Other uncle

With a strange feeling in his heart, Danzō returned to Higane's house and lightly knocked on the door. What was his surprise when he heard the sound of someone's children's legs, which excitedly stomped to the door and, with a slight hitch, opened the door.

- Oh... You are some other uncle. - the red-haired girl, whose face was covered with a strange mask, said in surprise.

"Just don't say that Higune had a daughter all this time?.. Where was she yesterday then? No. Most likely, this is not her child…"

Realizing this, Danzo breathed a sigh of relief.

- And what was it supposed to be? - Danzo asked with interest, looking at the girl who was about to close the door.

- Well, a biiiig one like that. - the girl tried to show, spreading her arms to the sides. - And all white! With a face just like my mask.

Danzo frowned slightly.

Too many intersections indicated that this red-haired girl was talking about some kind of spirit she was trying to summon with one of the Uzumaki masks. And far from what a child and generally someone should do.

- Why do you need him?

The girl looked around, as if afraid that someone would hear her.

- You won't tell anyone?

Danzo silently nodded.

The red-haired girl gestured that she wanted Danzō to come closer to her.

- My cousin said that if you put on this mask, you can meet the spirit of the times and find out who will become your fiancé. - she whispered softly in his ear.

Danzo's head instantly exploded. It was a real overload for his brain.

"Don't tell me what it is... Damn, that explains everything! But it's so stupid..."

Remembering the strangeness of Higane, Danzō couldn't help but understand what was going on here. It was Higane from the past.

"But then the question is, where is Higane from the present then?"

Taking a deep breath, Danzō sadly said to the girl:

- It seems your cousin lied to you.

But at these words, little Higane became furious.

- No, my sister never lies to me!.. - Suddenly, Higane abruptly stopped screaming and looked strangely at Danzō. - Uncle, what is your name?

- Danzo. - he answered calmly.

Higane silently repeated his name several times before asking:

- Are you a strong shinobi?

Danzō didn't quite understand why Higane needed to know this, but he still answered honestly:

- I can say that at the moment, I'm definitely one of the 20 strongest.

And Danzo's words were not an exaggeration.

In the world of shinobi, "shinobi factories" have just appeared in the form of Ninja Academies, and they are still gaining momentum. And when this system accelerates strongly enough, the power level in the Naruto world will rise significantly.

As with the advent of universal education in the past world of Danzo, when progress began to develop faster and faster, so it will happen to the world of shinobi.

But Danzō's only true opponents, at the moment, were only the Kage of the remaining three great villages, the still-living Uchiha Madara and the talented owners of the Kekkei Genkai, as well as the descendants of Hamura Ōtsutsuki on the moon.

Of course, he did not take into account the factors of covert attack or numerical superiority, but only pure combat power.

- Cool! - Little Higage was surprised and added pointing down with her finger. - Do you live here?

- Not yet.