บท 204: CH - 199 There's no way Danzo-sama…

Despite Grass Village repeatedly stabbing him during the staged attacks, Danzo knew it was merely a ploy to coerce him into submission. Each time, medical ninjas promptly treated his injuries. He understood that the Grass leader was attempting to recruit him, using these tactics as a form of persuasion.

However, Danzo remained resolute. He would never betray Konoha. He was aware that this situation could only persist for so long before one of the villages made a decisive move. Grass Village must eventually decide whether to release or eliminate him, or Konoha may choose to disregard his predicament and initiate an attack. Moreover, Given the desire for peace and recovery within Konoha after years of war, Hiruzen is unlikely to let the conflict linger.

"What a bunch of useless people." Danzo, with a hint of disappointment, sighed and shook his head. Adopting a righteous demeanor, he declared, "As a Konoha ninja, I've long been prepared to sacrifice myself for the village. Yet, they hesitate to make a move now? Such cowardice is a disgrace to Konoha."

Ready to sacrifice for Konoha, Danzo criticized the lack of action. "And this Hiruzen... If I were the Hokage, I would have ordered an attack by now."

For Danzo, all sacrifices were justified for the sake of Konoha. He couldn't help but sigh, Undoubtedly, Konoha has experienced a decline, under Sarutobi's rule and he is no longer fit for the role of Hokage. Regrettably, the position of Hokage was once within his grasp. However, due to this unfortunate incident, that chance also slipped away.

A wry smile appeared on Danzo's face as he thought how Hiruzen might be mocking him at this very moment. Danzo gazed at the setting sun, a sigh of helplessness escaping his lips.

"Sacrifice? What sacrifice?" At this moment, Daisuke approached, he questioned, casting a doubtful gaze upon Danzo before releasing a sigh of his own, "Grass Village and Konoha have a close relationship; how could we take action to kill an ally ninja of Konoha?"

"Hehe~" Danzo responded with a sneer, dismissing Daisuke's words.

"Don't laugh. The leader has decided to let you go," Daisuke declared, observing Danzo's bewildered expression.

Surprised by the sudden turn of events, Danzo's face stiffened, followed by a deep frown. He scrutinized the Grass ninja who had been repeatedly stabbing him and sternly questioned, "What conspiracy are you guys plotting now?"

"Conspiracy? What conspiracy?" Daisuke pouted casually, dismissing any notion of foul play. "Grass and Konoha have a close relationship; we would never take action against the Hokage's Assistant of Konoha. This time, it was also just to bring you to see the beautiful scenery of the Land of Grass. Look, isn't it beautiful?"

Observing his stained red clothes and his body tied up in a cross shape, Danzo couldn't help but question the Grass ninja's choice of showcasing the scenery. Does this Grass ninja think he's an idiot?

"Speak! What demands did Konoha agree to again?" Danzo, skeptical of Daisuke's words, inquired.

"Demand? 'Demand' sounds so harsh. The higher-ups said this is just a travel fee," Daisuke replied with a serious expression, "After all, you've been here for so long. You should pay for your travel. Is it excessive for Konoha to cover some travel fees since you can't? Do you want to freeload?"

Once again, it boiled down to money? Exchanging money for an Assistant Hokage of Konoha? The notion seemed ridiculous. Do they even comprehend the severe blow it would be to Konoha if they killed him? Are they attempting to use this naive method to feign kindness, elicit gratitude, and then use it to manipulate him once more?

Danzo sneered, "Truly feeble. Just as naive and feeble as Hiruzen."

Surprisingly, despite reaching this critical juncture, the Grass leader still opted to release him. Unfortunately, he is the Assistant Hokage of Konoha, destined to ascend to the position of Hokage and lead the village to its zenith. How could he fall prey to such a scheme?

"It probably won't be long before you can return home," Daisuke comforted Danzo, patting him on the shoulder and speaking with emotion, "Take a good look at the scenery here. Maybe you won't get the chance in the future. Don't squander this travel fee."

"Heh~" Not see it again? Absurd. Danzo sneered, his eyes filled with determination as he looked ahead, 'One day... he will set foot in this place again, wiping away the shame.'

Soon, he observed a radiant light emerging in the gradually darkening sky. He furrowed his brow slightly, directed his gaze toward it, and inquired, "What's that? Fireworks?" He then scoffed, "Are you all organizing fireworks to bid me farewell?"

"Fireworks? What fireworks? There are no fireworks. We're in the midst of a battle, for goodness sake. How could there be fireworks?" Daisuke retorted with a serious expression. "This is an attack. Konoha has initiated another assault. Damn it! Why are there so many kunai and explosive tags? It seems your reputation in the village isn't stellar. Hurry, someone, come quickly. We need assistance!"

Simultaneously, Danzo also took notice, his gaze fixated on the ceaselessly soaring kunai. Why would Konoha suddenly launch such a relentless attack? Weren't they concerned about his well-being? No, he still had a chance. Danzo's mouth twitched, and he urgently shouted into the distance, "Cease the attack! Cease the attack! Damn it, hold your fire! Why are you attacking now?!"

Could they not have attacked earlier? Wasn't it too late to strike now? Who authorized this current assault? For the sake of Konoha, he could make sacrifices, but those sacrifices couldn't be in vain. After all, Konoha couldn't afford to lose him.

…

On the opposite end, at this very moment, the Konoha ninjas who initiated the sudden, intense assault continue to hurl explosive tags and kunai. Yet, it appears that a particular ninja has also caught wind of something. He blinked, his entire being freezing in place, lost in thought.

Observing his apparent distraction, a nearby Konoha ninja swiftly exclaimed, "What are you doing? We're in the midst of a war, you know? How dare you daydream? Are you deserving of Danzo-sama's sacrifice?"

