Danzo : This Time I Want to Be a Good Person

As a member of the Nara clan, Nara Shikai had done an excellent job setting up defenses on Kikyo Mountain. However, the glaring issue was the limited number of ninja stationed there.

Currently, Kikyo Castle housed only 600 ninja, most of whom were Genin and Chūnin. There were only 14 Jōnin among them. With such forces, even with the advantage of terrain, they couldn't possibly hold off Sunagakure and Kumogakure.

After all, Kumogakure's AB Combo included an Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—a perfect Jinchūriki at that! While Kikyo Mountain could fend off ordinary ninja, it wouldn't stand a chance against multiple Tailed Beast Bombs.

Given the power displayed in the original work, a single Tailed Beast Bomb could easily level a small mountain. Add to this the Fourth Raikage, a man with superhuman strength and speed rivaling the Yellow Flash, and the challenge of defending Kikyo Castle became evident. Not to mention Sunagakure's support.

Danzo's mission was daunting. His task was to fortify Kikyo Castle's defenses as much as possible before the combined assault of Sunagakure and Kumogakure arrived. Even if they couldn't hold out, they had to make their enemies pay the steepest price!

Over the next few days, under Shikai's guidance, Danzo immersed himself in grassroots efforts.

He met with the mayor of Kikyo Castle and representatives of the local residents, inquiring about their current living conditions. He assured them that Konoha's forces, guided by the Will of Fire, would protect the people of the Land of Fire.

Danzo also instructed the locals to assist the ninja in building defensive structures.

Next, he personally inspected the fortifications and rewarded those ninja who displayed exceptional dedication and loyalty. He even went to the frontlines to deliver food and water to the ninja and workers, which significantly boosted his reputation.

Watching Danzo blend seamlessly with the ninja, Shikai was filled with confusion.

When did Danzo become so kind-hearted?

The most baffling part was that the smile on Danzo's face was genuine. It wasn't an act or a facade!

What had happened to the world?

Shikai couldn't comprehend it. Unbeknownst to him, the joy on Danzo's face wasn't just because of his interactions with the ninja and workers—it was also because of the constant system notifications ringing in his ears:

[Skill point +1 gained]

[Skill point +1 gained]

[Skill point +1 gained]

...

Hearing the endless stream of notifications, Danzo's grin widened. There wasn't a shred of pretense in it!

Being a big shot sure had its perks.

Danzo didn't even have to go to extremes. A little kindness toward his subordinates earned him their gratitude effortlessly.

In just two days, Danzo had amassed over 700 skill points.

And as his reputation for caring and approachability spread, the rate of skill point acquisition kept rising. A few more days, and he'd easily surpass 1,000 points, resulting in a significant and comprehensive improvement in his physical attributes.

Suddenly, Aburame Tatsuma appeared, accompanied by two ninja wearing animal masks—one tall, one short, one with black hair, and the other with white.

"Lord Danzo, the people you requested have arrived," Tatsuma said.

Knowing how much his leader valued these two, Tatsuma had brought them straight over as soon as they arrived.

"Lord Danzo," the two said in unison, bowing respectfully.

As they bowed, they also observed their surroundings.

After all, they'd been temporarily reassigned from other battlefronts, and their new leader was Shimura Danzo, a man with a notorious reputation in Konoha. It was only natural to be cautious.

What if they were sent to their deaths without a second thought?

On-site observations revealed a scene quite different from what the two masked ninja had anticipated.

Danzo stood beside an elderly worker, his expression warm and kind, exuding a sense of camaraderie between the military and civilians.

When he noticed the two newcomers, Danzo's joy was unmistakable.

"You're finally here!"

He hurried over to them, clasping their hands with genuine enthusiasm,

"It's good that you've arrived!" He exclaimed,

His heartfelt demeanor could easily be mistaken for that of a loving grandfather welcoming his grandchildren.

The white-haired ninja was visibly bewildered, while the black-haired ninja was deeply moved. Could it be that Lord Danzo was this approachable? Were all the rumors about him merely fabricated?

In their experience, not even the smaller clans of Konoha, let alone someone of Danzo's stature, showed such humility.

Especially outside the village, arrogance among ninja was even more apparent. Shisui had witnessed ninja bullying commoners with impunity, only to grovel before wealthy nobles moments later.

Danzo's ability to connect with ordinary workers was almost unheard of—practically nonexistent.

Danzo's kindness wasn't feigned. Despite their masks, the white hair was a dead giveaway—only Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi in Konoha possessed that distinctive color.

As for the black-haired one, it was equally easy to deduce. If Tatsuma treated someone with such respect, it had to be either Kakashi or Uchiha Shisui.

The former was Konoha's most renowned genius in recent years—graduating from the academy at five, becoming a Chūnin at six, and a Jōnin at twelve. Kakashi was a record-breaking prodigy.

The latter, slightly younger, had made a name for himself in the Third Shinobi World War as Shunshin no Shisui (Shisui of the Body Flicker). In the original timeline, he later awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and gained the legendary genjutsu Kotoamatsukami.

Both were key figures in Danzo's plans, particularly Shisui. At this age, Shisui was still pure-hearted and kind, wholly devoted to protecting the village.

In other words—easy to manipulate.

Just like now...

[Uchiha Shisui thinks you're a good person. Skill point +1. Acquired skill package [Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu] ]

An influx of knowledge surged into Danzo's mind, granting him mastery of the Great Fireball Jutsu instantly.

Almost immediately, Shisui noticed a shift in Danzo's gaze toward him—it seemed to grow warmer and more intense.

Danzo patted their shoulders with the familiarity of a benevolent elder. "You've had a long journey. Get some rest!"

Shisui and Kakashi exchanged glances and nodded respectfully before heading off. Danzo, meanwhile, returned to mingling with the villagers.

As they walked toward the camp, Shisui turned to Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi-senpai, do you know much about Lord Danzo?"

Kakashi shook his head coolly. "I've only heard that he's Konoha's dark side—a ninja who has forsaken emotions and light."

Shisui nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But Lord Danzo seemed quite approachable today."

Kakashi's gaze lingered on Shisui for a brief moment before returning to his usual indifference.

"I don't know. It doesn't matter to me what kind of person he is. As long as the mission gets done, that's all that matters."

With that, Kakashi quickened his pace, leaving Shisui behind.

"Still not over it, huh?" Shisui murmured, watching Kakashi's retreating figure.

He'd heard plenty about Kakashi's tragic past—his father's suicide, his friend's death on a mission, and the sole legacy left to him: a Sharingan.

"What a shame, Kakashi-senpai."