I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 260 Some things aren't worth doing just because they're highly profitable.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Tatsuma's first stop was to find Danzo. After all, others didn't know he was safe and were at most worried, but Danzo, this old senior, was someone who would cause trouble.

On the way, Tatsuma had already heard some whispers, or rather, it was no longer whispers. Tatsuma was stopped by a ninja of similar age but whom he didn't remember much. The ninja asked Tatsuma in surprise why he was alright.

To be honest, this was one of the few questions that Chenma didn't know how to answer. First, there was too little information, and second, he was trying hard to identify who the person was. In the end, he could tell that he didn't recognize them.

It wasn't until the boy explained his identity—that he was a ninja in the same class as Tatsuma but in a different platoon—that the boy finally understood. He also asked Tatsuma if it was true that he had been ambushed by Sakumo Hatake.

At this point, Tatsuma finally understood what had happened. It turned out that someone had spread such an outrageous rumor that he was injured by Sakumo Hatake, and yet some people actually believed it.

This prompted Chenma to quicken his pace after dispelling the rumors. He had memorized all the information about the village's high-ranking officials, so he was very familiar with where to find people.

Upon arriving at Danzo Shimura's house, Tatsuma rang the doorbell and then waited.

His perception was already quite good. After experiencing that accidental Sage Mode, although he couldn't retain the ability to perceive everything that existed in Sage Mode, it did bring him some new insights.

Therefore, he could clearly sense that there were at least five ninjas in Danzo's not-so-large house, and among them was a clear Danzo chakra.

The house was quiet for a while before footsteps sounded. Tatsuma waited quietly, his infectious smile on his face, facing the peephole.

Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage mansion or the sprawling clan estates of the Senju and Uchiha, Danzo did not treat himself well in terms of housing. He only had a small detached house, slightly larger than a studio apartment, but with two floors.

Therefore, even if you go from the deepest part of the second floor to the door on the first floor to open it, it won't take too much time.

"Click~"

The footsteps stopped for a moment before the door opened, revealing Danzo's tense face, which looked like he was about to be displeased at any moment. Tatsuma bowed and said, "Lord Danzo."

"Sakamoto Tatsuma."

Danzo murmured Tatsuma's name, then looked at him. Tatsuma, not wanting the atmosphere to become awkward, said, "I heard from the Hokage that Lord Danzo has been concerned about my safety. I am now well, so I have come to pay my respects."

As Tatsuma spoke, he could feel Danzo scanning him up and down. When Tatsuma finished speaking, Danzo stopped observing him, nodded, and said, "Speaking of which, is this your first time visiting me?"

For some reason, Tatsuma felt that Danzo's tone and breathing were somewhat abnormal. If he were in Sage Mode, he might be able to perceive it more clearly, but now, he was also a little confused.

"Lord Danzo travels thousands of miles every day, and he holds a high position. If I were to visit him rashly, I would be afraid it would tarnish his reputation."

Saying nice things is the safest way. Danzo's eyes twitched slightly, and his lips pursed slightly. Then he opened the door, turned around and said, "Come in. Since you're here to visit, please come in and have a seat."

"Yes."

Tatsuma didn't refuse and followed Danzo into the room. He gently closed the door behind him and observed the entrance. Since there were no extra shoes prepared, Tatsuma took off his shoes and went in barefoot.

Upon entering the living room, Chenma glanced around and observed that there were very few decorations, furnishings, or practical items. The only item in the entire living room was a picture frame.

The photo frame contained the First and Second Hokage, along with several children. After a brief association, Tatsuma realized that this was the current F4.

Besides that, there was nothing else. Although Tatsuma rarely used his own living room, there was a TV and a few pots of flowers. However, since Mito Uzumaki passed away, there were no fresh flowers in the vases.

"sit."

Danzo was already sitting on the tatami mat. There was a tea tray in the middle, and only two seats facing each other. Tatsuma sat down somewhat awkwardly, looking at the empty tea tray.

Tatsuma could even observe that the tea tray had cracked due to excessive drying, and there were no tea leaves next to or under the tea tray. There was no charcoal in the clay stove, and not even any charcoal ash or blackened areas.

Danzo noticed Tatsuma staring intently at the tea tray, so he looked down at it as well. Realizing something, he asked, "Are you thirsty?"

No, I'm not thirsty.

"Wait."

Danzo got up, went to the kitchen next door, rummaged around for a while, and came back with two bottles of sake in his hand.

Danzo put down the sake and sat back down in his seat. He pursed his lips and said, "This is the only sake we have at home. Sake is one of the three prohibitions for ninjas, so drink less of it."

Tatsuma didn't know how to respond. After all, he didn't really want to drink. It was Danzo who brought it out, so why was he being made to act like he was being unreasonable and insisted on drinking?

Seeing that Tatsuma didn't move, Danzo simply opened the two bottles of sake, took a sip from the cap, and then said, "Don't drink before you come of age. If you want to drink, make sure you have someone you can trust with you."

For example, this old man.

Thank you very much.

What else could Tatsuma do? He copied Danzo's actions, took half a bottle cap, and slurped it into his mouth. This was the first time he had ever drunk sake in his life. Although he had suffered greatly in his previous life, he still couldn't appreciate sake.

