Chapter 147: Chapter 147: A Rat in the Streets, Cursed by All
Morning.
The sun rose steadily over the horizon, casting its golden glow across Konoha's streets. Early risers strolled about in twos and threes, but soon the village bustled with life as more villagers poured into the streets, beginning their daily routines amidst the lively chatter.
At the Konoha News Agency, the doors creaked open. Within seconds, dozens of children with satchels dashed inside, eager to grab the morning paper and sell it to the villagers. Meanwhile, kiosk owners around the village opened their windows and began leisurely reading the latest edition, waiting for their first customers of the day.
As time passed, the noise on Konoha's streets grew louder. Everywhere—by the roadside, in teahouses, restaurants, and inns—people gathered, passionately discussing the headlines.
In a shadowy alley corner, a small group of civilians holding their breakfasts huddled over freshly bought newspapers, reading intently.
"'The Hidden Shadow of Konoha'? Who is that? I've never even heard the name before."
"Danzo Shimura? Since when did we have an advisor by that name?"
"And what's this 'Root'? Never heard of them either!"
The impatient among them muttered as they skimmed through the pages. But within moments, anger replaced their confusion.
"So, Orochimaru's human experiments were all backed by this Danzo Shimura?!"
"He brainwashed village shinobi into killing machines, assassinated or exiled anyone who opposed him..."
"He never fought in any external wars but wielded power and privileges as though he were above everyone else?!"
"This... this tumor in the village leadership must be dealt with immediately!"
Their indignation exploded into curses directed at Danzo Shimura. Similar scenes played out across the village.
Meanwhile, shinobi who were already familiar with Danzo's actions and Root's existence couldn't hide their relief.
"Finally, Danzo's crimes are out in the open. My child was taken by his men and never returned... now everyone knows the truth!"
"The Shimura clan crippled my brother, then came to our house to gloat, claiming not even the Hokage could touch them. So this is the kind of power they've been hiding behind!"
"My father's business was seized by the Shimura clan, and they locked him up for a year without reason. He lost his mind in there..."
"Human experimentation, betraying comrades, extorting wealth, hiding in the shadows at every sign of danger... How could such a man hold the title of Hokage Advisor for so long?"
Thanks to Mirai's exposé, Danzo Shimura was thrust into the public eye for the first time. But instead of respect, he earned the scorn and rage of Konoha's citizens, becoming a despised figure—a rat everyone wanted to see eradicated.
Not a single voice spoke in his defense. Everyone knew that if such an article had made it to print, it meant Danzo's fall was all but inevitable.
In the shadows, disguised Uchiha clansmen smiled at the uproar.
"Captain Mirai's plan was brilliant. There's no way Danzo can stay in the village after this."
They couldn't help but smirk when they thought of the Root shinobi, who had always looked down on others with their condescending, "Do you want to be marked a rogue ninja?" threats.
Let's see who the real traitors are now!
In a dark, damp underground base…
Danzo Shimura furiously tore the newspaper in his hands to shreds.
Never before had he felt such utter despair.
Thanks to Uchiha Mirai's schemes, he had become a pariah—reviled and abandoned. His dream of becoming Hokage was shattered beyond repair.
Two Root shinobi knelt before him, expressionless as always. Stripped of all emotion, they couldn't comprehend Danzo's turmoil and simply awaited his next command.
"Inform all Root members to gather scrolls, supplies, and equipment. We leave Konoha tonight!"
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, the two shinobi vanished using Body Flicker.
Left alone, Danzo surveyed his surroundings, his gaze filled with reluctant longing.
If he had any choice, he would never leave Konoha.
But the village had no place for him anymore. He needed to retreat and regroup, to rebuild his strength elsewhere.
A surge of hatred clouded his eyes as he clenched his fists.
"Uchiha Mirai... just wait. One day, I'll return to reclaim Konoha. And when I do, I'll bury the entire Uchiha clan with you."
...
Late at night, at the Hokage's office…
Mirai sat silently atop the Hokage's desk.
A hurried figure rushed in. "Captain Mirai, Danzo Shimura has made his move."
Seeing Nara Shikaku's weary expression, Mirai placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Shikaku, you've worked hard these past few days. After tonight, there will be no more Danzo Shimura in this world."
As Mirai vanished, Shikaku exhaled deeply.
Despite being just a teenager, Mirai's sheer presence was more intimidating than Hiruzen himself.
By sheer force of will and power, he had turned the tide for the Uchiha clan.
Looking ahead, Shikaku had no doubt—Konoha's future would force them all to tread carefully.
...
Outside Konoha, deep into the night…
Though the oppressive heat of the day lingered in the air, Danzo Shimura felt a chill gnawing at his heart.
"How much longer?" he asked one of his subordinates impatiently.
"Another ten minutes," the youth replied.
Danzo waved him off irritably. "No. We move now!"
"Yes!"
Surrounded by about two hundred Root shinobi, Danzo advanced toward Konoha's outskirts.
He expected resistance, but to his surprise, the escape was eerily smooth. Aside from the gate guards, there wasn't even a sign of ANBU patrols.
After traveling a few kilometers from the village, Danzo abruptly stopped.
"Something's wrong."
The dark, sinister forest around him seemed unnaturally quiet, and his instincts screamed of danger.
Even if Uchiha Mirai hadn't anticipated his defection, the village defenses shouldn't have been this lax.
Unless…
They had laid a trap, waiting for him to walk right into it!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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