Chương 201: CH - 196 Esteemed guest!

"Hey, Kana's present too. Good morning! I've brought some fresh fish for everyone to enjoy. By the way, where's Karin? Her Grandpa Hanzo's around; is she not up for a ride on a salamander? Not here, huh? Maybe next door? No, I won't come in. Ah, You're quite the character. By the way, do you even know the time? As the leader, should you really be so laid-back? Is this the example for the skilled ninjas under your command?" With a chuckle, Hanzo closed the door, snagged the somewhat disgruntled Akihiko, and pulled him outside.

"Come on! We've got some important matters to discuss. And why that look? Don't fret; I'm not here to seek approval for funds today," Hanzo reassured, noting Akihiko's resentful gaze.

'As if you'd ever discuss funds. You'd probably just stubbornly sprawl on the floor.' Akihiko rolled his eyes, his temper not at its best. "So, why the early visit this morning?"

"Word has it, a distinguished guest is in our midst," Hanzo sighed. "As the leader of the Land of Rain, how could I not pay a visit? Honestly... it's been a while; I haven't seen Danzo. By the way, how did he end up in the Land of Grass?"

"He was invited, of course!" Akihiko replied with an earnest tone.

"I see, captured? That explains it. But did you take care of our guest properly? Let's not have any complaints," Hanzo concluded, brushing off Akihiko's sincerity.

"Rest assured. Kakuzu is personally taking care of him. It's all arranged perfectly," Akihiko replied, unperturbed by Hanzo's skepticism.

"Kakuzu? Well, then I can relax," Hanzo nodded, reassured by Akihiko's words.

…

"Esteemed guest?" Is this the treatment reserved for such dignitaries? Not to mention extravagant banquets, a decent meal would suffice. Instead, they handed him a military ration pill. Weren't they supposed to treat him well? Is this their attempt to win him over, possibly by undermining his deepest desires?

At this moment, Danzo silently scrutinized the military ration pill in his hand. Curses were on the verge of escaping his lips. The previous night, their enthusiasm was palpable. Yet today, they presented him with nothing more than this military ration pill. Are they hoping to capture his favor with such a gesture?

If this is the manner in which they conduct themselves, allowing someone of Danzo's stature—leader of ROOT, second in command of Konoha, and Konoha's Hokage Assistant—to align with them would be nothing short of a fantasy.

Nevertheless, even if they had laid out a lavish feast, he, Shimura Danzo, remains a steadfast "Konoha shinobi!" With nonchalance, Danzo tossed the military ration pill into his mouth.

As a seasoned shinobi, in such situations, ensuring optimal condition and energy is imperative. Even if this military ration pill is far from appetizing, discarding it is out of the question.

Speaking of which, He's not actually concerned about being poisoned. After all, if the intention is to recruit him, such treachery seemed unlikely. Moreover, there were advantages to this situation. At the very least, he no longer needed to fear for his life. The leader of the Grass Village wouldn't kill him in their efforts to recruit him.

Having consumed the unpalatable military ration pill, Danzo clasped his hands together and let out a sigh, declaring, "I will never betray Konoha."

However, as soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice chimed in from outside the door. "Betray? Betray what?" echoed the voice.

Danzo's eyes narrowed as he turned to spot three familiar figures: the leader of the Grass Village, the leader of the Rain Village, and the finance minister of the Grass Village.

Wearing a somewhat disdainful smile, Danzo remarked, "I knew you would come!"

"A guest like you… certainly cannot be neglected." Akihiko nodded in agreement.

"I didn't expect to see you again," sighed Hanzo at the side."Visit our Rain Village sometime too."

Danzo fell silent at these words. Visit the Rain Village? Could it be that not only had the leader of the Grass Village set his sights on him, but the leader of the Rain Village also harbored intentions to recruit him?

Danzo gazed at the two individuals before him, his eyes filled with complexity, and then let out a cold snort, "I won't go anywhere. Stop dreaming!"

His attention shifted to Akihiko. "What a clever calculation. I never expected the Fourth Hokage's wife to not perish but instead reside in the Grass Village. It appears you had your sights set on Konoha's Jinchuriki long before."

