- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 406
“Danzo!”
Hearing Nagato’s words, Jiraiya couldn’t help but turn and glare angrily at Danzo.
So, it all started with Danzo.
For this final battle that concerned the entire ninja world, Leo had brought out all of the Leaf’s ninjas, leaving behind only the truly powerless—the elderly, the sick, and the young.
This included Danzo and all of his Root members.
“The infamous ‘Root’ of the Leaf, indeed known for their ruthless methods.”
Other ninjas also glanced at Danzo, while the straightforward Raikage mocked him with a couple of jabs.
“The village’s interests come above all else. What I did was for the village. When you stole the Byakugan back then, were you really any better than me?”
Danzo wasn’t one to back down. His words instantly silenced Raikage.
Although Danzo’s true intent in coveting Nagato’s eyes was to empower himself and seize the Hokage’s position, as long as he framed it as serving the village’s interests, no one could really say anything.
That was his best excuse.
“Enough. We’ll deal with this after the war.”
Leo raised his hand, then flew to confront Nagato.
“What do you want to discuss?”
“Fifth Hokage, let me be direct with you. Those things down there are called White Zetsu. They aren’t real people, but they have a transformation technique that even you won’t be able to discern.
However, their weakness is simple: individually, they aren’t strong.
If we start fighting, the outcome will be your coalition’s victory, but at least 80% of your forces will die.
And don’t think you can save them all by yourself. Yes, you are strong, but I have the Ten-Tails of the Sage of the Six Paths. The outcome between us is uncertain.”
Nagato explained calmly.
Leo nodded in response:
“You’re right. But this battle concerns the fate of the entire ninja world. Unless you stop the war, even if we’re down to the last person, we will still stop you.”
“I understand that, which is why I have a proposal.”
With a wave of Nagato’s hand, massive trees suddenly sprouted behind the White Zetsu army. Hanging from the trees weren’t fruits but ninjas from various villages, each marked by their forehead protectors.
In the front row, prominent figures like the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, his son Kitsuchi, and granddaughter Kurotsuchi from the Stone Village could be seen.
Gaara, Granny Chiyo, and other high-ranking leaders from villages that the Rain had defeated were also there, as well as Naruto, Killer B, and Yugito Nii, who had gone missing earlier that morning.
They were all alive, their eyes wide open, fully aware of the confrontation and the conversation between the two leaders. However, they were immobilized by some kind of jutsu.
“Your coalition and my White Zetsu army, along with the Akatsuki members, will stay out of it. You and I will fight one-on-one.”
“What if I refuse?”
Leo raised an eyebrow.
Nagato’s tone remained calm:
“If you refuse, then before the battle even begins, I will kill all the captured ninjas hanging behind me. Even if your coalition wins, who knows how many will be left?
Either way, my plan to make the world experience pain will be complete.
If you agree and win, with your strength, defeating the White Zetsu and the Akatsuki will be no problem. The Leaf will emerge as the biggest victor in this war.
But if you lose, with my power, wiping out your coalition will be easy. I will achieve my goal, and there will be no more wars.”
“Give me a moment to consider.”
Leo flew back to where the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Raikage, and Mizukage were gathered and asked:
“What do you all think?”
“Fifth Hokage, do you believe you can defeat Nagato?” the Third Hokage was the first to ask.
Everyone else turned their gaze to Leo. If he had confidence in winning, they would certainly support agreeing to Nagato’s proposal.
Leo hesitated for a moment before shaking his head:
“To be honest, I’m not sure. My instincts tell me that Nagato is much stronger now than he was when he attacked the Leaf Village.”
“If that’s the case, we can’t agree to this.”
At that moment, Danzo stepped forward:
“If we go to war now, it’s true that, as Nagato said, 80% of the coalition ninjas may die. But the remaining 20% will undoubtedly be the strongest ninjas from all three villages.
Nagato must know that a battle between him and you wouldn’t be decided quickly, and he’s worried that the remaining 20% will help you defeat him. That’s why he made this offer.
We can’t fall into his trap!”
Danzo didn’t care about the captured ninjas from the other villages or the potential loss of 80% of the coalition’s forces. In his mind, those lives were expendable. As long as Leo could defeat Nagato, or better yet, if both of them perished together, it would give Danzo the opportunity to achieve his own ambitions.
Under no circumstances could they allow Nagato to win. If Nagato triumphed, Danzo was certain he wouldn’t survive.
“That’s nonsense! If we refuse, Killer B and Yugito Nii will be killed immediately, and your Nine-Tails Jinchūriki brat will die too!”
Lightning flared around Raikage’s body as he furiously countered Danzo’s words.
Killer B was his last remaining family. How could he stand by and watch him die right in front of him?
Mizukage Mei Terumi also clearly disagreed with Danzo. Given the current state of the Mist Village, if only 20% of the coalition survived, maybe only a handful of Mist ninjas would be left. The Mist Village would be finished.
“Fifth Hokage, if you aren’t sure, then we should go with Danzo’s suggestion.”
Surprisingly, the Third Hokage supported Danzo’s view.
Even though he didn’t want to see so many lives lost, Danzo wasn’t wrong. In terms of the bigger picture, this approach offered the greatest chance of victory.
Plus, based on strength, the Leaf Village would likely have the most survivors. As long as Leo won, they could rebuild over time and eventually regain their former glory as the number one village.
Jiraiya, standing nearby, remained silent. His personality couldn’t bring him to be as ruthless as the Third Hokage and Danzo. Yet logically, he knew they were right about the best chance of winning.
So, he stayed quiet, leaving the decision to Leo.
At this point, Leo noticed the growing tension among everyone and knew it was the right moment. He raised his hand to calm them:
“Stop fighting amongst yourselves. If we start bickering now, the real battle won’t even begin, and the enemy will have already won.”
His words immediately quieted the Third Hokage, Danzo, Raikage, and Mizukage, all turning their attention to Leo.
Ultimately, the decision lay with him.
Leo closed his eyes, pretending to be deep in thought, before slowly opening them:
“I’ve made my decision. I accept Nagato’s proposal!”
Of course, he agreed—Nagato’s words were exactly what Leo had planned for him to say.
(End of Chapter)