Chapter 73 A Warning

The silence between Renjiro and the Third Hokage stretched on, heavy with tension.

At last, Renjiro broke it with a short question: “How’s Maemon?”

Hiruzen sighed before replying gently: “He’s in the hospital. His injuries are serious, but not life-threatening.”

"Phew!" Renjiro let out a relieved breath.

Then Hiruzen continued, in a calm voice: “As for your conflict with Danzo, the village has already made a decision.”

Renjiro raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, waiting.

“First, Danzo will be punished. He’s been removed from his position as the leader of Root.”

Renjiro was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Hiruzen to act so strongly against Danzo. In the original timeline, this only happened much later—after the Uchiha clan massacre involving him and Obito.

Still, Renjiro was pleased with the outcome. At least Danzo’s power and influence were now shackled by the Third Hokage. This meant he could no longer act so recklessly.

Without Root, Danzo was like a tiger stripped of its fangs. He would still plot in the shadows, but his reach was crippled. It was a heavy blow.

Hiruzen then turned his gaze back to Renjiro, sighing inwardly before speaking in a calm tone: “And as for you, Renjiro… The truth is, you killed fellow Konoha shinobi. Because of that, during wartime, you can no longer remain in the village as you are.”

Renjiro frowned and asked curiously: “What do you mean, Hokage-sama?”

“Renjiro.” Hiruzen shook his head, his voice was carrying a hint of helplessness: “After discussing with the elders and higher-ups, the village has decided to freeze your position as team leader and Special Jonin. From now on, you’ll remain a Konoha shinobi in name, but without any rank or authority. You also won’t be assigned new missions—at least until further notice.”

“Revoking my shinobi rank…?” Renjiro’s eyes widened slightly, as he muttered under his breath. 

The decision clearly shocked him. He had expected punishment, but not something as severe as losing his status as a shinobi.

Although he was still considered a Konoha shinobi, this decision all but cut off his future. Without rank or status, he was no different from a civilian. He would receive no resources, no access to advanced Jutsu, and no chance to contribute to the village. In truth, he would become a shinobi only in name.

“Think of it as a long vacation.” Hiruzen said gently, studying Renjiro’s face: “Don’t you want to see the world outside? It’s vast—different lands, different people. Perhaps when you return, your perspective will have changed.”

Hiruzen recalled how one of his other students had grown immensely after traveling across the shinobi world. Deep down, he hoped Renjiro could do the same.

“See the world, huh?”

The words lingered in Renjiro’s mind. 

Deep down, he had always wanted to wander across the shinobi lands, but the chance had never come. Duty kept him bound to the village, and there were things he wished to pursue—things Konoha would never permit.

“Very well.” After a long pause, Renjiro finally spoke: “I’ll use this opportunity to see the world.”

But then his gaze hardened, and his tone grew firm: “I’ll accept this arrangement. However, Hokage-sama… when I leave, I want your help with one thing.”

“Speak.” Hiruzen replied without hesitation.

“I need your guarantee. While I’m away, you must keep Meri, Maemon, and Tsugami safe. I fear Danzo may try something against them in my absence.”

Hiruzen nodded, answering steadily: “You need not worry. The three of them are Konoha’s own—heroes of the Leaf.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama.” Renjiro said with genuine respect.

Only then did he allow himself to breathe easier. He trusted Hiruzen’s word. The Third Hokage had once promised Itachi to protect Sasuke, and indeed, Sasuke had been shielded during his reign. Yamato and Kakashi, too, had survived Danzo’s schemes thanks to Hiruzen’s protection.

Still, Renjiro was not a man who relied on promises alone. These were his friends, their lives were priceless. He would not leave anything to chance.

---

Crrrkk! Whoosh!

The moment Renjiro was released from Anbu custody, he vanished in a blur of motion, leaving his watchers behind as if they were standing still.

Whoosh!

He reappeared at the entrance of Danzo’s hidden residence. For a man as paranoid as Danzo, even his own home was cloaked in secrecy—but such tricks were meaningless before Renjiro’s senses.

“Who’s there?!”

Danzo’s eyes flew open from meditation—only to find a blade already at his throat, its cold edge glinting in the dim light.

“You—”

The word barely left his lips before the steel pressed closer, silencing him.

“Don’t speak.” Renjiro’s voice was icy, each word sharp as the blade itself: “One sound, and I’ll open your throat. Move, and the result will be the same.”

Renjiro sneered, his eyes were cold as ice. His voice cut like a blade: “I talk. You listen. One unnecessary word, you will die.”

Danzo’s glare didn’t waver, but the steel pressed against his throat told another story. Thunder Fang’s edge radiated a killing intent so chilling it was as if the Shinigami itself hovered over him, ready to drag him into the abyss.

Renjiro’s tone dropped to a low, deadly growl: “This is your last warning. If you have business, face me directly. But if there’s ever a next time, if you dare lay a hand on my friends again, I won’t care about politics, allegiances, or consequences.”

His blade pressed harder, his words were filled with merciless killing intent: “I’ll come for you.”

Renjiro’s eyes burned with murderous intent: “And when I come.” He hissed: “It won’t just be you. Your Root, your allies, even your entire clan will be caught in my retaliation. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Crrkk! Whoosh!

The blade pressed harder for an instant, leaving the sting of death lingering at Danzo’s throat—then, in a flash of lightning, Renjiro was gone.

“…Renjiro.”

