CHAPTER 260: DANZO CHAPTER ENDS!!!

Kitazawa and Tsunade had already left the outskirts of Konoha, their silhouettes fading into the dense forest of the Land of Fire.

"Where do you think Danzo will try to ambush us?" Tsunade asked evenly.

"I doubt he’ll resort to an ambush."

Kitazawa shook his head. "Someone like him prefers a direct approach. He’ll show himself."

"Oh?" Tsunade arched a brow. "And why’s that?"

’Because of Kotoamatsukami.’

Of course, Kitazawa couldn’t tell her that outright.

He smiled faintly. "Because, Lady Tsunade, you’re too powerful. If I were Danzo, I’d come bearing Hokage orders, wait for you to lower your guard, and then strike."

In the original timeline, Danzo had once used Kotoamatsukami to manipulate Mifune of the Land of Iron—right in front of the Five Kage, no less.

If not for Ao of the Hidden Mist exposing him, no one would have realized Mifune was under his control.

That was the true terror of Kotoamatsukami—silent and impossible to detect.

Tsunade’s lips curved upward, clearly pleased by his flattery. "You make a convincing point."

The two pressed forward through the forest path.

"Lady Tsunade, please stop!"

A sharp voice rang out behind them.

Tsunade glanced sidelong at Kitazawa. "Looks like you were right."

They turned.

Four masked Anbu operatives stood on the path. At their head—Danzo.

"Danzo," Tsunade said bluntly, "what are you doing here?"

Danzo’s expression darkened. "You think I want to be here? Hiruzen sent me with an urgent mission."

"Oh, really?" Tsunade’s skepticism was palpable. "With all the Jonin in the village, the Hokage sends you—a retired one?"

"I haven’t retired!" Danzo snapped. "I’m still a Hokage Advisor!"

"Well, you were," Tsunade said coldly. "Now do yourself a favor—retire properly."

Danzo’s face twisted in anger. "You’re going too far, Tsunade! You’re not even Hokage yet. What gives you the right to speak to me that way?"

"It’s only a matter of time," she replied flatly. "If I’m not Hokage, then who—you?"

Her words struck deep. Danzo’s fury peaked. "Arrogant woman! I’ll teach you a lesson on Hiruzen’s behalf!"

"Are you even strong enough?" Tsunade’s gaze burned with defiance. "Show me what you’ve got, old man."

"Very well!"

Danzo raised his Sharingan eye—and in an instant, activated Kotoamatsukami.

Tsunade’s expression went blank for a heartbeat, then returned to normal.

Danzo smirked. "Tsunade, tell me—who do you support for Hokage now?"

Kitazawa instantly stepped forward and clasped her wrist.

While Kotoamatsukami’s power was immense, breaking it wasn’t impossible.

If Ao of the Hidden Mist could dispel it in the original events, then Kitazawa certainly could too.

Danzo’s confident smirk faltered.

How?

How did Kitazawa even realize what he’d done—much less counter it?

Danzo’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing. He quickly shifted tactics, invoking another Mangekyō ability. This time, a traditional genjutsu—aimed directly at Kitazawa.

Kotoamatsukami can’t be used twice in a short span, he thought grimly.

[Mangekyō Sharingan resistance activated.]

[Danzo intends to assassinate the host’s teacher. Host, eliminate him.]

[Mission: Kill Danzo]

[Reward: Four Symbols Seal & Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique]

Kitazawa’s heart quickened. Finally.

He had expected a mission like this the moment Danzo appeared—and the rewards didn’t disappoint.

Two S-rank sealing techniques, he mused. As expected of the old fox.

The Four Symbols Seal, a legendary Uzumaki sealing jutsu, could bind even the Nine-Tails—a technique Minato once used to create the Eight Trigrams Seal.

The Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique was its counterpart—sealing inward instead of outward, dragging both target and user into the Pure Land.

A forbidden jutsu—because it cost the caster’s life.

In the original timeline, Danzo had used it in his final moments—trying to take Sasuke with him, only to fail and seal nothing but a broken bridge.

"Danzo! What did you do to me!?"

Tsunade snapped back to awareness, fury flashing in her eyes.

She could feel the remnants of the genjutsu’s influence—and she hated it.

Danzo’s face twisted in disbelief. "Impossible! Kitazawa, how did you resist my Mangekyō genjutsu?"

Even more than Tsunade’s recovery, this terrified him. No ordinary ninja could shrug off the Mangekyō Sharingan’s illusions.

"Because," Kitazawa said evenly, "I don’t need to tell you a damn thing."

