The battle was over.
With all clans and ninja fighting as one, every invader who dared step into Konoha had been completely wiped out.
It wasn't that Konoha's forces didn't know the value of taking prisoners for interrogation. But once the enemy realized defeat was inevitable, they chose death over capture—determined not to let any secrets slip from their lips.
Such is the fate of a ninja. Failure in a mission often comes hand in hand with death.
"Reporting to Hokage-sama and the Commander."
"All enemy forces have been annihilated. Due to their fierce resistance, no survivors were captured."
"Judging by the nature of their ninjutsu, we cannot determine their identities. Fire Release, Earth Release, Water Release, Wind Release, and Lightning Release—all were used. None of the corpses carried forehead protectors, making identification nearly impossible."
"Over a thousand enemies were eliminated in this battle!"
"..."
Listening to Kakashi's report, Minato placed a hand on Hakken's shoulder.
Konoha had defended its home at the smallest cost possible. But this victory meant more than just protection—it marked a rebirth.
That unity and unshakable resolve were the true embodiment of the Will of Fire.
Amidst the flames of war, the First Shinobi Village had been reborn. Every member of this true village faced death without fear, charging forward to shield their comrades. That very spirit was enough to crush any enemy.
The report went on.
The Nine-Tails had fainted, but the incident was not yet over. While the ninja worked to clean up the aftermath, Hakken's gaze turned toward Hokage Rock.
"Danzō, it seems I've won this game after all."
The final shogi piece fell. Hiruzen smiled as he lit his pipe.
It had been an intense match. Even now, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart was still pounding.
The siege. The chaos. The Nine-Tails breaking free.
And now, as the fires of war finally died down, the cheers rising from Konoha's center told him the final result.
Konoha was still Konoha.
Danzō stayed silent, his expression dark and grim.
Defeated. He had never expected such an outcome.
Even with his careful planning, the operation had failed. The Madara Uchiha who contacted him had promised it would be foolproof.
Danzō stood, intending to leave.
But Hiruzen flickered in front of him, blocking his path.
"You can't leave."
Setting down his pipe, Hiruzen spoke calmly.
"It's over, Hiruzen."
"I admit defeat, but in their hands, this Konoha will fall someday," Danzō said coldly.
"Indeed, the battle is over. But there are still things you haven't explained," Hiruzen replied, his tone serious.
"Tell me—what exactly have you done?"
What had he done?
Maybe the sting of failure had dulled his mind. Or maybe he simply believed Hiruzen couldn't touch him.
He suddenly laughed.
"Hiruzen, Hiruzen… you really don't know what I've done all these years?"
"Why only Tsunade remains of the Senju clan? Why Sakumo Hatake died? What Orochimaru's been researching?"
"You already know all of it."
Madness gleamed in Danzō's eyes. He knew that from this moment on, he would never rise again.
But that didn't stop him from venting his hatred toward Hiruzen.
He was provoking him—counting on Hiruzen's mercy.
"You're not fit to be Hokage!"
"I dwell in darkness. I am Konoha's root!"
"Everything I've done was for the village!"
"To correct Konoha's path, I would cooperate with other ninja villages if that's what it takes."
Danzō's voice was cold and resolute.
"I'm not afraid to tell you."
"Among the ninja who besieged Konoha, aside from those from other villages, my Root Division also took part. Our goal was to reclaim the village's Two-Tails Jinchūriki—but we failed."
"I knew everything from the beginning. Every step was planned!"
He had actually turned against the village.
Hiruzen stared blankly at his old comrade. The change in him was something Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to accept.
"Now, I've told you everything I needed to."
With a mocking smile, Danzō stepped toward Hiruzen.
"But can you really strike me down?"
"Hiruzen, Hiruzen… your weakness has doomed Konoha to destruction. You were never fit to be Hokage!"
Repeating his earlier words, Danzō suddenly felt a wave of satisfaction.
"Just like now—you won't lay a hand on me."
"You'll let me go, covering this darkness beneath the light of day."
"After all, this isn't the first time you've done something like this. Just like when you stood by and watched Orochimaru slaughter countless ANBU, then let him walk away."
Letting Orochimaru go...
Hiruzen opened his mouth, pain twisting across his face. His grip on the pipe loosened.
Could I do it?
Could I expose everything? Would I once again let it all go—just like with Orochimaru?
Sensei… if it were you, what would you do?
Hiruzen's body trembled. He wanted to turn and attack Danzō, but when the moment came, his resolve faded.
This man was his comrade of decades—closer even than Orochimaru had been.
"Everything I've done was for the village!"
Brushing past Hiruzen, Danzō strode forward like a madman, shouting again.
Those words made a spark flash in Hiruzen's eyes.
He gripped his kunai tightly and turned.
But before he could speak, something changed.
A pair of crimson Sharingan eyes appeared before Danzō.
Shisui Uchiha!
The key pawn placed here by Hakken to watch over Hiruzen and Danzō. Once a member of Root Division.
"No!"
Shisui's furious shout rang out as memories of his time in Root came flooding back.
"Everything you did wasn't for the village—it was for the Hokage's seat!"
"No one has the right to claim they're protecting the village while turning against its own people! That's what my captain taught me!"
"Danzō, your Root was wrong—and it was Hakken who pulled me out of that mistake!"
Clenching his fists, Shisui's anger surged to its peak.
He had heard every word they'd said.
For the village, the Senju clan was destroyed?
For the village, the respected Sakumo Hatake died?
For the village, Root now dares to attack Konoha itself?!
Taking a deep breath, Shisui's expression hardened.
"It isn't the current Root that protects the village. The true will of Konoha will be inherited by the Night Owl."
"Now, you will come with me to face Hokage-sama and the Captain to confess your crimes!"
The three tomoe in his eyes began to spin, and the newborn Mangekyō radiated an overwhelming pressure.
Shisui stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Shisui, from Team Night Owl, reporting!"
"Danzō—you're under arrest!"
...
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