Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

Early the next morning—

When Kushina slowly woke up, Aoshi was still sleeping soundly beside her.

After all, last night had been far too exhausting.

The battle was thrilling in the moment, and continuous "combat" was always intoxicating. But once the fighting ended, recovery time was absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, even a body forged from iron wouldn't be able to endure it.

Nestled against Aoshi's chest, Kushina gently lifted her head.

It was the first time she had looked at him from this angle, and the experience felt strangely novel.

She blinked a few times, then couldn't resist reaching out and lightly poking his face.

At the same time, memories of Aoshi's completely different demeanor from the night before surfaced in her mind.

A soft, happy smile unknowingly bloomed across her delicate face.

"Let Aoshi sleep a bit longer. The commotion you two made last night was anything but small." Mikoto's voice suddenly rang out.

Kushina stiffened at once and hurriedly withdrew her hand. She gently rolled over and looked to the side, only to find that Mikoto was already awake.

Mikoto was smiling at her, her eyes brimming with unmistakable teasing.

Kushina knew her best friend meant no harm. Still, her face flushed immediately.

It felt as though she had been caught doing something she shouldn't have—like a child discovered by a parent.

Seeing her reaction, the smile on Mikoto's face only grew wider.

Unable to take it anymore, Kushina called out in a low, embarrassed protest. "Mikoto!"

The two exchanged a few playful jabs before Mikoto finally got out of bed, dressed herself, and headed toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast for everyone.

Kushina wanted to help, but Mikoto firmly refused. Knowing that last night had been Kushina's first time, Mikoto insisted she rest properly.

"I'll help out."

Yakushi Nonō, who had been sleeping on Tsunade's other side, was woken by their conversation. She sat up and spoke as she got out of bed.

The two worked together in the kitchen, and before long, a rich, appetizing aroma filled the air.

Drawn by the scent, Aoshi and Tsunade soon woke up as well.

—

Just as Aoshi and the others were enjoying their meal—

After fermenting for an entire day and night, the news of Danzō's defection spread throughout every street and alley of Konoha.

And not only Konoha. The news quickly reached the other ninja villages as well.

Konoha made no attempt to conceal the incident. In truth, they couldn't conceal it even if they wanted to.

The disturbance was simply too great, and the spies of the other villages were certainly not blind.

It was only because Danzō's defection was so shocking that they had verified the information repeatedly before daring to report it to their respective Kage.

After all, who could have imagined that the former Hokage's assistant would become a rogue ninja overnight?

When many people first heard the news, they thought it was nothing more than a joke.

—

Hidden Sand Village.

Ebizo carried the freshly obtained intelligence and entered the Third Kazekage's office.

"Lord Kazekage," Ebizo said solemnly, "Danzō Shimura has defected from Konoha."

The Third Kazekage immediately raised his head, astonishment evident in his eyes.

Though he said nothing, Ebizo instantly understood the unspoken question. Are you joking?

Without offering an explanation, Ebizo silently handed over the intelligence scroll.

After reading it, the Third Kazekage felt a profound shock.

If something like this happened in the Hidden Sand Village, it would be no different from Ebizo and his elder sister Chiyo defecting together.

It sounded like a tale straight out of a fantasy.

Yet he also understood—

If such intelligence had reached his desk, it could only mean one thing. It was true.

"Lord Kazekage," Ebizo continued, "Danzō held a very high position in Konoha. He must possess a great deal of their confidential intelligence."

His meaning was obvious. Capture Danzō.

Although the Hidden Sand Village and Konoha were currently allies, that did not mean Sunagakure was willing to remain subordinate forever.

Given the right opportunity, the Hidden Sand Village would not hesitate to take a bite out of Konoha.

After a brief moment of consideration, the Third Kazekage made his decision.

"We are allies of Konoha," he said calmly. "Naturally, we should assist them in eliminating a rogue ninja."

"This mission will be assigned to Rasa."

—

Iwagakure.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, also received the intelligence.

The moment he read it, he burst into laughter, feeling an indescribable satisfaction in his heart.

In such a short span of time, Konoha had produced two S-rank rogue ninja.

That was an enormous loss. After all, S-rank rogue ninja were not something any village could afford lightly.

Even Konoha, with its vast scale and resources, could not sustain too many losses of that caliber.

After laughing to his heart's content, Ōnoki immediately summoned his son.

"Kitsuchi," he ordered, "take a team and capture Danzō at once."

Though both were S-rank rogue ninja, Danzō and Orochimaru were fundamentally different.

As the former Hokage's assistant and the leader of Root, Danzō possessed far greater hidden value.

Ōnoki, who had always regarded Konoha as a future enemy and dreamed of overthrowing it, naturally would not miss such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"What about Orochimaru?" Kitsuchi asked. "Should we capture him as well?"

The question made Ōnoki frown. He had once placed great expectations on this son of his.

Yet only now did he realize that while Kitsuchi possessed decent ninja talent, he lacked the mindset of a Tsuchikage.

"Our priority is Danzō," Ōnoki said slowly with a sigh. "If the opportunity arises to capture Orochimaru as well, then bring him back."

—

Hidden Cloud Village.

Inside the Raikage's office.

The Third Raikage was training with heavy weights, while Dodai handled the paperwork.

When Dodai read the intelligence from Konoha, his expression shifted from astonishment to suspicion—then to undisguised delight.

Noticing the sudden change, the Third Raikage paused.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Yesterday," Dodai replied, "Danzō sent Root members to publicly assassinate the Hokage. He also personally killed two Konoha Advisors before defecting."

The Third Raikage was stunned for a moment—then let out a cold sneer.

"Konoha has truly lost face this time."

And he wasn't wrong. This was nothing short of a massive scandal.

"Lord Raikage," Dodai added, "we should immediately dispatch forces to capture Danzō and interrogate him for Konoha's confidential intelligence."

The Third Raikage's eyes lit up.

"You're right," he said decisively. "I'll take a team and depart at once."

Unlike the other Four Great Shinobi Villages, the Raikage of Kumogakure had never liked handling affairs from behind a desk.

He much preferred leading missions personally.

Dodai, long accustomed to this, did not try to stop him.

—

Hidden Mist Village.

Yagura received the intelligence and immediately went to see the Third Mizukage.

As expected, the decision was the same.

"Yagura," the Third Mizukage ordered, "take people and depart immediately. You must capture Danzō and bring him back."

"As long as we obtain Konoha's confidential intelligence, we will gain an absolute advantage in the next war. Defeating Konoha will no longer be impossible."

His words were blunt and unreserved. He held no illusions about peace lasting forever.

Yagura Karatachi did not refute him. Despite his youthful appearance, Yagura was already an adult—and even had a wife.

He understood the nature of war all too well. As long as the Ninja World remained divided, war would never truly end.

—

At this very moment, Danzō still had no idea that his defection from Konoha had already placed him squarely in the crosshairs of all Four Great Shinobi Villages.