Bab 16: Chapter 16
The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the devastated battlefield. Garp stood tall, his imposing figure a stark contrast to the broken form of Danzo lying on the ground. Homura and Koharu, the other two elders of Konoha, stood warily between them, their faces etched with concern and barely concealed fear.
"Let's be clear." Garp began, his voice carrying the weight of his recent victory, "Danzo's actions were unforgivable. He threatened my family, attempted to kidnap children, and has likely committed countless other atrocities in the name of his twisted vision of peace. The only reason he still has breathe in his body is because I wanted him to suffer a small amount of the suffering he caused others in his last moments."
Homura nodded slowly, his eyes darting between Garp and Danzo. "We... understand your anger, Garp-san. But surely you can see that killing a Konoha elder would have severe repercussions. It could even lead to war."
Garp's eyes hardened. "And attempting to kidnap or kill a man and his grandchildren wouldn't? Don't try to take the moral high ground here, Homura. You're not in a position to do so."
Koharu stepped forward, her voice placating. "Please, Garp-san. We're not here to justify Danzo's actions. We're here to negotiate. Surely there must be something we can offer in exchange for sparing his life?"
For a long moment, Garp was silent, his eyes closed in thought. The elders held their breath, acutely aware that their lives - and perhaps the fate of Konoha itself - hung in the balance.
Finally, Garp opened his eyes. "Very well. I have a price."
The elders leaned forward eagerly, relief evident on their faces.
"I want Jutsu." Garp stated simply.
Homura blinked in confusion. "Jutsu? But surely, with your power-"
Garp cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Not for me. Well, not entirely. My grandchildren are growing and learning. It wouldn't hurt for them to understand and be able to use the Jutsu that dominates this world. Confining themselves to my style of battle would only limit them."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the fallen ROOT agents scattered across the battlefield. "Besides, knowledge is power. And in this world, Jutsu is knowledge given form."
Koharu nodded slowly. "I see. And what level of Jutsu would you be interested in?"
Garp's response was immediate and precise. "Fifty D-rank Jutsu, fifty C-rank, thirty B-rank, and ten A-rank."
The elders' eyes widened at the scope of the request. Homura sputtered, "That's... that's an enormous amount of knowledge! Some of those Jutsu are village secrets!"
Garp's expression remained impassive. "And Danzo's life is an enormous price. I think it's a fair trade, don't you?"
Koharu, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. "What about S-rank Jutsu? Surely those would be of interest to someone of your... caliber."
Garp shook his head. "I'm not a fool. I know S-rank Jutsu requires special permission from the Hokage or clan heads, and with Hiruzen gone, I would have to wait. I'm not here to start a war or steal your most precious secrets (At least not entirely). I'm here to ensure my family has the tools they need to survive and thrive in this world. And I don't have the time to wait for you and your council to bicker."
The elders exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Homura spoke. "We... will need to consult with each other. We will send over the Jutsu afterward."
Garp nodded. "Understandable. You have three hours. I'll wait here."
As the elders prepared to leave, Koharu turned back. "And Danzo? What assurance do we have that you won't... finish what you started while we're gone?"
Garp's gaze fell on Danzo's broken form. The once-proud shinobi lay silent, his eyes glazed with pain and the realization of his utter defeat.
"He's no threat to me now, not that he was in the beginning." Garp said simply. "And I gave my word to negotiate. That's all the assurance you need."
With that, the elders disappeared in swirls of leaves, leaving Garp alone with his grandchildren and the defeated Danzo.
Yahiko was the first to break the silence. "Gramps, are you sure about this? Letting him live after what he tried to do?"
Garp's expression softened as he turned to his grandchildren. "Sometimes, Yahiko, the hardest thing is not to take a life, but to spare one. Danzo will live with the consequences of his actions. That, in many ways, is a harsher punishment than death. And after what I've done to him, I doubt his life will be easy. After all, he has likely made many enemies in his own Village. And in this world, strength is a necessity."
Konan nodded thoughtfully. "And the Jutsu? Do you really think we need them?"
Garp ruffled her hair affectionately. "Need? Perhaps not. But in this world, every bit of knowledge, every tool at your disposal, could mean the difference between life and death. Between protecting what's precious to you and losing it."
Nagato, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "You're thinking long-term, aren't you, Grandfather? About the changes you want to bring to this world."
Garp's eyes twinkled with pride as he looked at his read headed grandchild. "Yeah brat, I am. The path ahead of us is long and dangerous. We'll need every advantage we can get. These Jutsu could be useful in the future."
