I Got Reincarnated As Danzo!?

*Slap!*

A sharp sound echoed through the room as the Shimura elder struck his grandson across the face. The young boy, clutching his reddened cheek, stared at his grandfather in shock.

"Grandfather! Why did you hit me? Danzo openly leaked ninjutsu to those filthy commoners!"

The elder let out a deep sigh, his expression filled with disappointment.

"Let me ask you something—why did we join Konoha?"

His grandson hesitated before replying in a low voice, "To ensure the survival of our family."

"Right and wrong," the elder corrected.

The boy frowned in confusion.

The elder continued, his voice firm. "Because times have changed. If we had refused to join Konoha, our clan would have been doomed. That is the correct part. But the mistake is believing that joining the village will allow the family to stay as it is. Even within the village, the clans will eventually fade away."

His grandson's confusion deepened.

"You're wondering why, aren't you?" The elder scoffed. "Hmph! I have spent my life making the right choices, yet I have such an ignorant descendant."

Taking a deep breath, he explained, "The village system is designed to outgrow the influence of clans. One day, Konoha will no longer be a place where families hold power—it will be a place where the village itself is the priority!"

The young boy's eyes widened in shock. "You mean... the Shimura clan will disappear? Even the Senju and Uchiha?"

"Of course. This is the natural course of history. But listen carefully—our clan is weak compared to the Senju and Uchiha. The establishment of the village is actually an advantage for us."

The grandson hesitated before asking, "Then… should we help strengthen the village?"

A small smile appeared on the elder's face. "You're not as foolish as I thought."

His tone softened. "You must understand something—our clan's survival depends on our ability to adapt. Since your father is the current patriarch and I am the elder, you are expected to inherit leadership. But if you fail to prove yourself… the clan may decide to pass that position to Danzo instead."

The boy's face twisted with disbelief and frustration.

---

At the same time, Danzo was moving swiftly across the village, heading toward a particular destination.

Unlike in the later years, the massive stone faces of Hokage Rock did not yet exist. The mountain stood untouched, waiting for history to carve its legacy into it.

As he ran, Danzo heard the system's voice.

[Mission: Witness the birth of the First Hokage's statue and proclaim, 'I will become Hokage!']

[Reward: 10,000 points, random character inheritance]

Danzo smirked. "If I just go to Hashirama directly, I might get stopped. So instead..."

His destination was clear—Hokage Rock.

Currently, no one had started work on carving the Hokage's face into the mountain. But Danzo understood the purpose it would eventually serve: a lasting symbol of unity and pride for the village.

But why wait?

If no one has thought of it yet, I'll be the one to start it!

His speed increased as he weaved through the village, finally arriving at the bare rock formation. Looking up at its vast surface, he scratched his head.

'System, how am I supposed to carve this? I don't even have Earth Release.'

[System Analysis…]

[Analysis Complete. Granting: Earth Release - Earth Flow Wall (Elite).]

[Temporary chakra boost granted—chakra reserves increased 100 times.]

A surge of power filled Danzo's body. Unlike the sharp, swift feeling of Wind Release, this new chakra felt heavy and steady.

[Illusion concealment activated. Others will not detect the changes to Hokage Rock until completion.]

'Nice, thanks, System.'

With that reassurance, he immediately got to work.

*"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"*

*"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"*

He alternated between the two techniques, chipping away at the mountain with precision. As the silhouette of a face began to take shape, a grin spread across Danzo's face.

This is easier than I thought!

[Host is amazing!]

---

Danzo stood back, admiring his work.

The face was... a little off. The eyes were uneven, the nose was crooked, and the mouth resembled a twisted dragon's snarl.

Danzo sighed. *Destroy it. I'm tired.*

'System, can I draw a skill for carving?'

[Checking stored rewards… System has long been waiting for you to ask! Drawing now!]

Nine gray items… One blue…

Nine gray items… One blue…

[Host has the worst luck I've ever seen!]

One final ten-pull.

[Result: Detonation Tags (x4), Kunai (x3), Chakra Boost (0.1 cal), Navy Six-Style: Shave, Master-Level Engraving.]

Danzo clenched his fist. *Finally!*

Wasting no time, he activated the engraving ability. His hands moved with expert precision, refining the statue into a perfect likeness.

Half a day later, it was done.

Danzo stepped back and took in his masterpiece—a strong, determined face staring into the distance, its expression full of unwavering resolve.

And beneath it, he had carved a bold inscription:

"The Future Hokage of Konoha—Shimura Danzo Was Here!"

Danzo smirked. "Damn, I did a good job. Looks just as handsome as the real thing."

'System, remove the cover.'

[Cover removed. Mission complete. Reward issued.]

Danzo blinked. Why do I hear relief in your voice?

[Ding! You must be imagining things!]

---

"Look, up there!"

A middle-aged villager pointed at the mountain, eyes widening in shock.

"That statue… When did that get there?"

Passerby A stared at the inscription. "Wait a second—Shimura Danzo? Isn't he the new student of Lord Tobirama?"

The crowd murmured among themselves, their initial confusion turning into acceptance.

"If he's Tobirama-sama's disciple, then it makes sense. Guess he's ambitious."

---

Uchiha Madara stood by the window, his eyes locked onto the newly carved statue.

"Madara-sama, we confirmed that this was done by Shimura Danzo, the student of Senju Tobirama."

Madara scoffed. "Hmph. The title of Hokage will belong to **me**, not some brat. Senju Tobirama…"

His Sharingan flared at the mention of the man's name.

"Understood, Madara-sama," his subordinate replied.

"Leave me."

Once alone, Madara traced his fingers across an old family portrait.

"Brother... I will avenge you."

---

"Hahahaha!"

Senju Hashirama burst into laughter upon hearing the report.

"Hokage-sama, aren't you upset?" The reporting ninja looked confused.

"Why would I be? I'd be worried if **no one** in the village wanted to be Hokage!"

Hashirama waved his hand. "Since he's Tobirama's student, call my brother here. Let's see what he thinks."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

As the ninja vanished, Hashirama gazed out the window.

*"The younger generation is full of potential. We old folks shouldn't stand in their way."*

---