Tsunade’s face hardened, realization dawning. This was no ordinary Sharingan.

If Kitazawa hadn’t been with her, she might have been turned into Danzo’s puppet—declaring him Hokage without even realizing it.

Just thinking about it, Tsunade knew how grave the consequences could be.

"Mangekyō Sharingan... and it belonged to...?"

Her eyes narrowed, realization striking like a thunderclap. "Don’t tell me... Danzo, you killed someone from the Uchiha for it?"

When Shisui’s death had shaken the village, Tsunade had been wandering the world—she’d only heard rumors, never the truth.

"I suspected that Danzo ambushed Shisui and stole one of his Mangekyō Sharingan."

Kitazawa’s tone was steady and serious. "Lady Tsunade, leave this one to me. With my expertise in genjutsu, I’ll be able to handle him."

Of course, that was a lie.

Inwardly, Kitazawa couldn’t help but smirk.

"Are you sure you’ll be alright?" Tsunade asked, worry flickering in her eyes despite her stern tone.

"I’m your student, aren’t I?" Kitazawa smiled lightly. "I’ll handle it."

"Arrogant brat!"

Danzo’s patience snapped. "Do you think I’m one of those useless Mist-nin?"

Neither Tsunade nor Kitazawa seemed to acknowledge him, continuing their exchange as if he weren’t there. That disregard stung more than any insult.

"That’s right," Danzo sneered, tearing away the bandage from his eye. "I took Shisui Uchiha’s Mangekyō with my own hands."

"Danzo!" Tsunade’s voice turned ice-cold. "You murdered a comrade of the Leaf. By Konoha law, I hereby place you under arrest!"

Hidden in the shadows, Itachi’s heart trembled.

For the first time in years, he felt a spark of long-lost emotion—vindication.

At last, the truth behind Shisui’s death was revealed.

And Danzo—the man who had stolen his friend’s eye—was being condemned by Tsunade, the future Hokage herself.

Itachi clenched his fist but forced himself to remain hidden. As much as he wanted to strike Danzo down, this was Tsunade’s battlefield.

Whether by Kitazawa’s hand or his own, as long as Danzo died... it didn’t matter.

"Have you checked the perimeter?" Itachi asked quietly.

"Yes," whispered the Anbu beside him. "Aside from the four visible operatives, eight more are concealed in the trees."

"Keep them under surveillance," Itachi ordered. "If they make a move, intercept and buy as much time as you can."

He had to stay here—to protect Tsunade.

Danzo possessed Shisui’s Mangekyō; the risk was too great.

If things turned dire, he would reveal his Susanoo without hesitation.

"Hmph. You fools don’t understand the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan!" Danzo barked. "Today, none of you will leave alive!"

Even without Kotoamatsukami, he still believed himself invincible.

"Tsunade," Kitazawa said softly.

She met his gaze and nodded. "Be careful."

If Kitazawa wanted to take the lead, she would trust him—for now.

But if the tide turned, she’d intervene instantly, and Itachi’s hidden squad would join the fray.

"Understood."

Kitazawa drew Zangetsu, a faint smile curving his lips. "Let’s see what you’ve got, Danzo."

The Mangekyō Sharingan was fearsome, yes—but Danzo’s was neither original nor complete.

And unlike the battle against Sasuke in the original timeline, he didn’t have Hashirama’s Wood Release to fall back on.

"Since you’re so eager to die," Danzo snarled, "I’ll oblige you!"

His chest swelled as he inhaled sharply—Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!

The air burst from his mouth like a hail of invisible blades, slicing the earth where Kitazawa had just stood.

"Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!"

Kitazawa vanished, reappearing behind Danzo in a flash.

His blade swept down, fire coiling along its edge, bursting into a crescent of searing light.

A wave of heat rolled through the clearing.

"Shisui Uchiha’s sword style?" Danzo’s lips curled. "Against his eye, it’s worthless!"

With a flicker, he vanished, dodging the fiery arc with ease.

The Mangekyō’s insight cut through movement itself—rivaling even the Byakugan.

"You claim to despise the Uchiha," Kitazawa taunted, "but tell me—what are you now, if not one of them?"

"Silence!" Danzo roared, veins bulging. "The Uchiha are tainted by evil! I bear their power only to contain it!"

Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!

Dozens of wind bullets shot forth in rapid succession, threatening to tear Kitazawa apart.

"Rasengan!"

Kitazawa’s left hand glowed blue, shattering the projectiles, while lightning crackled along Zangetsu in his right.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!"

