Chapter 5: Danzo's Death
Shimura Danzo laughed maniacally. Legs shattered, body broken, he crawled like a dying dog, leaving behind a trail of blood and shredded flesh. Every scrape of his ruined limbs against the rough ground sent waves of agony through him—but none of it mattered. Before him stood the unmoving form of Uchiha Raizen, and Danzo's twisted grin grew wider with every agonizing inch forward.
"Hahaha! Such power... such overwhelming strength—it's all mine now! Hahaha!!!"
His voice cracked from elation. Moments ago, he had unleashed Kotoamatsukami, believing he'd enslaved Uchiha Raizen. With a weapon like this—this terrifying monster—he would be unstoppable. No enemy could resist him. No ambition was too far. Hokage? Why not take it now? The entire Shinobi world would bend to him!
"Hurry! Hurry! Give me your eyes! Give me your eyes!!!"
Danzo grovelled forward, blood pooling around his ruined knees. He clawed at the ground, raising his trembling hands toward Raizen's face like a starving beast begging for scraps.
Then Raizen's eyes opened.
Danzo froze.
Those cold crimson eyes were not filled with submission—but amusement. Cruelty.
Raizen tilted his head slightly, a smirk creeping across his face.
Boom!
Without warning, Raizen's foot came crashing down. Danzo shrieked, trying to scurry backward like an insect, but the shadow of death loomed large.
"No! No! You're under my control! Give me your eyes! The technique should work! How is it not working?! NOOO—"
Crack!
Danzo's scream was cut short as Raizen's foot pulverized him. Blood and bone sprayed the ground.
"Danzo-sama!"
A handful of surviving Root ANBU gasped in horror before charging toward Raizen in blind rage.
He didn't even flinch. With a wave of his hand, they were crushed, swatted like insects. Screams echoed for a moment—then silence.
But just then, a faint flicker shimmered. Another Danzo darted away from the carnage.
"Hehe… I will live… Konoha needs me! It can't go on without me!"
Danzo had used Izanagi, sacrificing one of his Sharingan to alter reality and escape death. Blood gushed from his eye socket, but he didn't care. He had one chance.
He sprinted toward the village, hoping to reach reinforcements in time.
"Oh? Izanagi? Danzo, you still think you can escape me?"
Raizen's voice echoed through the night, booming like thunder.
Meanwhile, the noise had already drawn the attention of nearby Konoha shinobi. Teams of ANBU and patrol forces sped toward the Uchiha compound. As they neared, they saw Danzo—bloodied, panicked, half-dead—staggering through the street.
"Danzo-sama?!"
Some recognized him immediately.
"Help me! Help me, you fools!!!"
He shouted with desperation, hope flashing in his eyes.
BOOM!
A massive hand—part of Raizen's colossal, demonic Evil Susanoo—snatched Danzo mid-run.
"No! You can't do this! Killing me is an act of war against Konoha! Hiruzen will never forgive you! Let me go—name your price!"
Raizen said nothing.
Crunch.
The Susanoo's fingers clenched.
Danzo Shimura, the shadow manipulator of the village, was crushed into a lifeless husk.
"Danzo-sama!"
The surrounding Konoha ninja stared in disbelief. One of their elders had just been killed. No more hesitation—they charged at Raizen.
Swish!
Chains of blue and violet chakra erupted from Raizen's Susanoo, writhing like serpents. The first wave of attackers was caught instantly. Screams filled the air as their life force was drained in seconds.
These were the Chains of the Evil God—part of Raizen's twisted Susanoo. They didn't just bind; they consumed, devouring chakra, life, and willpower. Boundless in length and virtually indestructible, the chains responded to Raizen's will alone.
One by one, the attackers fell—mummified shells of themselves. Blood and dust filled the air.
"What… what is this monster?!"
A young chunin dropped his kunai, his eyes wide in horror.
Raizen hovered mid-air, laughing. His eyes glowed with murderous joy, the battlefield a playground of death.
---
That same night, deep within the Hokage Residence, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat quietly in his study. He couldn't sleep.
He sipped warm tea and puffed his pipe, staring blankly at a scroll detailing Root's latest movements.
"The Uchiha clan... They've been restless. I hope Itachi does not disappoint."
He remembered the boy who once spoke with the maturity of a Kage at only seven years old. A genius, molded for sacrifice.
As for Danzo… Hiruzen smiled faintly. That man was both an asset and a liability. Most of his questionable acts were never ordered, but always 'understood.'
Danzo did what Hiruzen could not say aloud. And if it ever backfired… well, he could always cut ties.
Tonight, however, something felt different.
He turned his gaze to the distant horizon, the direction of the Uchiha compound.
Smoke.
Screams.
Even from here, the echoes of death reached him.
The Third Hokage's expression finally changed.
"What… have you done, Danzo?"