Chapter 100: Danzō's Fall [1] (5000 words)

When Naruto returned home, night had already fallen.

His bedroom, chaotic and cluttered, greeted him like a storm’s aftermath. Exhausted beyond words, he collapsed onto his bed with a heavy thud, his body sinking into the mattress as if the weight of the world had finally caught up with him.

Even now, he felt dazed, his mind still reeling from the revelations of the day.

After lying there for who knows how long, he finally sat up, pulling his shirt upward to reveal his flat, unremarkable stomach.

“My body… contains a Nine-Tailed Fox demon…”

He poked at his belly, still unable to sense anything unusual.

Logically, he should have been terrified—after all, learning that a monstrous, ancient beast was sealed inside him ought to send anyone into panic. But strangely, Naruto felt no fear. Instead, a peculiar sense of safety lingered in his chest.

That safety… wasn’t rooted in the Hokage.

No, it came from him—the terrifying man. The one who had stood alone before the Hokage, daring to challenge him in front of the entire village. The only one who had ever enforced Absolute Justice within Leaf Village.

That man… perhaps even he was stronger than the beast sealed within Naruto.

“I remember… his name was Uchiha Iizumi, right?!”

“…Absolute Justice…”

Naruto stared blankly at a crack in the ceiling, his voice drifting into the silence. He didn’t even know why he’d suddenly spoken those words aloud.

It was as if, after finally receiving someone’s recognition—after being seen by someone who truly believed in him—he desperately wanted to live up to that belief. He didn’t want to disappoint that trust.

And more than anything, what he’d said earlier… had been the truth.

No lies. No exaggeration.

In his mind, the Hokage’s words echoed once more—spoken as he’d carried Naruto back, weary but resolute.

—“Naruto, Iizumi’s Justice is rigid, unyielding, and often inflexible. It’s overly strict, hard to negotiate with. And it deviates from the Fire Nation Will that defines our village. Justice is different for everyone. You can’t simply copy Iizumi’s Absolute Justice like a shadow.”

—“If you truly wish to make Justice and the Hokage title your path forward, I advise you to develop your own convictions. Perhaps… you could try blending the Fire Nation Will with your own sense of Justice.”

—“Only Justice that brings positive change to Leaf Village will earn the people’s respect. Iizumi’s kind of Justice—harsh, uncompromising—will never win their hearts. That’s why he’s always alone.”

—“Ahem! I don’t mean to speak ill of him. I only mean to say that true Justice cannot exist apart from the Fire Nation Will. They shouldn’t be enemies, should they?”

“Ugh! So complicated!!”

Seven-year-old Naruto clutched his head in frustration, giving up on thinking.

The adult world felt like a labyrinth he couldn’t navigate.

But… if he just woke up every morning, cleaned the streets, went to Ninja Academy, and then—after school—went to find Uchiha Iizumi… wouldn’t that be enough?

Wait…

…What about his free time?

Naruto suddenly realized the oversight.

…

Under the cover of darkness, Uchiha Iizumi sank into a steaming bath, her delicate face half-submerged in the water. Bubbles rose in gentle waves, “gurgle-gurgle” like whispers from the depths.

She felt… weak.

Even when she had stood firm beside her mentor during the confrontation with Iizumi Senior, Fugaku Clan Head, Hokage-sama, and Tsunade Konoha’s advisor—when she had glared fiercely at them all—none of the great figures had even glanced her way.

If only she were stronger.

Then they wouldn’t have ignored her.

Then they’d see: Iizumi wasn’t alone.

Then they’d understand—Absolute Justice had followers.

Now…

Naruto Uzumaki—the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—was being drawn into the same path.

Even though Naruto was still young, his status made him far more visible than she was.

Izumi sighed softly. A large bubble burst from the surface of the water.

Then—suddenly—she noticed a tiny shadow reflected in the bathwater.

Her breath caught. She instinctively covered herself.

She turned sharply—only to see a white Ninja Cat perched on the slightly ajar window frame.

“Newcomer,” the cat said calmly, “Iizumi-sama summons you. Tonight, something important awaits you.”

“Don’t worry,” it added, “I’m female.”

Izumi exhaled, relieved—but her mind buzzed with confusion.

Something important to me?

She racked her brain, but came up with nothing.

She quickly stood, drying herself, then donned her gear. Without hesitation, she rushed out after the white cat.

Soon, she found herself in a dark, narrow alley.

There, standing in the shadows, was Iizumi Senior.

