The Higher-Ups Set a Trap for Orochimaru

Root.

In the dimly lit room, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu, along with a figure wearing Anbu mask, sat upright. The current high-ranking officials of Konoha, apart from the Third Hokage, had gathered in the Root's secret room, discussing something in private.

First was the mysterious masked Anbu Ninja. Although masked, she was clearly a female ninja. Despite her mystery, she was already an acquaintance of the three of them. She was the newly promoted Anbu Captain, and her identity was the Third Hokage's Eldest Daughter-in-law.

The four sat around a low table. Shimura Danzō, unusually, narrowed his eyes as he sipped his tea. In the strange atmosphere, Utatane Koharu finally spoke with a low, squinting gaze. "The village is becoming more and more stable now."

A casual remark broke the eerie atmosphere. Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura lowered his head slightly and whispered, "Yes, the village's stability cannot withstand further turmoil."

Seeing the two old men acting like they were superior because of their age, Shimura Danzō sneered disdainfully and said in a gloomy tone, "The Forbidden Technique data left behind by the Second Hokage has been given to Orochimaru. Given Orochimaru's obsessive and devoted nature towards Ninjutsu, he will definitely not be able to resist studying this Ninjutsu."

Upon hearing Shimura Danzō's direct words, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura frowned, revealing a hint of displeasure. It was as if they were saying, "Danzo, we are all upper-class people. How can you speak so bluntly? It's simply lowering our standards."

The Anbu Captain, who was also the Third Hokage's Eldest Daughter-in-law, lowered her voice and said solemnly upon hearing of the broken situation, "The three of you are indispensable elders of Konoha, and you are crucial to the stability of the village. The village has already experienced the Third Shinobi War and suffered the Nine-Tails Disaster. The village, which has just stabilized, cannot afford to experience any more storms."

"Although we haven't spoken out about the Fifth Hokage recently, these voices have gradually started to emerge as the village has become more stable. But once Lord Orochimaru becomes the Fifth Hokage..."

At this point, the Third Hokage's Eldest Daughter-in-law revealed a solemn look in her eyes, and looked directly at the three of them, saying in a deep voice, "Lord Orochimaru has grown powerful, and has the Uchiha and Hyuga Clan like Inuzuka. When the Fifth Hokage takes office, the peace of Konoha will be shattered."

The message has been made very clear: they are now part of the Third Hokage's political faction, which is already firmly established. Once Orochimaru takes office, Kimura's interests are limited, and the various clans behind Orochimaru will definitely seize their resources. This is where the problem arises.

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzō's gloomy single eye revealed a hint of seriousness. Although he disliked Sarutobi, there was at least one thing: when Hiruzen Sarutobi was in power, his Root organization had more power, and he even dared to coerce some major clans.

But what if Orochimaru takes over? He knows Orochimaru's character very well; he's a guy who only cares about his own interests. Coupled with the power behind him, his Root will probably be severely restricted.

When Shimura Danzō thought of this, a hint of fear appeared on his face. Back when he was the Fourth Hokage, he stood on Orochimaru's side because Orochimaru's power was mostly composed of commoners. Even if some families were involved, it wasn't deep. Unlike now, the Uchiha and Hyuga were determined to align themselves with him.

After all, the election of the Fourth Hokage was not long after the White Fang Incident. At that time, White Fang was almost universally expected to be the future Hokage. It was precisely because only five or six years had passed that a very strange situation occurred during the election of the Fourth Hokage. The major clans were embarrassed and did not have time to take their positions. After all, no one expected that the Third Hokage would resign to take responsibility.

"Orochimaru's power is already established, and he's not one to cherish his Orochimaru." Utatane Koharu frowned and pointed out a crucial issue: Orochimaru is not as easy to deal with as White Fang.

The reason White Fang is easy to deal with is because he cherishes his reputation extremely much; Orochimaru's nickname, "Cold Lord," is a testament to this.

It wasn't that they didn't want Orochimaru to rise to power, but rather that they didn't want the political forces behind Orochimaru to rise up and compete for the interests they held. That was the key point.

Mitokado Homura squinted, seemingly observing. Seeing this, the Third Hokage's Daughter-in-law- in-law couldn't help but curse the three old foxes inwardly, but she had no choice but to speak up because she wanted to gain the most from the situation.

"Elders, I remember that the Second Hokage researched a Forbidden Technique after the First Hokage's sacrifice." As he said this, the Anbu Captain's voice gradually calmed as he looked at the three elders. "Regardless of who becomes Hokage in the future, what Konoha needs most now is stability—stability that can last for several more decades."

At this moment, in order to become the Hokage's Wife, the Anbu Captain directly offered a blatant temptation, which was also a promise: Konoha needed stability, meaning that Konoha would continue to be stable for the next few decades, maintaining everyone's interests and keeping things as they were.

Upon hearing this, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura narrowed their eyes. At their level, they no longer desired to take another step forward. Instead, they wanted to maintain the peaceful development of the village while ensuring the interests of their own families. Why not have the best of both worlds? For a moment, their gazes turned to Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō, with only one eye showing, calmly watched the three of them, but inwardly he sneered. "What a vicious woman's heart! She's going to use the same tactics she used on White Fang on Orochimaru. And Orochimaru, by his very nature, wouldn't commit suicide."

Unlike Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who are both old guys who have given up on advancing further, he has always been eyeing the Hokage position.

The eldest son of the Third Hokage has taken the throne, and the Anbu Captain in front of him is eyeing the supreme honor of being the Hokage's Wife. A young Hokage, and Konoha has been peaceful for decades. Thinking of this, Shimura Danzō sneered inwardly.

If your Sarutobi Clan wants to inherit the throne, you should also consider your own strength. At Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's current age, it's unlikely that he can improve his strength any further.

If a Fifth Hokage is not worthy of the title, Shimura Danzō immediately had a plan in mind, and a smile appeared on his face. Perhaps he could scheme to make this young Hokage of the Sarutobi Clan reveal his strength, and then strike him like White Fang.

At that time, Orochimaru was infamous, Jiraiya and Tsunade were not in Konoha. It was impossible for the Third Hokage to return to the village. Forget about having any shame; would anyone even allow him to the Sarutobi Clan Hokage Konoha?

Having grasped this point, Shimura Danzō slightly, his expression grim, and said in a deep voice, "Yes! The village needs stability, and the Uchiha Clan is too dangerous."

Shimura Danzō also offered his own idea: he could agree, but they would have to work together to deal with the Uchiha Clan in the future. He coveted the Uchiha's power but was also wary of it. Furthermore, he could use the future Hokage, whose strength was insufficient to command respect, to deal with the Uchiha Clan. Even if they succeeded, he would still have to bear a bad reputation, and it might end up being a lose-lose situation. Even if they won beautifully, he wouldn't suffer any losses.

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