Konoha, Root Headquarters.
The dim candlelight illuminated the darkness, providing just enough light for Danzō to clearly read the intelligence report in his hands.
His twisted, emotionless face revealed his foul mood.
The paper was clenched tightly in his grasp, a clear sign of his frustration.
"The Daimyō... that damned Daimyō. I've already prepared to bow my head in submission, yet he still refuses to let beco Hokage. Does he really think I, Danzō, have no temper?!"
There was no need to guess—the report in his hands was the information sent back from Root's operatives stationed in the Daimyō's residence.
"Tsunade has arrived, yet the Daimyō refuses to et her. Instead, he sends a ssage to , telling to co up with better terms. Does he think I'm his lapdog?!"
To Danzō, the title of Hokage was sacred.
What he sought was the sa level of absolute authority the Second Hokage wielded—where his word was law, and no one dared to oppose him. Not the kind of half-puppet position Hiruzen had, which disgusted him to no end.
Unlike the Third Hokage, who mastered the art of political maneuvering, Danzō had no patience for superficial pleasantries. He ruled with an iron fist and refused to tolerate dissent.
He wanted to shape Konoha into an extension of Root.
In Danzō's ideal vision, every shinobi in Konoha would abandon their past, forsake their families, and dedicate themselves solely to the village.
At his command, they would rush to the frontlines without hesitation, sacrificing themselves without a second thought.
Emotions—those weak and unnecessary distractions—had no place in the heart of a shinobi.
"Am I really supposed to just give up like this?!"
This was the closest he had ever been to the Hokage's seat.
Danzō refused to let it go.
He was more than decade older than Tsunade. She possessed the Yin Seal, allowing her to maintain her youth indefinitely. Danzō, however, had no such luxury.
Even with Hashirama's cells in his right arm slowing his aging, the difference between him and Tsunade was vast.
At this rate, if nothing unexpected happened, Tsunade could remain Hokage for the next ten years.
Would he still be able to move by then?
Even if he could, how much of his strength would remain?
A Hokage without power was laughable.
"Summon Orochimaru. I want to see him."
There was no reply, yet Danzō remained seated patiently. Tonight, he needed to think carefully.
After a long ti, a small white snake slithered through the gap under the door.
"Danzō, you called for ?"
The voice ca from the small snake, but it belonged to Orochimaru.
Danzō locked eyes with the creature. "Orochimaru, I helped you infiltrate Konoha to kill Hiruzen. Now, it's ti for you to return the favor."
The white snake slithered in a circle, flicking its tongue as if processing the information around it.
"The Hokage position? How foolish."
"All these years, and you're still fixated on sothing so trivial. Danzō, you're old."
Danzō's expression darkened.
"That's none of your concern. What matters now is that I must beco Hokage. Do you have any solutions?"
"Solutions? The current Hokage is Tsunade. You already sought out the Daimyō, but it seems that old man has his own agenda. However, that has nothing to do with . If you really want the seat, just have soone assassinate Tsunade. Once she's gone and Konoha is left without a strong leader, you can seize power. A perfect plan."
Danzō's expression turned even uglier.
"Tsunade cannot die. She is a valuable asset to Konoha."
"Heh..." Orochimaru's tone dripped with mockery. "Since when do you care about such things? Think of the White Fang, my dear disciple Nawaki, and Minato Namikaze. All of them were valuable assets, and yet they still ended up as nothing more than dust in the wind."
Danzō: "I didn't call you here to mock . Besides, what happened back then was Hiruzen's fault. What does that have to do with ?"
Orochimaru: "You let into Konoha with the intent of having kill Sarutobi-sensei. If anything, I already repaid my debt."
Danzō: "Get to the point!"
Orochimaru: "Soon, my subordinates will be infiltrating Konoha. I expect you to let them in."
Danzō: "What are you planning this ti? Don't tell you're here to kill ."
Orochimaru: "Don't flatter yourself. What would I gain from killing you? Our cooperation has been quite beneficial."
Danzō: "Then what are you after?"
Orochimaru: "To claim a precious treasure from the Uchiha clan."
Danzō: "So it's about Uchiha Sasuke. If you can help achieve my goal, I'm willing to assist you once more."
Orochimaru: "This is mutual benefit. I don't owe you anything."
Danzō: "Enough. Let's get to the main point. Tsunade has already arrived at the Daimyō's residence, and the Daimyō has given one day to present him with a compelling offer. I need your help."
Orochimaru: "The Daimyō, huh? If he's being this troubleso, why not replace him with a younger, more obedient one?"
Danzo shook his head, even though he knew the small white snake was just a dium for communication. "No. The system must remain intact."
Orochimaru: "It's the easiest solution. I could arrange for his death, and no one would link it to you."
Danzō hesitated briefly but ultimately rejected the idea.
"No. That old man still has his uses. If a new Daimyō takes over and learns what I've done, he will surely turn against ."
Orochimaru: "Then what do you expect to do? Walk up to the Daimyō and tell him I support you? Ask him nicely if that's enough to make you Hokage?"
Danzō: "Of course not. I need you to develop a drug—one that can temporarily restore vitality. The Daimyō is old and can no longer enjoy the pleasures of won. If he regains his energy, he will be too preoccupied with indulgence to concern himself with political affairs. That way, he won't interfere with my ascension to Hokage."
Orochimaru: "...???"
For a mont, Orochimaru felt personally offended.
Was this truly a request befitting a scientist of his caliber?
Danzō noticed the lack of response and knew Orochimaru was reluctant.
"Don't worry. Once I beco Hokage, you'll get your share of benefits."
Orochimaru: "You're quite old yourself, Danzō. You don't even have an heir. Are you sure you're not planning to keep the drug for your own use?"
Danzō: Damn you, Orochimaru. I have sacrificed everything for Konoha, yet I still have no children, and now you mock ?!
Wait...
This drug... I could use it too, couldn't I?
Root has female shinobi as well. Young, strong, and far superior to ordinary won in both physique and appearance...
*Cough, cough.* No, I mustn't let my mind wander. I, Shimura Danzō, am wholly dedicated to Konoha!
Orochimaru: "Don't worry. Since you're so old, I'll prepare extra. Even an ancient tree like you can bloom once more."
Danzō wanted to refuse, but the words caught in his throat.
After all these years of bearing burdens for Konoha, what was one more?
-----
Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
Reviews
All reviews (0)