“Check your tools,” Iizumi said, glancing at her. His eyes lingered for a moment on her still-damp hair.

Then, like a blade drawn from its sheath, he spoke:

“Tonight, you will kill Shimura Danzō. You will unearth a rare treasure—the ‘Evil’s Cache.’”

Izumi froze.

“What?! Kill Danzō?!”

She remembered—her mentor had once spoken of such a thing.

And she recalled: every time she’d personally executed one of his so-called “Evil Offenders,” she’d felt… stronger. Sharper.

Her mentor had called it a gift from Absolute Justice.

Now, a chilling realization struck her.

She wasn’t just following a creed.

She was touching something deeper—something hidden.

But… perhaps the secret wasn’t really a secret.

After all, he’d already told her before.

A flicker of anticipation stirred in her heart.

She hurried to check her weapons, but curiosity overwhelmed her.

“Senior… do you know where Hokage-sama has hidden Danzō?”

“There’s a faint sensation,” Iizumi replied, his voice calm. “My eyes left a mark on his soul. I can sense his general location. Though… there are two different points. Perhaps his soul was split in two—this way, he avoids the Divine Retribution Flame’s soul-burning.”

Izumi felt a pang of pity.

So much effort—soul-splitting, desperate measures—just to escape the previous hunt.

And yet, here he was again—pinned down.

But…

It was his own fault. If he hadn’t done evil, would he have been judged by Absolute Justice?

“Meow,” Tachibana Jiro’s voice cut in. “Tonight’s gonna be a big one. Bet Third Hokage’s already got a team of Anbu Ninja guarding that half-dead Danzō dog.”

The white cat’s words sent a shiver down Izumi’s spine.

She felt her shoulders suddenly heavy.

“Last night, Iizumi-sama infuriated the Third Hokage. Today, he wore him down again. Now, if we do this… I wonder if the old man’ll have a heart attack.”

Tachibana Jiro’s tone was gleeful.

Izumi lifted her shoulders, trying to shake off the weight.

“Tachibana Jiro Senior… why are you on the other side now?”

“Can’t have you developing uneven shoulders,” the cat replied, patting her shoulder with a paw. “I heard humans care about that. Aren’t I thoughtful?”

Izumi stared blankly.

Too thoughtful… I’ll be too sore to even lift my arm when I face Danzō.

…

Meanwhile, deep within the Anbu Base.

“Huff… huff…”

Only half a body remained.

Danzō lay motionless on a cold iron bed, his eyes lifeless. The agony tearing through his soul—worse than any physical wound—refused to relent. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t suppress it.

He could no longer scream.

His voice had long since been silenced. Now, he could only gasp in agony, his face twisted in silent torment.

One eye remained—his other Sharingan, taken by medical ninja under the order of “Hokage-sama.”

That eye… had been Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

And now, it was gone.

But Danzō was powerless. He was meat on a slab.

A single RootZetsu IV drip tube ran into his body, keeping him alive despite his inability to eat or drink.

This state was worse than death.

But still… he clung to life.

Because deep within him burned a rage—unquenchable, consuming.

He couldn’t die.

Not yet.

Because if he did, the pain would follow him—into the afterlife, into hell itself.

And that Mangekyō… it was too powerful. Even Zetsu feared it.

Danzō pinned his last hope on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Suppose… the monkey finally realizes Iizumi’s eyes can threaten anyone—even him, the Hokage.

And suppose he decides to kill Iizumi… would that break the Mangekyō’s curse?

After all, he’d stolen the old man’s Kakusei no Ketsu. Shouldn’t the monkey repay him?

With that slim hope, Danzō refused to give up.

He still had a chance.

He hadn’t lost.

Not while the Uchiha clan—those born-evil—still lived.

He, Shimura Danzō, carried the final will of his teacher, Tobirama.

He would be the next Hokage.

He would change Leaf Village’s future.

Thud… thud… thud…

A faint sound reached his ears.

His bloodshot eyes turned slowly to the left.

There, seated beside him, was a familiar face—Hyūga Menji.

Menji pulled a chair close, adjusting his thick glasses.

“Danzō,” he said slowly, “the medical ninjas have done everything. Uchiha Itachi has tried his best. But nothing works.”

“Only Uchiha Iizumi can remove the Mangekyō from your body.”

Danzō’s face twitched—his muscles strained with rage. He wanted to scream at the medics. To curse Iizumi.

But he couldn’t even speak.

