NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79: Fugaku vs Danzo
At the forest outskirts
As I was locked in battle, I knew that another confrontation was unfolding far from the chaos here—between Fugaku and Danzo, near the Root base.
An hour earlier
Fugaku had been waiting for the signal.
He addressed the gathered Uchiha with a calm authority. "Once Suna begins its attack, move out to support the village," he instructed. "But don't reveal yourselves—use the cloaks to keep hidden and assist stealthily."
"Yes, Leader," the Uchiha responded in unison, their resolve clear. When the sounds of battle in the village began echoing, Fugaku gave the signal: "Go." The Uchiha moved out like shadows, disappearing into the night, leaving Fugaku to confront his own objective alone.
Meanwhile, Danzo, alert and suspicious, sensed something was wrong. Leaving his quarters, he tried calling for his operatives, but only silence met him. With tension building, he murmured to himself, "This doesn't feel right…"
Little did he know, Fugaku was already close, ready to finally settle things with Danzo.
As Danzo wandered through the shadows, on high alert and searching for any sign of intruders, a voice echoed from the darkness.
"Hey, Danzo. Long time no see."
Danzo spun around, his eyes wide with disbelief as he saw the familiar figure emerge from the shadows. His shock was palpable; this was someone he had believed to be long dead, his death verified and seemingly final. Yet here he was, standing alive in front of him.
"Fugaku... How can this be?" Danzo stammered, his voice filled with suspicion and confusion. "Did Itachi lie about your death? No... We checked everything. You died that day!"
Fugaku's expression remained cold, unwavering. "You underestimated us, Danzo," he replied, his voice steady and carrying a faint trace of bitterness. "Your schemes couldn't erase us so easily. We knew of the price you'd make us pay if we didn't disappear… so we vanished, only to return when the time was right."
Danzo narrowed his eyes, his calculating mind racing. "So you've been hiding, waiting for an opportunity. And now, of all times, you choose to resurface," he muttered. "But don't think this changes anything, Fugaku. The Uchiha are still—"
"Enough," Fugaku cut him off sharply, his Sharingan flashing with restrained fury. "This isn't about your lies or my clan's survival anymore. This is about justice, Danzo—retribution for all the suffering you've caused. You'll answer for every life, every betrayal."
Danzo clenched his fists, steeling himself. "If you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken. I'll end you here and now, just like I should have years ago."
Fugaku drew his blade, his voice cold and resolute. "Then let's finish this, Danzo. This time, there's no one to protect you."
With that, both Danzo and his unseen opponent launched into action, their combat instincts taking over. Danzo swiftly formed hand seals, calling upon his signature technique. "Wind Style: Breakthrough!" he shouted, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that tore through the air toward his opponent.
The air crackled as Danzo unleashed his jutsu, a powerful gust of wind surging forward, aimed to overwhelm Fugaku. But Fugaku countered with his Fire Style: Fire Wave, creating a torrent of flames that met the wind head-on. The two techniques collided with a thunderous roar, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area.
The force of the clash pushed both men back, but neither was willing to give ground. Fugaku quickly assessed Danzo's position, his Sharingan picking up the subtle movements of his opponent. Danzo, ever calculating, was already forming another hand sign, intent on pressing his advantage.
"You're still the same, Danzo," Fugaku said, narrowing his eyes. "Always hiding behind your jutsu, afraid to face your enemies directly."
Danzo's lips twisted into a sneer. "And you're still a fool, Fugaku. Power lies in manipulation, in knowing when to strike." He prepared to unleash a series of shurikens enhanced by wind chakra, aiming to overwhelm Fugaku with a barrage.
But Fugaku was ready. "You won't get the chance." He activated his own jutsu, weaving through the incoming shurikens with the agility and speed of the Uchiha. "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
The flames erupted from his mouth, spiraling through the air like a flock of fiery birds. They danced around the shurikens, incinerating them before continuing their trajectory toward Danzo.
"Useless trick!" Danzo barked as he quickly performed a series of hand seals. "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
With a powerful thrust, he redirected the flames away from him, sending them crashing into the walls of the nearby structures. The fire roared and flickered, illuminating Danzo's determined expression.
"Your tricks won't work on me, Fugaku," he said, stepping forward, confidence swelling as he prepared to engage the Uchiha in close quarters.
But Fugaku was undeterred, ready to match his former ally's ruthlessness with precision. As they charged at each other, the air around them buzzed with anticipation, the battle drawing ever closer to its critical turning point.
The clash between Fugaku and Danzo settled into a tense stalemate. Both shinobi were locked in a fierce exchange, their abilities matched as they traded blows and counterattacks. Each move was calculated, a dance of skill and strategy, with neither gaining a decisive advantage.
Despite their impressive techniques, both warriors refrained from using their stronger jutsus, knowing that revealing their most powerful abilities too soon could turn the tide of the battle in unexpected ways. The air crackled with tension as they circled one another, searching for openings while remaining acutely aware of the stakes at hand. Each was determined to outmaneuver the other, but the battle remained a fierce test of endurance and willpower, with both sides unwilling to relent.