Danzo’s voice trembled with barely contained fury, his teeth were grinding together. Never—never in his life—had anyone dared to threaten him so openly. Not even Orochimaru had shown such audacity.

“Number Three!” Danzo shouted in a sharp voice filled with rage.

But there was no answer. No movement. Only suffocating silence.

“Damn it!”

Danzo’s face darkened as he stormed out of his chambers. The realization hit like a blade, every single Root operative stationed outside lay unconscious on the ground.

“Renjiro…” He whispered, his voice was colder than death.

This wasn’t just an intrusion. It was a warning. Renjiro’s final shot across the bow, a declaration: Don’t play your games again. I have the strength to make good on my words.

It was the same kind of shadow that Itachi would one day cast over him, years later.

Meanwhile, slipping away from Danzo’s hideout, Renjiro felt oddly lighter. Not only had he carved fear into the old schemer’s heart, but… well, leaving without a parting gift would have been rude.

He hadn’t taken anything of real value, of course. Just a few scrolls. Harmless, really. Worthless scraps of paper.

…Worthless or perhaps not.

Either way, Renjiro wasn’t worried about Danzo striking back recklessly. His warning had been sharp enough, and with Hiruzen’s promise, Meri and the others were protected. 

Besides, his friends weren’t helpless—they had grown stronger. If anyone tried again, bringing them down wouldn’t be so simple.

Renjiro trusted them.

It wasn’t long before the Anbu reestablished contact, closing in on him.

“Renjiro.” Their captain spoke with a weary tone: “What you just did has made things… very difficult for us.”

Renjiro shrugged, his voice casual, almost careless: “Relax. I’m done hiding. Oh, and—do me a favor. Call my friends to my place. I want to see them.”

The captain’s mask tilted slightly, but his answer came without hesitation.

“That isn’t procedure. And besides…” His voice hardened as his gaze locked on Renjiro.

“Where exactly did you just go?”

“I already told you—I’m not running.” Renjiro said, his lips curling into a sly smile: “And honestly… if I truly wanted to disappear without a trace, do you really think you could stop me?”

The Anbu captain fell silent. How could he respond? This was the same fifteen-year-old who had faced the Nine-Tails head-on and lived… the same youth who had taken on more than twenty of Danzo’s Root shinobi and nearly destroyed them single-handedly. 

To think a handful of watchers could contain such a monster was nothing short of a fantasy.

“As for where I just went.” Renjiro went on, tilting his head, his smile sharpened like a blade: “Trust me—you don’t want to know.”

“…”

The captain chose silence. It was the wisest answer.

“Go on.” Renjiro finally said, his voice softening: “I won’t make things harder for you.”

“Fine. Let’s move.”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The captain turned sharply, issuing a brief command. In an instant, the two masked shinobi beside him flickered out of sight.

---

Konoha Hospital

Renjiro didn’t head home right away. Instead, his steps carried him to the hospital.

Inside the ward, Maemon lay unconscious on the bed, pale but breathing steadily.

“How is he?” Renjiro asked quietly, turning to the doctor at his side.

“Rest easy.” The doctor replied in a calm, professional tone: “Both his body and spirit suffered immense trauma, but thanks to swift intervention and his own resilience, he should make a full recovery within a month.”

Renjiro’s eyes narrowed, and asked in a worried voice: “No sequelae?”

“None.” The doctor confirmed with a firm shake of his head.

“…Good.” Relief eased the tightness in Renjiro’s chest. The thought of Maemon being left broken, and his mind twisted beyond repair had haunted him. But now, that weight lifted.

“Thank you.” Renjiro said, his voice softened: “Could I have some time alone with my friend?”

“Of course. Call if you need anything.” The doctor answered lightly before leaving the ward.

When the door closed behind the doctor, Renjiro spoke softly into the quiet room: “I said I wanted to be alone.”

Whoosh!

Only after sensing the distant retreat of the Anbu did, he finally relax, lowering himself into the chair beside the bed.

His gaze lingered on Maemon’s unconscious form. For the first time in hours, a faint chuckle appeared on his face: “Funny, isn’t it? Usually, I’m the one lying here while you sit watch. Guess the roles are reversed now.”

But the smile faded quickly, giving way to a shadow of sadness. After a long silence, he whispered: “…I’m sorry. You got caught up in this because of me.”

Another stretch of silence followed, the steady rhythm of Maemon’s breathing filling the room. Renjiro finally spoke again in a serious voice: “Not that I’ll waste time saying I feel guilty—you’d only get angry hearing that. So instead, let me tell you something worth knowing.”

He leaned forward, and continued: “Root is in ruins. I cut down nearly all of Danzo’s elites—twenty of his best. The backbone of his organization is gone.”

His eyes hardened, gleaming like sharpened steel: “But unfortunately… I couldn’t kill Danzo himself. But that’s fine.”

“Danzo came after me because he wants the Hokage’s seat.” Renjiro said coldly: “So I’ll let him live—for now. I’ll let him live long enough to watch me claim the very title he covets. To see his dream crumble into dust, to choke on his own regret and rage.”

His eyes darkened, voice sinking into a deadly vow: “And when that moment comes… I’ll drag him to hell myself. Only then will our hatred be avenged. Isn’t that right, Maemon?”

Maemon lay silent, giving no answer. Renjiro could only sigh inwardly.

“I should go.” He said at last, rising to his feet. His gaze lingered on his friend one last time: “I may leave the village for a while, but I’ll return. And when I do… it’ll be the day to settle the score with Danzo.”