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The dimly lit broadcasting room was pitch black, but Midorima was having the time of his life, shouting loudly into the microphone.
For him, this was far more entertaining than fighting.
As for why he had come here, it wasn't on a whim—there was a definite reason.
After all, Midorima had lived with Danzo for some time and had gained a slight understanding of the man's personality.
To summarize, Danzo was ambitious, knew how to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses, and understood the value of patience—the latter traits could be summed up in a single word: turtle.
Whether a man like that feared death, Midorima wasn't sure, but he was certainly cautious about preserving his life.
Though "fearing death" and "valuing one's life" both meant "not wanting to die," there was still a subtle difference.
"Valuing one's life" meant Danzo would go to great lengths to protect himself, treating anyone who posed even a potential threat as a target.
With "Root" at his disposal, he would be a fool wouldn't use it.
This was also one of the reasons Danzo could afford to be so cautious.
So, after Tsunade and Shizune left the room, Midorima kept a close watch and, sure enough, spotted members of Root tailing Tsunade.
This was a classic case of "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the sparrow behind." Most likely, Root never expected that while they were following Tsunade, someone else was following them.
When Midorima saw Danzo hastily leave his temporary residence and enter the Hokage's office, he guessed something extremely awkward was about to happen.
Would Danzo be caught tattling?
Not exactly, but it would feel just as uncomfortable.
Midorima weighed both sides' strengths in his mind and realized there was no way Tsunade could outmaneuver Danzo—especially since Danzo still had Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Considering his current identity, Midorima couldn't intervene directly without making the situation even messier, so he came up with this plan instead.
On the surface, it looked like he was helping Danzo restrain Tsunade, but in reality, he was calling both the Uchiha and Hyūga clans to the scene.
Others might not act, but the Uchiha-led police force, already frustrated by their recent failures—and with the successive disappearances of Sasuke and Itachi weighing heavily on Fugaku's mind—would definitely come running at the first sign of trouble.
After that, it was up to Danzo to decide his next move.
Would he be captured? Or would he flee Konoha altogether?
Midorima kept shouting for three or four minutes, until even the village dogs were barking, before finally slipping out of the broadcasting room.
By now, the entire village was likely in chaos—and he couldn't just stand by.
Maybe I can dig up a few more things from Danzo's stash?
Whether it was money or other treasures, Midorima needed them all.
But what he really wanted was Hashirama's cells.
It would be a waste to have a Cell Research Lab without access to the First Hokage's cells.
Whether he had enough chakra to utilize them was one thing, but simply having them was another.
As the saying went: "I may not use it, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't have it."
As for Tsunade…
Please. Tsunade could survive being bisected and still stitch herself back together. Calling her a "cockroach" wouldn't even do justice to her sheer vitality.
But if Danzo was truly determined to kill her, then whether he could escape afterward was another matter entirely.
Hearing the commotion in the streets, Midorima melted into the night.
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Tsunade clenched her fists, bracing for Danzo's attack—but to her surprise, Danzo's mind was already racing at full speed, leaving no room to focus on her.
He stood at a crossroads, where every choice would determine his fate.
Keep fighting Tsunade?
If he failed to kill her, he'd end up in prison!
Run away?
Then everything he had built would be lost.
"Root," the Sharingan, Hashirama's cells, and…
The title of Hokage.
Fleeing meant giving all of that up.
Should he really run?!
At this moment, Danzo threw all caution to the wind.
"I know what you're thinking! But I haven't lost yet! Tsunade, you will die! I refuse to believe the current you can withstand the combined might of myself and the Hokage!"
If he ran, everything was over. But if he killed Tsunade, there was still a chance.
That's right—if Tsunade died, no one would ever know the Hokage had been controlled.
But this battle was stacked against him.
He had Hashirama's cells implanted in him, granting him Wood Release—but no one in Konoha knew that.
If he used Wood Release now, he'd have to explain where he got the cells.
After weighing his options, he could only rely on his signature technique: Wind Release.
Danzo formed hand seals, and a fierce gust of wind erupted inside the office. At the same time, the Third Hokage unleashed Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb.
The gale merged with the flames, rapidly expanding until scorching air filled the room. In moments, the entire office was engulfed in fire.
Tsunade covered her nose, her gaze darting behind her.
With the wall already collapsed, she could see outside clearly—but in that split second of distraction, the flames swallowed her whole.
Danzo didn't believe for a second that Tsunade would die so easily. The moment the fire consumed her, he lunged forward, aiming to impale her with his cane.
A cautious man like him would leave no openings.
"You want me dead?! You're the one who's going to die!"
A voice suddenly rang out from within the flames—followed by the sensation of his cane striking not flesh, but…
A wall?!
An entire section of the wall had been torn free, blocking the flames and now hurtling toward him.
Danzo barely dodged in time.
That woman had ripped a wall clean off and nearly crushed him with it.
With a thunderous boom, the floor gave way beneath the weight of the wall, sending flames tumbling down to the lower levels.
The fire spread rapidly.
Danzo gasped for air, already struggling to breathe.
Meanwhile, Tsunade, standing near the opening, was in a far better position.
"Damn it! That fool Hiruzen shouldn't have used Fire Release!" Danzo cursed. "Use Water Release and put out the flames!"
The Hokage began forming seals—but before he could finish, a torrent of water cascaded from above, dousing the fire.
Thick smoke instantly filled the air. Tsunade used the cover to leap onto a nearby building, while Danzo's Wind Release quickly dispersed the haze.
"Lady Tsunade! What… what's going on?!"
Below, Kakashi—who had just used Water Release—stared in shock at the scene before him.
"He's the traitor!"
"She's the traitor!"
Danzo and Tsunade pointed at each other simultaneously.
Kakashi was utterly lost. On one side was Tsunade; on the other, Danzo. Whichever one was the traitor, it was beyond shocking.
"Where's the Hokage?" Kakashi decided to seek out the most trustworthy figure.
"The Hokage is right here! Kakashi, kill Tsunade at once! She dared to attack the Hokage!" Danzo barked.
After using Kotoamatsukami, even activating the Mangekyō Sharingan was taxing for him.
After all, these eyes weren't his to begin with.
"Kakashi, Danzo has a Sharingan! He's controlling the Hokage!" Tsunade countered.
Kakashi turned back to Danzo. "Lord Danzo… do you really have a Sharingan?"
"I—"
Before he could answer, a crowd of shinobi began gathering in the streets—led by none other than the Uchiha clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.