Seizing Power

The Third Hokage was beside himself with rage.

But he had no idea who to vent that fury on.

If this had been some Konoha ninja deliberately provoking them—someone who possessed all the Sannin's intelligence, precisely exploited each person's weaknesses to defeat them separately without killing them—then he, the Third Hokage, would gladly cut off his own head and use it as a ball.

He simply could not understand it. Why, at a time like this, could everyone not unite? The Four Great Shinobi Villages were already watching them like tigers eyeing prey, so why were there still people stabbing them in the back from within? They had even secretly taken the souls of former comrades-in-arms. That made him all the more furious.

During Konoha high command's meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed a hand onto the table before the four people he trusted most, utterly abandoning any semblance of dignity.

"They've become completely lawless! They're still doing this at a time like this! Do they really think I'm that easy to bully?!"

"..."

Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Sosuke Aizen, who was there as little more than an auspicious ornament, all wore different expressions but said nothing.

As the one in control of Root—and the one whose hands were the dirtiest—Shimura Danzō glanced at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, tugged at the bandages on his body, and remained silent.

Meanwhile, the two Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had always acted in lockstep, stared at their noses and contemplated their hearts as though they had heard nothing at all. They put on an unyielding front, though it was unclear whether they truly had nothing to hide.

Finally, Sosuke Aizen, who appeared honest and dependable, picked up the report and began studying it carefully with a frown.

Of everyone present, Sosuke Aizen was the only one who had not been a member of the Second Hokage's guard unit.

He had only been pulled into this meeting because he possessed public support, research expertise, and personal involvement in the matter. In a sense, he was there to bolster the Third Hokage's position.

It was just that this mess was far too large. As the developer of the materials, Aizen had to find clues within it—and somewhere he could cleanly detach himself from the issue—before he could soothe the Third Hokage's fury.

But clearly, the Third Hokage's anger would not be soothed so easily.

"Jonin Dan Katō and Jonin Kagami Uchiha were both renowned heroes of Konoha. Kagami was even our friend. Don't you have anything to say about this?!"

"Don't take your anger out on us. Just because we aren't saying it doesn't mean we aren't angry, Hiruzen. But our immediate priority is not anger. It is clearing out the rot."

"..."

Faced with Shimura Danzō's somewhat cold gaze, the other two Elders felt uncomfortable all over.

But honestly, after seeing the intelligence and data provided in that report, the two Elders had their own doubts.

As the heads of Konoha's political and internal affairs departments, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had always advanced and retreated together, to the point of washing their hands of matters entirely. If some capable individual had suddenly emerged within those departments, secretly recorded the data, and smuggled it out...

It did not seem impossible.

Perhaps realizing just how unreliable his companions tended to be, even Sarutobi Hiruzen turned a dangerous gaze toward his two Elders.

Normally, because of the prestige and experience each had accumulated, he could turn a blind eye to certain minor matters. But this time was completely different.

This involved the Sannin, and it was on the eve of another Ninja World War. White Fang had just died, the Sand Ninja were in internal turmoil, and the Cloud Ninja and Stone Ninja were watching them closely. Under such circumstances, what was described in these documents seemed destined to become the two Advisors' problem.

"...I have a different opinion, Lord Danzo, Lord Third Hokage."

Having kept his eyes on the records in the scroll, Sosuke Aizen—the only sensible person present and a ninja receiving special treatment—pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose and spoke to the four of them with a grave expression.

"The human heart is like a rolling stone. At first, it is nothing more than scattered fragments, but with slope and time, those tiny desires gradually become a massive boulder, until they finally form a wave that destroys the dam of one's bottom line."

"The tragic part is that when people destroy their own bottom line, they often fail to realize what that act truly means. They do not understand one thing: this world has never had true right or wrong. What remains is only undeniable fact."

"This report has already revealed part of the truth, my lords."

"The culprit is most likely not from Konoha—at least, not someone devoted to Konoha. Judging from that alone, everyone in the ninja village can effectively be cleared of suspicion."

"..."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu raised their brows, and a trace of delight appeared on their faces, only for it to turn into bitter expressions moments later.

The two of them had originally been the chief figures overseeing internal affairs. They had already been displeased by Aizen meddling in their business, and now this junior was speaking up to preserve their dignity. To two veteran ninja, it was practically an insult.

But after exchanging a glance, just as they were about to rebuke him and declare that the upright need not fear crooked shadows, Danzo suddenly raised a hand to stop his two former teammates and looked at Aizen with considerable interest.

"You believe it wasn't someone from Konoha? What makes you say that?"

"Because doing something like this at such a critical time does not serve the interests of any clan."

Looking at the files recorded in the scroll, Sosuke Aizen adjusted his glasses and turned to the four leaders of Konoha.

"No one can guarantee that another Ninja World War will not come. Any rational ninja might betray the village's interests to some extent, but they would never stake their hopes on the enemy's mercy."

