Inside the Hokage's Office in Konoha, an old man sat behind the desk. Although he was already seventy-two years old, his head of black hair was still like that of a young man. His one exposed eye narrowed, making it obvious at a glance that he was a shrewd and calculating person.
The old man wore a plain black-and-white kimono, and his head was wrapped in bandages. He was none other than Danzo, currently serving as Konoha's acting Hokage.
"The Five Kage Summit. Kumogakure proposed holding it in the Iron Country. Are they preparing to hold someone accountable?"
Danzo had only gained a preliminary understanding of the situation, but he immediately connected it to the Fourth Raikage's objective. This was the difference in scheming and intelligence.
"At such a sensitive time, the other three Kage won't refuse. If I can represent Konoha at the summit, it will be very helpful for the vote afterward."
Danzo began assessing the gains and losses of this Five Kage Summit. In his view, Konoha had just been attacked by the Akatsuki and was ostensibly the victim, but in reality, it was also a beneficiary. Multiple countries were coveting the Rain Country. It would be better to take this opportunity to stabilize the other villages first. Once Konoha's postwar reconstruction was fully complete and the Rain Country had stabilized, Konoha could once again rank first among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
"An opportunity."
Danzo made his decision: he would participate in this Five Kage Summit.
Among the successive Hokage, the Second Hokage had been the most competent. Not only had he subdued the Uchiha Clan, he had also overridden all objections and the pressure from the various clans to establish the ninja academy and share ninjutsu with civilians. Looking back now, that had been a