"Set sights? Why phrase it so unpleasantly? You're aware that the Grass Village and Konoha are allies. How could we engage in such actions?" Akihiko shook his head with emotion, then sighed, a hint of sadness in his tone. "I simply want to prevent tragedies in the ninja world. Let the mother and son reunite. Moreover, now as a father myself, I can't bear such human tragedies the most."

"Allies? Only someone like Hiruzen would buy into such words." Unhesitatingly tearing apart the facade of camaraderie between the two villages, Danzo spoke with cold resolve, "This time... you've crossed the line, Grass Village!"

After all, that was Konoha's Jinchuriki, the village's Strongest weapon. To have the audacity to snatch Konoha's Jinchuriki? Regarding this matter, Hiruzen would undoubtedly not take it lightly.

Yet, he pondered whether Hiruzen was aware that his Hokage Assistant had also been captured once again. Danzo sighed once more, casting a complex gaze upon Akihiko. His plans had taken an unexpected turn. Moreover, he speculated that by now, Hiruzen must be grappling with a considerable headache too.

However, Akihiko found Danzo's complex expression unsettling. What was Danzo up to? Why this scrutinizing gaze again? Was it resentment over being captured once more, fueling his anger?

Contemplating this, Akihiko also clasped his hands, sighed with a touch of emotion, and spoke with a somewhat melancholic tone, "I never anticipated our reunion in such circumstances. You should be aware that within all of Konoha, you are the one I hold in the highest regard. Shimura Danzo, only you..."

Before he could finish, a calm voice from Danzo interrupted, "I understand."

Akihiko's words were promptly stifled once more. He turned, blinking at Danzo, who was fixedly staring at him. Did Danzo already grasp the situation? Was there no need to deceive him with the prospect of financial gain?

Before Akihiko could speak, Danzo continued, "But don't entertain wishful thinking."

After all, As a Konoha shinobi, bearing the darkness of the village, how could he betray Konoha? "This is impossible!"

"Impossible? How do you know it's impossible if you don't try?" Akihiko inquired curiously. After all, what harm was there in exchanging him for money?

"I say it's impossible because I am Shimura Danzo!" Danzo declared with conviction in his voice.

'So what if you're Shimura Danzo?' Akihiko looked perplexed at Danzo's statement. In any case, he had no intention of harming him; he simply wants to secure money in exchange for Danzo. As for anything else? No thanks. After all, Danzo would prove most valuable only when he returned to Konoha.

Akihiko sighed once more, gazing sincerely at Danzo. "Rest assured, after some time, we guarantee to safely send you back."

"You think such trivial tricks could fool me?" Danzo snorted in response to Akihiko's words.

"What tricks?" Akihiko asked, genuinely curious and unsure about what deception Danzo was alluding to.

"Are you still pretending to be ignorant?" Danzo sneered, turning his head away from Akihiko. "You don't understand me at all."

'Understand you?' Akihiko looked puzzled by his words.

"So be it. Are you still attempting to play mind games with me at this point?" Danzo stared at Akihiko, his gaze sincere. "Even if you got my body, you can never get my heart!"

The three present were left stunned. Hanzo and Kakuzu turned their silent gazes towards Akihiko. Indeed, he deserves to be the leader… he likes a lot of things.

Startled, Akihiko jumped in and exclaimed, "Don't talk nonsense! And why would I want your heart?"

"Hehe! Absurd! Even now, you still think I'm unaware?" Danzo looked at the frustrated Akihiko, sneering disdainfully. "You've been avoiding killing me all this time, merely aiming to recruit me, haven't you?"

'Who wants to recruit you?' Before the dumbfounded Akihiko could respond, Danzo continued with a smile on his face, "Of course... there might still be a way!"

His eyes narrowed, a glint of light flashing as if a revelation had struck him. "If you return the Jinchuriki, maybe there's still a chance."

As his words settled, Danzo stood alone, facing away from the three individuals. With hands folded and head held high, in the dim cell, he exuded an aura emblematic of the darker side of the ninja world.

However, at this moment, Akihiko looked at Danzo in speechless surprise. Why would they even consider that? The Grass Village didn't deserve to have someone like him. With a twitch of his mouth, Akihiko could only respond, "Thank you!"