Orochimaru still looked like a teenager, a little shorter than Byakuya Senkaku. He wore a strange mask that left his nose and mouth exposed.
He knelt on one knee, head bowed, waiting for Danzo Shimura's next order.
Danzo's right arm was wrapped in white bandages. His right eye was still intact—he hadn't transplanted a Sharingan into it yet.
In his left hand he held the intelligence Orochimaru had delivered. Danzo couldn't help letting out a long, heavy breath.
Shuten-doji had gone to the Land of Rivers to contact Pakura. There had been no news for a long time. They didn't know if he was dead or alive.
Although Danzo had once told Nonou Yakushi that this mission was a test of Shuten-doji's caliber, if the boy really had died, Danzo couldn't help feeling a pang of regret.
Regret for Tetsuji and Shika Senkaku—their only son had also died on a mission.
And regret for himself. The boy had a clean background, knew how to hide his talent at a young age, and had proven himself capable in two missions. He was worth cultivating. If he was dead, Danzo would have to start over and pick someone from Root's reserve pool.
Those children Root raised were mostly war orphans. The ideology Root drilled into them was simple: kill and carry out missions. They had no human emotions.
Such tools were only fit to be used as disposable weapons, not to lead the underground organization that protected Konoha's great tree.
The intelligence had been sent back by a Sunagakure spy using a summoning beast from the Village of Sand Trees in the Land of Wind during a mission.
The content was clear: Sunagakure's high command had decided to form an alliance with Konoha.
In Danzo's analysis, Pakura had chosen not to kill Shuten-doji and had instead reported his offer of alliance to the Sand higher-ups.
The scheme had worked!
"Shuten-doji is not dead," Danzo murmured.
Orochimaru remained kneeling, head lowered, not daring to reply.
In Lord Danzo's presence, silence was the safest response.
"I understand," Danzo said.
"If Lord Danzo has no further orders, I will take my leave."
"Mm."
Orochimaru bowed respectfully and left.
Danzo glanced at his right arm. Even after being weakened many times over, the Hashirama cells were still extremely difficult to control. Whenever he couldn't dominate them with his chakra, they would immediately try to devour him.
But his right arm had also gained Senju Hashirama's Wood Release kekkei genkai.
He unwrapped the bandages around his right arm.
He raised his hand.
Staring at the pale skin, four three-tomoe Sharingan had already been "embedded" into it. Two had been brought back from the battlefield by Orochimaru; the other two had been collected by Root.
The physical energy of the Hashirama cells constantly balanced the spiritual energy of the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"This war with Sunagakure—I can only win. No matter the cost, it will be worth it compared to the result."
He took a top-secret Root document from his drawer.
"The Uchiha clan's Izanagi Technique… It turns unfavorable events that happened within a certain period of time into events that never occurred, and only turns favorable events into reality. The price is permanent blindness of the Sharingan.
Such a powerful forbidden technique should not belong to the wicked Uchiha clan. It should belong only to me."
"Even within the entire Uchiha clan, the number of three-tomoe Sharingan isn't large. As for the single-tomoe and two-tomoe ones, they are useless to me."
He rewrapped the bandages around his right arm. Danzo Shimura left the Root underground base and walked into the Hokage Tower, heading for Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were already there.
When they saw Danzo arrive, their conversation stopped immediately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on Danzo's right arm. "So you've finally taken this step, Danzo. Was it really necessary?"
The sensation from the Hashirama cells couldn't be hidden from the Third Hokage. "You were willing to take such a risk just for this war with Sunagakure."
Homura Mitokado sighed and closed his eyes, unwilling to look at Danzo. "For your own goals, you're willing to put the entire Hidden Leaf on the gambling table?"
Koharu Utatane stood up and stood beside Danzo. "Now that Kumogakure and Iwagakure have gone to war, it's the perfect time for us to commit our main forces to the front lines. You—"
Danzo cut her off. "The reason Kumogakure and Iwagakure went to war is because Root played an important role in provoking them. Without Root's instigation, it's hard to say whether they would have fought at all.
