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Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: There’s Something Wrong With Danzo!

After Jiraiya and Naruto left for their training, Sasuke lingered behind, staring at the distant path long after their figures had vanished. His eyes were solemn, lips drawn in a tight line.

Andrew stepped beside him and lightly knocked him on the head. "What's with the gloomy face? You act like he's left forever."

"Ow!" Sasuke winced, rubbing the sore spot. "Senior, is Jiraiya-sama really that strong?"

Andrew inwardly sighed. His recent upgrade had left his physical control a little off, and that flick had landed harder than intended. He made a mental note to dial it back next time.

"Strong? Of course he's strong," Andrew said with a smirk. "He's one of the legendary Sannin. In terms of battle prowess, very few in Konoha can stand against him—especially once he enters Sage Mode."

Sasuke frowned, conflicted. "That powerful, huh…"

He tried to mask the emotion, but Andrew could see right through it. Sasuke was proud, stubborn even, but the idea of Naruto gaining a head start gnawed at him.

"Worried Naruto might catch up to you?" Andrew asked casually, enjoying the way Sasuke's ears turned pink.

"No way! Naruto's too stupid," Sasuke declared, crossing his arms. "Even with a powerful teacher, I'm still going to be the strongest. I'm Uchiha Sasuke!"

Andrew chuckled but didn't argue. Let him talk. He was still underestimating Naruto—just like everyone used to.

Let's see how smug he is once Naruto signs the Mount Myōboku contract... Andrew mused, recalling the boost Sage Mode would give Naruto.

Thinking about Sage Mode reminded Andrew of his own curiosity—specifically, Senjutsu. Hashirama's power wasn't just Wood Style and raw chakra—it was also tied to his mastery of natural energy. Andrew was interested, but the Sage Body in the system shop cost a fortune in feedback points.

Speaking of points...

Time to go see Danzo.

Despite being a detestable figure, Danzo was a great source of feedback. Whether due to his extreme ambition, mental instability, or sheer stubbornness, his reactions generated valuable system rewards.

With a flicker, Andrew teleported using Flying Thunder God. He rarely used this technique openly—it was one of his trump cards. No need to advertise it until the day truly demanded it.

He reappeared just outside the Police Department's detention facility. Although the Uchiha operated the prison, ninja from other clans were also stationed here. Flying straight into the prison would raise too many questions, so Andrew chose to enter properly.

Inside, the atmosphere was still. Dimly lit corridors, the scent of damp stone, and the ever-present weight of silence pressed inward.

Danzo had been locked up for a while now. Despite repeated genjutsu bombardment from various Uchiha—including some of the clan's more sadistic members—he had somehow survived. No small feat, especially with his Sharingan and Hashirama cells deteriorating rapidly when Andrew last checked.

But now... there was something off.

When Andrew entered Danzo's cell block, he instantly felt it. The man sitting behind the bars was... stronger. Not in the traditional sense—but in the way his chakra no longer felt chaotic. His posture was more composed. The bandages around his arm seemed cleaner. His eyes, once bloodshot and frenzied, now gleamed with dangerous clarity.

Danzo opened one eye and immediately frowned when he saw Andrew. His gut dropped.

Damn it. Of all people, why is this devil here again?!

Andrew casually approached, eyes narrowing. The system's familiar ding of feedback points ticked up slightly—Danzo was still harboring resentment, it seemed.

"Danzo," Andrew said flatly. "What a pleasant surprise. You look well."

Danzo scoffed. "Uchiha Andrew, what do you want now? Come to gloat? To torment me again with your cursed eyes?"

Without warning, Andrew activated Mangekyō Sharingan. Danzo twitched violently, seizing for a moment before falling limp against the wall.

The feedback point total barely nudged upward.

"Tch. Lame. Barely thirty thousand points," Andrew muttered, disappointed. But as he examined Danzo closely, a deeper concern took root.

There's definitely something wrong here.

Last time, Danzo's body had been deteriorating. The Sharingan implanted in his arm had become unstable, unable to contain the Hashirama cells anymore. His own chakra system had been weakening by the day.

But now? Now his body was stable. The Hashirama cells weren't rampaging—they were dormant. Balanced.

That shouldn't be possible.

The Uchiha didn't stop tormenting him. That much was certain. So how had Danzo managed to suppress the Hashirama cells?

Andrew narrowed his eyes.

"Someone's been helping you."

Danzo didn't respond—he couldn't. Not while under Andrew's genjutsu. But even unconscious, the evidence was obvious. The old bastard had received some kind of external help.

A chill ran down Andrew's spine. Orochimaru. It had to be him.

The last time Andrew visited, Danzo had still been on the verge of collapse. But now? Now he was recovering. Rapidly.

Andrew straightened, suppressing the urge to kill him right there.

No… not yet. There's still use in him.

From a narrative standpoint, Danzo was too influential to waste so early. His existence kept tensions high between the Hokage faction and the Uchiha. More importantly, his downfall—when it came—needed to be public, humiliating, final.

He wanted Third Hokage to be the one to pull the trigger. That was the only way to make it stick.

But that required careful planning. Danzo couldn't be allowed to die quietly in a cell. He had to fall from grace.

Andrew turned to leave. "Enjoy your recovery, Danzo. It won't last long."

Meanwhile, news reached the Hokage office: Tsunade had left the Uchiha compound and was en route to the Daimyō's mansion.

Third Hokage finally allowed himself a sigh of relief.

Told you, he thought smugly. She may have joined Uchiha for now, but in her heart, she's still one of us. My disciple.

He shot a glance at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had been nagging him nonstop about Tsunade's allegiance.

Koharu crossed her arms. "She may have agreed to speak with the Daimyō, but her alignment is unclear. She's spent far too much time in Uchiha territory."

"Her attitude toward the village has grown cold," Homura added. "She's ignored every attempt to meet with you, Hiruzen. That's not a good sign."

Hiruzen frowned but didn't respond immediately.

It was true—Tsunade hadn't come to the Hokage Tower once since returning. All meetings had been deflected, postponed, or outright declined. She had buried herself in training Uchiha medics, shutting out everyone else.

"She's still bitter," Hiruzen admitted at last. "And I don't blame her. The Council rejected her idea for a dedicated medical corps. Nawaki died on the battlefield because we didn't listen. That scar doesn't fade."

"You still think letting her wander unchecked is wise?" Koharu asked sharply.

"What else should I do? Try to force her back? She's not a tool. Besides, she's doing what we asked—meeting the Daimyō."

Koharu clicked her tongue in frustration. Homura remained silent but looked similarly discontent.

They had their reasons. Tsunade represented the last living legacy of the Senju clan. If she sided with Uchiha long-term, it would tip the political balance of Konoha in a dangerous direction.

She wasn't Danzo—easy to isolate, easy to discredit. Tsunade had the people's respect. Their admiration. Her betrayal would hurt.

Hiruzen understood that better than anyone. That's why he hadn't pushed harder. But the longer she remained with Uchiha, the more uncertain her future became.

He exhaled heavily. "I'll handle it... when the time comes."

Back at the harbor terminal construction site, Andrew stood silently, watching workers reinforce steel frames and concrete walls.

Danzo was plotting something. Orochimaru had moved in the shadows.

Tsunade was drifting away from the village.

And Naruto and Sasuke were beginning their climb toward power.

The pieces were all on the board now. The next few moves would define the future of the entire ninja world.

Andrew's eyes narrowed.

And this time, he wouldn't be caught off guard.

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