Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 155 Behind us is Konoha, that's enough.

Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, clenching his fists.

The shock in his eyes was no less than that in Uchiha Kagami.

But what's truly shocking is something else entirely.

I thought I knew Hiruzen Sarutobi well enough.

Understand his wisdom, understand his methods.

Only today did I realize that what I saw was perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.

Hiruzen not only manipulates himself, but also easily incites the sharpest forces in the entire village with the simplest words.

Danzo's lips curled into an extremely subtle smile in a corner unnoticed by anyone.

It was a smile mixed with fervor.

war?

Then hit!

Only by achieving a resounding victory can we completely terrify all enemies who dare to covet Konoha.

Only through subsequent development can we have a truly stable environment!

Having figured this out, Danzo felt a surge of fighting spirit, just like the ninjas below him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand and pressed it down lightly.

A simple movement without any chakra fluctuations.

The roaring, tsunami-like force that seemed poised to rip the cave ceiling off abruptly ceased in that instant.

The boiling killing intent and fanatical will were instantly soothed by an invisible hand, returning to a deep silence.

The only sound in the entire underground hall was the crackling of the torches burning.

The transition between extreme movement and extreme stillness demonstrates a unique level of control.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around, no longer looking at the group of silent ninjas below.

His gaze fell on Danzo and Uchiha Kagami beside him.

"Danzo, Kagami."

His voice returned to its usual calm, devoid of any emotion.

"The root and the shadows are the village's two sharpest knives."

"A single one in the light."

"One in the dark."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze first settled on Danzo's face, which was as hard as a rock.

"The root is the iron plow that eradicates all threats to the village."

"The Anbu are the shadows that protect the Hokage's will."

Beneath Danzo's mask, his eyes were slightly closed, but his slightly clenched fists betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Uchiha Kagami, on the other hand, felt an unprecedented weight pressing down on his shoulders.

That was the Hokage's complete trust.

"The two of you will jointly command Root and Anbu, forming Konoha's First Vanguard Force!"

"Let's go now!"

"Rush to the aid of the Land of Whirlpools!"

"yes!"

Danzo and Uchiha Kagami's voices resounded throughout the underground space.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said no more.

He stepped down from the platform, the hem of his white divine robe tracing an arc with his movement.

He paused slightly as he brushed past Uchiha Kagami.

A very soft voice, at a volume that only the two of them could hear, reached Jing's ears.

"Mirror, take good care of yourself."

Uchiha Kagami's body stiffened for a moment.

His pupils contracted slightly.

This statement seems to contain some profound meaning that he cannot yet comprehend.

Before he could think it through, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already passed him by and walked into the shadows behind the platform, without looking back.

The white figure quickly disappeared into the darkness.

"Uchiha Kagami's Kagami... 1."

"This is really something to look forward to."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, only Danzo and Kagami Uchiha remained on the high platform.

Below the stage, the Root and Anbu ninjas remained standing, awaiting orders from their new commander.

The oppressive silence was filled with a sharp, imminent energy, as if about to be unsheathed.

Uchiha Kagami turned his head to look at Danzo beside him.

This is a partner he has known for many years, and with whom he has also been engaged in open and covert struggles for many years.

Danzo.

Jing's voice carried a hint of emotion.

"I never imagined that one day we would fight side by side in this way."

Danzo didn't look at him; his gaze remained fixed on the two silent troops below, his voice as hoarse as ever.

"Life is long, and there are many things to think about."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Kagami smiled gently.

"That's true."

"Then let's... live up to the Hokage's expectations."

Danzo finally turned his head, and his eyes, hidden in the shadows, met Uchiha Kagami's gaze.

He didn't speak, but silently raised his right fist.

He wore a black tactical glove on his fist.

Uchiha Kagami stared at the fist for a moment, then laughed.

He also raised his fist.

boom!

The two fists collided with a dull thud.

This is not an expression of friendship.

This is a promise.

A promise of victory made to the Hokage, and to each other.

Fists apart.

The two turned around at the same time, facing downwards.

At that moment, they were no longer Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Kagami.

They are the commanders-in-chief of Konoha's vanguard forces.

Danzo's somber voice rang out first, like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath.

"Belonging to both the Root and the Dark Side!"

"Mission Rank: S!"

"Apart from the covert squad maintaining security within the village, all other squads, pack your gear immediately!"

"All personnel, check weapons, equipment, explosive tags, and rations. Make sure everything is in perfect working order!"

"Assemble at Exit 3 in five minutes!"

"yes!"

The order has been issued.

The two square formations, which had been as still as sculptures, came to life in an instant.

They didn't exchange a single word or make any unnecessary movements.

The Root ninjas retreated swiftly and methodically through the passageways on either side of the stone hall, their figures disappearing into the deeper darkness as they headed towards their armory.

The ninjas from the Anbu disappeared in the direction of the entrance, turning into afterimages.

The entire process was efficient, silent, and filled with mechanical precision.

Uchiha Kagami watched all this, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He could sense that a completely new will was taking shape in this unit.

"However, I'm very curious."

"Hokage-sama, why did you order the Root and Anbu to operate together?"

Danzo paused for a moment.

His eyes became somewhat profound.

"Mirror, don't you understand yet?"

"What?"

"The Hokage did this for the sake of fusion."

"Fusion?" Uchiha Kagami frowned slightly.

"That's right."

Danzo's gaze slowly shifted from the white masks to the animal masks.

"Scattered, they are like stars in the sky; gathered, they are like a blazing fire."

"In the past, they fought their own battles. But from today onward, the Hokage will teach us how to become a unified whole."

At this point, he turned and glanced at Uchiha Kagami.

"This war is not just about aiding the Land of Whirlpools."

"It...is also a trial for the roots and the shadows."

"Lord Hokage is forging a brand new sword with a real war."

On the high platform.

Danzo and Uchiha Kagami stood side by side.

In their eyes burned the same flame, a flame called protection.

Ahead lies a turbulent, unknown sea, a battlefield fraught with peril.

But behind them was Konoha.

This is enough.