I know all the grand principles you're about to lecture me on. But Konoha absolutely cannot use this opportunity to push Kumogakure and Iwagakure into a corner."
"Why not? Isn't this the perfect chance to inflict massive casualties on the enemy?" Koharu asked, confused.
Danzo shook his head. He had run out of patience, but he glanced at the thoughtful Hiruzen Sarutobi and suddenly changed his mind. He explained slowly, "The war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure only involves the Kage of those two villages. Their Tailed Beast Jinchuriki are still in reserve.
If we push them too hard and their Jinchuriki attack Konoha without restraint, we will be the ones who suffer."
Homura Mitokado asked, "Doesn't Root have a solution?"
"We do."
"What solution?" Homura suddenly sounded eager.
"Tailed Beast versus Tailed Beast."
"Absolutely not! The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is Konoha's ultimate trump card."
Danzo said, "That's exactly why I said we cannot push them into a corner."
Hiruzen Sarutobi made the final call. "You're right, but that's still not a reason for you to open a new battlefield."
"It's my reason!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, stood up, and began pacing. "Completely eliminating the Sunagakure threat is simply too risky."
Danzo countered, "If we don't take advantage of the war between Kumogakure and Iwagakure—when both villages are simultaneously pulling back their forces—tell me, Hiruzen, when will the right time be to solve the Sunagakure threat?"
"I'll ask you one more time: what if it fails?"
"Then I will handle it."
"Only you?"
Danzo suddenly swept a cold gaze across the three of them. "Am I the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, or are you three outsiders?"
"Danzo! Don't say things that damage our unity!"
"You're too arrogant."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane immediately rebuked him.
Danzo clenched his left fist and thought to himself, How can Konoha be governed properly when I'm surrounded by these fools?
Seeing the situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly said, "Enough! With a great war upon us, do we really need to start fighting among ourselves?"
Danzo said, "Hiruzen, my plan is proceeding smoothly. Shuten-doji has already conveyed Konoha's willingness to form an alliance to Sunagakure's high command. They will definitely conclude that Konoha's interior is empty and that we had no choice but to propose an alliance. Sunagakure is currently mobilizing on a larger scale. Soon, they will attack Konoha."
"At this point, we can only trust you. What do you need?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and asked helplessly.
"Just your support—all three of you! I, Danzo Shimura, will never harm the Hidden Leaf. From the moment Lord Tobirama Senju died in battle, I made up my mind: for the prosperity of Konoha, I am willing to sacrifice anything, even my own life."
With that, he turned and left.
It seemed he had come here only to say those words openly.
Walking out of the Hokage Tower.
Danzo saw Orochimaru standing in the street. "You've returned from the front lines?"
"Yeah. Nothing major. Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze are holding the line," Orochimaru replied in his raspy voice. "That guy Minato Namikaze has the qualifications to become Hokage."
"You also have the qualifications to become Hokage," Danzo said casually.
Orochimaru quickened his steps to catch up. "Has that boy Shuten-doji returned yet?"
"You're very interested in him?"
"Yes. A child this interesting is rare."
"He's mine."
"Heh. I'd like to transfer him to work under me."
"No."
"It seems Lord Danzo has special plans for him?" Orochimaru probed.
"My arrangements are none of your concern. Remember your place, Orochimaru."
"Heh. Lord Danzo and my teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi are the same deep down."
"Him? Hmph."
The two walked back to the Root underground base together.
Orochimaru looked at Danzo's bandaged right arm. "How does your body feel?"
"The weakened Hashirama cells have almost no rejection with my body."
"There will always be some rejection reaction. It's normal. What about the three-tomoe Sharingan?"
"They've formed a balance with the Hashirama cells. They coexist peacefully."
