"By the way, Granny, when are we heading over there to check things out?"
Akaba asked.
"There" naturally referred to the current Uzumaki clan compound where the Uzumaki clan had settled after pledging loyalty to the Land of Fire, becoming ninja protectors of the daimyo.
Although they had lost a certain degree of freedom, their safety was fully guaranteed after this arrangement.
Of course,
The reason Akaba was so eager to ask was precisely because he just happened to have offed "Danzo" recently, and things were still heating up—he needed to stay under the radar to avoid potential retaliation.
After careful consideration, visiting the Uzumaki clan seemed like a perfect excuse.
Plus now that Mito Uzumaki had regained her peak strength, few people across the entire ninja world could threaten her. Even the Nine-Tails stayed obedient as a well-behaved grandchild, afraid of provoking Mito Uzumaki and getting permanently grounded.
"In two or three days. We need to inform the village first."
"Two or three days?"
Akaba felt a bit uneasy.
In two or three days, everything coming would already arrive. Was running away even necessary anymore?
Tsunade gave Akaba and Mito a strange look, suspicion creeping into her heart.
What kind of official response was this?
"I'm a jinchuriki—how can I just leave the village whenever I want? Besides, I didn't have time to deal with you before, but your teacher treated you quite well. Just what did you write about him in the manga anyway?"
Mito Uzumaki naturally understood Akaba's thoughts—trying to escape after causing trouble.
She knew Akaba inside out—the kid had guts when it came to big stuff, but would bolt at the first sign of minor trouble. Normally, she wouldn't have any problem leaving the village directly given her status.
Wife of the First Hokage, peak-strength Nine-Tails jinchuriki, one of the strongest sealing ninja in existence.
Who dares oppose her? Who could even think to say no?
Even Danzo had to give her some face—wouldn't dare obstruct too much, perhaps merely reminding her to "return promptly to reinforce Konoha if needed."
As for why specifically two or three days—
Based on her understanding of Akaba's plot progression, it would probably take only about two or three days before drawing "Danzo's" exit scene.
Though powerful, Danzo faced three opponents in Sasuke Uchiha's group, not just one—well actually, one plus an inactive Homura Mitokado.
Mito Uzumaki originally bore no personal grudge against Homura Mitokado—they were both students of Tobirama Senju, and she saw them as equals. However, the incident regarding forming Root previously really angered her.
It was precisely upon Mito Uzumaki's orders that Homura got "enlightened." His impression score plummeted so drastically that recovery became extremely difficult, especially since Homura Mitokado never got another chance to show his worth.
To this day, he was still stuck in that Anbu prison. Konoha also offered little opportunity for Homura Mitokado to shine except perhaps joining the front lines.
Actually, it was honestly the only path Homura could see forward.
The Anbu prison quarters didn't torment him—it merely placed him under house arrest, providing decent food and treatment. Apart from restricted freedom, conditions weren't much different from regular life outside.
However, as a goal-driven ninja, he clearly felt dissatisfied with his current situation.
Koharu Utatane became Medical Division Head!
So where does that leave me?!
Instead, he got demoted to regular elite jonin rank, no longer even an advisory elder.
Hatred brewed silently in Homura Mitokado's heart.
After prolonged deliberation, he eventually decided—he wanted to join the warfront.
Wasn't it obvious? Because Danzo had the strength and the rep to back it up.
If you've got enough strength, you can step right in and take someone's place.
Of course, that was just Homura Mitokado's personal belief.
Right now, Danzō sat expressionless before him, staring with his lone eye. After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly: "You want to join the battle?"
"Yes."
Hatred burned in Homura's eyes.
Danzō remained quiet for a while before sighing softly, "The times have changed. You don't know how serious things have become."
"Danzō, I've also returned from the battlefield. Don't insult my abilities."
Homura suddenly stood up, face flushed red.
"Neither Hiruzen nor I will grant you a command position. You may only participate as a regular Jonin. Otherwise, I won't release you from Anbu."
After saying that, Danzō rose, turned around, and prepared to leave the prison.
But before leaving, he paused briefly and looked back at Homura Mitokado once more.
This old comrade was furious, but Danzō had something unspoken—those who've been away from battle too long would inevitably fall out of touch with it.
Command?
He didn't want Homura to repeat Kozuke's tragedy.
War requires sacrifice, but pointless sacrifices must be avoided—at least this is what Danzō believed at the moment.
Leaving the prison, Danzō couldn't help thinking about his depiction in the manga.
Homura now resembled "him" so much.
If one truly has capability, why care about rank?
Unless forced into desperation, Homura had already lost the courage to fight with everything he had. He needed a real battle to awaken his courage and dormant blood.
As for whether Homura would die on the battlefield—
Well, dying would still make him a hero.
Power corrupts.
Danzō sighed. Perhaps without Madara interfering, he himself wouldn't have escaped being corrupted by power either, eventually turning into someone like Akaba's depiction in the manga.
Meanwhile, Akaba naturally didn't know what his teacher was thinking. When he returned from Mito Uzumaki, his clones had already completed all tasks.
They were still hanging out at a sushi shop, enjoying themselves—no need to dispel since their jobs were done.
Akaba didn't really mind.
