Danzō closed in swiftly, his right hand darting toward Naruto's eye socket!

  Digging out an eye bareha was not a reckless move. With *Izanagi*, any damage could be turned into an illusion, giving Danzō the fideo act so boldly.

  Failure would cost him nothing, and success would meahing. Why not take the ce?

  "Is this how you obtained Shisui's right eye as well, Danzō?" Naruto murmured inwardly, his left eye narrowing sharply.

  — *Shinra Tensei*!

  Boom!

  "Urgh...!!" A powerful repulsive force exploded outward, sending Danzō flying in a sorry state!

  "*Shinra Tensei*—a teique that emits an omnidireal repulsive force tered on the user, defleg all physical and ninjutsu attacks. It’s a fwless move for both offense and defense..."

  Whoosh! The figure of Danzō, flung away, dissolved into a fleeting mirage. His true body reappeared right in front of Naruto.

  "But betweehere’s a five-sed interval. That’s the weakness of this teique!"

  …

  It’s worth noting that during Pain’s assault on Konoha, Danzō and his Root operatives remained underground, the battle without participating.

  The intelligen the Rinnegan gathered by Jiraiya and Konoha’s forces during their skirmishes was also collected by Root.

  Danzō's inal pn had been to wait until Pain and Konoha were both severely weakened before stepping in as the savior.

  This would not only diminish Tsunade’s fa but also elevate his owation, allowing him to seize power.

  Unfortunately, things didn’t go as pnned... Naruto returned from Mount Myōboku aed Pain.

  …

  Swish!

  As Danzō charged, a kunai slipped from his sleeve, thrusting straight toward Naruto’s face!

  Naruto closed his eyes briefly. The shadow e he had hidden earlier dispersed, feeding back Sage Chakra to his main body, instantly activating Sage Mode!

  Swish!

  Naruto shifted his body slightly, dodging the kunai. His right hand grabbed Danzō’s arm while his left hand formed a *Rasengan*, striking Danzō squarely in the chest!

  — *Sage Art: Rasengan*!

  "Argh!!!"

  The *Rasengan* exploded, leaving Danzō's chest a bloody mess!

  Thud! Naruto followed up with a powerful kick, sending Danzō flying. He crashed through three trees in a straight line before ing to a stop, covered in snow.

  Moments ter, *Izanagi* took effect, and all of Danzō’s injuries vanished.

  Danzō stood up, brushing the snow off his shoulders, his expression calm. "Sage Mode enhances both perception and physical abilities signifitly. bined with the Rinnegan’s powers, you almost have no weaknesses..."

  A smirk appeared on his face. "But no matter how strong you are, *Izanagi* ehat I remain ued!"

  Whoosh!

  Danzō formed hand seals, took a deep breath, and held it in. The wrinkles on his face seemed to verge toward his mouth.

  — *Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets*!

  Biu! Biu! Biu!

  Danzō exhaled, and the Wind Release chakra shot out like bullets—wide in range and incredibly fast!

  Swish!

  Naruto ducked, weaved, and flipped through the gaps between the vacuum bullets, closing the distaoward Danzō.

  "You like using Wind Release too? Let me return the favor..."

  As Danzō’s *Vacuum Bullets* came to an end, Naruto created shadow es. bining them with the nature transformation of the *Rasengan*, a pierg wind howled, chilling everyoo the bone!

  Naruto spuly, building momentum, and hurled the deadly on at Danzō!

  — *Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken*!

  There was no escape. The wind bdes struck Danzō, sending him flying backward... Boom!!

  Rumble!! The devastating windstorm obliterated Danzō and the surrounding forest pletely!

  Whoosh!

  Danzō reappeared twenty meters away in an open clearing, gazing at the aftermath of the storm with a grave expression.

  "To incorporate nature transformation into the *Rasengan*, bined with Sage Chakra for a le attack... This is the pinnacle of Wind Release. But it’s a pity—such a brilliant jutsu will disappear from the ninja world today!"

