Where is Danzo?
After witnessing everything, Hiruzen Sarutobi fully realized Xu Fan's potential.
He understood that the traditional path of entering the Ninja Academy, becoming a Genin, receiving guidance from a Jonin, and taking the Chunin Exams was not suitable for Xu Fan.
Instead, it was better to seize this opportunity and recruit him directly into Anbu.
Kakashi Hatake would serve as his mentor.
This was the most fitting path for Xu Fan.
Moreover, the benefits of this decision were significant.
Ever since Kakashi lost Obito, Rin, and Minato Namikaze, he had been consumed by darkness—so much so that he had even sought solace in death.
But...
The appearance of Yamato (Tenzo) had given him a new perspective. Kakashi had taught Yamato the importance of comradeship and the Will of Fire.
In turn, this bond slowly helped Kakashi emerge from his despair.
If Yamato could do it, so could Xu Fan.
Under Kakashi's guidance, Xu Fan would learn to cherish his comrades and inherit the Will of Fire.
Furthermore, Kakashi could keep a close eye on Xu Fan and ensure his immense power remained controlled.
"Join Anbu?" Xu Fan looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi in surprise at this unexpected proposal.
"Yes," Hiruzen nodded. "Anbu, or the Assassination Tactics Special Squad, is composed of elite ninjas selected from the village. Their primary duties include protecting me, preventing enemy infiltration, and undertaking covert missions such as intelligence gathering and assassinations."
"But in ordinary life, you can still act as a regular citizen."
"I see," Xu Fan feigned a look of sudden realization, though he was already well aware of Anbu's functions.
Moreover, Anbu was not a lifelong commitment. Both Kakashi and Yamato had left Anbu and become Jonin.
In other words, this path was a shortcut to becoming a Jonin.
And becoming a Jonin was a step toward qualifying for Hokage.
"And one more thing."
Seeing that Xu Fan had absorbed the information, Hiruzen continued, extending an invitation: "I have decided to negotiate with the Raikage in the Land of Iron. I want you to accompany me."
"Negotiation?" Xu Fan frowned slightly. The Land of Iron, situated west of the Land of Fire and south of the Land of Lightning, was a neutral country caught between two great nations.
If Konoha and Kumogakure were to go to war, the Land of Iron would inevitably become a buffer zone.
Given this geopolitical reality, it was no surprise that the Land of Iron was willing to host peace talks.
"Don't worry. Konoha's leadership has rejected Kumogakure's demand to hand over Hinata Hyuga."
"That's thanks to you."
Hiruzen gave a rare smile, but it quickly faded, replaced by a grave expression.
In the world of Naruto, battles were never won with mere declarations.
Even Obito Uchiha had formally declared war during the Five Kage Summit.
"If the Raikage is willing to settle things peacefully, that's ideal. If not, and they declare war, we must be prepared."
"Peace achieved through struggle will endure. Peace achieved through compromise will perish."
Hiruzen repeated Xu Fan's own words.
However, in the next moment, Hiruzen added with a serious tone, "But fighting doesn't necessarily mean open war. It can also be a stance."
Though he didn't say it outright, his meaning was clear.
He planned to take Xu Fan to the Land of Iron to negotiate with the Raikage, using Xu Fan's overwhelming power as a deterrent.
Forcing Kumogakure to back down.
Xu Fan looked at the elderly Hokage before him and couldn't help but feel amused.
In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi still chose a middle ground.
If he truly wanted to resolve this issue, he could have used this moment to weaken the Uchiha Clan's influence by escalating tensions with Kumogakure.
"Just the two of us?" Xu Fan asked directly.
From what he recalled, a meeting of this magnitude required at least two elite bodyguards—one combat specialist and one sensor-type ninja.
"Yamato will accompany us as well," Hiruzen replied.
Although Kakashi and Itachi Uchiha were both formidable candidates, in Hiruzen's eyes, the deterrence of the Sharingan was nothing compared to the power of Wood Release.
Everyone in the shinobi world knew how Hashirama Senju had once dominated the battlefield with his unparalleled strength.
Now that Konoha had two Wood Release users, even Kumogakure would hesitate before making any rash moves.
Additionally, Yamato was a capable sensory-type ninja.
However, as Xu Fan suspected, this was merely a compromise of Hiruzen's making.
Despite being the Third Hokage, he was often indecisive and overly compassionate.
"Alright," Xu Fan agreed. "But that still leaves the matter of the Uchiha Clan."
"I will find another way," Hiruzen replied slowly, repeating his infamous line regarding the Uchiha problem.
"When do we leave?"
"In three days." Hiruzen paused. "Before that, you should report to Kakashi's Anbu unit. I believe you'll appreciate the atmosphere there."
Kakashi's unit was the backbone of Anbu. In addition to Kakashi, both Yamato and Itachi were part of the team.
With Xu Fan's addition, not only would their strength increase, but it would also forge stronger bonds among Konoha's elite.
"Understood," Xu Fan replied. But then, his tone shifted. "What about Danzo?"
At the mention of Danzo Shimura, Hiruzen's expression remained calm, but internally, his heart clenched.
As expected…
Hiruzen had hoped Xu Fan would ignore Danzo's actions, as he himself had always done.
But he understood Xu Fan's feelings.
After all, Danzo had already attempted to eliminate him twice.
"He…"
Just as Hiruzen was about to respond, Xu Fan spoke first.
"He's not dead."
Xu Fan's tone remained indifferent, but Hiruzen's reaction confirmed his suspicions.
Danzo had survived.
More precisely, he had used Izanagi to alter the reality of his death.
"I agreed to join Anbu. I agreed to accompany you to the Land of Iron."
"But this… I cannot accept."
"You may believe that light cannot exist without darkness—that the world needs both to function."
"But to me, Danzo is neither the sole root of Konoha nor the only darkness."
"So…"
"Where is he?"