He lunged forward, a blur of motion—lightning slicing through the air straight toward Danzo’s heart.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"

Danzo’s kunai elongated with wind chakra, forming a shimmering short blade.

Their weapons collided—steel shrieked, sparks flew.

Even though Wind trumps Lightning, because of Kitazawa’s weapon superiority, a numbing shock went through Danzo’s arm, nearly wrenching his weapon free.

Teeth gritted, he steadied himself and activated his Mangekyō once more.

Let’s see you resist this time.

Invisible power rippled outward.

For an instant, Kitazawa’s movements slowed.

Danzo’s smirk returned. "Got you."

Tsunade’s heart clenched. "Kitazawa—!"

But she stopped mid-step.

A high-pitched crackle filled the air—the sound of a thousand birds.

In that same instant, Kitazawa’s left hand pierced straight through Danzo’s chest.

Lightning flared.

Danzo froze mid-laugh, eyes wide. Blood spurted from his lips.

"You... how are you... unaffected by genjutsu?" he gasped.

Kitazawa didn’t answer. He yanked his hand free, sparks still dancing across his fingertips. "Lady Tsunade, stay back!"

Tsunade’s gaze flicked to Danzo’s chest, her medic’s instincts assessing instantly. "His heart’s been destroyed. He’s finished."

But Kitazawa didn’t lower his guard.

"Izanagi’s duration hasn’t ended yet, has it?" he asked coldly.

Danzo’s eye widened. "You... how do you know that name?"

"Izanagi?" Tsunade muttered, her expression hardening.

Knowledge of the technique surfaced in her mind—a forbidden dōjutsu that could rewrite reality itself, turning death into illusion for a short time.

At the cost of a Sharingan.

Her disgust was palpable.

That Danzo could use it meant he possessed many Sharingan—stolen from fallen Uchiha.

"Old man... you’ve been far too lenient with him," she growled under her breath.

At this point, Tsunade only wanted one thing—to bring Danzo’s corpse back to Konoha. Alive, he’d only cause more trouble.

Kitazawa stood motionless, watching closely.

Knowledge was his edge—he knew about Izanagi’s mechanics.

Sure enough, moments later, Danzo’s "corpse" flickered and vanished.

Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!

From behind, Danzo reappeared, exhaling a blast of pressurized air that tore the ground apart. Simultaneously, he dug out the Sharingan in his eye and replaced it with a new one.

"Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish!"

Kitazawa had already anticipated it, diving into the ground the moment he sensed the shift in wind pressure.

Danzo immediately bit his thumb and slammed his hand down. "Summoning Jutsu!"

A massive creature appeared—orange-red skin, the face of an Elephant, Baku.

The beast inhaled sharply, creating a violent suction that ripped chunks of earth from the ground.

"Wind Release: Shuriken!"

Danzo spotted Kitazawa’s silhouette, hurling a shuriken infused with Wind Chakra. It struck—only for the target to explode into mud.

A clone.

Danzo frowned—too late.

A roar split the air behind him.

He turned just in time to see a massive water dragon surging toward him.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"

Danzo countered instantly, slashing the water dragon apart with a series of razor-thin air streams.

"Your Water Dragon Bullet is pathetic compared to my sensei’s," he mocked, scanning the battlefield.

He knew Kitazawa’s Water Release had come from Senju Tobirama himself—his own teacher.

"Is that so?"

Kitazawa’s voice echoed from above.

Danzo looked up—and his expression twisted in horror.

The sky had turned into a vast ocean.

A roaring tidal wave descended from the heavens, ready to swallow everything beneath it.

"Baku!"

Danzo barked the command sharply.

The monstrous summon reared its head back, jaws gaping wide as it began to inhale, sucking in seawater by the tons. Yet the volume was far too great to absorb all at once.

"Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!"

Danzo spewed a massive sphere of compressed air, scattering the raging seawater with explosive force.

Then—

The cry of a thousand birds echoed once more.

Danzo turned just in time to see lightning fill his vision. He clenched his jaw, refusing to dodge. Instead, both hands shot out, seizing Kitazawa’s wrists.

Blood spattered through the air.

Chidori tore through Danzo’s heart again.

"Self-Cursing Seal!"

Cursed markings erupted across Kitazawa’s arm, crawling like venomous serpents.

Danzo’s single visible eye flared. He planned to sacrifice a Sharingan, invoke Izanagi, and end Kitazawa here and now. Danzo reappeared quite a distance from Kitazawa’s unmoving body.

But before he could gloat, Kitazawa’s blade flashed.

