I AM DANZO SHIMURA

For power stones, if I get 10 power stones, I will publish 500 more words. If I get 100 power stones, I will post two 1,500-word chapters a day.

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A week had passed ...

The relationship between Shimura Danzo and Tsunade had improved a little since their fight that day. Tsunade was getting used to her caring teacher and even saw a bit of her second grandfather in him.

Seeing them get along so well, Uzumaki Mito smiled with relief. She had been worried that Danzo wouldn't be able to handle Tsunade, but now she saw that her concerns were unnecessary.

One day, while Danzo was training Tsunade, an Anbu suddenly appeared beside him.

"Lord Hokage, the Uzumaki clan has arrived at the village entrance," the Anbu reported.

Danzo was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly since the journey between the Land of Fire and the Land of Whirlpools was quite long. He thought it would take at least half a month, but they had arrived in just a week.

"I see. You may go," Danzo nodded, and the Anbu ninja disappeared.

"Tsunade, stop for a moment. We have guests," Danzo called out to her.

Tsunade, confused, stopped her training. "Guests? Teacher, who are they?" she asked, looking puzzled.

"It's Mito-sama's niece, your cousin. Be polite; she has a close relationship with Mito-sama," Danzo explained, patting her head.

"I understand," Tsunade nodded. In the past, she might have scoffed and dismissed it, but after some lessons from Danzo, she had learned to control her arrogance. Her earlier temperament was a result of being doted on by Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, and being the Senju clan's heiress meant no one dared oppose her. But Danzo was different; as his student, she had to follow his rules.

---

The Uzumaki clan members didn't stop at the village entrance; they were guided by Anbu to the Senju clan's area. When Danzo and Tsunade arrived where Uzumaki Mito was, they saw her laughing and chatting with a red-haired woman.

The woman was Mito's niece, Uzumaki Kasumi. She looked about the same age as Danzo and had some resemblance to Mito. She wore simple home clothes with the Uzumaki clan emblem on the back. Her long red hair flowed down her waist like a waterfall, and her black eyes were full of kindness.

"Tsunade, Danzo, you're here," Mito greeted them, waving. Kasumi turned around, looking surprised when she heard Danzo's name.

"Is this Konoha's Third Hokage, Shimura Danzo?" Kasumi asked, looking at him with curiosity. Though she tried to be subtle, Danzo noticed her interest but didn't comment on it. His deeds and his position as Hokage were well-known across the ninja world.

"Danzo, Tsunade, let me introduce you. This is Uzumaki Kasumi, my brother's daughter. She helped develop and improve Konoha's barrier," Mito said proudly. "Danzo, don't underestimate her. She's a once-in-a-century genius in sealing and enchantment techniques."

"Tsunade, say hello to your cousin," Mito instructed.

"Big sis!" Tsunade greeted with a bright smile.

Mito nodded, pleased. She clearly adored her niece, who was both beautiful and sensible.

"Ahem, Mito-sama, we can chat later. Let's discuss the barrier first," Danzo said, feeling a bit awkward. He was very focused on the scouting crystal project and wanted to get it done as soon as possible.

"Is the Third Hokage in a hurry to investigate the crystal?" Kasumi asked.

"Yes, I am. That's why I asked Mito-sama to write to you," Danzo replied. He felt Konoha's barrier was a bit unstable, and the scouting crystal would help Anbu monitor other villages' tailed beast activities.

"Danzo, is there something wrong with Konoha's barrier?" Mito asked, concerned.

"Just a small problem. But now that Kasumi is here, I'm confident it will be resolved soon," Danzo assured her.

"In that case, Kasumi, go with Danzo to check the barrier. Stay for a few days after fixing it," Mito said.

"Yes, aunt, don't worry," Kasumi nodded obediently. She then turned to Danzo. "Third Hokage, please lead the way."

As Danzo and Kasumi walked through the village, they didn't talk much, but civilians and ninjas greeted Danzo warmly. Danzo smiled and responded to each greeting, but no one asked about the woman beside him. They knew anyone with the Third Hokage wasn't someone to pry about.

Once they entered the Konoha Forest, Danzo seemed to relax, dropping his public smile and seriousness.

Suddenly, Kasumi laughed. Her laughter was delicate and clear like a melody, and her face lit up with a smile like a blooming flower.

"What's so funny, Kasumi? Do I have something on my face?" Danzo asked, confused by her sudden laughter.

