Naruto: The Sand Will Rise!

Danzo Shimura was taken aback by Mufasa's sharp gaze.

Fortunately for him, most of his face was hidden beneath his bandages, concealing any trace of surprise. He refused to let himself be rattled by a younger man, even if that man was a Kage. His pride wouldn't allow it.

Scoffing, he fired back. "Kazekage, are you ignorant of history? Sand Village has been the weakest of the Great Villages since its founding. If your people have misplaced their history books, I can gladly provide you with a copy of 'The Complete History of the Hidden Villages.' Maybe then you'd understand Sand's place in the world."

Mufasa smirked. "And I can see that you're wrapped up like a mummy and leaning on a cane. Looks like you're the one with real health issues."

Danzo's eyes narrowed, but Mufasa continued, undeterred. "Maybe your hearing's going too. You seem to have missed my point—I wasn't talking about the past. I was talking about now. About me."

He leaned forward slightly. "I am strong. And because I am the Kazekage, that means the Sand Village is strong."

"Fool!" Danzo snapped, fists clenching beneath the table. Mufasa's taunts burned at his pride. If it weren't for the other Konoha officials present, he would've torn off his bandages and dealt with Mufasa right then and there.

Tsunade, meanwhile, snorted, barely holding back a laugh. Still, she kept her composure and smacked the table. "Enough. Both of you."

She turned to Mufasa. "Kazekage, I understand your concerns. Perhaps we can consider alternative ways to offer some form of compensation."

Mufasa remained silent, watching her carefully. Before he could respond, Danzo interjected.

"Absolutely not! Konoha will not bow to the Sand."

Tsunade shot him a glare. "It's not 'bowing.' It's negotiation."

"It's unacceptable," Danzo growled. To him, even entertaining the idea of giving anything to the Sand Village was a disgrace.

Tsunade had enough. "Danzo Shimura, step down. Now."

Danzo bristled but knew better than to argue. His gaze flickered to Mufasa, filled with resentment.

"Wait." Mufasa raised a hand, stopping him.

Danzo turned, scowling. "What now?"

Tsunade sighed. "Kazekage, if he has disrespected you, I apologize on his behalf."

Mufasa waved it off. "No need, Hokage. I'm a reasonable man. And Danzo is a powerful elder in your village. His opinions must carry weight with you."

Tsunade hesitated before nodding. Danzo was a thorn in her side, but he held influence in Konoha's darker corners.

Mufasa's smirk deepened. "Then, as a gesture of goodwill, let me help you solve this problem."

He stood, locking eyes with Danzo. "You're not satisfied with just walking away, are you?"

Danzo scoffed. "Hmph."

Mufasa's grin widened. "Then why don't we settle this another way?"

He spread his arms. "You claim Konoha is strong. Prove it. Fight me."

Silence filled the room.

Danzo's visible eye twitched in surprise before a slow, sinister grin crept onto his face. "And if you lose?"

Mufasa shrugged. "Then Sand Village loses. We'll submit to Konoha and serve as its vassal."

Danzo's smirk widened. Now, this was a deal he could get behind.

Tsunade stepped forward, alarmed. "Mufasa, there's no need to take it this far. Danzo, you're too old for this. Stand down."

"Let us have a proper fight."

Danzo Shimura's voice carried its usual air of self-importance.

"Ninjas are meant to sacrifice themselves," he continued. "Everything I do is for the sake of the village."

Mufasa suddenly turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade, I heard you like to gamble."

She blinked at the sudden shift in conversation. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Mufasa smirked. "Tell me, do you know of any way to win without losing anything?"

Tsunade frowned. Why is he bringing this up now? She folded her arms and sighed. If she did, she wouldn't have such terrible luck.

"Do you want to know the answer?" Mufasa teased.

Despite herself, Tsunade nodded slightly, intrigued.

Behind her, Shizune groaned and rubbed her temples. "A Kage summit turning into a gambling discussion… unreal."

Mufasa chuckled. "I'll tell you after I win."

Danzo scoffed. "Win? Don't make me laugh."

He was confident—overconfident. With his mastery of Wind Release, Curse Seals, advanced sealing techniques, implanted cells, multiple Izanagi activations, and the power of Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, he believed himself to be far above mere Kage-level opponents. Mufasa was just a young Kazekage. What could he possibly have that could match Danzo's arsenal?

"Danzo, listen up," Mufasa said, his voice taking on a sharp edge. "If I win, Sand Village will continue working with Konoha—but you'll stay out of my way. Whatever I negotiate with Tsunade, you'll accept without interference. Do you agree?"

Danzo sneered. "You think you can best me? Fine. I accept."