A clean, merciless arc—both of Danzo’s arms hit the ground.

"Too late," Kitazawa said coldly.

Kitazawa pretended to struggle against the curse seal. In truth, he could erase it instantly—he’d already mastered the Self-Cursing Seal through the system. No one alive understood it better than he did.

And Danzo didn’t know that.

"You... how could you..."

Danzo’s eyes went wide, disbelief twisting his features. This battle had shattered everything he thought he knew.

Kotoamatsukami—useless.

Mangekyo Genjutsu—ignored.

Self-Cursing Seal—dispelled instantly.

What was Kitazawa?

"Do you still have any Izanagi left?" Kitazawa asked with a small, taunting smile.

"You—!" Danzo choked on his fury, blood spilling from his lips, he tried to retreat to a distance and try using another sharingan. "I will kill you...!"

Tsunade, watching nearby, stared in disbelief.

Danzo—an elite Jōnin, and Hiruzen’s most cunning rival—had already died three times.

Absurd didn’t begin to cover it.

If it had been her, she knew even killing Danzo once would’ve been a challenge. Between the Sharingan, Kotoamatsukami, and his underhanded tactics, few in the world could deal with him.

Yet Kitazawa had not only countered every move but anticipated them. He’d read Danzo like an open book.

Why did he know him so well?

Still, Tsunade couldn’t help feeling relieved she’d brought Kitazawa along. Anyone else—even the Third Hokage himself—might not have survived this.

Hidden in the shadows, Itachi watched silently.

He realized his presence was almost unnecessary—Kitazawa and Tsunade alone were enough to crush Danzo and his twelve ANBU.

Yet Itachi was glad he’d come. To witness Danzo’s end with his own eyes—it was justice for Shisui.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

A single shuriken left his hand—then split into dozens, then hundreds, filling the sky.

"Damn it! Hiruzen actually taught you that jutsu?" Danzo snarled, forced to abandon bringing out the Sharingan and evade the hailstorm of spinning steel.

Shuriken rained down like a storm.

Out of sight, Kitazawa created a Shadow Clone and slipped underground, his true body vanishing beneath the battlefield.

Danzo hurled a smoke bomb—bang!

Thick smoke enveloped the area, but Kitazawa didn’t flinch.

"Wind Release: Great Vacuum Sphere!"

A blast of air tore through the haze, clearing it in seconds.

Danzo’s grim face emerged from the dissipating smoke. "You even learned my Wind Release?"

"I’ve learned a lot of jutsu," Kitazawa replied with a thin smile. "Let’s end this with one from the Second Hokage himself. Think of it as your final lesson—from a real student of his."

"You—what did you say?" Danzo’s killing intent surged violently.

"So you do still care about Tobirama-sama," Kitazawa pressed, his tone like a knife. "If he saw you now, he’d be glad he chose Hiruzen over you."

"Shut up!" Danzo roared, fury exploding from every pore. "Die!"

He vanished in a flicker.

"Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique!"

Blood sprayed from his body, forming black seals that radiated across the ground. The earth itself trembled as the pull of chakra began consuming everything nearby.

Tsunade’s eyes widened. She recognized it instantly.

That forbidden Uzumaki jutsu—Reverse Four Symbols Seal. Capable of sealing everything within hundreds of meters, at the cost of the user’s life.

She was suddenly grateful Kitazawa had insisted on handling him himself.

"You even prepared that?" Kitazawa felt the violent pull of chakra around him—then burst into smoke.

A Shadow Clone.

Danzo froze. "You... you’re a clone?"

He coughed up a final mouthful of blood.

Rage and despair hit him all at once. His suicidal jutsu, wasted—on a clone.

His body collapsed, and the sealing formation faded into stillness.

The real Kitazawa emerged from the distance, calm as ever.

Bang!

Was this really how he would die?

Kitazawa’s calm voice followed, "Do you still have an Izanagi left, this time?"

"You... you..."

His vision blurred.

And then—he saw his teacher.

Senju Tobirama stood before him again in his fading consciousness.

So many of his teacher’s jutsu—turned against him.

Teacher... is this your way of rejecting me?

Danzo closed his eyes. His final breath left with the sound of rippling water.

[Current Mission: Kill Danzo.]

[Mission Reward: Four Symbols Seal and Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique.]

[Mission Complete — Rewards Issued.]

Kitazawa exhaled deeply, relief softening his expression.

The system message confirmed it—Danzo would not return again.

Tsunade stared at the sealed space before her, disbelief flickering in her eyes.

Only when Danzo did not return again did she finally accept it.

