Uchiha Renji was busy preparing for the opening ceremony of the new school, while Danzo was already on his way back.
Danzo's mood was foul beyond words. After months of meticulous planning, he had even seen the Seven-Tails with his own eyes, but then the Cloud shinobi appeared and ruined everything. The beast slipped away, flying into the distance.
Countless Root operatives died covering his retreat. The enemy suffered heavy casualties too, but these were Danzo's elites, trained at great cost.
All of that effort was wasted. The beast was gone. The Cloud shinobi had killed his mentor and now sabotaged his chance to seize a tailed beast. Danzo swore vengeance.
A sudden explosion from paper bombs signaled the beginning of an ambush. From that moment onward, Uchiha Renji's carefully prepared gauntlet became Danzo's nightmare road to survival.
A dozen subordinates fought to cover him as he withdrew. The Root shinobi at the rear gave their lives to delay pursuit, until at last Danzo broke free with barely more than ten men left. Even then, ambushes from mercenaries and rogue ninjas plagued them. His forces dwindled one by one until, nearing Konoha, he had only two Root agents remaining.
That was when Renji's final obstacle appeared, Kakuzu, the mercenary who only recognized money.
The battle was brutal, and Danzo would have died there if not for the timely arrival of Jiraiya. Thanks to him, Danzo barely escaped with his life, though Root was all but annihilated. Kakuzu delivered two severed heads to Renji as proof of services rendered.
Reading the detailed report, Uchiha Renji could only sigh. "This old dog's life is too damn tough. Even after hiring every organization in the ninja world, I still couldn't kill him. Jiraiya, why did you have to meddle? Couldn't you just stay in some hot spring peeking at women instead of showing up in the wilderness?"
At least Root was crippled. For the time being, "Danzo the Runner" could no longer stir up storms. But Renji resolved to find the location of every Root base and dismantle them one by one. Danzo could not be underestimated. Constant vigilance was necessary.
To remind himself, Renji wrote a single character and hung it prominently in his home. Every time he saw it, he remembered Danzo and the warning it carried.
Once again, reality proved a simple truth: heavy rewards bring forth brave men. Money would be his weapon. He would bury Danzo in it if necessary.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi visited his old teammate in the hospital. Danzo lay swathed in bandages like a mummy. The Third Hokage had initially been irritated, but seeing his friend so broken tempered his feelings.
"Danzo, rest and recover. I won't let this go unanswered. Whether Cloud shinobi or those who attacked you, I will see justice done," Hiruzen said softly.
Danzo only felt bitter humiliation. To hunt for decades and end up blinded by his prey, the shame was unbearable.
Seeing his silence, Hiruzen did not press. He knew Danzo's pride. This blow would drive him into a frenzy, and further provocation might push him to recklessness.
"Rest well. I'll return another day," Hiruzen said, patting the bed frame before leaving.
Inside, Danzo seethed. To him, even Hiruzen seemed to be mocking him. Rage burned as he swore: I will not stop until I destroy them all. My name is Shimura Danzo.
As the Third walked back toward the Hokage Tower, he sighed. Root had been gutted, Uchiha remained unbroken, and Orochimaru had been entangled with them. Nothing had gone as planned. It reminded him of his early days as Hokage, when he had been young and supported by Danzo, Koharu, Homura, and even Kagami. Now, those days were gone comrades dead, others old. The responsibility still weighed heavily on him. For Konoha, he would endure.
That same bright morning, children gathered on the training field of the new academy. From a distance came a procession, escorting a pale-skinned man with long black hair, his presence strange and alluring. It was Orochimaru.
On the platform stood a handsome young man with short hair. Uchiha Renji stepped forward and addressed the crowd.
"Today may seem like an ordinary day. But you, each of you, can make it extraordinary.
Today marks the birth of our academy. Today you step out of your homes and into the classroom. Today is the beginning of a path away from poverty and toward prosperity. Today you leave behind the past and walk toward the future.
Do you see the words behind me? Compassion, Independence, Diligence, Progress. Remember them well. They will be your guiding light.
This is the foundation for your better lives. Do not forget why you came here. Only by remembering your original purpose can you see your journey through.
During your studies, don't ask your teachers useless questions like 'What's the point of learning this?' Success is built on countless bricks of 'what's the use.'
What use is one plus one equals two? What use is learning letters for computer programming? What use is history? Chemistry? You may think none of it matters for hauling bricks, but for becoming someone of worth, for living better, for achieving your dreams, they are everything.
Think of your parents. Think of your past lives. Think of your children yet to come. Do you want them to live the same way, generation after generation?
Work hard, young people! For your dreams, for your descendants, burn your passion and fight forward. With your hands, build a brighter future!"
The children roared in applause, their spirits ignited.
Renji motioned for calm and continued. "Now, let us welcome our dean, Orochimaru-sensei, to say a few words."
With a Body Flicker, Orochimaru appeared atop the stage. He had not wanted to speak, but Renji had begged him all morning, even drafting notes for him. And truth be told, he had been stirred by Renji's words. He decided he would indeed say something.
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