Konoha...
Looking at the still peaceful village, Danzo's heart was filled with emotion. How long had it been since he last returned?
As the Darkness of Shinobi, he had always silently protected Konoha, protected Hiruzen from the shadows.
How he longed for Konoha to become stronger. But...
Hiruzen was too indecisive. In every situation, he wanted to compromise, never daring to take harsh measures. It was always him.
The dark side of Konoha, the Darkness of Shinobi would handle it. But he would not complain. Because...
This was all for Konoha.
However...
There was still a knot in his heart. If only he had bravely stepped forward during that attack back then, how much better things would have been.
"Perhaps I would make a better Hokage than Hiruzen." Looking at the village full of laughter, Danzo's heart also calmed down. He sighed, "It seems like it's been a long time since I've viewed the village with such feelings."
When was the last time?
It seemed to be back when Hiruzen begged him to assist in managing the village. From that moment on...
He gradually hid in Konoha's shadows, wary of anyone who might harm the village's interests.
"Thud!"
Suddenly, while Danzo was lost in thought, he felt someone bump into him.
His expression changed as he quickly looked down, only to see a little girl staring at him fearfully. Danzo immediately forced a smile. "Are you alright?"
When entering the village, the Root shinobi had disappeared. Like him, they could only hide in the darkness. But today, Danzo suddenly wanted to take a good look at the village.
"Mm." The little girl nodded nervously, stood up, and hurriedly said, "I'm sorry."
Then she turned and ran away...
Seeing this, Danzo touched his face. Was he... not as gentle-looking as Hiruzen?
Why was it that everyone seemed so afraid of him?
"Lord Danzo." A white-haired, spiky-haired boy yawned and said, "The Hokage wants you to report to him immediately after returning to the village."
Do you not realize that your unauthorized actions have brought shame to Konoha... no, wait, the money came from the Shimura clan. But...
It still humiliated Konoha.
"Hmph." Danzo stiffened his face and said coldly, "I understand."
...
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know what to say. He took a melancholic puff of smoke and muttered, "Danzo... he... he's changed."
Danzo actually smiled??
How many years had it been? Hiruzen hadn't seen him smile in ages. Or rather...
Ever since they became rivals, Danzo had never smiled. What exactly happened?
Hiruzen could hardly believe his eyes.
From what he saw in the crystal ball, Danzo—that guy who always wore a scowl—actually tried to help a child up...
Though he didn't succeed in the end.
But...
He really had changed.
He had learned to smile.
He had become someone even his old friend barely recognized. What...
Had he experienced in Uzushiogakure?
Now Hiruzen was worried. Were these changes in his old friend for better or worse?
Konoha...
Still needed him.
Hiruzen watched melancholically as Danzo strolled leisurely through the village, occasionally forcing an ugly smile. But...
He was the Darkness of Shinobi.
He was Konoha's shadow.
What was with that smile like an old chrysanthemum?
For some reason, Hiruzen suddenly felt uneasy.
"Tell Danzo to come here at once!" Hiruzen took a drag of his pipe and shouted, "Immediately!"
There was still a pile of village matters waiting for him.
Get back to work!
...
"Danzo is back?" Senju Toshiki frowned upon hearing the report from his subordinates. During this period when the old man was away from the village, they had lived quite comfortably. At least no ANBU came to invite them for tea, and even the Hokage hadn't said anything.
He had thought the Hokage would no longer hold them accountable.
But...
"Why did he have to come back?" Senju Toshiki muttered regretfully. Why didn't that kid just keep Danzo in Uzushiogakure?
Now...
"What will happen?" Senju Toshiki worriedly looked outside. If they didn't have to leave Konoha...
Why would they want to?
"Perhaps the situation won't be so bad after all."
...
"Sigh." Uzumaki Jun rubbed his forehead. There was still a pile of matters in Uzushiogakure that needed his attention, especially since Gato had returned, bringing with him a large group of merchants from other countries.
Hearing that they could enjoy three years of rent-free business, half tax rates, and other policy benefits, they came to check it out.
Though Uzushiogakure was a small country with weak military power, and as merchants, their information network was quite extensive...
The Five Great Shinobi Villages coveted this piece of fat meat.
Thus, to avoid heavy losses, few merchants came to set up shop. Moreover, Uzushiogakure didn't have much to offer before. But now things were different. Whether it was the exquisite glass figurines... statues, or the specially made honey...
These products were always bestsellers elsewhere. So upon hearing that bulk purchases came with discounts, they hurried over to investigate.
After all, the shinobi world was relatively peaceful now.
"Scientific technology is the primary productive force." Uzumaki Jun sighed as he read the report submitted by Gato. "But Uzushiogakure still has too few specialties, whether in food or other goods."
High quality and low price were the best ways to capture the market now, especially since the shinobi world's market was still vast.
But...
"What should we introduce this time?" Uzumaki Jun rubbed his temples in frustration. This time, chakra stoves and chakra batteries could be included in the trade, but the elders needed to set up anti-theft seals first.
If someone tried to forcibly dismantle them, the products would self-destruct.
Uzumaki Jun knew such things couldn't be kept secret for long. Though they had some technical complexity, it wasn't high.
So delaying it for three to five years would be enough. That time would allow Uzushiogakure to pull ahead.
"Clothing, food, shelter, transportation. Clothing, food, shelter, transportation." Uzumaki Jun suddenly had an idea. "The textile technology also needs an upgrade."
Currently, most fabrics in the shinobi world were handwoven. If Uzushiogakure could mass-produce textiles...
Tsk tsk.
Just as Uzumaki Jun was about to exchange for textile technology...
"You're here?" Suddenly, he noticed a figure emerging from the ground.
His heart filled with emotion...
Finally here.
It had been so long.