Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

Above the vast sky overhead, a gigantic flying summon drifted silently through the clouds—yet no one below noticed its presence.

Standing upon the back of this colossal spirit beast was a familiar figure.

It was none other than Rinne Path–Orochimaru.

This summon was the Ultimate Summoned Beast, a creation meant exclusively for the Animal Path.

Although Rinne Path–Orochimaru himself did not possess the authority of the Animal Path and therefore could not normally summon it, this location was not far from the Secret Base.

At the Ultimate Summoned Beast's terrifying speed, flying here took no more than a few minutes.

At this moment, Rinne Path–Orochimaru gazed downward at the chaotic three-way battle unfolding below. A cold glint flickered in his eyes.

He had absolutely no intention of stepping in to help. Danzō was far too dishonest.

If they intervened now and saved him directly, the lesson would be meaningless.

After all, although Danzō appeared to be at a complete disadvantage, he was still a force comparable to a Kage.

More importantly, the three forces surrounding him—Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure—each harbored their own schemes and suspicions.

None of them truly trusted one another.

Under such circumstances, cooperation was impossible. That meant Danzō would not be so easily captured… nor killed.

Therefore, Rinne Path–Orochimaru intended to wait.

He would wait until Danzō was truly driven into despair—until there was no road left to run, no ally left to rely on.

Only then would he descend to save him. Only in this way could Danzō fully understand one truth: Besides himself, he had no companions.

Only then could he be kept obedient for a short period of time, turned into a quiet, compliant breeding vessel for the Zero-Tails.

Hidden beneath the earth, Black Zetsu shared the exact same thought.

"Don't rush," Black Zetsu said calmly. "We'll act only when Danzō is truly at his wits' end. Then you can create a clone and transform it into his likeness."

Because they had no idea where Hirakawa Aoshi might have planted spies, Black Zetsu had no intention of showing himself.

Instead, his plan was simple. Once Danzō exhausted every other option, Black Zetsu would flee underground with him.

The reason for having White Zetsu create a clone that transformed into Danzō was equally clear—to divert attention.

They would make everyone believe that Danzō was dead.

Only then could the real Danzō hide away, recover, and quietly accumulate power.

Only then could a war be ignited.

Only then could Hirakawa Aoshi be killed.

And where would a lone, broken Danzō gather strength?

Naturally, in the Land of Water, it is isolated far offshore.

The Hidden Mist Village already enforced strict isolation, severely limiting contact with the outside world.

Coupled with its distant geography, outsiders found it almost impossible to obtain intelligence from within.

Black Zetsu believed that as long as he secretly helped Danzō seize control of the Hidden Mist Village, everything else would fall into place.

The rest would take care of itself.

"All right," White Zetsu replied.

Though he didn't fully understand Black Zetsu's arrangements, he was unfailingly obedient.

He immediately prepared a clone.

"Danzō—you're not getting away!" The Third Raikage roared as he charged straight toward Danzō, intent on grabbing him.

In Lightning Release Chakra Mode, his speed was terrifying—there was no way Danzō could evade him.

At the critical moment, Hatake Sakumo stepped in.

Hatake Swordsmanship was famed for its speed, and Sakumo himself was the only ninja present capable of matching the Third Raikage head-on.

"Danzō is Konoha's rogue ninja," Sakumo declared coldly. "I won't allow you to take him!"

The two instantly clashed.

Hatake Swordsmanship focused on lethal precision, but against the Third Raikage's monstrous physique, even Sakumo's blade could not inflict real damage.

On the contrary, Sakumo himself had to remain wary of the Raikage's Hell Stab.

Seeing this, Danzō turned and fled.

But Kitsuchi would not allow it.

While Sakumo and the Third Raikage were locked in combat, Kitsuchi unleashed Earth Release: Fist Rock straight toward Danzō.

Wind Release · Vacuum Blade!

Danzō reverted to his old tactics, injecting Wind Release chakra into his kunai to form an invisible blade.

With a single slash, Kitsuchi was cut cleanly in half at the waist.

Yet Danzō felt no triumph. His pupils shrank violently.

Because the Kitsuchi he had sliced apart turned into two mounds of earth.

Earth Clone.

Kitsuchi had anticipated this.

The clone was bait. His real body appeared behind Danzō and delivered a devastating punch.

Not good! The thought barely crossed Danzō's mind before a terrifying force slammed into his back.

He was sent flying.

Midair, Danzō coughed blood violently, his organs feeling as though they were being torn apart.

He crashed to the ground and collapsed, unable to rise. Already missing an arm—this was the worst possible outcome.

"Quick! Grab Danzō—we retreat immediately!"

At Kitsuchi's order, the nearest Iwa ninja rushed forward. But the moment he tried to restrain Danzō, the Seal of Self-Karma activated.

A sudden Vacuum Blade strike took his life instantly.

"Bastard!" The remaining Iwa ninja erupted in fury.

They abandoned their original targets and rushed toward Danzō. Others joined in.

Seeing this, Danzō unleashed Wind Release: Vacuum Wave, blasting all enemies back—including the Iwa ninja—and turned to flee again.

But the Third Raikage gave him no chance. He forced Sakumo back, then used Body Flicker to appear behind Danzō.

Sensing danger, Danzō slashed backward with a Vacuum Blade.

The Third Raikage ignored it completely. Hell Stab: Four-Finger Thrust!

The attack pierced straight through Danzō's abdomen.

Pfft! Blood sprayed everywhere.

Looking down at the gaping wound, despair flooded Danzō's face. Am I really going to die here?

He hadn't become Hokage.

He hadn't killed Hiruzen.

He hadn't taken revenge on Hirakawa Aoshi.

A violent storm of resentment and hatred erupted within him, and from it surged an unknown, terrifying chakra that rapidly healed the wound.

"There are methods like this…?" The Third Raikage was stunned.

Before he could seize Danzō again, Sakumo appeared with Body Flicker.

Knowing his blade was ineffective, Sakumo instead kicked Danzō with full force.

Bang! Danzō was sent flying, smashing through multiple trees.

"Kill Danzō immediately—destroy his brain!" Sakumo shouted as he continued holding off the Third Raikage.

Kitsuchi attempted to intervene, but Sakumo blocked him.

The three Kage-level fighters descended into chaotic combat.

Konoha ninja moved to execute the order, but Sand and Stone ninja interfered.

The battlefield descended into absolute chaos.

"You think you can kill me?! Since I can't escape—I'll bury you all with me!"

When the ninja reached Danzō, they saw him roaring madly.

His entire body was covered in ignited explosive tags.

"Oh no—get back!"

But it was already too late.