Chapter 17 — Danzo, I Can't Live Without You!
Everyone could deal damage to the wild boar—everyone except Senju Nawaki. His pride took yet another hit.
The next moment, he charged in again.
Kinoshita Hikaru didn't stop him. No one did. Being comrades wasn't just empty words—it meant unconditional trust.
"Its weak point is three inches below the abdomen," Hyuga Hiashi called out after activating his Byakugan and pinpointing the boar's vulnerability.
Hikaru shouted, "Minato!"
"Got it."
Namikaze Minato dashed forward and stabbed a kunai into the boar's rear. With a shrill "Aoo!" the boar reared up onto its hind legs.
"Inoichi, Shikaku—control it!"
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
Yamanaka Inoichi projected his consciousness into the boar's body to halt its struggle, while Nara Shikaku bound it with his shadow, forcing it to remain upright.
Senju Nawaki's right fist, brimming with chakra, slammed viciously into the boar's abdomen.
"Choza!"
Akimichi Choza once again used Human Bullet Tank, crashing into the boar and launching it high into the air.
At the same time, Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Shigeru unleashed Great Fireball Jutsu at the airborne beast.
The boar was already stiff from the barrage, now engulfed in flames midair.
"Gomu Gomu Gatling!"
Kinoshita Hikaru's fists blurred as they shot forward in rapid succession, striking the boar's abdomen in a dense, relentless barrage—each punch landing solidly.
"Boom!"
The Boar King crashed heavily onto the ground, lifeless.
The group gathered together, exchanging smiles.
"How was it, how was it? Was my punch just now cool or what? (=①ω①=)" Nawaki asked eagerly.
No one responded.
Just as Nawaki's grin began to stiffen—
"Not cool. It was explosively cool!"
The group burst into laughter.
Only then did Nawaki realize he'd been teased. He snorted lightly, but his grin stretched all the way to his ears.
"We've got the prey—let's throw a feast! (ಡωಡ)hiahiahia"
"I'm eating ten pounds of meat!" Nawaki boasted.
"Then I'll eat twenty!" Uchiha Shigeru shot back unwilling to lose.
"Then I'll eat thirty!"
"Then I'll eat fifty!"
Shigeru glared at Nawaki. "You brat, are you picking a fight?"
"What are you gonna do about it?"
(≧ｍ≦)
The others were speechless. The two of them were like sworn rivals—ready to bicker the moment they met.
...
Hokage Building.
Inside the Hokage's office, smoke filled the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply as he puffed on his pipe, the steady tap-tap echoing in the quiet room.
"Has it been confirmed?"
"Yes." The ANBU kneeling on the floor nodded.
Hiruzen waved him away and turned his gaze to the intelligence report in his hand.
> [Kumogakure and Kirigakure have allied with several smaller nations to launch a surprise attack on the Land of Whirlpools. The Land of Whirlpools cannot withstand the assault and faces imminent destruction. We humbly request aid in consideration of the bond between the Uzumaki Clan and Konohagakure. On behalf of all Uzumaki clansmen, we express our deepest gratitude. —The Uzumaki Clan.]
Hiruzen felt conflicted.
If Konoha sent reinforcements, it might very well ignite the Second Shinobi World War. But if they didn't… how would he answer to Lady Mito?
Old friend… it seems I'll need you to step in.
Hiruzen spoke in a low voice, "Go summon Danzo."
"Yes." The ANBU guarding the shadows replied.
Moments later—
Shimura Danzo, clad in samurai attire, arrived.
"Hiruzen. What is it?"
Hiruzen handed him the intelligence report, quietly puffing on his pipe, giving no hint of his thoughts.
"What do you think?"
"Of course we support them," Danzo replied without hesitation, his tone firm and resolute. "Not only that—we coordinate with the Land of Whirlpools from within and wipe them out in one decisive strike."
In his view, if war was inevitable, then they should take the initiative. By seizing the offensive, they could dominate the battlefield—and crush their enemies in one fell swoop.
"Cough—" Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed sharply, surprise flickering in his eyes.
Since when had his old friend become so righteous and loyal?
Something's not right.
Wasn't he supposed to oppose sending reinforcements, forcing him to reluctantly agree in the end?
Keeping his face expressionless, Hiruzen said in a low voice, "Explain in detail."
"We coordinate with the Land of Whirlpools from the inside and outside to eliminate the Kumo and Mist ninja. Then we wipe out the Land of Whirlpools as well and monopolize its wealth."
Hiruzen let out a quiet breath of relief.
Yes… this is the Danzo I know.
He set down his pipe, his face turning stern.
"Konoha will never attack its allies."
"At a time like this, you're still this rigid? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Say no more. That goes against my ninja way."
"Hmph. You're too soft, Hiruzen. You'll regret this!"
"That is absolutely unacceptable. And don't forget—I am the Hokage!"
Shimura Danzo's face twitched. His fists clenched tightly.
That line again. Always that line—
Damn it!
He drew a deep breath and said, word by word, "If that's the case, then we won't interfere at all. Let them fend for themselves."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief. "They are Konoha's allies! It's Lady Mito's homeland. How can we just ignore them?"
"Stop being naïve. Lady Mito married into Konoha—she is Konoha's person, not one of the Uzumaki anymore. And this is my bottom line. If you disagree, then don't come to me for anything in the future."
"Danzo, you… But how am I supposed to explain this to Lady Mito?" Hiruzen stood frozen, then slumped onto the bench in apparent dejection.
"No need for you to worry. I'll speak to Lady Mito myself."
A smug smile curved across Danzo's lips.
Scared now, aren't you, Hiruzen?
You can't do without me.
You're too soft.
He shot Hiruzen a glance before turning and leaving the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen remained seated, seemingly lost in guilt, not reacting at all to Danzo's departure.
Only after sensing that Danzo had gone far did his expression return to normal. A faint smile surfaced on his face—then quickly vanished.
My old friend… you're right. I truly can't do without you.
…
Suddenly, a terrifying surge of chakra erupted from the Senju Clan compound, sweeping across the entirety of Konoha. Even from within the Hokage's office, Hiruzen could clearly sense it.
He understood.
This was a warning.
A declaration that she, Mito, was not so old that she could no longer wield a blade—nor had she lost her clarity of mind.
If you don't want to send reinforcements, then come say it to me yourself. Don't send a fool in your place.
Just as panic began to spread among the villagers, the overwhelming chakra abruptly dissipated.
Soon after, Shimura Danzo emerged from the Senju compound, bruised and battered, walking out with a swollen face.
No one knew what had been discussed.
They only knew that Danzo had been beaten out—and that Mito had declared from that day forward that the Senju compound would no longer welcome Shimura Danzo.
…
Back at Root, Danzo's expression was darker than ever.
Utter humiliation.
As Konoha's second-in-command, he had been beaten by a woman—and couldn't even fight back.
"This isn't over."
A flicker of cruelty—and lingering fear—flashed in his eyes.
Too terrifying.
Mito's boundless chakra had crushed him, making it hard to even breathe.
"That old woman… she's only getting stronger."
Why could Mito be so domineering?
Not only was she the First Hokage's wife, but her own strength was monstrous. More than that—she was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
At present, Mito was undoubtedly Konoha's strongest.
Otherwise, did anyone really expect Danzo to respect his elders out of kindness?
Moments later—
Danzo's expression returned to a smile.
No matter what, the objective had been achieved.
Konoha would not send reinforcements to the Land of Whirlpools.