Wen Lan's face darkened.
He hadn't hidden the fact that he urgently needed a scabbard for an upcoming mission—he knew full well that at Granny Cat's level, even if he tried to hide it, she'd still see through him.
But the fact that she said it so blatantly still pissed him off.
"How much do you want?" Wen Lan asked coldly.
"One hundred and fifty thousand ryō!" Granny Cat said with a kindly smile—though to Wen Lan, she looked like nothing but a profiteering merchant.
"That's too expensive!" Wen Lan snapped.
"I could just buy a cheap scabbard to make do, and when I have time, have one made elsewhere. I came to you because I trust you."
"Oh, little one, don't try to fool this old woman," Granny Cat chuckled.
"That sword of yours is from the Kusanagi series, isn't it? Ordinary scabbards can't contain its sharpness at all. The moment you sheath it, the scabbard would be ruined."
She puffed on her pipe and continued, "Relax. This time it's expensive, but I guarantee I'll use the finest materials."
On that point, Wen Lan didn't doubt her at all.
When it came to craftsmanship, the Ninja Cats were on par with the Land of Iron and the Land of Artisans.
Wen Lan took a deep breath.
"Fine. I need it the day after tomorrow."
"Very well." Granny Cat waved her hand.
Two ninja cats immediately ran over and began carefully measuring the sword, recording every detail with practiced precision, their tails swaying lightly as they worked.
Once everything was done, Wen Lan took his blade and left.
However, he didn't return directly to the Uchiha compound.
Instead, he went to the Inuzuka clan and found Hana.
She was in the courtyard brushing the fur of the ninja dogs. When she saw Wen Lan, her face lit up.
Graymaru was even more excited, pouncing over with his tail wagging like a windmill, rubbing his nose against Wen Lan's pant leg and whining happily.
Wen Lan squatted down and rubbed Graymaru's head, then smiled at Hana.
"Training hard lately?"
"It's alright," Hana said, walking over and wrapping both arms around Wen Lan's arm.
"Let's go out for a walk."
"Sure."
The two left the Inuzuka compound and strolled through the streets under the glow of dusk.
The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness. The last light of sunset spilled over the alleyways as food stalls lit their lamps, the smell of cooking mixing with children's laughter.
Wen Lan held Hana's hand as they walked along the stone-paved road, Graymaru trotting happily behind them.
But Wen Lan hadn't come just to take a walk.
Under Hana's guidance, he found something.
Something that would make Granny Cat suffer a huge loss the day after tomorrow.
At the thought, a sly smile crept onto Wen Lan's lips.
That night, Wen Lan returned to his courtyard.
Tsunade was sitting in the yard drinking, while Shizune squatted nearby holding Tonton and reading a book.
Pakura was playing with water by the pond, and Hikari was crouched by the room, quietly watching.
Tsunade glanced at Wen Lan as he came in and shook her sake gourd.
"Don't forget—you're taking me to see Danzō tomorrow."
"Relax. I won't forget," Wen Lan nodded, heading straight into the house.
Originally, he'd planned to go to the Ryūchi Cave after returning to the village, but the situation in Kirigakure forced him to delay.
Sitting at the table, Wen Lan took out paper and pen, thinking about the tragic figures from the original story.
Zabuza Momochi.
Haku.
The Kaguya clan.
Kisame Hoshigaki.
At first, Wen Lan hadn't planned to interfere with the plot—after all, the more it deviated, the harder it would be to predict the future.
But after saving Might Duy, he'd decided that he didn't want to live with regrets.
Besides, with his current strength, he finally had the ability to change these tragedies.
Early the next morning, Wen Lan was woken by Tsunade knocking on his door.
Grumbling, he got up, washed, and brought Tsunade to Konoha Prison.
When the guards saw Wen Lan, they immediately bowed respectfully.
"Third Elder."
Wen Lan nodded.
"How's that old dog doing?"
"Heh, we've been taking real good care of him," one guard grinned, eyes full of mockery.
"Three meals a day, never missed one—though he refuses to eat. So we force-fed him soldier pills. He won't starve."
"Soldier pills are enough," Wen Lan said coldly.
"Feeding him well is just a waste of food."
He led Tsunade inside to Danzō's cell.
As the heavy iron door opened, the dim cell revealed Danzō curled in a corner. His skeletal fingers scratched chaotic lines into the floor.
He was covered in blood, his clothes torn, eyes bloodshot—but still filled with that sinister glint.
He slowly raised his head and sneered.
"Wen Lan… you think this is enough to break me?"
Wen Lan felt Tsunade trembling beside him.
Her hemophobia had flared up.
Wen Lan gestured to the guard.
"Wash him. No blood left."
"Yes!"
The guard grabbed a bucket and dumped water over Danzō.
Blood washed off his body, streaming down and pooling dark red on the floor.
Tsunade's breathing gradually steadied. The trembling stopped. Her gaze hardened as she stared at the man who had once controlled Konoha's darkness.
Wen Lan looked at Danzō's still-defiant eyes, utterly unmoved.
"I'm not the one here to see you today."
He stepped aside.
Tsunade walked forward slowly, her gaze icy.
"Danzō!"
"You're back in the village?" Danzō's pupils shrank slightly.
"I'll ask you once," Tsunade said coldly.
"What really happened to the Senju clan?"
Danzō let out a hoarse chuckle.
"You still cling to that name… a surname already eliminated by the times?"
"Answer me." Tsunade's fingers dug into her palm.
"Hmph." Danzō raised his head, eyes cold and cruel.
"A clan's fate is always decided by Konoha's needs.
You great clans hold Konoha's lifeblood. If Konoha is to truly prosper, all clans must disappear—becoming part of Konoha, not standing above it as separate entities.
You ask what happened to the Senju?
Yes. It's exactly what you think.
And it was Hiruzen who allowed it."
Tsunade's pupils shrank violently.
She had always suspected Sarutobi Hiruzen's involvement—but she'd been running from that truth.
Now, hearing it spoken outright, her heart still shook.
"Heh…" Wen Lan let out a cold laugh.
"Old dog, you make it sound noble—but if the Shimura clan hadn't thrived so well, I might've believed you.
If you were truly righteous, I wouldn't despise you so much.
You speak of Konoha at every turn, but in truth, you only used that banner to satisfy your own ambitions—dragging the entire village into the abyss of your personal desires."
In history, there was a saying: dynasties may fall, but noble families endure.
Konoha's clans were exactly those enduring families.
But if Danzō had truly acted for Konoha's greater good, he wouldn't have secretly built Root, manipulated assassinations, and eliminated dissent.
He waved the banner of righteousness— while doing everything to consolidate his own power.
The real Konoha should never be one man's chessboard, nor should "peace" be built on the annihilation of an entire clan.
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