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[Konoha2] Chapter 5: Secret Techniques of Wood Release!
🕑 Added 2025-04-27 17:16:37 +0000 UTCSuppressing the joy in his heart, Danzō stepped up beside Hajime, formed a hand seal with both hands, then inhaled deeply and exhaled.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
A series of air bullets blasted from Danzō’s mouth.
Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!
Bang bang bang!
The Wood Locking Wall splintered under the barrage, pitted with dents and cracks from the high-speed air projectiles—but it didn’t break through entirely.
But before Hajime could process that, Danzō was already weaving new hand seals. After drawing in a long breath, he released a powerful surge of air.
The compressed air swirled rapidly in front of him, and within seconds, it expanded into a massive sphere over a meter in diameter.
Hajime’s eyelids twitched.
This is the enhanced version of Vacuum Bullets—
Vacuum Great Bullet!
And once launched, the sphere grew even larger mid-air.
BOOM!
The wooden wall, over three meters high and more than four meters wide, exploded in a blast of splinters and debris swept up in the raging wind.
Hajime raised an arm to shield his face. 'So strong… No wonder they call him ‘Shadow Hokage'.'
Right now, Danzō was in his prime—peak physical strength, vast experience. His combat prowess was at its height.
When it came to Wind Release techniques, he was definitely among the top five in the entire shinobi world.
The only other people Hajime could think of with such powerful Wind Release were Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Kazekage, and Kakuzu.
As the winds died down, Danzō stood calm and composed.
“It may not rival the First Hokage’s Wood Release… but this is already quite good.”
Wood Release might be strong, but it was still well within his control.
Looking at the respectful Hajime, Danzō pulled out a scroll.
“This contains the secret techniques of the First Hokage’s Wood Release. You must study and train with it diligently.”
“Yes, Lord Danzō!”
Hajime took the scroll with a mix of excitement, gratitude, and reverence.
But then Danzō suddenly asked, “Do you truly believe I am more suited than Hiruzen to be Hokage?”
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Hajime’s back.
I’m screwed!
This must be because he saw Hajime mastering Wood Release—his ambitions swelled and now he couldn’t hold them back!
The problem was… Hajime couldn’t lie right now. But he also couldn’t avoid answering.
His mind racing, Hajime took a silent breath and replied, “To me, Lord Danzō, of course you are the most suitable candidate for Hokage.”
It was the truth!
Where one sat determined what one thought.
If Hajime hadn’t been a Root ninja, hadn’t been under Danzō… Then this would’ve been a lie.
Because the current Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the indecisive man from Hajime’s memories.
Entrusted with power during a time of crisis, he had become the Third Hokage while still young, suppressing the many powerful clans in Konoha—including the Uchiha and Hyūga—with remarkable skill.
In terms of strength, strategy, and prestige—Danzō still fell short of Hiruzen.
Danzō showed no reaction to Hajime’s response.
Hajime continued, “If the Third Hokage were to fall in battle, then you, Lord Danzō, would be one of the most qualified candidates to become the Fourth Hokage.”
Danzō raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Oh?”
“Who are the others?”
Hajime replied, “Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru!”
Danzō was visibly surprised.
He had originally thought Hajime would mention Homura Mitokado, or even Koharu Utatane and Torifu Akimichi.
At the very least, he expected the name of Sakumo Hatake—renowned as the "White Fang of the Leaf."
But unexpectedly, Hajime named three youngsters.
However...
Danzō said, “Tsunade could indeed pose a threat to me, but though Orochimaru and Jiraiya are also exceptionally talented, they lack sufficient prestige.”
Hajime replied, “That’s true for now. But ten years from now... their prestige will likely peak.”
“We need at least ten years of preparation to build Root’s strength to rival that of the Anbu, and to elevate your reputation, Lord Danzō, to a level beyond compare. By then, Homura, Koharu, and Torifu will have no standing to compete with you for the position of Hokage.”
“But the Third Hokage won’t hand the title to you the way the First passed it to the Second. He will certainly choose one of his own disciples.”
“That is one of their greatest advantages.”
“Furthermore, ten years from now, their strength will reach its peak—and their age, too…”
Hajime cautiously glanced at Danzō, then forced himself to continue with a trace of hesitation, “Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Lord Danzō—but ten years from now, your age will become a disadvantage.”
Danzō was in his prime now, but ten years down the line, he would be over fifty—already beginning to decline.
Based on the current situation, Hajime’s words weren’t false at all.
Danzō didn’t get angry. Instead, he quietly reflected on what Hajime had said.
From the earlier test, Hajime’s Wood Release was far from the level of the First Hokage.
Becoming an elite jōnin wouldn’t be a problem—but defeating the current Hiruzen Sarutobi? Unlikely.
Even Danzō himself could suppress Hajime. Let alone Hiruzen.
But ten years later… that might be possible.
And at that time, he would indeed face those three growing disciples.
Still, without Hiruzen, could he not easily suppress three younger competitors?
Danzō had confidence in this.
Yet he also wanted to test Hajime further, so he asked, “What do you think we should do?”
Hajime instantly felt energized and slipped into the role of a strategist.
“Lord Danzō, I believe we must prepare at all times, securing absolute advantages from every angle to ensure nothing goes wrong.”
“So while expanding the strength of Root, we must also work to create a favorable external environment—gather more allies, ensure more of ‘our people,’ and eliminate as many rivals as possible.”
“For example, you should pull Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Torifu Akimichi into the same camp.”
“As for White Fang—Sakumo Hatake—you could try to win him over. At the very least, don’t let him become an obstacle on your path to becoming Hokage.”
“And those future threats—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—you can find ways to divide or draw them in.”
“If one day the Third Hokage is gone, and Lord Danzō, you’re left without a single opponent… then no one will be able to stop you from becoming Hokage!”
Danzō nodded with clear satisfaction.
“Very good.”
At that moment, he realized—what might be most valuable about Hajime Hoshita wasn’t his Wood Release… but his mind.
“Homura and Koharu won’t be hard to win over. Torifu, being from the Akimichi clan, won’t be possible to sway.”
Danzō analyzed further, “White Fang can’t be pulled in either. He lives by a strict code of bushidō and holds a strong Will of Fire. He won’t serve under me before I become Hokage.”
“As for Tsunade and the others… it’s still too early to interfere.”
Hajime had some thoughts of his own but knew not to speak all at once. If he gave up everything too quickly, he’d lose his value.
So instead, he gave a flattering reply:
“Lord Danzō is absolutely right.”
It was also the truth—Danzō’s analysis was spot-on.
As for Minato Namikaze, he was still in the academy. He wouldn’t even begin to make waves until after graduation.
So for now, Hajime didn’t consider him a factor.
...
After watching Danzō leave, Hajime let out a quiet sigh of relief, then smiled faintly.
From that conversation, he had confirmed something:
Being honest doesn’t mean you have to say everything on your mind.
You can’t lie—but you can withhold.
That made things far less dangerous.
Turning back, Hajime looked down at the scroll in his hands.
Wood Release Secret Techniques!
This was his fastest path to becoming a jōnin—perhaps even an elite jōnin.
(End of Chapter)
