"Lord Danzo, Orochimaru has returned, but he seems seriously injured!"
Inside the Root base, Yamanaka Fu, one of Danzo's most loyal subordinates, immediately reported the news he had just received.
"What, Orochimaru is actually injured?" Danzo's voice faltered. He was momentarily speechless.
Orochimaru was one of the Legendary Sannin, renowned across the entire ninja world. Even the current Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, might struggle against him. And yet, Orochimaru, a top-tier super expert, could be injured by Uchiha Ryūjin?
Could Uchiha Ryūjin really be that terrifying?
"Perhaps Orochimaru didn't actually fight Ryūjin. Maybe he ran into some other mishap and was injured by someone else," Danzo muttered to himself, searching for a plausible explanation.
"That would also explain why Ryūjin returned to Konoha unharmed."
Yamanaka Fu continued, relaying Orochimaru's emotions and his words from the scene.
"Lord Danzo, he seems furious. He keeps claiming that you ruined him!"
Danzo's brows furrowed like a withering chrysanthemum in late autumn. Orochimaru's rage, whatever had caused it, was clearly linked to this mission to capture Ryūjin.
"I'll go see him myself," Danzo said, his voice tight with anxiety. Without hesitation, he moved to the back mountain with a few personal guards.
"Orochimaru, what exactly happened? How did you end up like this?" he asked, staring at the Sannin's injured form with mounting confusion.
"You're a dead man. Does knowing that really matter?" Ryūjin's voice, cold and mocking, cut through the tension.
Danzo froze. Something was immediately wrong. Instinctively, he stepped two paces back behind his guards.
Yamanaka Fu and the surrounding Root members formed a protective circle, eyes trained on the figure before them.
"You're not Orochimaru. Who are you?" Danzo demanded, single eye wide with shock and anger.
Ryūjin's lips curved into a sneer. "Alright, I'll let you die understanding this."
With a flick of his hand, he dispelled the Transformation Jutsu. His true form was revealed.
"Uchiha Ryūjin!? How is this possible!" Danzo's voice cracked with disbelief, almost jumping out of him.
Ryūjin had impersonated Orochimaru, turning Danzo's secret plot against him. This revelation was more devastating than death itself.
"How did you get here? Where is Orochimaru? Did you kill him?" Danzo's words tumbled out, a mix of fear and confusion.
"Hmph, nonsense. Die!" Ryūjin's pupils rotated, igniting into Mangekyo Sharingan. Without warning, Amaterasu flames shot toward Danzo.
But Danzo, that old schemer, had learned from past encounters with Ryūjin. He reacted instantly, using the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, he was gone. Ryūjin's flames burned empty space.
"Cowardly and terrified of death. And this worthless man dreams of being Hokage? Pathetic," Ryūjin muttered, contempt etched across his face.
"Kill him! Cover Lord Danzo's retreat!" Yamanaka Fu barked. Root members surged forward, closing in on Ryūjin. Simultaneously, Fu formed a hand seal, preparing the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu.
Ryūjin's eyes flicked toward him. "This hand sign? Mind Transfer?" He smirked. He had studied this gesture countless times and knew exactly how to counter it. Without hesitation, he extended his hand.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A massive force erupted, tossing Yamanaka Fu violently backward. The secret technique was interrupted completely.
Almost simultaneously, an Aburame clan member summoned a swarm of insects, flying straight toward Ryūjin.
"I'll deal with you after I finish that old scoundrel Danzo," Ryūjin said coldly, voice laced with disdain.
Flying Thunder God Technique!
Swish! Ryūjin vanished from sight as though he had never been there.
Swish, swish!
In no time, he had intercepted Danzo in the air, appearing before him like a general blocking a fleeing enemy.
"Had you not provoked me, I wouldn't bother," Ryūjin said, voice dark. "But since you've chosen to seek death, I won't be polite."
Danzo skidded to a stop, realizing escape was impossible. "Killing me won't serve you. You'd gain far more by keeping me alive. We could cooperate. I hold influence in Konoha, I control Root, and I can provide what you want."
Ryūjin's expression remained cold. "Sorry, not interested."
Before Danzo could react further, Ryūjin activated Amaterasu again.
"Wind Release…!" Danzo attempted a counterattack, but Ryūjin's flames cut him off instantly.
Body Flicker was useless. There was no escape.
In moments, Danzo fell to the ground, his body half-burned to ash. Orochimaru had yet to transplant the Sharingan arm, leaving Danzo defenseless. One life, completely gone.
"Lord Danzo!" Root members cried out in disbelief, rushing forward.
But Ryūjin's voice cut through them. "That old scoundrel is dead. Now, it's your turn."
With a surge of power, Ryūjin opened the Four Gates, preparing to engage the Root members surrounding him.