"If Orochimaru becomes the Fourth Hokage, I have no objections."
"..."
At those words, everyone exchanged looks. Was this really the Danzo they knew?
Was he under a genjutsu?
When no one spoke after he finished, Danzo gave them a contemptuous look. "What, do you think I'm saying this because I want the Hokage's seat?"
"Hiruzen and the others have admitted they're old, but I haven't. If there's a suitable candidate for Hokage, then naturally, I can choose to step back behind the scenes."
"But I don't trust Jiraiya or Tsunade. If it's either of them, then even if you misunderstand me, I have no choice but to step forward."
That's right. Orochimaru has been my choice all along.
Hiruzen, do you think I'm still the Shimura Danzō you used to manipulate?
Go on, reject him!
If you don't refuse or argue, how am I supposed to leave you with no place to stand in the village?
I'll show you through my actions.
Ever since I, Shimura Danzō, became Shimura Lanwu, my rise has already begun!
Sure enough, a moment later, the Third's brows knitted tightly. Finally, he said hesitantly, "Orochimaru... he isn't suited to being Hokage."
"Hiruzen, why isn't Orochimaru suited to it?"
"Yes, Orochimaru's talent and abilities surpass Jiraiya's and Tsunade's. But as his teacher, I know very well that he would never focus on administrative affairs. All his attention is on ninjutsu and getting stronger."
"Hiruzen, if we don't choose a Hokage who keeps working to get stronger, should we choose Jiraiya, who likes peeping into women's bathhouses, or Tsunade, who drinks and gambles?"
Danzo snapped, "And do you think that just because you don't tell us why Orochimaru turned out this way, we don't know?"
At that, everyone was at a loss for words.