Then came a long silence... followed by the first genuine smile she’d had in days.

"That old bastard is finally dead," she muttered, her voice laced with satisfaction. "Serves him right."

The weight in her chest lifted. For years, Danzo’s existence had been a thorn in her throat—never fatal, but always painful.

Now that he was gone, she could finally breathe freely.

Konoha would be cleaner without him.

"Is Danzo... really dead?"

Itachi’s quiet voice carried mixed emotions—relief, grief, and a faint ache of regret.

Revenge for Shisui had been achieved, yet it brought no joy.

If only Shisui had survived two more years—until Tsunade’s return—they might have found another way.

Together, they could have brought peace to the village without bloodshed.

"Kitazawa, are you alright?"

Tsunade’s voice snapped him from his thoughts as she rushed forward.

"I—"

Before Kitazawa could reply, the sound of rushing air came from all around.

Eight ANBU emerged from the shadows, joined by four more from Danzo’s side, encircling them completely.

Tsunade’s eyes narrowed. "Danzo is dead. Are you still going to follow his mistakes?"

Itachi immediately moved, signaling his squad to shield Tsunade and Kitazawa.

The twelve ANBU hesitated—conflict evident in their eyes.

Years of Danzo’s conditioning warred against the reality before them.

"If you surrender now, I’ll spare your lives," Tsunade said coldly. "But if you want to join Danzo in the Pure Land... I’ll send you there myself."

After a tense silence, one by one, the ANBU dropped their weapons.

With Root disbanded, their curse seals had long been removed. They no longer had to obey Danzo’s orders—only the habits remained.

Now, even those were breaking.

"Good." Tsunade nodded.

"Hokage-sama," Kitazawa asked, "should we continue to the Land of Fire’s capital—or return to Konoha first?"

Though Danzo no longer led Root, his status in the village was still high. His death would shake Konoha.

Then again, few would mourn him. Aside from Hiruzen and the two advisors, most would likely celebrate.

Tsunade thought briefly. "Itachi, take your squad to the Capital and escort the Daimyō to Konoha."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

Itachi bowed. Though part of him wanted to return immediately and tell the Clan of Danzo’s death, he knew he didn’t need to. Once Tsunade returned, the whole village would know.

Tsunade turned to the remaining ANBU. "You’ll return with me. Explain everything to the Hokage Office—Konoha will reassign you properly."

Then, to Kitazawa, she said simply, "Let’s go."

By noon, they reached the village.

Tsunade headed straight to the Hokage’s office.

"Tsunade?" Hiruzen looked up, startled. "You’ve returned already? What about the Daimyō?"

"We were ambushed by Danzo," Tsunade said flatly. "He’s dead."

"What?"

Hiruzen froze, pipe slipping from his fingers. "Danzo... is dead?"

For a long moment, he said nothing. Decades of friendship—gone in an instant.

"Killing a fellow Konoha shinobi is a capital crime," Tsunade added, voice sharp as steel.

"This was his doing," Hiruzen sighed heavily, shoulders slumping. "I warned him... but he chose this path himself."

He could never blame Tsunade. Not after all Danzo had done.

Besides, if she walked away again, who would lead the village?

"I’ve sent Itachi to summon the Daimyō," Tsunade continued. "How do you wish to handle Danzo’s matter?"

"You handle it," Hiruzen said after a pause. "From today onward, you’ll serve as Acting Hokage."

"Wait, what?" Tsunade frowned. "I refuse."

"Tsunade," Hiruzen said tiredly, "don’t be stubborn. Whether it’s a week early or late makes no difference."

She wanted to argue—but seeing how frail he looked, her heart softened.

"...Alright," she finally said.

"Haru!" Hiruzen called.

"Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"From today," Hiruzen declared, "Tsunade will act as Hokage and oversee all village affairs."

Haru’s eyes widened, then he bowed deeply. "Yes, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen took one last look at his office, picked up his pipe, and left quietly.

Tsunade sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. "How did things end up like this?"

"Lady—Hokage-sama," Haru corrected herself mid-sentence. "What are your orders?"

"Announce it publicly," Tsunade said. "Danzo attempted to assassinate me and was killed by Kitazawa in self-defense. Make sure the reason is clearly stated."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

As Haru left to deliver the news, whispers began to spread through the village.

By evening, Konoha was in an uproar.

For the first time in years, laughter echoed through the streets—especially near the Uchiha compound.

Danzo, the man who had cast shadows over so many lives, was finally gone.

And from that day on, Konoha Village began a new Chapter.

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