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Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Danzo's Wandering Journey

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After spending an hour touring the ruins of the Hidden Sky Village, Sasame and Uchiha Mikoto decided to leave.

Though the scenery was decent, the aftermath of their earlier battle had left little worth seeing.

An hour was already pushing it—especially for Mikoto's frail physique.

Thus, their sightseeing trip ended early.

Exhausted, Mikoto even tripped, tearing her kimono.

Sasame carried her back to the Land of Waves' daimyo residence.

[Your actions have altered Shinnō's fate. Fate Points +50.]

[Your actions have altered Uchiha Mikoto's fate. Fate Points +69.]

[Your actions have altered Shimura Danzo's fate. Fate Points +9.]

Danzo?

What's he got to do with this?

And nine points? That's practically nothing.

What's he been up to?

"Rest well," Sasame said, ruffling Mikoto's hair.

Silky smooth—just like her.

"Mmm." Mikoto nodded shyly.

Once Sasame left, her expression grew distant.

Though she'd convinced herself otherwise, she knew this was betrayal—especially toward the late Uchiha Fugaku.

Yet the freedom and indulgence she'd experienced were unlike anything before.

And the power.

Mikoto lifted her gaze to the setting sun outside the window.

After a moment, she brought her hand to her nose and inhaled softly.

The familiar scent sapped her remaining strength, and she collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep.

Nearby, in the office.

Sasame knocked and entered.

"Big Brother!" Karin rushed over, pouting. "You haven't played with me in ages!"

"Where's Tayuya?" Sasame picked her up.

"She's always training. Too busy for me," Karin huffed, then suddenly frowned. "Did you do something to her? She keeps muttering about you."

"Just muttering?" Sasame smirked.

With Tayuya's temper, he'd be surprised if she wasn't cursing him.

"Well… some unladylike words," Karin said primly. "I disciplined her."

"Disciplined?" Sasame raised an eyebrow. "You beat her?"

"No!" Karin lifted her chin proudly. "I challenged her to a memorization contest—my specialty!"

Damn.

Tayuya's temper truly was her downfall.

But forcing her to recite texts? Brutal.

Bullying an illiterate girl like that… savage.

"Clever girl," Sasame chuckled, stroking her red hair.

Karin preened like a pampered cat under his touch.

"Just don't pick up her bad habits."

Swear words spread faster than any language.

How many people learned foreign curses before basic greetings?

"I won't!" Karin clenched her fists. "No words beat my fists anyway!"

"..."

Sasame was speechless.

Fair point.

Maybe he should worry about Tayuya instead.

In a few years, she might lose to Karin.

Tayuya's strengths were summoning and sound-based ninjutsu.

But Karin was learning sealing techniques and taijutsu—and in the original story, she even mastered the Mystical Palm Technique.

Medical ninjutsu talent, clearly.

But she was still young—no rush.

Mastering seals and taijutsu would make her formidable.

Sasame's only concern was her lack of peers.

Luckily, after Tayuya, there was now Amaru.

Huh.

All three had red hair.

What were the odds?

"Karin, why are you saying weird things again?" Uzumaki Ena set down her documents, exasperated but fond.

"It's not weird!" Karin stuck out her tongue. "Big Brother didn't mind!"

Ena shot Sasame a look—this is your fault.

"I think it's fine," Sasame shrugged.

"See? Big Brother gets me!" Karin cheered.

Ena sighed but didn't press further.

"How's Amaru doing?" Sasame recalled her mysterious illness.

Shinnō might've been a fraud, but his medical skills weren't fake.

Surviving in the shinobi world undetected meant he had to be competent.

"Stable," Ena's gaze lingered on Sasame, soft and affectionate. "But she keeps asking to return to her village."

"Ah."

Sasame's memory of the movie was hazy.

He didn't recall Amaru's feelings toward her village.

But thanks to his interference, Shinnō's influence over her was gone.

"Then relocate the village here."

Sasame waved it off like it was nothing.

The Land of Waves needed manpower.

Even after absorbing the Whirlpool Country's remnants, they were short-handed.

