The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

"You've caused great disruption to the Daimyō's estate during this mission. His Highness himself suffered an unbearable humiliation! Konohagakure must bear full responsibility!"

That was what the officials of the Daimyō's estate had originally intended to say. But upon seeing the ninja sent to represent Konoha at the negotiation table, all their prepared accusations vanished into thin air. Even the Daimyō himself showed a trace of fear in his expression.

Damn Sarutobi Hiruzen—he actually sent that guy...

The officials exchanged uneasy glances, each silently cursing Sarutobi Hiruzen in their hearts.

Sitting on Konoha's side was none other than Danzō, accompanied by his bodyguard, Aburame Ryōma.

While Yamanaka Akira and his team were investigating the course of the incident, Danzō and Ryōma had traveled to the Daimyō's estate to report the matter directly.

"This mission's failure, Konoha must—" One of the officials looked at Danzō, whose single eye was barely open. Under the Daimyō's urging gaze, he forced himself to speak.

Danzō merely raised his head and glanced at the speaker.

That single glance was enough to make the official stammer and falter mid-sentence.

Thanks to the persistent efforts of the First and Second Hokage, the balance of power between the Daimyō and the ninja had slowly shifted over the years, moving more and more in the ninjas' favor.

Especially after Sarutobi Hiruzen led Konoha to victory in the Second Great Ninja War, the only form of control the Land of Fire held over Konohagakure was financial.

As a result, the days of respectful deference from the Warring States period were long gone. The shinobi had grown steadily more assertive.

And no one embodied this shift more than Danzō, the Hokage's advisor.

He had no intention of showing respect. His attitude was harsh and confrontational, and he had openly refuted the Daimyō's suggestions in front of everyone on multiple occasions. He was the last person the Daimyō wanted to deal with.

"This incident is an internal matter for Konoha. We will handle it on our own."

Danzō glanced coldly at the official who'd dared to speak, then looked directly at the Daimyō, fully aware that the man was merely a mouthpiece.

"Y-Yes, I suppose that's true… Haha, indeed…" The Daimyō chuckled awkwardly, opening his folding fan to hide from Danzō's piercing gaze. He nearly jumped out of his chair from that one look.

"Since His Highness has no objections, I'll be taking my leave." Danzō had no intention of lingering. With the officials silenced and the Daimyō placated, he stood up without further ceremony.

Hearing Danzō was about to leave, the Daimyō breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered his attendants to escort him out.

Once the heavy doors shut behind him and Danzō's presence was fully gone, the officials finally dared to express their outrage.

"This incident caused us such a massive loss, yet Konoha brushes it off so lightly. It's truly outrageous!"

"I believe Sarutobi Hiruzen is no longer fit to be Hokage. Your Highness, perhaps we should consider removing him from office?"

"Yes, we should send a formal letter of rebuke and sternly condemn him for this matter!"

Amid the flurry of indignant voices, the Daimyō snapped his fan shut with a crisp pop and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Sarutobi Hiruzen must be reprimanded—for sending Danzō, of all people!"

…Is that really the main issue?

...

Konoha – Danzō's residence.

Knock knock knock.

As the wooden door was gently knocked, Takeshi, thinking Danzō had returned, quickly rushed forward to open it.

But to his surprise, the face on the other side of the door was a familiar one.

"Third-sama?"

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen at the door, Takeshi froze, not understanding why he would show up at this hour.

Could it be…

Danzō is dead?

No way—that old fossil was supposed to live for ages in the original timeline. Could this be the so-called transmigrator effect?

Did some tiny flap of butterfly wings he accidentally stirred end up killing Danzō?

"Hehe, Takeshi, are you home alone?" Unaware that the boy before him had just mentally sentenced Danzō to death, Hiruzen chuckled, patting Takeshi on the head and glancing inside the house.

"Uh… there's also Nonō-san..." Takeshi turned to introduce Yakushi Nonō, who had just been sitting on the sofa explaining medical ninjutsu to him—only to find that she had vanished without a trace.

Even the scroll she'd been using to teach him was gone.

"No, it's just me." Realizing that she clearly didn't want to be seen by the Third, Takeshi quickly changed his answer.

"Hehe, is that so? Then may I come in?" With a discreet glance at the rooftop—where Root ninja were already stationed—Hiruzen chose not to expose them and simply asked the boy instead.

"Of course, please come in." Takeshi quickly stepped aside and welcomed his father's old friend into the house.

Once inside, Hiruzen took a look at the layout. It fit Danzō's personality exactly—rigid, minimalist, and devoid of anything beyond basic necessities.

Not even the calligraphy he had gifted him was hung up.

"Have you had dinner yet?" Seeing Takeshi reaching for the tea set, Hiruzen quickly stopped him, pulled him to sit down, and asked.

"I have. What about you?" Takeshi nodded and answered honestly.

"I've eaten too. Actually, I'm here today mainly to inform you—your father has been sent on a secret mission by me. He won't be back for several days, but you don't need to worry. If you need anything, you can come to the Hokage Building."

Hiruzen smiled warmly at the boy, doing his best to show kindness.

"Now that I think about it, you've been in the village for almost a year. As your elder, I haven't given you a gift yet." Seeing how well Root had taken care of him, Hiruzen felt reassured and reached into his robes.

In front of Takeshi, he pulled out a scroll.

"You and Asuma both passed the Academy exams. You'll inherit your father's mantle and become a ninja of Konoha. So, this jutsu should be useful to you." Hiruzen unrolled the scroll with a satisfied expression.

"This is a jutsu I created based on the Shadow Clone Jutsu developed by my teacher, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. It's called the 'Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.'"

Well, now, this one I know.

Isn't this the 'super powerful' jutsu you kept spamming from beginning to end?

In an age where the First Hokage was piloting Gundams and the Second was riding exploding tags like roller coasters, only you, old man, were still faithfully sticking to traditional ninjutsu.

Back in my previous life, people like you would've been honored as cultural relics.

Still, for someone like me with no elite bloodline, this jutsu is definitely a helpful tool.

"Thank you very much, Third-sama. I'll study it well." Takeshi beamed sweetly as he picked up the scroll, looking as if he couldn't bear to part with it.

He meant well, after all—putting on an act to get through it was the least he could do.

As he smiled on the outside, Takeshi was silently grumbling in his heart.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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