Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 106: Coward Hokage
Upon noticing Raikage had changed his target to a new person and that person are most likely Konoha Shinobi, both Danzo and Hiruzen didn't try to stop him instead they ran away as fast as they can.
There was no hesitation and no discussion. Both of them understood the reality far too well, continuing the fight was meaningless. Against the Raikage, there were only two possible outcomes a quick death, or a slow and agonizing one being tortured by him before he will kill you.
Years spent at the top of Konoha power structure had shaped them into men who knew when a battle could not be won. Perhaps it was because they had held authority for so long, relying on calculation and shrewd decisions rather than blind heroism, that they had grown selfish or perhaps it was simply survival instinct.
For Danzo to join the war because he was forced by Hiruzen and if he didn't join the war, his wife would become Hiruzen victim, while Hiruzen he joined the war not because he wanted it, it was because he was forced by Raiken.
This version of Hiruzen are more darker version than the original timeline Hiruzen and the cause of that darkness was both Raiken and Danzō. Without Danzō acting as the village's shadow, bearing the moral filth Hiruzen refused to acknowledge so this burden are fall into the hands of Hokage. Hiruzen himself had been forced to make those ugly decisions, although it was not extreme like what Danzo did but he still do something like assassinations, secret orders which make him more evil.
That is why when Raikage had shifted his attention to another Konoha Shinobi, they choose to escape from the cluth of Kumogakure ninja.
Furthemore, both he and Danzō were heavily wounded but luckily they can still move. Their bodies ached, bones screamed in protest and blood soaked their clothes.
They escaped at the same direction and Danzo noticed that Hiruzen moved slower because of the injury on his body, so he returned back and helping Hiruzen move faster.
"Hiruzen," Danzō said sharply, gripping his arm to support him as they fled.
Danzō injuries were serious, but he can still fight a few people and Hiruzen were far worse. His arm had been shattered when he tried to reinforce Enma adamantine staff against the Third Raikage Hell Stab. The impact had crushed bone and torn muscle, leaving his arm nearly useless.
"Hiruzen," said Danzo while picking Hiruzen arm before escaping from it.
Their third level scroll had been used up when they are fighting third Raikage, so they can't use it to heal themselves.
Danzo injury are slightly better than Hiruzen, while Hiruzen his arm had shattered because he had try to hold the adamantine staff while blocking third Raikage hell stab.
Although he can move but in this situation, Danzo are more faster and helping him make his escape are more fluid.
"Danzō… the Konoha shinobi are still there and they are not escaping....." Hiruzen began.
"Enough," Danzō interrupted, suddenly stopping his movement.
Hiruzen staggered as Danzō released his grip. He looked up, confused and saw Danzō staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"I almost forgot," Danzō said quietly. "Back then, you were the one who volunteered to stay behind."
The words struck on Hiruzen, memories resurfaced when they are escaping from Kumogakure nin shinobi. Being surrounded by enemies and Tobirama-sensei's last word.
It had been Hiruzen who stepped forward and Hiruzen passed the test.
That moment had made him Hokage and Danzō had become nothing more than an accessory, a shadow and a tool for him.
But now, Danzō no longer cared about titles or old regrets. What mattered to him now were his wife and child.
"At that time, you wanted to stay behind," Danzō continued. "So now, good luck with that Raikage and don't tell me that Im leaving you to die because I'm simply respecting your wish."
"Danzo," said Hiruzen in disbelief.
"Good luck, my friend," added Danzo.
Before Hiruzen could react, Danzō turned and vanished, he had escaped alone and decided to leave Hiruzen alon here.
Hiruzen's eyes widened.
"Danzō—!"
But the word died in his throat.
He was alone and his chakra reserves were dangerously low. His injuries remained untreated. He could no longer rely on instantaneous movement and attempting it now would likely tear his body apart.
Worst of all, the monster they had fled from was still nearby and this time, no one was coming to save him.
Meanwhile, the Third Raikage finally noticed that his forces were being wiped out and more than 20% of his people had been killed by this unknown man.
By the time he arrived, the ground was already drenched in blood. Bodies of Kumogakure shinobi lay scattered across the ground, and at the heart of it all stood a young man with striking red hair, his body wrapped in faint natural energy.
The Raikage eyes widened.
It was that man, in a report he is the clan leader of Uzumaki Clan.
"YOU!!" the Raikage roared, fury exploding from him like thunder.
He is very angry because If he hadn't been playing with Sarutobi Hiruzen and if he hadn't been so focused on humiliating Konoha Hokage. He would have noticed the threat sooner and save his own people and now the price of the playing was the lives of his people.
"RAIKAGE! YOU FINALLY CAME!" Raiken shouted, unable to suppress the bloodlust surging through him. His voice trembled with hatred. "I am a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan! I watched you slaughter my people, my clan members, and...."
Before Raiken could finish, the Raikage vanished.
Lightning cracked violently as the Raikage appeared in front of him, his arm already thrust forward in a lethal stab meant to end the fight instantly.
But Raiken had been prepared, he had been constantly in use of Sage Mode even before Raikage came, not just that even the surrounding had his teleportation marks everywhere that can make him move anywhere instantly.
In a flash, Raiken disappeared and Raikage strike pierced nothing but air.
Raiken reappeared several meters away, smirking. "Too slow. Is this really the power of the Raikage?"
He had no intention of retreating right now.
Even though he had already rescued the surviving Konoha shinobi, Raiken remained on the battlefield for one reason alone.
Revenge because most of his people were killed by the Raikage, he had been the one who was at the front killing countless shinobi and destroying Uzumaki Clan barrier.
He had been the spear that pierced his homeland.
Although he wanted revenge but facing the Raikage was no simple task.
The man absolute defense was terrifying. His Lightning Release Chakra Mode formed an armor so dense it rivaled tailed-beast hides. Attacks bounced off him uselessly and even powerful sealing techniques struggled to latch onto his moving form.
Still, Raiken did not falter because he knows the weakness of the third Raikage.
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There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 131: Anticipation
Chapter 132: I Can Do This All Day
Chapter 133: Muay Thai
Chapter 134: Aftermath
Chapter 135: Justice
Chapter 136: War Reparation
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