Shipping, bridge maintenance, and future oceanic resource extraction all required labor.

Ena nodded.

Though she'd handle the logistics, she'd never complain if it was Sasame's request.

"News from Kirigakure," Ena picked up a report. "Five sea routes will be cleared next month. And the chefs you requested have arrived."

Chefs?

Sasame blinked.

He'd forgotten about that.

Which meant he'd also left Mei Terumī hanging for a while.

"Got it."

He patted Karin's head, his eyes meeting Ena's.

She smiled knowingly.

But Sasame had to return to Konoha.

As Hokage Advisor, he couldn't skip work entirely.

Under Ena and Karin's reluctant gazes, he teleported back to his office.

A stack of documents awaited him.

Sasame skimmed through them.

One hot topic stood out—Uzumaki Naruto.

His true identity's exposure had sparked fierce debate in Konoha.

Human nature, reflected in all its ugliness.

Illiteracy breeds ignorance.

Sasame considered establishing schools.

But resistance would be fierce.

Shinobi would balk at the cost.

Nobles would see it as a threat to their power.

Smarter people are harder to control.

He shelved the idea for later—after he became Hokage.

The Land of Fire's daimyo would be his first target.

What Tsunade could handle, he'd handle.

What she couldn't, he'd handle better.

Not that she was a bad Hokage—just constrained by circumstances.

And her own laziness.

It's up to me.

After finishing the paperwork, he carried it to the Hokage's office himself instead of summoning an ANBU.

"Sis, tired?"

He found Tsunade resting with her eyes closed.

"Not too bad."

She smiled, gesturing to her desk. "Just leave them there."

As he set the files down, a classified report caught his eye.

Shimura Danzo.

According to the intel, after leaving Konoha, Danzo had headed straight for Amegakure—seeking the "Demigod" Hanzo.

Though Nagato had killed Hanzo years ago, the outside world remained oblivious.

All attempts to gather intel on Amegakure had failed.

Danzo's move made sense.

Few could help him stage a comeback.

Among the minor villages, Amegakure was the likeliest—thanks to Hanzo's reputation.

If Hashirama was the God of Shinobi, Hanzo was the Demigod.

His most famous feat? Defeating the Sannin single-handedly during the Second Shinobi World War.

In fact, he was the one who'd dubbed them the "Sannin"—a title of shame, not honor.

Yet over time, it had become a badge of prestige—ironically cementing Hanzo's legend.

The report lacked details.

Only that Danzo had sought Hanzo… and fled severely wounded.

How the hell is he still alive?

Sasame guessed Nagato wanted to keep the Akatsuki's existence hidden.

Killing Danzo—a Konoha rogue—would force Tsunade to investigate, possibly exposing intel.

But not killing him?

Fine by me.

More Fate Points to farm.

Where will Wandering Danzo go next?

"Danzo vanished after his injuries," Tsunade noted. "But he did prove Hanzo's still got it."

Like everyone else, she assumed Hanzo was alive.

And while Danzo was a joke, his strength surpassed most shinobi.

Few could defeat him so thoroughly.

Tsunade's conclusion was natural—they'd fought Hanzo, after all.

"Worried about Amegakure?" Sasame set the report down.

"Amegakure's been sealed since the Second War," Tsunade frowned. "Hanzo's never been one to sit idle. His long absence… I don't like it."

Plotting his resurrection, probably.

Sasame held his tongue.

Hanzo did return later—via Edo Tensei.

But without his salamander summon, he'd been embarrassingly weak, losing to Samurai General Mifune.

A far cry from his "Demigod" title.

Compared to Hashirama, he wasn't half a god—more like one-billionth.

No need to explain, though.

"Whatever he's planning, Konoha can handle it."

"You don't get how strong Hanzo was."

Tsunade launched into the tale of the Sannin's legendary battle.

Sasame listened patiently, though inwardly amused.

She's really moved on.

The Second War was when Nawaki died—blown up by a mere explosive tag in front of Orochimaru.

That single tag had altered two of the Sannin's paths.

One abandoned humanity.