As they waited, Garp kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his Observation Haki stretched to its limits. He didn't truly believe Konoha would attempt anything foolish, but in his long career, he had learned never to underestimate the desperation of cornered opponents.
The three hours passed slowly. The children took turns resting, while Garp remained vigilant. Danzo, for his part, had lapsed into unconsciousness, his breathing shallow but steady.
Just as the three-hour mark approached, Garp sensed a familiar presence approaching. He smiled slightly. "Looks like they sent a familiar face to deliver the goods."
Moments later, Tsunade appeared in a swirl of leaves, a large bag slung over her shoulder. Her expression was a mixture of wariness and something akin to disappointment.
"Tsunade-chan!" Garp greeted her, his voice warm despite the circumstances. "I take it the two stooges agreed to our terms?"
Tsunade nodded, her eyes scanning the battlefield before settling on Danzo's broken form. "They did. Though I can't say I understand why you're doing this, Garp. Why spare him? After what he tried to do..."
Garp's expression turned serious. "Death is easy, Tsunade. Living with the consequences of one's actions - that's the real challenge. Danzo will never walk again and never form a hand seal. He'll live out his days knowing that his ambitions, his twisted ideals, led to his downfall as he rots away, with no one caring about a useless man like himself."
He paused, his gaze intense. "And sometimes, a living enemy can be more useful than a dead one. Danzo's fate will serve as a warning to others who might think to follow in his footsteps."
Tsunade's brow furrowed. "And the Jutsu? Why ask for those? With your power..."
Garp shook his head. "It's not about power, Tsunade. It's about understanding. About giving my grandchildren every tool they might need to navigate this world. And yes, about preparing for the future I hope to build."
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. "The future you hope to build? Garp, what are you planning?"
For a moment, Garp was silent, weighing his words carefully. "Change, Tsunade. This world, this system of hidden villages and endless conflict - it needs to change. And my grandchildren... they'll be at the forefront of that change."
Tsunade took a step back, her expression a mixture of awe and shock. "Garp, you... you can't mean to go against the entire shinobi world? That's madness!"
Garp's expression softened slightly. "Not against, Tsunade. For. For a world where children aren't sent to die on battlefields. Where the world is at least stable."
He held out his hand. "The scrolls, if you please."
Tsunade hesitated, her hand tightening on the bag's strap. "Garp, please. Think about what you're doing. If you go down this path, you'll be making enemies of every hidden village. We... I don't want to have to fight you."
Garp's eyes met hers, his gaze unflinching as it turned cold.
"Those who waver are weak, Tsunade."
Tsunade could feel the man before her seem to change from the friendly, kind, and idiotic man that made her lower her guard, and in his place stood the man that she had met in the Land of Rain.
"The path ahead is hard, yes. But it's necessary. Now, the scrolls."
Tsunade's hand trembled slightly as she handed over the bag. As Garp took it, their eyes met once more. At that moment, Tsunade saw something in Garp's gaze - a resolve as unshakeable as the mountains, a vision of a future she could barely comprehend.
And then, without warning, the air around them grew heavy. Garp's eyes seemed to glow with an inner light as he unleashed a blast of his Conqueror's Haki once again.
The effect was immediate and overwhelming. The Jonin Shinobi behind Tsunade, the ANBU hidden in the trees, even the birds in the sky - all fell, overwhelmed by the sheer force of Garp's will.
The earth shattered.
The air stiffened.
The world stood still under the full pressure of Garp's Will.
Tsunade staggered, her knees threatening to buckle. But through sheer force of will, she remained standing, her eyes wide with shock and awe.
Garp's grandchildren, thanks to his impeccable control, seemed unaffected. They moved to stand beside him, their expressions a mixture of determination and sadness as they looked at Tsunade.
For a long moment, silence reigned. Then, without another word, Garp turned and began to walk away, his grandchildren following close behind.
Tsunade found her voice at last. "Garp! What... what are you going to do now?"
Garp paused but didn't turn back. "What I must, Tsunade. For the sake of these children, for the sake of all children in this world of endless war. Remember this day, Tsunade. Remember, and be ready. Change is coming, whether the world is prepared for it or not. Because I said so."
And with that, Garp and his grandchildren disappeared into the gathering darkness, leaving Tsunade standing alone amidst the unconscious forms of her fellow shinobi.
As the weight of Garp's Haki faded, Tsunade fell to her knees, her mind reeling. She had just witnessed power beyond anything she had ever imagined, had glimpsed a vision of a future that both terrified and exhilarated her.
She could only glance over at the unresponsive Danzo, with a single thought echoing in her mind.
'What the Hell did you unleash?'
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[AN: Q & A Chapter will be posted a little after this, so drop any questions you might have.]
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