The Underground was as black as night...
Footsteps echoed softly, growing closer.
Sarutobi Ryo saw countless paths branching out before him.
With Orochimaru leading the way, reaching the heart of Danzo's secret base was surprisingly easy.
"Have you contacted Jiraiya and Tsunade?"
Sarutobi Ryo asked, glancing at Orochimaru beside him.
Orochimaru noticed a change in the young man's voice, a subtle shift in his power.
Before, Sarutobi Ryo had always respectfully addressed him as Lord Orochimaru…
Normally, Orochimaru thought, I would teach Sarutobi Ryo a lesson for that.
But seeing the changes that had happened with Tsunade, Orochimaru suspected… this young man's power had increased dramatically.
Otherwise, he wouldn't dare call Tsunade by her given name so casually.
Knowing Tsunade's explosive temper, she would have reduced anyone else to dust with her Super Strength.
The fact that Sarutobi Ryo hadn't been beaten senseless and was still full of energy probably meant… his strength now rivaled or even surpassed Tsunade's.
Which meant...
Sarutobi Ryo was planning to influence who would become the Fifth Hokage.
Orochimaru's guess was right.
Once Danzo was taken care of, Sarutobi Ryo would start preparing the way for the Fifth Hokage.
Even though the Fourth Generation had only recently taken office, that wouldn't stop Sarutobi Ryo from planting the idea of the Fifth Generation in everyone's minds.
As everyone knew, those who were qualified to be considered for the position of Fifth Hokage were… Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sarutobi Ryo himself, and Namikaze Minato.
That left four contenders.
Among them, Jiraiya disliked political matters and could be easily dismissed.
If Sarutobi Ryo showed strength and power that surpassed Orochimaru and Tsunade, it would mean that, in everyone's eyes, Sarutobi Ryo's strength had surpassed even the Sannin.
That would make him… comparable to the legendary Konoha White Fang.
Such immense power, by all accounts, would clearly overshadow even Namikaze Minato.
Therefore, the choice for the Fifth Generation would become obvious.
Of course, Orochimaru was only speculating. He needed to see Sarutobi Ryo's true strength firsthand to be convinced.
And this mission…
On the surface, it was to have Orochimaru provide support.
But in reality, it was just to clear Orochimaru's name and have him act as a guide.
Sarutobi Ryo's real goal was to show Orochimaru just how powerful he had become.
That's right, Sarutobi Ryo was planning to take on Danzo alone this time.
Orochimaru was just an observer.
Soon, the two, talking as they went, arrived at the heart of Danzo's lair.
It was also the area where Danzo slept and worked.
The area was heavily guarded and patrolled by many Root Ninja.
Naturally, it was the most heavily defended area.
Seeing "Uchiha Kawahara" and Orochimaru appear, the Root Ninja nodded and immediately went to inform Lord Danzo.
But they didn't know…
Soon, Jiraiya and Tsunade would arrive here.
Before long, Hatake Sakumo and Sarutobi Hiruzen would also lead the Anbu to this location.
When that time came… it would be a perfectly orchestrated plan to send Danzo to his grave.
Sarutobi Ryo, who had been consistently trying to win over the Uchiha, had seen Konoha flourish under his guidance.
Now, Danzo's actions were clearly sabotaging that unity.
Therefore, Sarutobi Ryo had to cut the Gordian knot quickly…
Alright, he thought, I won't pretend anymore. I just can't stand Danzo, and since he conveniently gave me an opportunity this time, I'll just kill him.
As for who would control Root after Danzo's death…
There were two options.
One was himself… after all, he had plenty of darkness within him.
The other was Orochimaru… Orochimaru had taken over Danzo's responsibilities before, was good at research, and understood the times. He was also better at socializing and understanding human nature than Danzo.
Either way, Konoha could continue to function and even improve.
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Ryo silently waited for Danzo to appear.
Soon, Danzo walked out, dressed casually.
It was clear that Danzo was about to go to bed.
Even Ninja weren't invincible and needed sleep.
"Orochimaru?"
Seeing Orochimaru dressed in a ninja uniform, Danzo frowned.
Was he going out on a mission?
What was he doing here?
"Heh heh, Lord Danzo… I've come to tell you something…"
Orochimaru spread his hands and smiled.
"What is it?" Danzo asked, his face still stern and unsmiling.
Orochimaru said, "That is…"
"Your death has come."
Sarutobi Ryo, confident in his power, didn't bother wasting words with someone like Danzo.
It wasn't like talking to a righteous person, where there would be clashing thoughts and different ideas.
Sarutobi Ryo, now powerful, didn't feel the need to say anything more to Danzo.
The moment the disguise was broken, all the surrounding Root Ninja tensed up.
But people's minds always take time to react.
When they saw Sarutobi Ryo reveal his true face, their expressions were clearly confused.
Because they couldn't understand why Young Master Sarutobi Ryo was here.
And why… he was hostile to Lord Danzo.
People's brains needed time to process information.
Subconscious reactions could happen instantly.
But…
Sarutobi Ryo had suddenly barged in, revealed himself, and then announced that he wanted to kill Danzo.
This sudden change of events… couldn't be processed in just one second.
Therefore, when Sarutobi Ryo made his move, these Root Ninja were still bewildered.
The next second…
Sarutobi Ryo, having activated the Sixth Gate of the Eight Gates Formation, unleashed a Super Orthodox Fist.
"Rock Strike!"
How powerful was the strongest Body Art technique combined with the most powerful Forbidden Technique?
This punch was like firing a cannon at close range.
The shockwave, hitting from a distance, ignited the air and left trails of scarlet flames.
The air cannon, moving six times the speed of sound and covering a wide area, was enough to instantly turn any Ninja into mincemeat.
Of course, Danzo was a Kage-level Ninja, able to withstand most blunt force attacks.
Even so, the force was still enough to break his bones and make him vomit blood.
The terrifying speed of the punch gave Danzo no time to react, and he was instantly hit.
"Puh…!"
It wasn't until he spat blood and flew backward that he understood everything.
His deception as Uchiha Kawahara had been exposed.
And it was that brat Sarutobi Ryo who had discovered it.
Orochimaru had probably sided with the enemy.
Therefore…
Danzo crashed through more than a dozen walls and was buried in the ruins...
Only then did the Root Ninja wake up, as if from a dream.
They all gripped their weapons tightly, unsure of what to do.
After all, on one side was Lord Danzo.
On the other side was…
"Heh heh, those who don't want to die, don't move…"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes looked at everyone, warning them not to act rashly.
Because… this was a conflict among the Konoha Upper Echelon.
Insignificant pawns… should just watch quietly until the end.
The terrifying roar spread throughout the Underground.
Namikaze Minato and Senju Tobirama, who were in another location, naturally noticed what was happening…
*
**
***
[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 299 (Vol 2 Ch 241) (+94 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 335 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon
]