"Hiss... This is something Danzo is sending to the Daimyo. Deliver it to him tomorrow!"
A small white snake spoke to the Root shinobi before opening its mouth and spitting out a box ten times larger than its own head. Then, it disappeared without a trace.
The Root shinobi remained unfazed.
The box was covered in intricate patterns. At a glance, the Root shinobi could tell it was a sealing jutsu.
Setting up such a seal was a complex and energy-consuming process.
However, undoing it only required a relatively simple sequence of hand seals.
Ox, Rat, Ram, Horse, Monkey.
*Clack!*
The box opened, revealing a letter and a small porcelain bottle inside.
"Didn't expect such a nice surprise, not bad!" A strange voice suddenly rang out behind the Root shinobi.
The Root shinobi instinctively tried to resist, only to realize that his body felt as stiff as wood—completely out of his control.
'What do I do?'
'Who is this?'
'Please don't tell me he's after my virtue.'
'So nervous... Judging by the voice, it's a man. Damn it, my purity...'
"Relax, today is not the day you die."
Picking up Danzo's letter, Kamizuki Hikari opened it.
To His Excellency the Daimyo,
It has been many years since we last met, yet your noble presence remains as awe-inspiring as ever. I revere you deeply and long to serve under you. Enclosed are ten elixirs capable of restoring youth, allowing you to regain your former splendor.
Konoha may appear prosperous, but it is in shambles beneath the surface. Recalling your previous concerns, my heart is filled with sorrow and indignation.
A mere commoner, the Third Hokage, deceived his superiors and sacrificed both village and country for his own gain. Such a disloyal, unfilial, and immoral person held the title of Hokage. Now that the Third is dead, Konoha celebrates, and so too should the Land of Fire.
The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, is merely a woman and a disciple of Sarutobi. She is bound to repeat his mistakes.
I am willing to serve you, as this letter attests. Command me as you see fit.
Respectfully, Shimura Danzo.
'Damn you, Danzo, you sly old fart!' Hikari seethed inwardly.
'Not only are you scheming against my big-breasted woman, but you still dare to dream of becoming Hokage? At this point, you've got no shame left to lose.'
'Killing you outright would be too easy. No, I want to see how you handle the Daimyō's retaliation'
"Turn around and look into my eyes!"
The Root shinobi turned his head, immediately locking gazes with a pair of blood-red pupils.
This is... Uchiha?!
---
The Next Morning.
Tsunade woke up as usual and, accompanied by Kamizuki Hikari and Maito Gai, arrived outside the Daimyo's mansion.
"Senju Tsunade of Konohagakure requests an audience with the Daimyo. Please grant us passage!"
The guards barely opened their eyes to glance at her before shutting them again, remaining silent.
[The Daimyo is probably meeting Danzo's men right now. Tsunade, you'll just have to wait.]
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, preparing to step forward, but then another voice echoed in her mind.
[You're gonna love what happens next. This is my secret way of helping you, woman, don't forget it!]
[Ah, but I can't tell you directly. Guess I'll just have to be your silent guardian knight.]
Hikari's bizarre terminology was not something Tsunade wanted to decipher.
She only knew one thing—Kamizuki Hikari had already taken care of everything.
All she needed to do was wait.
---
Inside the Daimyō's Chambers.
"Your Excellency, I bring a letter Danzo-sama. Please review it at your convenience." The Root shinobi respectfully presented the letter and stood waiting.
A maid stepped forward from behind the Daimyo, carefully examining the letter for a long time. After confirming there were no dangers, she handed it over.
The Daimyo opened the letter and, after reading its contents, instantly beamed with joy.
"Where are the elixirs? Bring them to me at once!"
Even if the elixirs weren't as miraculous as the legends claimed, as long as they could restore his youth or extend his life by a few years, the Daimyo would be satisfied.
Now that he had received Danzo's letter of submission, he felt invigorated, as if he were ready to take over the entire Land of Fire.
"These elixirs were obtained at great expense by my lord. They are incredibly rare. Can this maid be trusted?" The Root shinobi eyed the maid with suspicion, clutching the porcelain bottle tightly.
The Daimyo laughed. "She is my adopted daughter, closer to me than my own blood. Why would she harm me? Hand over the elixirs!"
"Yes!" This time, the Root shinobi did not hesitate. He took slow, deliberate steps forward, stopping three paces from the Daimyo, where he was blocked by the maid once again.
Seeing no other choice, he handed over the porcelain bottle, watching her closely with a nervous expression.
The maid placed the bottle on the table before the Daimyo.
The Daimyo uncorked it and poured out a single "elixir". A rich fragrance filled the air, and in an instant, he felt a stir in his long-dormant lower body.
'So that's the kind of elixir it is... Danzo, you shameless old man!'
Just as he was about to consume it, the Daimyo hesitated. He looked toward the Root shinobi and tossed the pill his way.
"This one is for you. Swallow it."
The Root shinobi did not hesitate. He immediately swallowed the elixir.
A minute later, he bent forward slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Hahaha! It really is effective! That old fox Danzo—if I didn't pressure him, he would've kept this hidden!" The Daimyo laughed heartily.
A man must have both power and pleasure.
Now that the Daimyo ruled the Land of Fire, he naturally wanted to indulge in more pleasures.
Danzo's pills, for his aging body, were practically divine.
Pouring out another elixir, the Daimyo swallowed it without hesitation.
Instantly, warmth spread through his body as if he were soaking in a hot spring. His aged skin felt rejuvenated, and parts of him that had been useless for years suddenly sprang back to life.
"Good stuff. You may leave."
He waved off the Root shinobi and pulled the maid into his embrace, his hands wandering freely.
As for her supposed status as his adopted daughter? *Heh... That only made things more exciting.*
*Thunk!*
A kunai pierced through the maid's body, stopping just inches from the Daimyo's face.
The maid collapsed limply in his arms, blood gushing onto his robes.
"Guards! Assassin!"
"Die, you wretched fiend!"
Two voices rang out at once—one filled with fear, the other ice-cold. The Root shinobi flung another kunai.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Two black-clad figures moved in unison, surrounding the Root shinobi.
"Kill him! Kill him now!"
The Daimyo was on the verge of madness. For the first time in his life, death had brushed against him.
'That bastard Danzo! After sending me such a precious gift, why would he try to kill me?! Unless… these pills have some terrible side effect he doesn't want me to discover?'
Two skilled guards swiftly subdued the Root shinobi. But before they could interrogate him, his head exploded, showering them in blood and brain matter.
"A sealing technique." One guard muttered. "If his chakra was ever suppressed, it would trigger an explosion to prevent interrogation."
Shoving the maid's corpse aside, the Daimyō—still drenched in blood—shouted hysterically,
"Summon Tsunade immediately! She is a medical-nin, she must examine me at once!"
-----
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