Orochimaru's Defection

In the spacious office of the Hokage Building.

Danzo reclined comfortably on the Hokage's chair, the soft cushion seeming to melt into him. He gazed out the large floor-to-ceiling windows at the scenery of Konoha spread before his eyes.

Is this what it feels like to be Hokage?

As long as he sat in this chair, Danzo suddenly felt as if the entire Konoha outside the window was within his grasp. A surge of pride and joy rose from his heart.

He spun around in the chair, a smile on his face that was brighter and happier than he'd worn in decades. His innocent smile was like that of a child who had received a beloved toy.

Until, after one rotation, a figure that appeared strangely in the room made the smile on his face freeze, then disappear.

The Third Hokage looked at Danzo expressionlessly, exhaling a puff of smoke from the pipe clenched in his mouth.

Danzo remained silent. He probably knew that the success rate of his subordinates assassinating the Third Hokage was very low, but when he actually saw the Third Hokage appear, his heart sank, yet he also felt a sense of relief.

Why...

Why wouldn't you give me the position of Hokage?

He raised his head, offering no explanation, ready to accept whatever punishment the Third Hokage decided.

The Third Hokage merely looked at him quietly for a moment, then turned his head to stand before the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at Konoha outside.

"You saw it just now, didn't you."

"Wh-what?"

"Konoha."

Inside the office, the Third Hokage spoke at length about how where there is light, there is also darkness, how Konoha's future required the two of them to work together, and that even if someone in the village wanted him dead, he wouldn't pursue that person's responsibility, of course, only this once.

On the surface, Danzo readily agreed, and he was even a little touched by the words. However, after he left the room, he felt a chill down his spine.

He had certainly warmed the Hokage's chair.

After his suicidal attempt failed, and having gone through a transformation from death to life, Danzo had indeed changed a little.

For example...

He had become a bit more unhinged.

He fell into thought, first contemplating whether what he had done was right.

Then he concluded it was not.

Because he wasn't confident in completing his plan, nor was he confident he could take the Hokage position after the Third Hokage's death, yet he had acted rashly. Frankly speaking, his longing and desire for the Hokage position had driven him mad. The long-term pressure of doing the Third Hokage's dirty work, the unseen labor, and the jealousy had caused him to lose his reason, ultimately choosing a path that was almost a suicide mission to find release.

Even though the Third Hokage forgave him, saving him from a death sentence, he had permanently given the Third Hokage leverage. As long as the Third Hokage wished it, he could make Danzo pay for his mistakes at any time.

Therefore, this action was undoubtedly the wrong choice.

Would he be eternally grateful and serve the Third Hokage with all his heart until death?

Gratitude, a little. Serving him wholeheartedly, perhaps not.

Danzo had finally understood completely.

The Third Hokage was not the biggest obstacle to him becoming Hokage.

Power was.

The Third Hokage would die sooner or later. The longer he stayed in the Hokage position, the faster he would die, either by being killed or by exhausting himself to death.

Couldn't he just outlive the old man?

As long as he lived longer than the Third Hokage, wouldn't that be enough?

Once the Third Hokage died, his seniority would be the best. As long as he possessed the power to make others submit, controlled a force that no one could ignore, and could openly ascend to the position of the Fifth Hokage, wouldn't that suffice?

In addition to that, he would also need to eliminate other capable individuals in the village who could compete with him and were most likely to prevent him from becoming Hokage. As long as he found a suitable reason, even if he acted first and reported later, the Third Hokage would only tacitly approve.

Danzo understood the Third Hokage too well, just as the Third Hokage understood him.

So, what should he do now?

Danzo's face darkened as he slowly walked alone towards the darkness of Root, his mind gradually formulating a plan.

'The Uchiha Clan... If I could gain more Sharingan power, and at the same time eliminate the Uchiha, with the current structure of the village, no one would oppose me becoming the Fifth Hokage.'

'Orochimaru's research might also need to be stopped. If this matter is exposed, it would also become a stain on my future.'

'Since Kinoe already has his next focus, let it be on the Uchiha Clan.'

'Yes, let's start by taking Kakashi's Sharingan. This way, it won't alert the Uchiha, but this matter cannot be rushed, and I absolutely cannot provoke the Third Hokage at this critical juncture.'

'And that kid who teams up with him, Yuzuru Hyuga, I need to pay close attention to him as well.'

'If I cannot control the power of these new generation shinobi, I must find those who can restrain them. I absolutely cannot let them become an obstacle to me becoming Hokage.'

His dark calculations became increasingly extreme, and at the very end, a bold idea suddenly popped into his mind.

Can I, Danzo Shimura, the next Fifth Hokage, win over Yuzuru Hyuga?

As soon as this thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed.

Danzo carefully analyzed the potential benefits of winning over Yuzuru Hyuga, and he couldn't help but feel his heart race.

Plant a seed of doubt with the Third Hokage.

Gaining the support of the Hyuga Clan.

A genius ninja destined to shine brightly in the future.

No matter how you look at it, taking in Yuzuru Hyuga would only bring benefits and no drawbacks.

But this kid didn't seem like an easy one to handle.

It doesn't matter.

Everyone has weaknesses and a dark side. Moreover, he's from the Branch Family; how could he not harbor hatred in his heart?

Whether it's love or hate, they are merely useless hindrances.

Danzo couldn't help but quicken his pace.

As for the Third Hokage...

Did he really not know the dangers that might arise from letting Danzo go like this?

He knew.

But those who grew accustomed to acting with gloves and masks eventually became bound by them, ultimately lacking the courage to face others barehanded, with their true selves.

The Third Hokage, accustomed to letting Danzo act on his inner darkness, had become too immersed in his role.

After the matter between the Third Hokage and Danzo concluded, the Third Hokage quickly set out again, heading to the Feudal Lord's Mansion to take up his post.

After a brief period of calm.

Beginning with a sudden ninja defection incident, Konoha plunged into a vortex.

"S-rank mission."

"Capture the rogue ninja, Orochimaru!"

Thank you all for your support. We've entered the second round of PK for the new book. If we can push through for about another month, we should be able to make it. Please continue reading, favorite, recommend, and give us a triple like!

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