The mountains and fields of the Land of Rivers were silent.
High above, a flock of birds flew past, circling and hovering in the sky.
Below, Sasuke gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to strike at any moment.
They had only trained for half a month; tonight, they weren't the main force but were mostly providing support. However, compared to his time at the academy, this would be his first time truly participating in a battle.
Compared to the beginning—
The current Anbu training department had been reduced to less than half its original size, with a total of five teams participating in this operation.
Those who remained were all elites; the three of them were already at the bottom level.
It wasn't that they didn't work hard.
Whether it was Sasuke, Sai, or Shin, they had all given their all during this period, but everyone was an elite, and the physical gap caused by the age difference was difficult to compensate for with effort and technique.
He stared intently ahead.
A moment later, a buzzing sound came from ahead as a large swarm of insects flew into the sky, surrounding the flock of birds.
But in the next instant, the birds in the sky were all dispersed.
Soon—
Swish, swish, swish!
Figures darted out from the sides.
It's starting!
The dense jungle and caves were natural barriers; the Anbu Ninja took the lead in the attack.
Before long, large areas of the forest ahead caved in; under the Earth Release Ninjutsu, the ground and woods were severely pitted and damaged.
Numerous traps were instantly rendered useless.
Within the forest, several figures darted about, firing Kunai mixed with Ninjutsu outward.
"Charge!"
Sasuke locked onto his direction and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to dash out.
In the next second, ink transformed into snakes and birds, rushing forward. Under their cover, Sasuke's figure rapidly shifted positions.
Suddenly, swish!
He flickered past someone, the blade at his waist unsheathing and striking in the blink of an eye as he passed—
Blood gushed out like a fountain, drenching him.
A thick, metallic scent filled his nose; Sasuke's breath hitched, and his movements paused slightly.
During this time—
In the Anbu training department, he had been practicing killing sword techniques and Taijutsu. The strike just now had been executed in one fluid motion without much thought.
It was only after the kill that he realized what had happened.
This was his first time killing someone at close range!
However.
Before he could think further, the ink birds ahead were blown apart by Kunai and senbon.
Immediately after, a sheet of flames erupted from the forest, surging along the wires attached to the Kunai.
The flames were like a fire dragon, racing along the steel wires toward Sasuke.
Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!
The Sharingan flashed briefly in Sasuke's eyes.
In the next second, he formed a one-handed seal and used the Body Flicker Technique, instantly dodging out of the way.
From behind, two fuma shuriken flew in one after another, sweeping inward from the opposite direction.
The moment the opponent retreated to dodge, a rapidly flying Kunai arrived first, piercing through his throat.
At the same time—
Beside his teammate, an Anbu Ninja lunging from a blind spot suddenly struck with a blade, killing his teammate as well.
At this moment, Sasuke also shifted positions and struck with his blade, killing another person.
Then, ink birds darted through the woods, covering the area ahead in coordination with Kunai, shuriken, and other hidden weapons.
Command after command was transmitted directly into his mind via spiritual energy.
Reconnaissance, hidden weapons, and Ninjutsu led the way.
The assassination squad followed closely behind.
The cooperation of two or three squads could form a tight storm of slaughter.
Deeper in the forest, the intelligence war between Anbu and Root had reached its conclusion.
Beneath the underground cavern, Yamato emerged from the earth as figures charged in through the passages above.
Everyone's expressions were grim as they looked at the empty base.
The base was already deserted!
To the south, on a mountain overlooking the scene.
Danzo stood with his hands behind his back.
"You have already mastered the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal?"
"Yes, my lord."
Masahiko replied, then stuck out his tongue. "Keeping it is because I am indeed loyal to you, my lord, and that remains true to this day!"
"Is that so?"
Danzo gave a light chuckle.
He looked into the distance and said, "To be able to train them to this level in just over half a month—you truly are a genius!"
"Konoha's Ninja have a good foundation; they only need a little guidance to become a fighting force. Meanwhile, the subordinates you left behind were all wandering Ninja from the Land of Rivers—to be honest, it's only natural that I won."
Masahiko replied clear-headedly.
Danzo shook his head and said, "A pity. In the end, you are just working for the benefit of others. You are not their disciple; it is impossible for you to become the Hokage."
"The Hokage?"
Hearing this, Masahiko couldn't help but smile faintly. "My goal is not to be the Hokage."
"Without becoming the Hokage, you cannot carry out your own will or make Konoha move to your rhythm; you will ultimately be under someone else's control."
Danzo's voice was cold. "Just like me—I served Konoha my whole life, and what did I get in return?"
He turned around.
"Now, I no longer have any possibility of becoming the Hokage, but you are different. Do not repeat my mistakes!"
"My lord, you were wrong from the very beginning."
Masahiko replied sincerely.
Danzo frowned. "I was wrong?"
"Yes, you were wrong."
Masahiko nodded solemnly. "From the very beginning, that position was never yours."
He paused slightly and said, "I heard your story from Hokage-sama afterward. From a bystander's perspective, I believe Nidaime-sama had already decided on the candidate from the start."
Danzo stared with cold eyes; for the first time, an intense killing intent appeared in his gaze toward him.
Masahiko knew—he had lost his cool.
"..."
Masahiko paused for a moment and said, "You are skilled in public opinion, so you should understand what I mean—if you had raised your hand back then, perhaps there would have been a different set of answers."
"You are insulting the Second Hokage!"
Danzo's gaze was chilly.
Masahiko sighed softly. "I am merely letting you see reality from a bystander's perspective. Nidaime-sama was a great Hokage, and precisely because he was great, he wouldn't have decided the Hokage candidate based on a single choice."
"What do you know?!"
Danzo sneered.
Masahiko lowered his head slightly, not continuing to provoke him.
After a moment, Danzo spoke, "So, you are currying favor with Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"No, it's not currying favor. It's that Hokage-sama's path indeed aligns with my understanding and needs."
Masahiko replied.
Danzo fell silent.
Afterward, he looked into the distance.
"Back to business—you must continue to keep an eye on the issues in the Hidden Mist Village."
"Yes. However, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Amegakure are not easy opponents; you should also be cautious, my lord."
Masahiko acknowledged.
Then he added, "Additionally, my lord, I discovered that Orochimaru and Shinnō seem to have stayed in contact after that."
"Hmph, Orochimaru's double-dealing is entirely within my expectations."
Danzo sneered and said, "However, he is still useful for now."
"Yes!"
Masahiko stood up. "Then, I shall take my leave—"
"Wait!"
Danzo called out to stop him.
Then, he took out a scroll.
"These are some of my research notes. Take them and study them well, and deliver another copy to the Shimura clan."
"Yes, Danzo-sama!"
Masahiko respectfully accepted it.
In the next second, Danzo's figure turned into a flickering shadow and vanished without a trace.
Masahiko opened the scroll, glanced at it briefly, and a faint smile flashed across his face.
On it were some insights and experiences regarding Wind Release Ninjutsu, as well as some Ninjutsu records.
Danzo was still generous.
Even after his composure broke, he still gave him things. What a good guy!