That day, news of Danzo's awakening was delivered to the Hokage, and the first to rush over was none other than Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, you're in such a hurry. Is something wrong?"
...
In the underground stone hall of the Root headquarters, Danzo sat on a stone bench, watching as Jiraiya entered with his usual carefree grin.
"It's great to see you recovering, Lord Danzo. Tsunade mentioned that your condition was rather dire not long ago."
Sensing Jiraiya's genuine joy, Danzo's expression suddenly turned strange.
[ Ding! You have received the recognition of Jiraiya. ]
[ Fate connection established... ]
[ Acquired: "Unyielding Will" ] (Willpower is often stronger than mere strength.)
[ Acquired: "Natural Affinity" ] (Though not completely eroded by chakra, you still share a bond with nature.)
A clear sensation washed over Danzo's soul, as if a refreshing spring had been poured into it.
The overwhelming pleasure made his gaze waver slightly.
Natural energy swirled around him, exuding an almost affectionate warmth—as though it had a will of its own. This was unprecedented.
...
"Lord Danzo?" Pakura, standing behind him, immediately noticed something amiss and asked with concern.
"It's nothing, just a brief distraction," Danzo waved a hand dismissively.
Jiraiya, who had just been glared at by Pakura, scratched his head with an awkward smile.
Though she wore a mask, Jiraiya had long since figured out her identity from their previous collaborations.
He never expected the Kazekage to be part of Root—and to be so close to Danzo, no less.
Danzo truly lived up to his reputation.
But quickly, Jiraiya got to the point.
"Lord Danzo, I came in such a hurry because of the Rinnegan..."
"The Rinnegan was taken. Naruto and Sasuke were likely abducted by the same person. But don't worry, they're not in any immediate danger. As for the Ten-Tails' husk, I'll handle it..."
"Hahaha, with you around, my job just got a whole lot easier. Tsunade has been working me to the bone lately."
...
Watching Jiraiya's retreating figure, Danzo couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
She arranged three wives for him, yet he still wasn't willing to risk his life for Konoha just once.
Sensing Pakura's subtle shift in emotions behind him, Danzo reassured her,
"Relax, I'm fine. In fact, I feel better than ever."
"I will do my best to protect you."
Hearing the firmness in her voice, Danzo sighed internally. Yet, he could clearly sense the deep-rooted dependency and worry within Pakura's soul.
He reached out, pulling her onto his lap and gently stroking her silky hair, as if petting a kitten.
"I believe in you, Pakura."
His thoughts, however, drifted back to Jiraiya's gifts—two in total.
"Unyielding Will" and "Natural Affinity" were both inherent traits of Jiraiya.
But the most valuable gain was the enhancement of his soul's quality.
At this moment, he could feel his body evolving with every passing second.
Just a little more time—to fully digest his recent gains—and he would truly reach the level of a perfect Six Paths being.
When that time came, it would be time to settle the final accounts.
...
Before the colossal husk of the Ten-Tails, sealing barriers and countless intricate runes had been arranged all around.
Danzo stepped into the formation, placing both hands on the Ten-Tails' husk.
Immediately, he could sense the presence of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails sealed within, as well as the empty, hollow soul lingering inside.
His eyes emitted a faint blue glow, and the withered husk of the Ten-Tails stirred ever so slightly, its spine straightening as if regaining some semblance of vitality.
As expected—it worked.
With a Six Paths-level core, he could indeed gain control over it.
Using the Tenseigan's abilities, Danzo imprinted a summoning contract upon it. Then, activating a summoning jutsu, he transported the massive creature to a deserted island.
As the colossal monster vanished, the gathered shinobi all breathed sighs of relief.
Without delay, they resumed their efforts to rebuild Konoha.
...
The village's landscape had been drastically altered. Trees had been cleared, revealing the planned streets, where numerous shinobi and laborers worked tirelessly on construction.
Caravans streamed in from all over the Land of Fire, bringing essential supplies.
Despite its recent devastation, Konoha still exuded vitality.
The clan districts were being reorganized, and opportunistic merchants were making fortunes amidst the rebuilding efforts.
Danzo's return was a relief to many.
Although reports had claimed he was recuperating, his actual presence was far more reassuring—especially for the major clans working closely with Root.
...
In the council chamber, after meeting with the clan heads, Danzo turned to Shizune with a puzzled expression.
"Where is Tsunade?"
"Lady Hokage wasn't feeling well today, so she couldn't attend," Shizune replied apologetically.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. Was Tsunade trying to abandon her responsibilities? This was an important meeting—how could she not show up?
Had the recent attack by Pain shaken her so much?
"Tell her this—just focus on governing Konoha. I will handle everything outside the village."
"Understood."
...
At the heart of Mount Myoboku, within a grand palace, the Great Toad Sage suddenly awoke from a deep slumber.
"Huff... huff..."
His breath came in ragged gasps, his ancient eyes filled with disbelief and terror. But soon, he calmed himself.
"So, you have arrived."
The space around him distorted, and a translucent spectral figure wielding a staff materialized out of thin air—the Sage of Six Paths.
"I never expected you to personally appear," the Great Toad Sage murmured. "Then again... it has been a thousand years. And now, someone truly fascinating has emerged."
Despite nearly a millennium apart, there was no joy in their reunion—only an eerie atmosphere.
"You, too, have lived for a thousand years. It's time for this to end."
Slumped upon his throne, the Great Toad Sage's once-bright eyes had long since clouded with age.
"You haven't changed at all. This feels so familiar... Ah, it reminds me of the Rabbit Goddess... Truly uncanny..."
As the amethyst orb before him floated toward the Sage of Six Paths, the Great Toad Sage closed his eyes once more, slipping back into slumber.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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