The other fled into despair.

"Impressive," Sasame nodded when she finished.

"Liar." Tsunade rolled her eyes. His disinterest was obvious.

But given his power, Hanzo was insignificant.

She smirked. "If you're not interested, I'll stop."

"No, I love listening to you."

Sasame stepped closer, admiring her flawless face. "I'd listen to anything you say."

"Smooth."

Tsunade flicked his forehead. "How many girls have you sweet-talked behind my back?"

"None!" Sasame feigned outrage. "Can the Hokage just slander people like this?"

"Yes."

Tsunade grinned, pinching his cheeks. "Hokage privileges."

"Tch."

Sasame glared. "Just you wait—I'll be Hokage someday!"

Tsunade froze.

Then her eye twitched.

Veins bulged on her forehead as she stood, shoving Sasame into the Hokage's chair.

Leaning in until their noses almost touched, she growled, "After I teach you a lesson!"

Outside the office, Shizune and Yamanaka Ino froze mid-step, arms full of documents.

"Shizune-san… no one's inside?" Ino knocked again.

No response.

"That's… odd."

Shizune knew Tsunade.

Lazy, yes—but she never neglected her duties.

She tried the door—sealed.

A blush crept up her cheeks.

So bold! What if someone sees?!

"Ino, let's come back tomorrow."

Shizune coughed. "Lady Tsunade must've left early."

"Okay."

Ino turned, then paused. "Shizune-san, your face is red. Are you sick?"

"Just… warm."

Shizune changed the subject. "You've mastered reviving the training rooster. You're officially a medical-nin now."

"I've still got so much to learn."

Ino smiled shyly. "If I can reach even one-tenth of your skill, I'll be happy."

"Your talent surpasses mine."

Shizune's blush faded as she chuckled. "Keep at it, girl."

Night fell.

Sasame carried Tsunade home on his back.

Shizune, waiting on the couch, stood immediately.

Before she could ask about dinner, Sasame raised a finger to his lips.

Glancing at Tsunade—fast asleep—Shizune understood.

Exhausted.

Sasame laid her in bed, letting her rest.

"Shizune, just cook for two tonight."

After leaving the room, he stretched.

Shizune nodded, maintaining composure until she reached the kitchen—then exhaled sharply.

How tired must Lady Tsunade be…?

Dinner was simple with one less person.

Sasame ate quickly, then—after informing Shizune—carried Tsunade to the bath.

She'd worked up a sweat, after all.

Once cleaned, the night passed peacefully.

Land of Snow – Yukigakure

Even at night, the Snow Capital blazed with light.

On his throne, Doto Kazahana frowned.

"Any updates on that flying fortress?"

Below knelt his three elite ninja:

Nadare Roga, Fubuki Kakuyoku, and Mizore Fuyukuma.

Silence.

Finally, Fubuki spoke. "The scouts we sent… none returned."

"All dead?" Doto's grip tightened. "Without even seeing the enemy?"

"They entered the fortress… then vanished."

Fubuki hesitated. "As if defeated instantly."

"Impossible."

Doto's voice dropped. "They wore chakra armor—each as strong as a jonin."

"I… don't know."

Fubuki grimaced. "Maybe the fortress has built-in weapons."

Doto stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The fortress' sudden appearance was suspicious.

He'd believed the Land of Snow's technology was unmatched.

Yet here was proof otherwise.

"If they haven't attacked yet, they're waiting for something."

Doto's fist clenched. "Tomorrow, we assault the fortress with full force."

Delaying only helped the enemy.

And the longer the fortress loomed overhead, the more his authority eroded.

Plus… he wanted it.

"Yes, Lord Doto!"

The trio bowed.

"Any leads on Fuun?" Doto's eyes narrowed.

He'd usurped the throne for one reason—the treasure.

The key? A hexagonal crystal.

After scouring the country, only one possibility remained—the runaway princess, Fuun Kazahana.

"…No."

Fubuki braced for fury.

"Useless!"

Doto's roar shook the hall. "Years of searching, and you still can't find one girl?!"

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