  As he spoke, Danzō looked down at his right arm. The first Sharingan had closed pletely, and the sed was already ting down.

  His thoughts raced: "Naruto wields the Rinnegan and Sage Mode. He has too many ways to finish me off. To be cautious, I ’t afford to serve chakra by deactivating *Izanagi* midway. With nine Sharingan, I have about nine minutes of *Izanagi*’s duratio..."

  "Fortunately, Naruto’s Sage Mode isn’t like the First Hokage’s—it ’t be maintained indefinitely. Acc to the intel, Naruto replenish Sage Chakra using up to two shadow es during battle. However, using that Wind Release Sage Jutsu will accelerate his chakra ption, increasing the risk of his Sage Mode deactivating."

  "With nine minutes, I still have a good ce. I’ll keep up the pressure, look for an opening, and take his left eye. Victory will then be mine!"

  Whoosh!

  Having finalized his strategy, Danzō formed seals and took a deep breath.

  — *Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere*!!

  Boom!!

  An overwhelming Wind Release transformed into a massive on, sweeping up snow as it bsted toward Naruto’s position!

  Naruto reserved *Shinra Tensei* for defending against Danzō’s cle attacks. The Rinnegan’s Six Paths abilities were incredibly versatile, many options.

  Fag the oning *Vacuum Great Sphere*, Naruto extended his left hand, and a sealing barrier appeared before his palm.

  — *Preta Path*!

  Whoosh!

  The *Vacuum Great Sphere* rapidly shrank as it was absorbed by the Preta Path...

  "That’s the Rinnegan’s ability to absorb ninjutsu, as described iel..."

  Swoosh! Danzō quickly unfurled a stack of explosive tags, detonating them on himself!

  Iate of *Izanagi*, death allowed him to respawn at a chosen location. Exploiting this ability, Danzō reappeared behind Naruto, ung a surprise attack!

  "..." Naruto tinued abs ninjutsu, gng backward out of the er of his eye.

  Danzō smirked inwardly: Yes... Use that repulsive force against me. That five-sed interval will give me the perfect opportunity!

  But then, Naruto’s lips curled into a sly smile.

  He reached into his ninja pouch, pulled out a smoke bomb, and smashed it to the ground.

  Poof!!

  Thick smoke spread, obsg the view behind him...!

  Danzō hesitated mid-step. "What? A smoke bomb??"

  In that brief moment of doubt, Naruto finished abs the ninjutsu. He formed hand seals and spun around dramatically.

  — *Sage Art: Fire Release: Great Fme Teique*!

  Boom! R fmes erupted, cutting off Danzō’s path.

  The two stood tensely, separated by dozens of meters.

  Naruto raised a hand, smiling faintly. "I’ve just been pying around with these Rinnegan abilities because they’re o me. Don’t think that just because I’ve learo run, I’ve fotten how to walk."

  "..." Danzō was momentarily speechless as his gaze shifted to his right arm. The sed Sharingan had closed pletely, and the third was already halfway through its tdown.

  A quarter of *Izanagi*’s duration had been ed, yet he had gained no advantage!

  It’s worth noting that while *Izanagi* owerful, its chakra ption increased over time, making it a risky teique!

  Naruto’s tone was ced with amusement. "Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve already used up almost three eyes. My chakra reserves are still plenty full~."

  Danzō ched his fists tightly, then slowly rexed them. A smile crept across his wrinkled face.

  "Naruto, I’ve seen tless people in my lifetime, and I’ve never misjudged anyone. You have the potential for darkness. There’s no soil more suitable for you than Root."

  Naruto narrowed his eyes. "And?"

  Danzō made a shog proposal. "So, let’s join forces. I’ve already risen to the position of Hokage, and I’m no longer suited to remain in Root. If you agree, I’ll appoint you as the leader of Root. What do you say...?"