Danzo's Intentions, Everything Is for Konoha

Konoha.

Root Organization base.

Inside a dimly lit secret chamber.

Ever since the Yamato incident, Hiruzen Sarutobi had nominally absorbed the Root ninja.

Yet even after joining the Anbu, the Root ninja remained utterly loyal to Danzo.

On top of that, he had continued cultivating his own forces in secret.

Now, he had once again gathered a massive contingent.

"So Hiruzen Sarutobi still promoted Kaze to Konoha Jonin."

Just moments ago, Danzo had received the latest intelligence.

In his capacity as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen had appointed Kaze as a new Konoha Jonin.

This left Danzo deeply dissatisfied.

"Hiruzen really has gone senile."

"The Uchiha Clan are evil by nature. They have never truly integrated into the village."

"If the Uchiha were all mediocre fools, it would not be much of a problem."

"But they are like weeds that can never be cut clean. Every so often, they produce some extraordinary genius."

Danzo sat upright in the leader's seat. The Root ninja below him all knelt on one knee, their heads slightly lowered, not uttering a word.

His sharp eyes examined each of them as he muttered inwardly.

First Shisui, then Itachi Uchiha.

And now, Kaze has appeared out of nowhere.

And Fugaku's second son, Sasuke. Supposedly, he has already mastered the Great Fireball Technique despite not even attending the Ninja Academy yet.

He may become a menace in the future as well.

Danzo narrowed his eyes. He vaguely sensed that things were spiraling out of control in a bad direction.

Shisui, Kaze, Itachi, and Fugaku.

That made four formidable sources of combat power.

And the conflict between the Uchiha and the village was growing increasingly intense.

His Root ninja had even monitored certain Uchiha discussing the possibility of launching a coup in secret.

For Konoha's stability.

These people ought to be suppressed.

Their chance to grow stronger had to be completely cut off.

For example, in this recent incident, they could pressure Fugaku into handing over Kaze's corpse.

Yet Hiruzen had turned a deaf ear to his proposal.

He had even promoted Kaze to Jonin.

If this continued, who knew what chaos might erupt.

"Hiruzen has already strayed onto the wrong path."

The secret chamber had remained silent for a long time before Danzo broke it.

The Root members he had summoned were all first-rate experts. Even the weakest among them possessed Chunin-level strength.

There were thirteen in total.

Together with him, a powerhouse capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

They were more than enough to complete the mission.

"To prevent Konoha from being shrouded by the Uchiha threat, we must take action."

Danzo addressed his subordinates.

This time, he had decided to bypass Hiruzen Sarutobi and act on his own.

It was absolutely not for his own selfish desires.

"Everything is for Konoha."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

In an instant, every Root ninja gathered here lowered their heads even further and answered Danzo with resounding conviction.

No matter what mountains of blades or seas of fire lay ahead, they would complete this mission at all costs!

"Let's go."

Meanwhile...

Uchiha Compound.

After returning from Naka Shrine, Shisui had been pondering Kaze's words.

He did not fall asleep until dawn was close.

By the time he woke up, it was nearly noon.

After thinking it over, he decided to report everything from yesterday's Clan Meeting to the Third Hokage without leaving out a single detail.

Having made up his mind, Shisui quickly washed up and changed into clean, tidy clothes.

He prepared to head alone to the Hokage Building.

And report the matter to the Third Hokage.

However...

Just as Shisui stepped out of the Uchiha Compound, several ninja dressed in Anbu uniforms blocked his path.

"Mr. Shisui." The Captain explained, "We have come under the Third Hokage's orders to ask you to come with us."

"Lord Hokage?" Shisui raised a brow and quickly understood.

It was probably because of last night's Clan Meeting.

There was a special barrier belonging to the Uchiha Clan near Naka Shrine.

Neither Lord Hokage's Clairvoyance Jutsu nor the Anbu's eavesdropping methods could break through that barrier.

Moreover, the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village was becoming increasingly severe.

It was only natural for the Third Hokage to be concerned about their Clan Meeting.

In fact...

As a Double Agent, he should have taken the initiative to report the matter to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Unfortunately, his battle with Kaze yesterday had consumed a great deal of Chakra.

And the Clan Meeting had dragged on until the early morning.

The crushing exhaustion of both body and mind had caused him to oversleep.

It was only natural that the Third Hokage, unwilling to wait any longer, had sent Anbu ninja to contact him.

After analyzing it briefly, Shisui wore a look of sudden realization.

"I understand. Then let's go."

Shisui replied with a smile.

Seeing Shisui agree so readily, the Anbu ninja turned around at once and took the lead for him. "Please follow me."

Hearing that, Shisui followed without another word.

They darted through the forest.

After all, the Uchiha Clan had been driven to the outskirts of Konoha. To reach the Hokage Building in the center of Konoha.

They had to pass through a stretch of forest.

At first, Shisui did not pay it much mind.

But soon...

He noticed that the route they were taking today was not the usual one.

"Aren't we going to the Hokage Building?"

Shisui furrowed his brow slightly. His keen instincts as a ninja made him sense something unusual.

"This is a secret summons from Lord Hokage, so it will not take place in the Hokage Building."

The Anbu ninja was not at all surprised by Shisui's question. His tone remained steady as he answered calmly.

Even so, his answer did not ease Shisui's concerns.

Could it be...

Shisui looked around and studied the Anbu ninja who had come for him.

He had noticed it from the very beginning.

Apart from the Captain running ahead to lead the way.

The other three members had formed a Swastika Formation around him, enclosing him in the middle.

Normally, ninja only traveled in such a formation when they were assigned to protect someone.

Given his identity and strength.

There was no need for other ninja to protect him within Konoha.

Based on various reasons, Shisui instead felt that the person secretly summoning him was not the Third Hokage.

And in Konoha, there was someone else who could mobilize the Anbu.

Besides the Third Hokage...

There was probably only that man.

Shimura Danzō.

Shisui narrowed his eyes as Danzo's figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

He felt that these Anbu ninja's actions were most likely connected to Danzo.

He simply did not understand...

Why would Danzo, for no apparent reason, want to meet him through a secret summons?

Forget it. Once we get there, the truth will come out.

Shisui took a deep breath.

After resting for an entire night, his body had returned to peak condition.

No matter what Danzo was plotting in secret.

He had nothing to worry about.

Besides...

If Danzo dared entertain any crooked ideas, he could report everything to the Third Hokage without leaving out a single detail.

At that thought, an idea suddenly came to Shisui.