Land of Grass, inside the main command tent of Uchiha Fugaku.
"News arrived last night—Iwagakure have begun retreating in batches. However, the Tsuchikage has not left. I plan to launch a full assault and take him down."
Fugaku's gaze burned with intensity as he looked at those present.
The results Danzo achieved against the Land of Lightning had deeply affected him.
"Let them witness Konoha's true might..."
"Isn't that too risky? The Four-Tails Jinchūriki is still there, along with the Tsuchikage..."
"Iwagakure is already retreating. We've won this war. There's no need for unnecessary sacrifices..."
...
Not everyone agreed with Fugaku's aggressive approach. Even the deputy commander, Hyūga Hizashi, voiced his opposition.
But Fugaku had anticipated this reaction and remained resolute.
"Iwagakure's forces are still intact. If we withdraw now, they could easily return in full force. We must teach them a bloody lesson… Konoha will not tolerate provocation. Leave the Tsuchikage to the Uchiha."
His unwavering gaze swept across the room as he made this declaration, silencing all dissent.
His past leadership style, combined with the authority he had accumulated, played a decisive role at this moment.
When even Hyūga Hizashi fell silent, the others followed suit.
Just as Fugaku was assigning battle formations, the entrance flap of the tent lifted.
"An urgent order from the Hokage: Until further notice, no large-scale battles are to be initiated."
Shisui, wearing an Anbu mask, knelt on one knee and presented a letter.
A shadow flickered across Fugaku's expression. It wasn't just the order itself—he recognized the young man before him.
Noting the expectant gazes around him, Fugaku suppressed his emotions and spoke calmly:
"In that case, advance the front line by another 30 kilometers."
...
The movement of Konoha's forces kept the Tsuchikage on edge for a long time.
Fortunately, no full-scale attack came.
Meanwhile, Konoha's envoy, Nara Senkei, arrived at the palace of the Land of Grass to meet with the Tsuchikage.
No one knew the details of their discussion.
But not long after the envoy left, the daimyō of the Land of Grass was found drowned in a toilet.
Three days later, Iwagakure's forces gradually withdrew from the Land of Grass, retreating to the borders of the Land of Earth.
Konoha's army took control of the palace, installed the daimyō's cousin as the new ruler, and formally submitted a report to the Fire Daimyō.
And with that, the war ended.
No one had expected this outcome. What many thought would escalate into the Fourth Great Ninja War had instead ended with Konoha overpowering both Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
This victory cemented Konoha's position as the strongest of the Five Great Nations.
Alongside this triumph, Danzo and Uchiha Fugaku's reputations soared.
Danzo, in particular, stunned the ninja world with his victory over the Raikage and the Eight-Tails.
Rumors even circulated that he had surpassed Kage-level strength.
The title of "Konoha's Darkness" was no longer confined to the upper echelons of the major villages. In a world that revered power, Danzo's reputation now rivaled that of the Five Kage.
...
Land of Lightning – Kumogakure
Wherever there was resistance, Danzo was there.
The elders who had originally opposed the war—and even opposed the Raikage's rule—seized the moment upon hearing news of his defeat.
A coup erupted, swiftly placing Kumogakure under the elders' control. They abolished the one-village, one-Kage system and established a Council of Elders.
A flurry of policies benefiting the general populace was quickly introduced.
By the time Killer B returned with the Raikage, the Council had already organized a public trial in the village square.
The entire village, even the Land of Lightning, was in an uproar.
As for Danzo's role? He had merely provided them with a sustainable governance structure—and a few useful suggestions.
Of course, this wasn't done for free. A series of mutually beneficial trade agreements were established between both sides.
With Kumogakure in turmoil, Hyūga Hiashi remained at the border to wrap up operations.
Danzo, meanwhile, led his troops and the wounded back to Konoha.
This time, however, there was a notable difference.
Following the direct orders of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, Root members marched alongside the injured soldiers to receive an official welcome from the Hokage himself.
As they neared Konoha's gates, a massive crowd of villagers and shinobi awaited them. At the forefront stood Namikaze Minato, clad in his Hokage regalia.
On either side of him were Yakushi Nonō, representing Root, and Nara Shikaku, one of Konoha's rising stars.
"Is that Lord Danzo in the front? He looks so imposing..."
"I want to become a Kage-level shinobi like him someday..."
"Those masked shinobi look so cool."
"That's Root. You rarely see them in public."
"I heard they're Konoha's hidden guardians. Even the weakest among them is a Chūnin, and some are Kage-level..."
The murmurs of the crowd and countless curious gazes made Danzo feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Konoha's villagers knew of Root's existence, but few had ever seen them in person.
This was the first time Root had ever been exposed to such public scrutiny.
Sensing the unease among his subordinates, Danzo couldn't help but acknowledge Minato's political acumen.
Through this public reception, the bond between Root and Konoha would only grow stronger.
"You've worked hard, Elder Danzo." Minato greeted him warmly, his radiant smile exuding charisma.
"It was just another battle," Danzo responded, for once indulging in a bit of small talk. "Konoha, on the other hand..."
He had already received intelligence from Yakushi Nonō—certain factions in both the Land of Fire and Konoha were growing restless.
Among them was Hiruzen's son, Asuma.
"Just some fleas," Minato replied confidently. "Konoha will only grow stronger."
Watching Minato, once an innocent young man, now a fully-fledged Hokage, Danzo had to admit that he had matured into a worthy leader.
As they walked towards the Hokage Tower, Danzo deliberately slowed his pace multiple times.
Yet Minato matched his speed each time, insisting on walking alongside him.
Eventually, Danzo relented, continuing forward together, side by side.
The villagers' cheers accompanied them all the way to the Hokage Tower.
The next day, Minato personally oversaw the funerals of the fallen shinobi, distributed survivor benefits, and announced additional support programs.
If Minato had once relied on public support to secure his position as Hokage, that was no longer the case.
After this campaign, no one in Konoha dared underestimate the Fourth Hokage's leadership or strategic brilliance.
His prestige now surpassed even the Third Hokage at his peak.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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