https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-113-The-Insane-Counterattack-Plan-/12832127/
Chapter 112: My Sage Mode Has Been Thirsty for a Long Time!
Chapter 112: My Sage Mode Has Been Thirsty for a Long Time!
"Captain Dohei, please come to the Commander's office!"
A messenger ninja found Dohei the moment he returned to the fortress. They almost called him "sir."
There was no helping it; Dohei's performance on the battlefield was simply outstanding. Taking on Yugao was one thing, but the final strike of his summon, 'Sunset,' was a world-destroying level attack. How could anyone not respect that?
Dohei nodded and exchanged a glance with Hyuga Aozuki, who was standing nearby, before following the messenger.
Consolidate the Defense!
This strategy involved using barriers, terrain, and other advantages to buy time. If the enemy had the One-Tail, this tactic wouldn't work. That's why Shikaku had quickly shifted his focus to neutralize the One-Tail first. Unfortunately, the initial attack wasn't fatal, but Dohei's summon had finished the job just in time. Otherwise, the situation would have been dire.
Arriving at the familiar office, Dohei caught a whiff of blood. It was Danzo! Previously, he had only his right eye and hand bandaged, but now his entire right leg was wrapped, making his entire right side look like it was swathed in bandages.
If it weren't for the difference in looks and age, one might think he was cosplaying as Obito.
Don't laugh!
Absolutely don't laugh!
After all, Danzo had been injured for the sake of Konoha. Laughing would be too much.
Unless he couldn't help it.
"Ha ha ha!"
Dohei couldn't hold back a light laugh. Who would have thought that the fearsome leader of the Root, the Dark Shinobi, could look so pathetic?
The few people in the office reacted differently. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were angry, Nara Shikaku was trying not to laugh while pretending to be angry.
"Uchiha Dohei!" Danzo growled, "What are you laughing at?"
Of course, Danzo knew what Dohei was laughing about. If Dohei said it out loud, it would be a handle against him. Mocking an injured commander wasn't a small matter.
"I was just thinking of something that made me happy!"
Dohei wasn't stupid; he knew some things were better left unsaid.
"You..."
Danzo knew Dohei was lying, but he had no evidence. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't need evidence. As the Root leader, he could have them arrested and do whatever he wanted. But Dohei was different. He needed proof.
"Alright, let's focus on how to deal with the Sand shinobi's attack!"
Utatane Koharu interjected. She hated Dohei, but she knew they couldn't waste time.
As long as I don’t care about the big picture, I don’t need to consider it!
"I believe that if we continue under the leadership of certain people, we won't be able to hold onto Mount Kikyo!"
Dohei didn't hold back, even with Danzo's injured leg.
If only Gaara had eliminated Danzo, the 'Sleeping Dragon,' Konoha might have risen to greatness.
"Are you implying that I am incompetent?"
Danzo understood the insinuation.
"No, no, no, I’m not implying," Dohei waved his hands, "I’m talking about you directly!"
He wasn’t going to play games. Their grudge wasn’t a secret. During the graduation exam, Danzo had planned to use Kakashi to eliminate him to warn the Uchiha clan.
Wasn’t it time for Dohei to settle old scores?
Before he crossed over, Dohei hated protagonists who compromised with the enemy for the sake of the big picture. If he didn’t avenge his grudges immediately, should he wait until his enemies had their fill?
With his current strength, he could easily leave with a few close friends. The most he would lose was the fun of watching the chaos, absorbing resources, and enjoying life. If Konoha fell, so be it.
Aimless and strong!
This was why the Konoha F4 always struggled against him. Dohei could ignore the big picture, but they couldn’t.
"You... you!"
Danzo was furious. This was a direct challenge.
When had the Root leader ever been treated with such disrespect?
"What do you mean? Your command is poor, and your combat skills are subpar. What right do you have to continue as the commander?"
Dohei continued his attack, subtly framing his stance as being for Konoha’s benefit, rather than just personal grudges. Personal grudges weren’t valid reasons to act against the village, so he had to package it differently, even if everyone knew the real reason.
Some things can be done but not said.
"Everything I’ve done has been for Konoha!"
Danzo countered. Dohei’s accusations were valid, and his performance as commander was indeed lackluster, so he decided to ignore the facts.
Especially his defeat by Gaara, which couldn’t be justified. As the leader of the shinobi forces, he wasn’t expected to win, but he shouldn’t lose, and he certainly shouldn’t fail to buy time.
This was why a commander had to be capable.
"Who isn’t for Konoha? Is it for yourself?"
Dohei subtly insulted the others.
Joking, are you really for Konoha? I can’t even bring myself to say it, you’re just after the Hokage position, you’re despicable.
