The air hung heavy with the smell of burnt flesh. The lingering explosion marks and scattered flames were horrifying.
Seeing Danzō lying on the ground, his fate uncertain, no one dared to breathe.
The leader of Root, Konoha's top advisor, aided by dozens of ninjas and his powerful summoning beast, the Nightmare-Eater, had been defeated in a single blow.
While the Great Fireball Technique was exceptionally powerful, this was still astonishing.
"Someone, take Danzō away. Guard him closely."
"Root is disbanded. All members will be reviewed by Inuzuka Tsume. Further arrangements will be made after the review..."
Orders were swiftly issued. Many glanced at Kai before reluctantly stepping forward.
Uchiha Fugaku, with Shisui and Itachi, arrived quickly.
"Kai, don't be impulsive," Uchiha Fugaku said urgently, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder.
Everyone looked at Kai anxiously. His power was overwhelming. Any conflict would escalate into a major battle.
"Haha, Uncle, you worry too much. Danzō was just toying with me. I wouldn't kill him. That's unreasonable," Kai chuckled dryly, looking at the charred Danzō.
"This world's too boring. A little entertainment helps. I hope he doesn't die."
His quiet words sent a chill down everyone's spines. They'd expected Kai to retaliate, but they realized he hadn't taken Danzō seriously from the start. A strong person doesn't mind a few clowns.
"Itachi, let's go," Kai ruffled Itachi's head, turning to leave.
"Oh, and you guys can fix the road Danzō destroyed."
Everyone's faces twitched. That massive crater was still burning. Easy for him to say.
"Haha, Kai, don't worry. We'll handle this. Go rest," Jiraiya laughed heartily. This was the best solution.
"Brother, can we walk around the village?" Uchiha Itachi took Kai's hand, his face hopeful.
"Itachi, didn't we agree to practice shuriken?" Uchiha Shisui said suddenly.
But Uchiha Fugaku stopped him.
"Let them go. We'll handle this. I hope those in the compound don't notice, or your usual approach will be disrupted," Uchiha Fugaku said gravely.
Uchiha Shisui paused. "Uncle, if you had to choose, would you stand with Konoha or him...?"
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent. This choice had crossed his mind during the events. He still hadn't decided.
Watching Kai and Itachi leave, Jiraiya and the Third Hokage exchanged glances, relieved.
"Jiraiya, didn't you say you sent him to learn senjutsu?" the Third Hokage said anxiously.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were also puzzled.
Jiraiya chuckled wryly. "I don't know either."
"I've contacted Mount Myōboku. We'll get an answer soon. I sincerely hope there's no answer. Otherwise, this kid's talent is too frightening."
Everyone's faces turned serious.
Senjutsu!
Legendary techniques, surpassing ninjutsu.
Mastering ninjutsu was rare; mastering senjutsu was even rarer, requiring rigorous training.
Only a day had passed since Jiraiya sent Kai to Mount Myōboku. If he'd mastered senjutsu, it was astonishing.
No!
It was monstrously unbelievable.
"Leave this to Jiraiya. We need to deal with Danzō. Don't make any mistakes," the Third Hokage said sternly.
"I checked. Danzō's injuries aren't fatal. I think that kid saw through everything from the start," Koharu Utatane said grimly. "If so, he's terrifying."
Meanwhile, Kai, with Itachi, arrived at the commercial street.
This was his second visit since his arrival in this world.
But compared to the original timeline, the wartime shortages meant few could afford luxuries.
The commercial street was sparsely populated.
"Brother, let's take another route," Uchiha Itachi said suddenly.
Kai raised an eyebrow, puzzled, then saw seven or eight Uchiha in police uniforms strutting through the street.
"Hazuki, today's the deadline. If you don't pay the 10,000-ryō security fee, it'll be difficult for us," the tall, thin ninja said at a shop.
"Are you afraid of them?" Kai asked Itachi.
He knew Itachi wasn't a coward. He'd even dared to commit mass murder.
Uchiha Itachi was silent for a moment. "Father told me to avoid conflict, especially with our clan."
Avoid conflict? Kai looked at the thugs in police uniforms. He finally understood why the Uchiha were increasingly ostracized in Konoha.
One bad apple spoils the bunch. Demanding 10,000 ryō for a security fee... it was blatant extortion.
"Gentlemen, this security fee keeps increasing. It was 2,000 ryō, now it's 10,000!" Hazuki, a woman in her thirties, said.
Kai remembered Hazuki's husband, who died during the first Kikyō Pass conflict. Her daughter was later Itachi's fan girl in the original story.
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