Orochimaru suddenly changed the subject. "I've done so much for you, Lord Danzo. You will support me becoming the Fourth Hokage, won't you?"
"I just met with Hiruzen Sarutobi. He's still clinging to power and unwilling to let go."
"Then we'll use public opinion to force him to step down."
"Is the plan feasible?" Danzo glanced at Orochimaru.
"The dire situation of Konoha being surrounded on all sides was entirely caused by my teacher. If we spread that truth, public opinion will work in our favor."
"If it really comes to that, I will support you becoming Hokage."
Deep in his heart, Danzo sneered. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down, the next Hokage could only be him—not Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's tone grew excited. "It seems my efforts weren't wasted. After I become Hokage, Lord Danzo will not only remain as my advisor, but I will also hand over part of the ANBU to your command, in addition to Root."
"I'm tired."
"I almost forgot—I have something to report."
"What is it?"
"Kirigakure is becoming more and more brazen along the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire. According to intelligence I received at the front lines, the Third Mizukage may launch an offensive very soon."
"Kirigakure… I also received intelligence about Kirigakure."
"Let me guess—the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
"Mm."
"How does Lord Danzo plan to handle it?"
"That's Hiruzen Sarutobi's headache. Alright, I'm going to rest."
Orochimaru stopped walking and watched Danzo Shimura leave.
Even though he had received the answer he wanted, Orochimaru still felt uneasy.
The source of that unease was Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the fact that the war showed no sign of ending. No one could predict what changes the future would bring.
Hurried footsteps sounded behind him.
Orochimaru turned around.
"It's Hayama."
"Lord Orochimaru."
Hayama bowed.
"Important intelligence to report to Lord Danzo?"
"Yes."
"About what?"
Hayama immediately said, "Please forgive me, Lord Orochimaru."
"Go report it quickly."
"Yes, sir."
Hayama quickened his pace, moving away from one of Konoha's Three Sannin.
Every time he encountered Orochimaru, the cold, snake-like aura around him always made her feel uncomfortable.
Taking the back roads, she returned to the Academy, removed her mask, and changed into her everyday clothes.
Izumi thought for a moment, then went to Principal Hiroya's office.
After officially becoming the true principal of the Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy, Hiroya was in high spirits. He worked with great enthusiasm, often staying until late at night before reluctantly going home to rest.
"Teacher Izumi, what is it?"
"Sorry to disturb you, Principal."
Hiroya laughed cheerfully. "No trouble at all! No trouble!"
"Byakuya may be recovering soon."
The Academy had officially announced that warehouse manager Byakuya Senkaku had unfortunately fallen seriously ill and was currently resting at home.
Because Byakuya had good relationships with the other Academy teachers, several of them had suggested visiting him at home. Hiroya had firmly stopped them.
"Ah? Really?" Hiroya was overjoyed.
Although he and Byakuya had some friction, the fact was that he owed his position as principal entirely to Byakuya's scheme.
If he hadn't made that gesture of loyalty to the Hokage, this position would probably have gone to one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's clansmen.
Hiroya had learned this from Lord Danzo himself: the Hokage wanted to secure the principal position for his own nephew.
Fortunately, Hiroya had acted quickly and dashed the Hokage's plans.
But it still wasn't safe. The principal position had a term limit. There was no guarantee that in a few years the Hokage wouldn't try to install his nephew again, leaving Hiroya with no promotion at all!
Hiroya's thinking had changed again.
He now fully supported Lord Danzo becoming the next Hokage. In other words, he was now far more loyal to Danzo Shimura.
"You heard this from whom?"
"Oh, a friend told me," Izumi said with a sweet smile.
Hiroya opened his mouth, then instantly understood what she meant. "Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Why are you saying that, Principal?" Izumi couldn't follow Hiroya's train of thought.
"Byakuya recovering is good news for everyone."
"You're right, Principal. Same to you! If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Teacher Izumi, your salary should be raised as well. Everyone can see your excellent work."
"Thank you, Principal!"
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