Chapter 129: The Plan Gradually Becomes Clear (There is an issue with the chapter numbering, please forgive me.)
In Naruto's life, Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually a relatively complex person. To say he had done many excessive things to Naruto wouldn't be entirely accurate.
It was simply that Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained a state of tacit approval toward Danzo Shimura's actions, while secretly looking after Naruto in certain aspects.
For example, the pension after the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Kushina, although nominally disguised through layers of bureaucracy, eventually made its way into Naruto's hands.
Furthermore, once Naruto showed developable potential, Hiruzen Sarutobi devoted himself to him. Aside from trying to use the "Will of Fire" to reshape Naruto's ideology, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't do anything too extreme.
At one point, he even considered purging Danzo Shimura because of Naruto.
However, these things still couldn't erase Naruto's resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, his inaction was the greatest harm to Naruto, and his tolerance of Danzo Shimura was his greatest failure of responsibility toward Konoha.
"Ah! It indeed has a connection, but I only did something trivial—just like Hiruzen Sarutobi did back then: indifferent and unconcerned, letting you launch your public opinion offensive, and even cleaning up your messes!"
"Heh, so you're imitating us?" Danzo Shimurafinally understood Naruto's "well-intentioned" efforts. "When did you start?"
"Hmm..." Naruto pointed to his eyes, which had already transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan. "Probably since I obtained these eyes."
"You! How is that possible?!"
"Nothing is impossible." Naruto shook his head. "Too many things have happened to me, but I have no obligation to explain them to you."
Naruto reached out and formed a very simple hand seal. Danzo Shimura, who had intended to seize the moment of Naruto's rambling to quickly adjust his physical condition, suddenly stumbled. His entire body's Chakra felt as if it didn't belong to him, completely outside of Danzo Shimura's control.
"What did you do to me..."
"Just like with your subordinates, I did a little something to the modified Hashirama cells." Naruto was full of confidence. "After all, highly effective modified Hashirama cells are very attractive to you. Ambitious as you are, you had no reason not to use them."
"Is it Sealing Jutsu or some kind of Secret Technique?"
Seeing Danzo Shimura still persistently questioning him, Naruto shook his head, not intending to tell him the real reason.
After all, Naruto had no intention of telling anyone that Yin-Yang Release Chakra could carry his own will. This was the secret to his manipulation of multiple identities and, more importantly, his trump card for a surprise victory.
There are only three types of Chakra that can carry one's will: first, extreme Yang Release Chakra; second, extreme Yin Release Chakra; and third, the unified Yin-Yang Release Chakra.
Naruto happened to possess the third type. Although he had only a very small amount of Yin-Yang Release Chakra, it was still possible to secretly add a little "flavoring" to the modified Hashirama cells he provided to Orochimaru.
Because of this, when some Root Ninjas used the modified Hashirama cells to strengthen their bodies, Naruto's will took the opportunity to infiltrate and subtly change them.
As for Danzo Shimura, Naruto had no interest in reforming his mind. A bug living in the shadows like him only deserved to be dragged into the sunlight to face the judgment he was due.
Furthermore, Naruto had already thought of the reasons for the trial for Jiraiya and others of the Third Hokage's faction. Since Danzo Shimura had wantonly defamed the deceased Hiruzen Sarutobi, if they wanted to clear Hiruzen Sarutobi's name and let him rest underground as a hero of Konoha, then Danzo Shimura became the unavoidable obstacle.
Naruto's layout also slowly surfaced at this moment. Hiruzen Sarutobi's heroic end, the post-mortem exposure of his scandals, and the destruction of his reputation after death were Naruto's revenge against him. Although the man was dead and unaware of what happened after, it brought Naruto peace of mind.
And for Danzo Shimura, Naruto wanted him to suffer to his heart's content in the struggle of gaining and losing, then losing and gaining. He wanted him to watch with his own eyes as the dark Empire he built with his own hands changed masters and betrayed him. Finally, he wanted Danzo Shimura to die in agony, staring at the unattainable position of Hokage in his loneliness!
At this moment, Naruto was trembling, the look in his eyes gradually turning crazed. The latent subconsciousness within him that didn't belong to him was entirely suppressed by the hatred deep in Naruto's heart. This Naruto was what he truly looked like after stripping away all pretenses!
There was no manic laughter, nor was he moved to tears of joy. Naruto simply smiled calmly, but this smile lacked its former sunshine, containing only endless coldness, loneliness, and ruthlessness.
Slowly approaching Danzo Shimura, Naruto pried open his jaw with one hand. The black glow unique to Sealing Jutsu Talismanic Incantations flickered at his right fingertips. The moment Danzo was forced to open his mouth, Naruto pressed it onto his tongue.
The Tongue Binding Seal—the technique Danzo Shimura used to prevent his subordinates from leaking information—was now being used on him!
"You have done every evil deed imaginable, but you shouldn't just receive my punishment. You are a sinner of the entire Konoha." Naruto's calm narration sounded like a sentence. "You will face judgment in the Hokage Building you dreamed of entering every day. You will be condemned as a sinner, far removed from your ultimate ideal. You can forget about the position of Hokage for the rest of your life..."
"I still have a chance!" Danzo Shimura was still unwilling to give up. "As long as we join forces, with me in the light and you in the shadows, not only will Konoha be ours, but the entire Ninja World will be ours!"
"You still don't understand." Naruto shook his head. "Someone like you is no longer worthy of talking about cooperation with me. Smart people never cooperate, because smart people intend to take everything for themselves from the very beginning!"
"But..."
"I will take good care of your Root for you; after all, they are quite useful." Naruto released his control over the Chakra in Danzo Shimura's body. "I forgot to tell you, only that specific batch of Root Ninjaused the modified Hashirama cells I provided. The Root veterans are still loyal to you."
Hearing this, how could Danzo Shimura stay still? Seeing that Naruto didn't stop him, he ran out of the dungeon without looking back. As long as he gathered those former subordinates, he would still have a chance to make a comeback!
Even if there was only a sliver of a chance, he didn't want to give up!
"By the way!" Naruto showed a demonic smile, not caring whether Danzo Shimura could hear him or not. "Those Ninjas have all been expended by me in the various missions you assigned. Their numbers might be a bit low, so you should be prepared."
"main body, you really are quite wicked!"
After Naruto instructed those two Root Ninja to tie him up again, one of Naruto's Clones, Uzumaki Kenshin, appeared in the dungeon, opening with a tease.
"Is Jiraiya and the others coming?" Naruto asked.
"I've lured them over, and they'll likely run into the fleeing Danzo Shimura."
"That was the plan all along. I don't want to face that disgusting arm!" Naruto said with great disdain. "When his true face is exposed, the scene will probably be quite interesting."
"Especially the scene where he wants to drag the main body down with him but can't speak—that will be even more interesting!" Naruto's CloneUzumaki Kenshin chimed in. "I want to go join in..."
"Forget the double act. Just stay nearby as insurance. After all, the Tongue Binding Seal was developed by Danzo Shimura; it's necessary to keep a card in hand."
"I understand that, of course, but I doubt I'll be needed." Uzumaki Kenshin spread his hands. "Besides, you should give me some more Chakra. Dealing with those stubborn Root Ninja is quite a hassle."
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