but his methods had gone too far. It was Danzo's pressure before that had nearly pushed Shigeo over the edge.
Hiruzen would not allow Danzo to become the spark that ignited this hidden bomb.
"Open the door!" Hiruzen slammed his fist against it.
A muffled voice came from inside: "I'm sorry, Hyuga Shigeo!"
The words left both Jiraiya and Hiruzen stunned. For Danzo to apologize? That had never happened in his life.
"If an apology were enough, we wouldn't need the Konoha Police." Shigeo snarled, kicking the door open.
"Think this through!" Jiraiya rushed forward, grabbing his arm. "He's still a village elder. Do you really want to become a rogue ninja?"
"So what if I do?" Shigeo roared, shaking him off. His Wood Release burst forth, vines creeping over the walls, while magnetic sand flooded the chamber in an obsidian tide.
Danzo's face twisted in panic. He hadn't fled before because he knew—Shigeo's sensing ability would find him anywhere. Better to stay under Hiruzen and Jiraiya's protection. But fate had cornered him in this windowless office.
As expected, Hiruzen summoned Enma, the Monkey King, to block Shigeo.
"You'll kill him right in front of me?" Hiruzen's voice cracked with anger and despair.
But what shook him even more was Shigeo's eyes—no longer deep blue, but the crimson pinwheel of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"When… when did you awaken that?" Hiruzen's mind reeled. Just days ago, Shigeo's eyes were normal.
Danzo trembled behind him, shock and fear warring on his face.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Shigeo unleashed a massive blaze straight at Danzo.
"Adamantine Prison Wall!" Enma's staff split into a dozen pillars, encasing Shigeo and snuffing out the inferno. Hiruzen quickly followed with a Water Release to drown the remaining flames.
"Shigeo, listen! We can talk this out!"
"There's nothing to talk about!" Shigeo's voice was cold. "Don't pretend you don't know his dealings with Orochimaru—or that he tried to kill me!"
With a flash-step, Shigeo vanished from the prison wall's top, scattering afterimages across the chamber.
Enma's sharp eyes tracked him. "Not illusions… that's pure speed!"
Hiruzen shielded Danzo with his body, while Jiraiya moved but didn't strike—his hesitation clear, yet his restraint gave Shigeo a sliver of comfort.
But his killing intent remained fixed: today, Danzo must die.
"Crystal Release: Crystal Needle!" Shigeo unleashed a storm of razor shards.
"I am adamantine! Such tricks can't hurt me!" Enma roared, charging straight through the barrage to strike.
But Shigeo's real target was never Enma. In a blur, he appeared behind Danzo, kunai pressed against his throat.
"Ever heard of Wood Release?" Shigeo whispered.
Danzo's composure shattered. "N-no! Don't kill me! I-I was wrong! Please forgive me!"
Everyone turned—Danzo was already in his grip. His speed was beyond even Shisui or Minato, almost impossible to follow.
"Shigeo, don't kill him!" Hiruzen's throat was tight. To see someone threaten Danzo right under his nose was unthinkable.
"Wood Release: Piercing—"
"Wait!" Hiruzen shouted, desperate. "Shigeo, listen! Spare Danzo, and I'll count it as one of your tasks repaid! You promised three missions for Konoha—let today erase one. How about it?"
Shigeo froze. His kunai hovered at Danzo's neck.
After a long pause, he smirked. "Fine. One mission cleared… but if not today, then tomorrow. I'll kill him eventually."
(End of Chapter)
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