Konoha: Who's the good guy?

Danzo Shimura?

Its head was wrapped up like a mummy's, with only its eyes and mouth showing.

He was dressed in a hospital gown but wearing a samurai helmet, and his resentment was almost tangible...

It should be Shimura Danzo, right?

A look of surprise crossed Yamanaka's eyes; he almost didn't recognize her.

He truly hadn't expected that Danzo would be reduced to such a wretched state by the black-labeled terms in just one day.

However, when he saw the ANBU ninja who had been monitoring him all along standing behind Danzo, he felt that the effect of the black text was still a bit lacking.

Damn it!

Why didn't the beam in the Jonin waiting area just crush this old thief to death?

That bastard was actually a Root ninja!

That old scoundrel Shimura Danzo, well, fine, he made his subordinates dress exactly like the Anbu.

They kept saying "the Hokage's orders."

What, you know that once you leave Hiruzen Sarutobi, nobody will pay attention to you, you bastard?

"Kei, Elder Danzo just sent over some intelligence. Sunagakure and Kirigakure have been frequently clashing in the southern part of the Land of Tea. The number of casualties on both sides is still rising, and there seems to be a tendency for the conflict to escalate. In order to obtain accurate information, I hope you can make a trip there."

With a pipe dangling from his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed a scroll toward Yamanaka Kei.

"Single-player mission?"

Yamanaka Kei glanced sideways at Shimura Danzo, who was sitting on the sofa, before looking down at the information on the scroll.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were very clear.

This intelligence scroll was brought to him by Danzo Shimura, who also suggested that he carry it out.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after assessing the authenticity and importance of the mission, felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi, who came from the Yamanaka clan and had previously served in the Analysis Team, was indeed the most suitable candidate, which is why he summoned him.

only...

Yekura?

Blazing Release Ninja Pakura?

As Yamanaka Kei looked at the name on the intelligence scroll, his eye twitched slightly.

Blazing Release: Pakura is one of the most prominent young shinobi who has risen to prominence in Sunagakure in the past two years.

With his Blazing Release bloodline limit, he rendered many ninjas of Kirigakure helpless, earning him a great reputation.

Let's not talk about the scenery in the mountains, which is something only those who have read the original work can appreciate.

Even any random ninja who frequently leaves the village on missions would know her name.

This would be a single-player mission.

He needs to consider whether the Third Hokage is in cahoots with Danzo and is preparing to kill him.

After all, he had been consciously hiding his true abilities ever since he joined the analysis class.

Their combat strength is only slightly better than that of a commoner Jonin who lacks sufficient background.

Facing the renowned ninja world's Pakura head-on would be tantamount to handing her over to someone.

"The other party is quite famous, it's too dangerous for you to go alone, I've found you a partner."

No sooner had Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking than there was another knock on the office door.

After receiving permission, Minato Namikaze pushed open the door and walked in.

Upon seeing the scenery of the mountains standing in the office, his originally serious expression unconsciously softened into a smile.

"Minato? He really is a reassuring teammate."

The mountain scenery also had a smile on its lips.

Most of the doubts and distrust I had about Hiruzen Sarutobi had dissipated.

Minato Namikaze's strength is undeniable.

After mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, his mobility ranks among the best in the entire ninja world.

Let alone just one Yekura, even if you encounter a large-scale Sunagakure force.

The two could easily retreat.

"Jing, it seems we'll be fighting side-by-side again."

Minato Namikaze's expression held a hint of nostalgia, clearly recalling their past missions together.

The two grew up together, entered the ninja academy together, and graduated together to become ninjas.

Although they weren't assigned to the same team upon graduation, they had teamed up for countless missions before Yamanaka entered the analysis class, and their teamwork was already incredibly strong.

"You can catch up after you set off. Minato, let Jing explain the mission details to you. Time is tight, so set off immediately once you're ready."

Hiruzen Sarutobi urged the two of them on.

After the two left the Hokage's office to receive their orders, they turned to look at Shimura Danzo, who had been sitting silently on the sofa.

"I've said it before, I watched Jing grow up. He's always been very sensible. It's impossible that he was the one who secretly attacked you."

"Even if it wasn't him, his contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was far too close. The power of the Nine-Tails should not be influenced or controlled by ninja clans."

Danzo Shimura lightly pressed his fingertips against the chakra-sensing seal on his palm, his already sinister gaze becoming even more ruthless.

The curse mark on his palm was a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Its sensitivity even surpasses that of today's most advanced medical instruments.

The curse seal had no effect on the mountain scenery.

This proves that there are no traces of chakra related to Yamanaka Kei on his body.

Although eliminating one suspect directly narrowed down his suspicions, he still really hoped that Yamanaka Kei was the one who had harmed him.

Based on the relationship between Yamanaka Kei and the leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, as well as his ambiguous attitude towards the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

This person is extremely valuable to Gen!

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't able to read Danzo Shimura's mind; he simply assumed that Hiruzen was genuinely concerned about the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.

After a moment's thought, he weighed the pros and cons.

They also assessed the potential impact of Kushina marrying into the Yamanaka clan.

He spoke again to comfort his old friend.

"Danzo, feelings are the most difficult thing to force. Just like you and Koharu back then... cough cough, I mean, Kushina eventually got married and had children, and Konoha will need the next Jinchuriki in a few decades."

"Hmph! The birth of a female Jinchuriki will greatly reduce the strength of the seal, which is too dangerous for the village. Although the Land of Whirlpools has been destroyed, there are still many people with the Uzumaki bloodline in the ninja world."

"Kushina was a Konoha ninja, not a Root ninja. Moreover, regarding the issue of Jinchuriki, Lady Mito already made it very clear back then. You should know very well what the consequences will be if a Jinchuriki develops psychological problems."

"Hmph! That's you... hiss~"

Danzo Shimura snorted again, his emotions running high as he was about to retort when a sharp pain shot through his head.

"Calm down a bit, and we can talk about it slowly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo, who had snorted twice and almost sent him away, and his blood pressure, which was about to soar, quickly dropped.

He secretly rejoiced, thankfully he wasn't the one who was ambushed.

Not to mention the six head attacks in one day.

Just arguing for a couple of minutes gives me a terrible headache; who could stand that?

"...Call the next person!"

Danzo held his helmet with one hand, taking deep breaths to relieve the excruciating pain in his head.

His hatred for the person who betrayed him reached its peak at this moment.

He didn't even have time to consider the issue of Jinchūriki anymore; he just wanted to find out as soon as possible who had attacked him!

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a faint cracking sound came from somewhere.

Having encountered a series of unexpected events, Danzo was now extremely nervous and easily frightened.

The moment the sound rang out, he jumped up from the sofa and used a Body Flicker Technique to rush out of the Hokage's office through the open window.

"Gah~"

"what!"

Screams filled with pain and anger came from outside the window.

Looking at Danzo clutching his head and groaning in pain, and the crow that had been run over and killed, Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily at a loss for who to sympathize with.