Chapter 36
Meanwhile…
"Lord Danzo, Lord Hokage requests your presence for a discussion."
The ANBU who had rushed over directly blocked the departing Danzo, dropping to one knee and speaking respectfully.
"The ANBU captain? It seems Sarutobi really cares about the Uzumaki survivors—sending even you."
Danzo narrowed his eyes, sizing up the masked shinobi before him, his tone heavy.
The cat-faced mask completely concealed the man's features, revealing only a head of short silver-white hair. This was none other than Sakumo Hatake—the man known throughout the ninja world as Konoha's White Fang.
"Hmph. Lead the way."
With a flick of his sleeve, Danzo gave a cold snort and ordered.
…
Hokage Tower
After guiding Danzo to the Hokage Tower, Sakumo left. Danzo, face dark, made his way toward the Hokage's office.
Knock knock knock
This time, Danzo knocked politely. After all, he was in the wrong in this matter.
Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was focused on paperwork. Hearing the knock, he looked up, rubbed his temples, and called out:
"Come in!"
Click
The door opened. Danzo entered expressionlessly.
"Danzo, you're here."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, looking at the familiar figure as if inviting him for casual conversation.
"Cut the pleasantries. What do you want?"
Danzo's brows furrowed tightly. His mood was already terrible today—he had no patience for small talk with Hiruzen and got straight to the point.
"You just tried to take the two Uzumaki survivors, didn't you?"
Knowing Danzo well, Hiruzen could tell he was in a foul mood. He went directly to the heart of the matter, eyes carrying a trace of reproach.
"You already know, don't you? Then why ask?"
"Hmph. I told you long ago—don't touch those two Uzumaki girls. Was it just because your proposal got rejected in the meeting today? Did you have to go this far and try to abduct the Uzumaki survivors just to vent your anger?"
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk and stood up, pointing at Danzo in accusation.
The ANBU who had come to report had explained everything in detail: Danzo had deliberately gone after the Uzumaki survivors.
In Hiruzen's eyes, Danzo was simply lashing out after losing face in the meeting—trying to get back at him by targeting the girls.
"I…"
Danzo frowned, about to explain—when another stern voice came from outside the door.
"Exactly, Danzo. You're not a child anymore. Why act so petty? You even dared target the last remnants of Lady Mito's clan."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two advisors, walked in.
"Isn't this all for Konoha's sake? All the other ninja villages are already making moves—recruiting troops, mass-producing weapons. You know what that means."
"I proposed in this morning's meeting that Konoha should strike first. With our current resources and terrain advantage, we could easily wipe out one village in half a month. But none of you listened."
"When the other villages finally react and surround us—what will you do then?"
"Right now, I just want to personally train an obedient Nine-Tails jinchūriki—giving Konoha a top-tier deterrent force to intimidate the other villages. And even after all that, you still try to stop me."
Danzo ground his teeth, unleashing all his pent-up frustration, leaving Hiruzen and the two advisors speechless.
At this moment, he no longer cared about explaining Hiruzen's earlier accusations. He just wanted to vent all the resentment from the meeting.
Since you three won't give me any face, I won't hold back either, Danzo thought inwardly.
"With the Second Great Ninja War looming and unavoidable for Konoha, we should…"
…
Leaving aside the scene at the Hokage Tower where Danzo was single-handedly arguing against the Hokage and both advisors—
Things were much more relaxed on Ling Yu's side.
Ling Yu and Kushina arrived at the ramen shop first and reserved a table. Then Ling Yu used Space Power to bring Tsunade and Mikoto over.
The four of them happily enjoyed ramen together.
"Mikoto, let me tell you—Ling Yu is such a coward! Earlier, some middle-aged guy…"
Kushina's personality was naturally loud and boisterous. Now that she had become friends with Mikoto, her true self came out completely.
While eating ramen, she kept trash-talking Ling Yu to Mikoto beside her—completely ignoring the angry glare from the person in question sitting across from them.
Thanks to Ling Yu's "mutual sympathy" plan, Kushina had completely dropped her guard around Mikoto. After apologizing to her, the two had become like close sisters.
The speed of Kushina's attitude change left even Ling Yu stunned.
"Really? Kushina, you're so amazing!"
Playing along with Kushina's performance, Mikoto put on an expression of exaggerated surprise.
"Hehe, it's nothing special."
Kushina scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed.
"By the way, Mikoto, that necklace you're wearing is so pretty! Where did you buy it?"
Not long after, Kushina noticed the accessory again.
"This? Ling Yu gave it to me before."
Mikoto gently lifted the necklace, a soft, tender expression on her face.
"Ling Yu! Ling Yu! Do you have any more of these necklaces?"
Hearing it was from Ling Yu, Kushina immediately jumped to his side, looking at him expectantly.
"Nope. The one I gave Mikoto is the only one."
With a casual push, Ling Yu sent her back, speaking indifferently.
Hmph. You just called me a coward earlier, and now you want something from me? Think I don't have a temper?
"Hmph. Stingy."
Kushina made a face at him, then ran back to Mikoto's side to whisper secrets.
"Ling Yu, who was that guy chasing you earlier? Did he really make you run away?"
Not joining the girls' conversation, Tsunade leaned close to Ling Yu's ear and asked curiously about the man who'd chased him—and whom he hadn't dared fight back against.
"You know him too. That sinister old bastard—Danzo."
"What?!"
Tsunade exclaimed in shock. She looked at Kushina with eyes full of admiration.
She never expected Kushina to be so bold—even daring to curse Danzo. Thankfully Ling Yu had been with her, or Kushina might have been taken away directly.
"Then why did Danzo try to grab Kushina? What does he want with her?"
Tsunade asked, still curious.
"Not sure. But we need to be more careful around him from now on. This time, he might even have his eyes on me."
Ling Yu gave a subtle warning.
He didn't explain the reason to Tsunade. After all, the matter of the Nine-Tails was better left unmentioned.
He couldn't exactly say that Mito wouldn't last many more years, and Danzo wanted to capture the Uzumaki survivors to train them into emotionless jinchūriki.
No matter what, Tsunade would worry.
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