The Third Hokage was a politician of the ninja world.
From receiving intelligence about a Wood Style Ninja from the Third Hokage to figuring out how to make the greatest possible use of that information, it took less than twenty minutes.
First of all.
Uchiha Itachi had entered the Chunin Ninja Exams alone.
By all rights, the emergence of such a youthful genius was Konoha's good fortune.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Itachi had been born into the Uchiha Clan, currently Konoha's greatest source of instability, a clan that had always been estranged from the village.
If this ten-year-old genius ninja passed the exams alone, the already arrogant Uchiha Clan would undoubtedly become even more overbearing and look down even more on Konoha's other ninja. The conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village would only grow worse.
Yet at this moment, a Wood Style Bloodline Ninja had appeared in Konoha. Regardless of how strong this Wood Style Bloodline Ninja currently was, he would at least keep the Uchiha Clan in line for a while.
After all, during the Warring States period, Konoha's First Hokage Hashirama Senju had used his Wood Style Bloodline to defeat and subdue Madara Uchiha, the most powerful leader of the Uchiha Clan, completely cutting off the Uchiha Clan's path toward dominating the ninja world during the Warring States period.
Most cleverly of all...
This Wood Style Bloodline Ninja happened to be Shimura Danzō's subordinate.
Fugaku Uchiha, the leader of the Uchiha Clan, had always known that Shimura Danzō was the Konoha higher-up most hostile toward the Uchiha, constantly suppressing their development.
Six years ago, during the Nine-Tails' Rampage, most of Konoha had been destroyed. Before the leaders of Konoha's many ninja clans, Shimura Danzō had moved the Uchiha Clan's residence to the outskirts of the village.
Now, one of Shimura Danzō's subordinates had suddenly become a Wood Style Bloodline Ninja capable of suppressing the Uchiha Clan. That would certainly make Fugaku Uchiha feel pressured.
As the supreme leader, the Hokage now had room to mediate between them.
The Third Hokage truly was the man who had ruled Konoha the longest. His methods were seasoned yet somewhat gentle, allowing him to maximize benefits without resorting to any harsh measures.
Even the people the Third Hokage sent to deliver the exam registration forms carried a strong warning signal. Tenzo was Root Organization's previous Wood Style Bloodline user, while Kakashi Hatake was the one who had guided Tenzo out of Root Organization and had even stormed Root to save him.
Without a doubt.
Shimura Danzō hated those two to the bone.
However, the incident where the Anbu had surrounded Root Organization had not happened long ago. Shimura Danzō now dared not lay a hand on the Hokage's messengers. He could only accept the Third Hokage's warning and obey the Third Hokage's order.
"You two, go."
After arranging everything, the Third Hokage waved Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo off to deliver something to Root Organization, intending to put his pipe back in his mouth and relax.
The Third Hokage glanced at the crystal ball on his desk. As though he had sensed something in that instant, he suddenly raised his head and swept his gaze around the room!
The next moment.
Even the old man could not help laughing.
"Looks like I really am getting old. My body is starting to fail me. I actually felt, for no reason at all, that Danzo was watching me..."
"..."
Inside Root's training grounds.
System Prompt: New work assignment. At Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's request, participate in Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams in the latter half of the year.
This job system could even receive work assignments from afar!
Sure enough.
Every ninja in Konoha's system was nominally a subordinate of the Third Hokage. That Lord Hokage did not even know who he was, yet he could already order him around!
Still...
That Lord Hokage's instincts were incredibly sharp!
Just as expected of a peeping Tom!
No...
He should say, just as expected of an old ninja who had weathered countless battles!
Inside Root's training grounds.
Young Akihara Kagura was somewhat astonished by the Third Hokage's sharpness, while also admiring how practical the Shadow of the Ninja World trait provided by the system was.
This trait was far too useful.
It could gather intelligence without exposing him.
Even if someone truly sensed sharply that they were being watched, they would only think Shimura Danzō was spying on them...
Akihara Kagura could not help glancing at Danzo beside him, feeling a little sorry for him. His superior would probably have to take the blame for quite a few things in the future...
Still...
That was only right.
If a superior could not take the blame for his subordinates, who would be willing to work for him?
Akihara Kagura looked at Lord Danzō beside him. Lord Danzō had taken the blame for so much throughout his life, so surely he would not mind taking the blame for a subordinate too, right, Lord Danzō?
Shimura Danzō had no idea what his subordinate was thinking. He was still preoccupied with how to conceal Akihara Kagura's existence, how to properly cultivate him, and how to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a huge surprise someday...
"Tomorrow, I'll teach you a new ninjutsu."
Shimura Danzō was still immersed in the joy of acquiring a powerful fighter. He had already begun planning Akihara Kagura's life, looking for a way to make this child forever loyal to him...
"Yes, Lord Danzō!"
Akihara Kagura nodded quickly.
I hope Lord Danzō will still be in such a good mood later.
That moment did not take long to arrive.
Inside Root Organization's base.
When Shimura Danzō returned with Akihara Kagura, he came face-to-face with two Anbu ninja stopped at the entrance to the base—two very familiar people...
"Kakashi Hatake!"
The moment Shimura Danzō saw one of the white-haired Anbu ninja, his expression immediately turned icy. "You still dare come here..."
But when Shimura Danzō saw the other Anbu ninja, his entire face darkened. "Hmph. You dare come here too..."
"Lord Danzō..."
This Anbu ninja was clearly an honest sort. Upon seeing Shimura Danzō, he seemed somewhat ashamed and lowered his head. "I..."
"Tenzo, we're here to convey the Hokage's order."
Kakashi Hatake had long known that his teammate would find it difficult to face Shimura Danzō. He swiftly stepped in front of him and said coldly, "The Hokage's order is for the child possessing the Wood Style Bloodline to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams in the latter half of the year."
After speaking, Kakashi Hatake's gaze swiftly shifted to the youngster beside Shimura Danzō. "I assume this is the child the Hokage meant? There was quite a commotion at Training Ground Nine just now..."
"..."
Shimura Danzō had no way to refute him.
The old man felt uneasy.
Was that bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi trying to take Akihara Kagura from him again? This child's talent was far more terrifying than that traitor beside him who had changed his name to Tenzo!
How was he supposed to have any chance of making a comeback then?!
Shimura Danzō wanted nothing more than to immediately kill Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo, then lead Root Organization to the Hokage Building and kill Hiruzen Sarutobi to vent his anger!
However...
Rebellion was a little difficult.
The sight of Hiruzen Sarutobi leading a group of Anbu to surround Root Organization's entire base last time was still vivid in his mind. A single written order could destroy Shimura Danzō and Root Organization...
Kakashi Hatake took out a registration form he had prepared in advance, reached out, and handed it to the youngster. "This is your Chunin Ninja Exams registration form."
"..."
Akihara Kagura stared at Kakashi Hatake without saying a word.
"Take it."
Kakashi Hatake urged him, speaking somewhat indifferently. "You're a Konoha ninja, so you must obey the Hokage's orders."
"I will only obey Lord Danzō's orders."
Akihara Kagura suddenly turned to Shimura Danzō and asked, "Lord Danzō, they made you unhappy. Can I kill them?"
A little late...
Fixed it up a bit...
Before you continue