"Lord Emiya will be leaving Konoha." The higher-ups of Konoha had already determined that this was bound to happen. However, no one could find a reason to make him stay.
Before leaving, he had been wholeheartedly staying in Konoha Hospital, and had also left behind some valuable medical experience. Even the assistant who had been monitoring him felt somewhat ashamed.
Of course, Senju Tobirama would certainly not have such emotions. Before Hashirama's lifespan issue was resolved, he knew he bore the responsibility of Konoha. He would only choose plans that were beneficial to the village.
On Konoha's Training Ground No. 3, two boys stood. They were the young Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, who had emerged victorious in Tobirama's special training. Just like in their academy days, they had become each other's final opponents.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said with a sincere expression, "this match, let's keep it to a touch. I don't want to hurt you."
"You think you're sure to win?" Danzo gritted his teeth, his face full of anger. "Hiruzen, don't underestimate people! I won't lose to you this time!"
The outcome is not yet known, and this monster is already declaring victory?
In the past, he had indeed lost more than he had won. However, this time was different.
As Tobirama gave the order to begin, Danzo immediately rushed forward, slashing with his ninja sword.
"Still so impatient..." Hiruzen smiled and shook his head, throwing two shuriken from the left and right. But Danzo knocked one away with his sword and blocked the other with the hilt. He had long seen how excellent Hiruzen's shuriken technique was.
Everyone had to admit, Hiruzen was a true top student. Though his personality was jumpy, his fundamentals were solid.
Clang!
Hiruzen drew a kunai and blocked Danzo's slash. The ninja sword slashed three times, but was completely blocked by that kunai.
"You've also practiced swordsmanship..." Danzo looked at his companion with hatred.
"Just some basic swordsmanship," Hiruzen didn't boast. The short kunai in his hand turned and twisted, fighting back and forth with the long blade. Obviously, this was a form of modesty, which made Danzo lose some face.
The ninja sword attacked quickly, forcing Hiruzen back. In that instant, he opened his mouth and spat out a sharp strand of Wind Style ninjutsu. "Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"
The jutsu was released extremely insidiously. Even though Hiruzen quickly tilted his head back, his hair was still cut.
"That's too dangerous!" the boy with glasses standing next to Tobirama said, watching with unease.
"Monkey can definitely dodge it," Tobirama was unconcerned. "A battle between ninjas is never a gentle game of house. It's a fight where one mistake can cost you your life."
Of course, he was confident he could stop the fight if it got too serious. But he also realized Danzo's fighting style was a bit too aggressive, to use such insidious methods against a companion.
"Wind Style: Shuriken!" A rhombus-shaped shuriken appeared between Danzo's fingers. He spat Wind Style chakra onto it and threw the swirling projectile.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!" A solid stone wall blocked it.
"Tch!" A hint of disdain appeared on Danzo's face. He charged at high speed, leaping over the wall and slashing towards Hiruzen. A log was split in two. "Substitution Jutsu..."
His wrist was kicked, the ninja sword flying from his grasp. But he quickly retreated, grabbing his opponent's ankle and throwing him away.
"How unexpected, Danzo," Hiruzen flipped and landed. "Your reaction is much faster than before."
"I didn't waste the results of the special training," Danzo replied coldly, taking out a kunai. His chakra was not abundant. He had to force a close-quarters fight and use his final move.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sword!" He spat out a gust of wind which gathered on the kunai, forming an illusory sword. He charged again.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's cheating!" Hiruzen looked in surprise at the long sword, but could only draw his own kunai and rush up.
The two youths began a new, unprecedentedly fierce confrontation. However, the final result seemed no different from past battles. As the ninja recognized by the high-ranking officials as the most outstanding, Hiruzen, with his exquisite taijutsu and swordsmanship, crushed Danzo's last fantasy. His fist stopped in front of Danzo's eyes.
"It's over, Danzo." He had been lenient, insisting on using taijutsu to decide the winner.
"Hiruzen," Danzo raised his finger, a contemptuous smile on his lips. "Do you really think you've won?"
The next moment, a sudden change occurred. A black pattern appeared on Hiruzen's arm, spreading over his body and restraining his movements.
"Self-Cursing Seal," Tobirama's voice appeared in their ears. "A seal placed on the enemy when touched during a lull in the battle. When it is complete, the user can trigger it at any time, immediately restricting all of the enemy's movements." He expressionlessly announced the winner and loser.
"Monkey, you lost. You were too careless. You two, come with me. I will explain your next mission. This mission will very likely change the future of the entire Konoha, and even the ninja world."