"Can we temporarily put aside our differences and focus on repelling the Sand shinobi?"
Nara Shikaku, under the intense gaze of Shimura Danzo, reluctantly spoke up.
He naturally had no desire to get involved in this mess, but the situation left him no choice.
"Can you really see any chance of success with that scum still in the position of Commander?"
Togei stated his intentions outright.
Yes, he was determined to remove Danzo from the Commander's position.
After all, Danzo had already taken the blame, and Kikyo Mountain was about to be breached. The situation couldn't get much worse, and it was time for him to step in and play the hero.
My Sage Mode has been thirsty for action for a long time now!
"Uchiha Togei!!"
Danzo's eyes turned red, almost as if he was about to transform into his clan's Sharingan.
The Commander's position was his stepping stone to becoming Hokage, and he was not about to let anyone push him aside.
"Of course, if you, Mr. Danzo, want to remain in the Commander's position, I have no objections!"
Togei's words left Danzo speechless.
Before the attack by the Sand ninja, the Commander's position was highly coveted, but now it had become a hot potato. Without the necessary strength, anyone in Danzo's position would be facing certain death.
The Commander had to lead from the front. Without the strength to do so, it was no different from suicide.
If Danzo were to lead the next battle, his chances of survival would be slim. His strength, already at a borderline Jonin level, had been further diminished by the loss of a leg. Even an elite Jonin might stand a fifty-fifty chance against him, let alone a Sand ninja elite.
So, Togei wasn't at all concerned about Danzo clinging to the Commander's position.
As for the option of Danzo not participating and playing dead, that was simply not an option.
"… If Danzo won't be Commander, it's not like we can let you take the position!"
Shimura Koharu sneered.
She was considering whether she should temporarily take over as Commander. Danzo's injuries were too severe for him to continue, but letting him die would be disastrous.
"I am duty-bound to restore the glory of Konoha!"
Togei nodded.
With the situation at this critical juncture, he wasn't about to waste this opportunity.
"You can't—"
Before Torifu could protest, Danzo waved her off and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Alright, I will step down from the Commander's position!"
In the past, he would never have given up the Commander's position.
But now, things were different.
The Sand ninja army was about to breach Kikyo Mountain, and the Commander would bear the greatest responsibility.
This way, he would be off the hook.
Moreover, he could use this to pressure the Uchiha.
'You don't want the village to fall into crisis because of your clan's failure, do you?'
By making them take the lead against the Sand ninja, he could achieve two goals at once.
Not only would he 'save Konoha,' but he could also eliminate the Uchiha, a clan he considered evil.
Danzo's mind worked quickly, even in private.
He was a true talent!
Konoha's 'Sleeping Dragon' was undoubtedly a key factor in maintaining the balance among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Otherwise, with Konoha's resources, they could win with their eyes closed.
"I am willing to lead the defense against the Sand ninja, but you must guarantee with your clan's honor that the Commander's position will not be changed for five years, and that I will have the authority to act without needing constant approval. I need time to thoroughly eliminate the Sand ninja threat, and—"
Togei laid out his conditions.
Surprisingly lenient.
He only wanted to be Commander for five years, with the same level of authority as before. What was wrong with that?
The others, who had braced themselves for more demanding terms, were taken aback.
From these conditions, it seemed Togei was truly a young man who upheld the Will of Fire.
Sometimes, it all came down to timing.
If he had made these demands before the Sand ninja attack, it would have been seen as ambitious, as the Commander's position was traditionally held by those in the Hokage lineage.
But now, with Konoha on the brink of destruction, the Commander's position was the riskiest. Togei was willing to take it on and commit to eliminating the Sand ninja threat.
If this wasn't the Will of Fire, then what was?
As for the five-year term and the authority to act without constant approval, those were minor details.
In the shinobi world, there were no instances of 'uprisings' or 'military strongmen' yet.
After all, the era of warring states had only transitioned to the one nation, one village system a few decades ago, and the constant indoctrination by the nobility kept the shinobi's minds simple, despite their lethal skills.
So, Togei decided to give the shinobi world a taste of political maneuvering.
"Agreed, your conditions are accepted!"
Shimura Danzo and Torifu exchanged a glance and nodded silently.
Nara Shikaku remained silent.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans always aligned with whoever was in power.
Thus, Togei naturally assumed the Commander's position once again.
This time, however, it was different.
There was no 'temporary' label; he was the true Commander.
The conditions were guaranteed by the honor of the three advisory elders and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, not just individuals, thus eliminating any risk of them reneging on the deal.
In the shinobi world, maintaining clan honor was taken very seriously.
The effort the Yamanaka clan put into restoring their honor was a testament to the strength of this guarantee.
Unless all six clans were wiped out, the guarantee would remain in effect.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