What's the cost of eating sushi? The benefits shadow clones brought far exceeded that. Just considering drawing updates and compiling volumes, doing it alone without clones would've been completely exhausting.
Therefore,
he decided to look the other way.
To the villagers, watching multiple clones sitting in the sushi shop was quite a sight—no other ninja's clones ever behaved so mischievously.
Moreover, throughout the entire Ninja World, no other ninja used shadow clones for such purposes. In this aspect, Akaba was the very first—undoubtedly the originator.
Because right now, Naruto hadn't even been born yet, and even Naruto had been "created" by Akaba.
The manga kept getting sent to the factory.
This time the quantity was higher than yesterday, so it was delivered earlier to prevent overwhelming the workers later and forcing overtime. Luckily, Jiraiya was in the hospital recuperating and couldn't draw, so having only Akaba's manga made things easier.
Therefore,
the next day, just like usual, the manga were delivered around noon.
Due to increasingly regular delivery times from the factory, Akaba basically established a fixed update schedule now. People usually came during lunch hours to grab seats early and wait patiently, sometimes even ordering takeout food while waiting.
Of course, this place was for the wealthy.
Konoha had no shortage of rich folks. Many weren't even from noble clans but ran successful businesses. That's why the little teahouse always had a steady stream of customers. In reality though, not everyone could afford its prices.
Quite a few people made a living doing odd jobs and deliveries to support their families.
At noon, these runners often made quite a bit of cash.
But some didn't need ordinary runners—they had dedicated personal assistants, like The Third and Danzo.
The Third couldn't help grinning after reading the latest update. Danzo had finally reached this day—portrayed so pitifully and maliciously smeared by his very own Disciple.
Too bad he wouldn't get to see how "Danzo" dies today.
That part would've been hilarious.
What a pity—he'd have to wait another day.
"This damned kid! He always cuts off right at the most crucial moments. I really should lock him up and force him to draw faster."
Seated in his office, The Third couldn't help feeling slightly frustrated.
He knew full well—he couldn't keep that brat locked up even if he tried. Even sealing techniques might not work on Akaba unless Mito Uzumaki herself came personally.
But how could Mito Uzumaki ever turn against Akaba?
She was soft-spoken and kind, sure—but when it came down to her own versus outsiders, she'd always choose family. As long as Akaba committed no wrongdoing, nobody could ever make him suffer.
Unlike The Third who secretly enjoyed the situation,
Danzo was so furious upon seeing the full depiction of that hand that he nearly drew his sword—but then thought better of it and returned the blade to its sheath. Not because he had calmed down, but because Akaba's progress had surpassed his combat abilities entirely.
Yet retreating only made him angrier.
Though Danzo long knew his image in the manga wasn't great, and if certain plotlines continued developing, he would indeed become just that kind of character—
Knowing this was one thing; still being unable to accept it.
Why was The Third gloriously martyred while he, Danzo, seemed utterly powerless, getting crushed by a junior?
At least The Third died by Orochimaru's hand.
What about himself?
He became a stepping stone for Sasuke Uchiha, becoming an inseparable shining mark on Sasuke's glorious record—and chances were he wouldn't even manage a mutual kill.
Furthermore,
the "Danzo" in the illustrations looked too foolish—resorting to Izanagi for practically every skill. It wasn't like his legs were crippled or he couldn't move anymore. Had he forgotten all combat techniques accumulated during past wars?
He recalled his conversation with Homura Mitokado yesterday.
The "himself" depicted in the manga bore striking resemblance to Homura. Just like on the battlefield, making others unable to see clearly who he truly was—unaware of his actual capabilities. With such attitude going into battle, the outcome could only be death.
Thinking thus, he took the manga toward the prison.
Time to visit that old friend and see exactly what he planned to do next.
The manga had updated again.
Akaba waited for Danzo to storm in, but the anticipated showdown never came.
Too busy?
He felt a bit off-kilter. Previously, whenever his teacher got targeted, he would immediately stir up trouble.
Like assigning countless unreasonable tasks. This time, however, there wasn't a single reaction—it genuinely unsettled him.
You either blow your top in silence or get swallowed whole by it.
Which category did his teacher belong to?
Akaba couldn't figure it out.
But no matter what, he still had to post the chapter update. After creating Multiple Shadow Clones, he drew two chapters but quickly became frustrated and lost his motivation. Eventually, he made up an excuse and ditched it.
However, right after he left, he was immediately dragged into something against his will.
Orochimaru had come looking for him.
Ever since completing his research on Impure World Reincarnation, and having his memories sealed by Mito Uzumaki, Orochimaru had remained silent for a long time. But this time, his reason for seeking out Akaba was simple.
Duy could now enter the Gate of Opening on all seven gates.
Previously, Duy had also managed to enter the Gate of Opening on seven gates, but that was only possible through various enhancements such as the Bull Model Fruit, and even then, it caused severe aftereffects.
This time was different.
Nowadays, Duy had reached a point where entering the Gate of Opening on the seventh gate would not result in life-threatening injuries. As for the Seventh Gate within the Eight Gates system, Duy had successfully reduced its side effects to a manageable level.
Orochimaru wanted to put it to the test.
But who in the world could possibly block Duy's ultimate kick?
Only Akaba could possibly stand against it.
Because he possessed the Goro Goro no Mi, which allowed him to transform his body into lightning.
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