Seeing the slight distorted expression on Tatsuma's face, Danzo's lips curled up slightly, and he said, "Will your recovery from this injury cause any lasting problems?"

"No, the Slug Sage has completely healed me. There are no aftereffects, and I've even made some progress. I'm still adjusting."

"That's good."

Danzo nodded, clearly wanting to say more, but unsure how to begin, so he simply took another capful of sake and drank it down.

After a moment of silence, Danzo stood up. Tatsuma, thinking he was about to see the guest out, breathed a sigh of relief and also stood up. But Danzo said, "Come with me."

Tatsuma was taken aback, but still followed. As they walked up the stairs, Danzo continued, "I am familiar with all the details of our trip to the Land of Lightning. You lacked effective methods to defeat the Lightning Release ninjas."

"Yes, my cultivation is still insufficient."

Tatsuma said modestly, and Danzo nodded and continued, "You are most proficient in water and earth-type ninjutsu. Earth-type ninjutsu is countered by lightning-type ninjutsu in terms of chakra nature. Although water-type ninjutsu and lightning-type ninjutsu do not have chakra nature counteraction, in terms of physical nature, water-type ninjutsu is destined to suffer a disadvantage against lightning-type ninjutsu."

The best way to fight against Lightning Release is actually through Lightning Release itself. The lightning simulated by Lightning Release chakra is too free and active, and its speed can only be caught up by Lightning Release of the same attribute.

However, since you lack the talent for Lightning Release, you have to settle for Wind Release, which can counter Lightning Release chakra. But the commonly used Wind Release ninjutsu lacks coverage and is insufficient to fully resist and counter Lightning Release ninjutsu.

As they spoke, the two had already gone up to the second floor. Danzo stopped and stood in front of the room door, turning his head to say, "In Konoha, the Shimura clan is the most skilled in Wind Release."

The Shimura clan also possesses several unique and powerful Wind Release ninjutsu, whose value is comparable to Sarutobi's Fire Release.

As he spoke, Danzo pushed open the door, revealing a study filled with open scrolls. Tatsuma immediately looked away, focusing only on Danzo's back.

Danzo was very satisfied. He walked to a row of bookshelves, took out a few scrolls, handed them to Tatsuma, and said, "I have always thought highly of you, and I have also planned to pass on these techniques to you."

However, we rarely interact, and I'm afraid that giving it to you rashly might put you under pressure. But after your trip to the Land of Lightning, you should know how important Wind Release is to you, so please accept it and study it carefully.

"Our master, the Second Hokage, died at the hands of the ninjas of the Land of Lightning. You must not repeat the same mistake. Learning to deal with Lightning Release is your compulsory course, and it is the course you should pay the most attention to. Do you understand?"

Tatsuma, whose learning of the Mutual Explosion Tags technique had just been postponed, looked up, surprised and slightly delighted. Danzo then handed the scroll to Tatsuma again, and Tatsuma quickly took it, saying:

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Danzo. I will send it back to you as soon as I finish copying it."

"No rush, and no need to copy them down. These are just for my collection."

Danzo waved his hand, and then the scene fell silent again. After a while, Tatsuma broke the silence and said, "Lord Danzo, if there are no other instructions, then I will not disturb you any longer."

"Um."

Danzo reluctantly hummed in agreement. He had a lot of topics he wanted to discuss with Tatsuma, such as how to view the Second Hokage's policies and how to view his views as the Root leader.

Or perhaps it's the current state of the ninja world, Sarutobi's shortcomings, and how he would set things right if he were to become Hokage.

But then, he didn't know how to start the conversation. He knew that his relationship with Tatsuma wasn't very deep, and he didn't like people who were too intimate with someone he didn't know well. But he just couldn't bear to see Tatsuma leave after less than ten minutes.

Can't we at least stay a little longer?

However, he couldn't bring himself to lower his stance, or rather, he had long forgotten what humility meant. Therefore, even though he was reluctant, he could only let Tatsuma leave.

After escorting Tatsuma to the entrance and watching him put on his foot armor, Danzo couldn't help but say, "You are different from other ninjas. Your value in living far surpasses that of anyone else, so..."

"Lord Danzo, I have my own considerations."

Tatsuma interrupted Danzo, smiled, nodded at him, and left.

Danzo stared blankly at the closed door. After a long while, he sighed and returned to the empty living room. Looking at the old photograph, he seemed to see the past and meet old friends again.

Perhaps this is the obstacle that has prevented him from catching up with his teacher.

Tatsuma's value in living far exceeds that of anyone else, and the value of the Hokage's survival is no less than that of the Hokage's guards.

That kid Tatsuma doesn't seem to regret it at all. Maybe back then...

"Teacher, you don't have a single regret, do you? Even if we are no longer worthy of your expectations back then, I might regret it. I should have stepped forward much earlier, even if it wasn't for the Hokage position, I should have done it sooner, so as not to disappoint you."

In the poorly lit living room, Danzo stood for a long time before making a gesture and saying softly, "Let's clarify this, since Tatsuma is unwilling to do so."

(End of this chapter)