"It may sound arrogant, but frankly speaking, Konoha is the foremost village. Everyone else strives to learn from and imitate us. Even if we faced the combined strength of the other four villages, we could still emerge victorious. That is Konoha's strength. Unless someone is willing to abandon the benefits of being part of the victorious nation, betrayal is impossible."

"They speak of ideals and will, but to many clans, those are merely artificially defined moral concepts. I personally admire the Will of Fire because it rises above the perspective of clan ninja and cares for the whole world. But regrettably, we must admit that most of Konoha's clans still cling to narrow-minded clan values. Some clans are both victims and perpetrators."

"Therefore, when considering their interests, they would not extend a hand to an inevitable loser. They would only hide away and devour the more enticing spoils."

Holding the scroll, Sosuke Aizen rose to his feet and began speaking at length to the four people before him, as though he were gaining momentum.

Though he was only twenty years old, the eyes behind his glasses possessed a composed power that inspired conviction.

Combined with his deep voice, full of magnetism and persuasion, even the final two Elders of Konoha sat in their chairs and waited for Aizen's further analysis.

"As clan ninja, they may not understand the importance of the Will of Fire or the village itself, but they certainly understand that defeat is the gravest matter of all. Once defeated, they would be forced to live under another's roof. No bloodline clan would permit such a thing."

"If surrender truly worked, if they truly believed they could live well afterward, the Hyuga Clan would never have created the Caged Bird. Our relationship with the Four Great Shinobi Villages is one of life and death. Making those within the village suspicious of one another and doubt each other does not serve the interests of clan ninja."

"It does not even serve the interests of the Four Great Shinobi Villages. Showing themselves merely to fight and escalate the situation likewise does not benefit a great ninja village."

"On the contrary, it suits certain people who do not hold real power yet are dissatisfied with their status. Therefore, I believe there are two possibilities."

Looking at the Hokage and Elders before him, all over forty yet listening with rapt attention and nodding repeatedly, Sosuke Aizen revealed an impeccable, steady smile and raised two fingers.

"One possibility is that smaller ninja villages unwilling to accept defeat and decline have used moles to create ninjutsu intended to interfere with our judgment. The other possibility is that within Konoha, there is someone confident that even after rebelling, they can keep every situation under control."

"..."

Hearing those two possibilities, Danzo's eyes immediately lit up.

He looked at Sosuke Aizen with a gaze that was slightly excited, clearly approving, and even seemed to have found a kindred spirit.

Heaven had pity on him. Though he always said Konoha had no such thing, that it did not exist in Konoha, Danzo knew that such a thing truly did exist. And it was really there.

The Uchiha Clan!

Though rationally, Danzo felt that it truly had nothing to do with the Uchiha.

That clan's bloodline was detestable, and they were prone to hatred and pain, but fundamentally, they had not yet gone mad enough over Konoha to reach that point.

Yet Danzo had always believed that a dead Uchiha was a good Uchiha. Though he felt sorry for his friend Kagami Uchiha, wasn't he now controlled by that mysterious power as well?

His old friend Kagami Uchiha, who had saved him several times, had been a good ninja who broke with clan traditions and wished to become one with the village. Even Danzo believed that if he were still alive, the village would surely be different.

But now, Kagami Uchiha was dead. Worse, he was being controlled and used by someone. Thinking of the Uchiha Clan's recent conduct, their increasingly arrogant manner, and some of his own plans, Danzo sorted out an entire course of action in an instant.

The spies within the village had to be killed. But the Uchiha needed even tighter control. That was something the Second Hokage had always demanded, and Danzo believed it was absolutely necessary.

So at that moment, Danzo stood up.

"That is enough, Sosuke Aizen. Your wisdom truly is extraordinary. Leave the rest to me."

Shimura Danzō shot up from his chair, coughed once, and spoke quietly as he looked at the four somewhat surprised people around him.

"Whether they are spies within the village or potential violators, so long as they operate within the village, they cannot escape Root's Tentacles. Hiruzen, focus on the matters at the front lines. Leave the rest to me."

"...Mm. Let us do that."

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment, pondered for a long while, then finally nodded and looked toward Aizen.

"You have worked hard, Sosuke. But to avoid alerting the enemy, a few more ANBU will be assigned around you to lure those enemies out. I hope you can understand."

"Ah, I could not ask for more. I happen to have some ideas regarding Blut Arterie. I can perfect this technique together with Kakashi-kun. If I can help the Third Hokage at a time like this as well, I would be glad to."

"Then it is settled. Once this crisis is resolved, Sosuke, you will be responsible for publicity and education within the village."

"Yes."

In the blink of an eye, the exchange and transfer of interests was completed without a sound.

Through the tacit understanding between the Third Hokage and Danzo, the authority over education and publicity was directly stripped from Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Sosuke Aizen rose without hesitation and respectfully bowed to the Third Hokage. Then, facing the other two Elders, who had yet to realize that a large portion of their authority had been invisibly taken away, Aizen smiled gently and adjusted his glasses.

"I hope for your guidance in the future, Elders."