Mufasa and Danzo were now set for a battle.

Tsunade sighed, realizing there was no stopping them now. "Fine. If you're both so determined, let's settle this properly."

The location was quickly arranged—

The venue for the Chunin Exam finals.

From the observation tower, Tsunade, Temari, and others watched as Mufasa and Danzo faced off in the arena below.

Mufasa smirked. "You old fossil, when it's time to step aside, step aside. Don't make me do it for you."

Danzo stiffened. "What did you just say?"

"Oh, don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean."

Danzo's grip on his cane tightened. He was about to fire back when Mufasa cut him off.

"Peace without strength is an illusion," Mufasa said, his tone suddenly colder. "I needed a way to display my strength, and you were the perfect opponent to make an example out of."

Danzo's single visible eye narrowed. "Tch. Arrogant brat."

Mufasa smirked. "And you're a master at making enemies. Lucky for you, today, I just feel like humbling you."

Danzo Shimura thumped his cane heavily against the ground, his grip tightening as he glared at Mufasa.

"You insolent brat, I'll teach you a lesson myself."

Mufasa smirked, completely unfazed. "You're wrapped in bandages, missing an eye, and only have one good arm. Should I handicap myself to make it fair?"

Danzo scoffed, "I don't need—"

Before he could finish, Mufasa disappeared in a blur of motion, reappearing right in front of him.

"Heh, just kidding."

Then came the punch.

Mufasa's fist drove into Danzo's gut with crushing force. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air. Before Danzo could react, his body was already soaring through the air, crashing into a wall with a deafening boom.

Dust and debris erupted from the point of impact. The wall cracked, a deep crater forming where Danzo landed. The entire tower trembled from the force.

From above, Shizune gasped. "L-Lady Tsunade, Lord Kazekage's strength... it's on par with yours!"

Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected Mufasa to possess such raw physical power.

Mufasa stood calmly in the field, watching the dust settle. "Relax, old man. I didn't kill you."

The battlefield below remained silent. Danzo hadn't responded.

Tsunade, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu exchanged concerned glances, while Temari and her allies smirked, finding the whole ordeal amusing.

"Serves him right," Temari muttered. "Shouldn't have crossed Kazekage-sama."

But Tsunade knew better. Danzo wasn't the type to go down so easily.

From within the thick dust cloud, a ragged breath could be heard.

Danzo's fingers twitched, sweat dripping from his brow. His body trembled slightly as he muttered to himself, "I was dead just now..."

The old fossil clenched his teeth. Mufasa's speed and strength were terrifying. He hadn't even had the chance to counterattack.

"Fortunately... there's Izanagi."

His right eye shut.

One of the ten Sharingan embedded in his arm closed permanently, its power expended.

Danzo frowned. Losing one of those precious eyes so soon infuriated him. Those weren't just eyes—they were ten extra lives. Now, one was gone.

Before the dust had fully settled, Danzo inhaled sharply, his chest expanding as he prepared a counterattack.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!"

A barrage of wind bullets, sharp as blades, shot from his mouth like rockets, tearing through the air toward Mufasa.

The force of the attack scattered the dust cloud, revealing Danzo standing firm, eyes locked onto his opponent.

Above, Temari whistled. "Not bad. His wind release is stronger than mine."

"Doesn't matter," Baki replied. "He's still no match for the boss."

From the tower, the elders observed with cautious optimism.

"I told you," Homura muttered. "Danzo wouldn't go down that easily."

Koharu nodded, lips curling into a thin smile. "Let's see how that arrogant brat handles this. Danzo's Vacuum Bullets will rip him apart."

Yet Tsunade remained unconvinced. Something about Mufasa's demeanor didn't sit right.

He was still smiling.

Completely at ease.

Almost like he already knew how this would play out.

"No way..." Tsunade whispered.

Mufasa lifted a hand, a flicker of electricity sparking between his fingers.

Danzo had made one crucial mistake.

Mufasa's Electromagnetic Eyes could see through smoke, through obstructions, through deception.

The moment Danzo had started gathering chakra, Mufasa had already reacted.

A small coin flicked into the air.

A spark danced across his fingertips.

"Electromagnetic Release: Railgun."

A brilliant blue-white streak of lightning tore through the battlefield, launching forward with terrifying speed.

The electromagnetic shot cut through Danzo's Vacuum Bullets like a blade slicing through paper. The wind projectiles shattered, dispersing into harmless gusts before they could even reach their target.

Danzo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What—?!"

Mufasa chuckled, his gaze locked onto his opponent. "Trying to hide?"

Another coin flicked into the air.

________

Word count: 1576