Menji looked at him, his expression heavy.

A mix of sorrow and regret.

“Danzō… you’re helpless now. But I should tell you what’s happened.”

“Two days ago, Iizumi caused a major disturbance in the village. He’s involved the Daimyō. And the Jinchūriki.”

Menji delivered the news like a slow poison.

Danzō’s mind reeled.

That evil Uchiha boy… was getting bolder.

And no one could stop him.

No one.

If the monkey had wanted to stop him—Zetsu could have—but the Hokage was too hesitant.

Too afraid of casualties.

But hesitation didn’t solve anything.

It only made things worse.

Danzō ground his remaining teeth until they cracked.

Damn you, monkey! Why won’t you act?!

“Danzō,” Menji continued, “you’re not in any shape to worry. It’s late. I should go.”

Just then—BOOM!

A thunderous explosion rocked the base.

The ground trembled violently.

Menji’s eyes widened.

He staggered, then lunged backward—just as the ceiling above him turned orange-red, glowing like molten lava.

His blood ran cold.

No…

In an instant, the ceiling melted apart, unleashing a torrent of molten lava that plunged downward, carving a deep, gaping hole through the floor.

Flaming fragments scattered, igniting everything combustible.

The air filled with the stench of sulfur and fire.

Menji’s heart pounded.

“Uchiha Iizumi!!”

At that moment, a voice—youthful, yet chillingly familiar—spoke from the inferno.

“Ah… so that’s how it works. Using Shinigami Binding to split the soul in two—so the Divine Retribution Flame can’t consume the whole thing.”

“I thought you were a bit of a fool. Even managed to mess up the basic kunai-to-Susano’o technique. But now… you’ve proven you’re not entirely stupid.”

“Too bad. The pain between the two halves—thanks to Shinigami Binding—can’t be severed. That’s why you’re lying there, broken, useless.”

“You thought your little trick would save you? Instead, it only made your suffering eternal.”

“Am I right, Danzō… sir?”

Iizumi had come from two places tonight.

First—Uzumaki’s Nabe-dō, where he’d sensed one half of Danzō’s soul.

That’s when he understood the method.

Then—here. The Anbu Base.

And now, as the lava receded, flowing into Iizumi’s body like liquid fire, Menji saw him standing in the heart of the destruction.

His eyes wide, Menji stared.

“What are you doing?!”

He shouted, voice trembling.

“Uchiha Iizumi! This is the Anbu Base! You’ve breached the facility, destroyed it—what do you want?!”

But the lava vanished—retracted into Iizumi’s form.

Then, slowly, Iizumi turned.

His gaze—cold, unyielding—locked onto Menji.

Menji flinched. Instinctively, he shifted his head aside.

He’d seen Danzō’s agony. He knew what that eye could do.

“Eliminate evil from the Ninja World.”

That was Iizumi’s reply.

Menji’s blood turned to ice.

So… he wasn’t letting Danzō go?

But how did he know Danzō was here?

Just then—thud.

From the hole above, two figures dropped down.

A young girl in Uchiha Police Force attire.

And a ginger-colored Ninja Cat.

“Meow,” Tachibana Jiro mused, squinting. “This is Anbu territory, huh? Fast response time.”

Within seconds, seven Anbu Ninja arrived—drawn by the chaos.

They formed a line behind Menji, their masks shifting, eyes scanning the scene.

Relief washed over Menji.

But then—Uchiha Iizumi stepped forward.

One man. One path.

He blocked the entire line.

“Uchiha Iizumi…” Menji said, voice strained. “Danzō can’t harm anyone anymore. Root is no longer under his control. The Hokage has stripped him of all titles. He’s not even a village leader.”

He took a breath—only to choke on the acrid smell of sulfur.

“Even so… must this go to the end? Can’t you show mercy? For the sake of our village?”

“Your Justice… if it were softer, more understanding… more would accept it.”

The Anbu behind him stared in shock.

They now understood.

Iizumi had come to kill Danzō.

And they’d seen it.

Danzō had no chance.

Iizumi turned to him.

“Did Danzō show mercy when he committed his crimes?”

Silence.

Menji had no answer.

Because Danzō never did.

“Absolute Justice will cut out a deadly tumor from the Ninja World.”

Iizumi stepped forward, one foot at a time.

He stood alone.

“Anyone who stands in the way of Justice… is an enemy. A co-conspirator in evil.”

“Tonight… this path is closed.”

“Danzō… must die.”

…

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end