Naruto: Uchiha Destroys Konoha at the Start.

Danzo stepped forward.

The battlefield was still crackling with tension, but his voice was calm.

"The reason I leaked the details of Hatake Sakumo's mission…"

He didn't flinch. Didn't lower his gaze.

"...was because he stood in my way. His reputation was too strong. Stronger than Hiruzen's. Stronger than mine."

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"I needed him discredited. I planned to ruin his name, not push him to suicide. That part… I didn't expect."

Danzo's eyes swept across the stunned faces.

"But I don't regret it."

"Because I should have been Hokage."

That silenced everything.

The crowd erupted. Shock. Disgust. Fury. Shinobi shouted over each other.

Even Kaito raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Danzo. Didn't think you'd own it. I'm... almost impressed."

But no one believed Danzo acted alone. He had power—too much of it—to act without Hiruzen's silent approval.

And now, with Hiruzen under fire, Danzo had the perfect chance to claim what he always wanted.

The Hokage seat.

But instead—

Danzo surprised them all.

"I'll defend Lord Third."

Kaito tilted his head. "Huh. Love and betrayal wrapped into one. How poetic."

Danzo ignored him.

"To the Anbu!" he barked. "The Uchiha rebellion must be stopped. Kaito's only buying time. Assign me command—let me end this civil strife!"

The Anbu hesitated, caught between loyalty and doubt.

But years of Hiruzen's quiet influence weighed heavily.

They moved into formation behind Danzo.

Their eyes turned on Kaito.

Kaito Responds

"Tsk. You got it wrong."

Kaito shook his head.

"Eight minutes left... but sure. Let's have some fun."

He closed his eyes.

Then opened them—Mangekyō Sharingan blazing.

In a blink, he vanished.

Appeared beside Hiruzen.

Blade drawn.

Slash.

The Third Hokage barely escaped—teleporting a moment before the strike landed, leaving a trail of blood across his left arm.

Hiruzen winced, landing unsteadily.

"Still fast in your old age," Kaito said coldly. "But how long can you keep dodging?"

Hiruzen didn't answer. He weaved hand signs.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fireball Technique!"

Three flaming dragons screamed toward Kaito.

But he vanished again.

Reappeared behind Hiruzen.

Another strike.

Sliced in half.

Poof.

A shadow clone dispersed in smoke.

"Cheap trick," Kaito muttered.

Across the battlefield, Hiruzen stood gasping. He was rattled.

Kaito's speed was unnatural—faster than the Flying Thunder God. No marks. No delay. No limits.

"This... this isn't space-time ninjutsu," Hiruzen murmured. "It's something else entirely…"

A problem the ninja world had no answer for.

Danzo Makes His Move

Danzo finally acted.

"Anbu—target the Uchiha rebels. I'll assist Hiruzen personally."

"Yes, sir!"

The Anbu launched forward.

Kaito's voice boomed across the field.

"Oh? You're going to make me mad now?"

His Susanoo roared to life—second form. A golden giant, sword in hand.

With one swing, it cleaved through the battlefield.

The Anbu barely had time to react.

Some leapt back, casting defensive jutsu. Most weren't fast enough.

The sword came down.

Boom.

Flames. Dust. Screams.

Jutsu flared in desperation, but they bounced off the armoured titan. The few who could move were already retreating.

Danzo's voice rang out—furious.

"Don't get cocky! This old man's not finished yet!"

He leapt into the air, chakra swelling.