"I believe I heard Danzo-sama's voice, instructing us not to attack," the Konoha ninja responded.

"Nonsense! Would Danzo-sama say that? Don't joke around. You're aware that Danzo-sama is the Assistant Hokage. He's long been prepared to sacrifice for the village. Didn't you witness that just a few days ago?" another ninja remarked, shaking his head.

"How is that possible? My ears are exceptionally sensitive. The Anbu even sought to recruit me due to my acute hearing. I simply declined," the First Ninja asserted, still harboring some doubts.

You? ANBU?" scoffed the nearby ninja. After a moment, he continued, "You must have misunderstood. Danzo-sama likely witnessed our vigorous attack, felt gratified, and exclaimed, 'Attack! Attack!' You must have misconstrued it. Keep going! We must avenge Danzo-sama!"

"That's correct! Don't tarnish Danzo-sama's reputation," another nearby ninja affirmed with a nod.

As the words echoed, the First Ninja momentarily froze, then nodded in agreement. It made sense; a few days ago, Danzo-sama displayed fearlessness in sacrifice. How could he now instruct them not to attack? Perhaps it's too chaotic, and he misheard?

With this realization, he ceased dwelling on it, swiftly brandished his kunai once again, and charged forward alongside the others. They were on the brink of rallying to bid Danzo farewell.

Suddenly, a voice resonated through the Grass Village's sound system, amplified for all to hear. "Dear brothers from Konoha, please cease your actions immediately. Grass and Konoha are close allies. While there may have been some misunderstandings, we did not intend to harm the Assistant Hokage of Konoha. After discussions in the village, to express the friendship between our villages, Grass Village has decided to release our comrade, Mr. Danzo!"

Huh? Released? Every Konoha ninja stood stunned, exchanging bewildered glances as they clutched the explosive tags in their hands. Are they claiming to release him now? Is this some sort of joke?

At this critical moment, a certain Konoha ninja erupted with a loud shout, "This is undoubtedly a conspiracy by Grass Village. We must not trust them. Charge! I believe Danzo-sama, from the Afterworld, would not want to see us like this!"

As the words echoed, the faces of the Konoha ninjas stiffened, and they gripped their kunai tightly with resolute expressions. 'That's right. This must be a conspiracy.' However, just as they were poised to advance,

"This Konoha ninja, the Uchiha clan emblem? What are you trying to do? Don't falsely accuse Grass Village! We genuinely intend to release him!" The voice resonated once more. "Believe it or not, you wouldn't want to see your Assistant Hokage perish at your hands, right? If you doubt it, listen to the voice of your Assistant Hokage."

With that statement, a brief pause ensued. In no time, a familiar voice emanated with a composed tone, "I haven't perished yet!"

As the words settled, all Konoha ninjas were once again stunned, lifting their heads to gaze at Danzo bound to the cross. Could it be that Grass Village truly intends to release Danzo-sama?

Their expressions swiftly changed, and the corners of their mouths twitched. "Quick, Hurry, Go inform the Hokage!"

…

As time elapsed, the sky darkened, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen remained unrested. Alone in his office, he sat in silence, fixating on the photograph gracing his desk. In the image, his sensei, himself, Koharu, Mitokado, and... Danzo were captured. Since their sensei's sacrifice, the four of them had stood together, endeavoring to elevate Konoha to greater heights.

He tenderly touched the photo, silently reflecting. In the tranquil confines of his office, he continued to sit contemplatively. After an indeterminate span, a soft sigh permeated the silence. "Calculating the time... Danzo should have already offered himself."

This directive emanated from him. Only he, as the Hokage, possessed the authority to issue such a command. After all, he understood that, as the Assistant Hokage, once captured by Grass Village, there would be no hope of survival.

Even though Danzo currently dangled there, not yet sacrificed, it was merely a ruse by Grass Village to prolong the inevitable. When war ensued, it would be Danzo's turn to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Yet, for Konoha, Danzo held unparalleled importance. His sacrifice would undoubtedly inflict severe damage on Konoha, and Grass Village wouldn't miss this opportunity.

However, Konoha couldn't afford further delay. They needed to swiftly conclude the war and retrieve the Jinchuriki. Any unforeseen incidents could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"All for the sake of Konoha!" Hiruzen sighed deeply once again, then drew on his smoking pipe, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the Konoha scenery beyond the window. After a brief interlude of silence, his eyes narrowed, and he muttered to himself, "Rest assured, dear friend... I will undoubtedly avenge you."

This time, Grass Village had crossed a line. They had to exact a price for their actions. As he concluded his thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted him. He called out, "Come in!"

Observing the Anbu ninja entering, Hiruzen furrowed his brow once more. "More frontline intelligence? Well..."

As if recollecting something, he smiled bitterly, gripping the pipe, his eyes concealing a trace of sorrow. 'Danzo... should have sacrificed by now.'

Turning his head, as if reluctant for his subordinates to witness his melancholy, he directed his gaze back to the outside scenery. "Ensure that Anbu retrieves his body. We cannot allow Grass Village to perpetuate the humiliation. Danzo was an indispensable Assistant Hokage for us. I basked in the sunlight..."

However, before he could finish speaking, the Anbu ninja hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head, hastily conveying, "Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama... was not sacrificed!"

Not sacrificed? Hiruzen was momentarily dumbfounded, then inquired, "Did the Grass ninja manage to withstand our assault?"

"No, it's just..." The tone of the Anbu ninja seemed somewhat peculiar. "The Grass Village stated they intended to release him and urged us in Konoha to prepare the ransom promptly."

As the words settled, Hiruzen's mouth twitched slightly, his hand shook, and the pipe plummeted to the ground, emitting a crisp sound. He gazed at the Anbu ninja in bewilderment, "Release... let him go?"