"It just feels a bit strange," Kasumi replied, still smiling. "I didn't expect you, the Third Hokage, to be uncomfortable greeting people so often. It's not what I imagined from the village leader."

"No way around it. As Hokage, you have to maintain some authority, or people won't respect you," Danzo said with a helpless tone, spreading his hands.

Kasumi's smile grew warmer, with no trace of mockery. "You're more fun than I thought. I expected you to be as strict as the Second Hokage or my uncle."

Danzo shrugged. "Maybe it's because I'm still young."

"Okay, we're here," Danzo said, stopping. Kasumi stopped too and carefully felt the invisible barrier in front of her.

"Kasumi, take your time and check the barrier. Don't worry about safety," Danzo said, sitting on a nearby rock.

"Thanks. I'll start checking now, and I hope no one will disturb me," Kasumi replied, closing her eyes and reaching out to touch the barrier.

A few seconds later, a figure appeared beside Danzo and removed his mask, revealing Mitokado Homura, the new Anbu commander.

"Lord Hokage, is this Mito-sama's niece?" Homura whispered.

"Yes. Make sure no one comes within 100 meters. Kasumi needs to check the barrier without interruptions," Danzo ordered seriously.

"Understood!" Homura said, putting his mask back on and leaving to carry out the order.

"She looks a lot like Mito and Kushina," Danzo thought, watching Kasumi. At first, he thought she was Kushina, but Mito had introduced her as Kasumi. He was glad he hadn't voiced his initial thought.

"Could she be Kushina's mother?" Danzo murmured. Seeing Kasumi, a peerless beauty, reminded him of Uchiha Naori, making him appreciate how many beautiful women he had encountered.

Bored, Danzo started playing with the flowers and plants around him. The breeze made them dance, and Danzo enjoyed the gentle wind, feeling a close connection to it due to his mastery of Wind Style.

Half an hour later, Kasumi let go of the barrier and opened her eyes. She looked a bit tired.

"Huh... there is a small problem," Kasumi sighed, turning to see Danzo resting with his eyes closed. His smooth and handsome face made her pause and admire him for a moment.

"He's actually quite handsome," Kasumi thought, shaking her head to clear her mind. She moved closer to get a better look, but just then, Danzo opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Kasumi, is the barrier fixed?" he asked.

Kasumi blushed and trembled slightly, feeling like she had been caught in the act.

"huh....Kasumi, what happend ?"

Danzō looked at Uzumaki Kasumi, confused.

He had sensed her presence and slowly opened his eyes.

"It's... nothing," Kasumi replied, her voice suddenly softer and shy.

Kasumi took a deep breath to calm down. "Let's talk about the barrier."

Her tone became serious, and her face showed concern, making Danzō sit up straight, feeling the gravity of the situation.

"Kasumi-san, please explain."

Danzō's heart sank. If she was this serious, there must be something wrong with the barrier.

"The barrier was sabotaged but then repaired. The Chakra in it isn't from the Uzumaki clan; it's from someone else," Kasumi said, looking at Danzō.

She didn't need to say more. Danzō understood—there was a traitor in Konoha who knew the barrier's weaknesses.

"Interesting, Hiruzen can control Konoha's barrier," Danzō murmured. If it were anyone else, he might have investigated and eliminated them, but he remembered Hiruzen's proposal to be Anbu Commander.

"He's a smart strategist, but not perfect," Danzō thought, planning against Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Third Hokage, if you want me to find the person based on this Chakra, I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Kasumi apologized. Her main purpose in Konoha was to visit Uzumaki Mito and check the barrier, not to hunt down traitors.

"Of course, Kasumi-san. Just make the scout crystal as soon as possible," Danzō reassured her.

Kasumi sighed in relief, glad Danzō wasn't pushing her to do the impossible. She smiled and asked, "How will you repay me, Third Hokage?"

Danzō was momentarily startled but quickly understood. "Well, what do you want? I'll try to satisfy you, as long as it doesn't harm the village."

"I don't need money or ninjutsu... I honestly don't know what I want," Kasumi sighed, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Take your time, think it over, and let me know," Danzō replied, smiling.

"Thank you, Third Hokage. And please, just call me Kasumi," she said, stepping closer.

"Alright, then you can call me Danzō," he agreed, thinking it was good to be on friendly terms with someone like her.

"Danzo, will you show me around Konoha?" Kasumi asked, her eyes bright, her red hair fluttering in the breeze.

"Of course, Kasumi. I'd be happy to," Danzō said, shaking off his thoughts and following her lead.