Hokage Office.
The atmosphere was exceptionally heavy. Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing, Danzo and the other two, who had just arrived, could feel the immense pressure.
"Hiruzen, what happened?"
Koharu Utatane was the first to speak.
Mitokado Homura's face was filled with worry. After all, the two of them were fairly mediocre, and they had risen to their current positions as Elders almost entirely thanks to Sarutobi Hiruzen's support.
Therefore.
Upon realizing that something was wrong, they naturally became extremely anxious.
Danzo alone wore a look of disdain.
With Root, his own private armed force, he naturally had more confidence than these two old friends. He merely leaned on his cane, sat in his chair, and remained silent.
"Enough. Let's discuss business."
Seeing that his old friends had arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not hide anything and briefly explained what had just happened.
The more he spoke, the angrier he became!
Under Uchiha Jin's leadership, the Uchiha had completely slipped out of control.
Having realized this, Sarutobi Hiruzen truly began to panic.
Koharu Utatane spoke first. "Bastards! Are they trying to rebel?"
"They must be punished!" Mitokado Homura voiced his opinion.
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen directly asked, "Then shall I leave this matter to you two?"
Almost instantly.
The two men who had just been speaking so righteously immediately became mute.
There was no helping it!
Uchiha Jin was far too powerful, and his methods were especially ruthless. Even when facing Konoha's higher-ups, he was unwilling to give them the slightest bit of face.
Danzo, who had died several times during their last encounter, had the most right to speak on this matter.
If they truly provoked him, people would definitely die!
It was no problem to let them howl a few times in the Hokage Office, but now they were supposed to lead a team against Uchiha Jin?
What kind of joke was that? They did not want to die!
Therefore.
Without a doubt, they chickened out!
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."
Watching his two old friends choose to shut up and play dead, a row of black lines appeared across his forehead.
What a curse!
Useless at everything, first place at playing dead.
Of course.
He had never held much hope for these two old friends anyway.
After sighing, he looked toward Danzo.
And in response.
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could speak, Danzo said disdainfully, "I told you long ago that the Uchiha are all lunatics. The longer you delay, the more likely something unexpected is to happen!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of bitterness.
Yes!
He truly regretted it now.
The Uchiha were far too uncontrollable, and the power of the Sharingan was full of uncertainty.
Someone might be an insignificant nobody today, then suddenly suffer some stimulation tomorrow and erupt with terrifying power.
But, sigh!
After a helpless sigh, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe. "Now is not the time to assign blame. Danzo, I need you to act immediately. You must use every possible method to kill Uchiha Jin!"
His tone was utterly cold.
Someone who understood how to manipulate power posed a threat far beyond anything before.
He had faced many challenges in the past, but all those enemies had weaknesses. Sarutobi Hiruzen had found them relatively easy to deal with.
For example...
He dared to have Senju Nawaki and Dan Katō killed because he knew Tsunade cared more about the village built by her two grandfathers!
He dared to allow the Uzumaki Clan to be completely exterminated without fearing that Uzumaki Mito would go mad, because Uzumaki Mito cared about the Senju Clan.
Right after Uzumaki Mito died, he launched the Hashirama Cells experiments and conveniently wiped out the Senju Clan as well.
Hatake Sakumo was too upright and cared about his son Kakashi. Namikaze Minato's weak point was Uzumaki Kushina. Though Jiraiya was righteous, he lacked the courage to shatter everything. Even Orochimaru, who usually appeared cold and heartless, was someone Sarutobi Hiruzen knew valued bonds most deeply.
Otherwise.
With Orochimaru's intelligence, would he not have known that experimenting on villagers would sooner or later draw the Anbu's attention?
No, he knew!
He was simply disappointed in his Teacher and wanted to sever their bond through this, allowing himself to defect.
Thinking back on all the opponents Sarutobi Hiruzen had faced throughout his life, he had always been able to seize their weak points. Uchiha Jin alone was the exception!
That bastard had no weakness.
He did not care whether the Uchiha lived or died. So long as Sarutobi Hiruzen's side made even the slightest move, he would dare to drag the Sarutobi Clan down with the Uchiha, even at the cost of the entire Uchiha Clan's destruction.
Friendship?
He had no friends!
Love?
He had no girl he liked!
Parents?
He had considered using them to control Uchiha Jin, but he no longer had much confidence in that.
The reason was simple!
This man was already a Mangekyo powerhouse and now controlled the entire Uchiha Clan, yet he had no intention of rescuing his parents. He did not even seem interested in negotiating with Sarutobi Hiruzen to resolve the matter.
His ruthless nature made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel as though thorns pressed against his back.
Especially since Uchiha Jin was also skilled in political maneuvering. In their several clashes, Sarutobi Hiruzen had faintly been suppressed by him every time.
Therefore.
He had no interest in playing power games with Uchiha Jin. He only wanted to kill that bastard as soon as possible.
Simply put, he was prepared to flip the table!
But unfortunately.
Danzo's tone remained cold. "I'll repeat what I said before. I want one Anbu Battalion, authorization to recruit three elites from every Shinobi Clan into Root, and one hundred million ryo."
"Also, I need to go to the Gold Exchange to hire cannon fodder!"
Yes.
Root was the culmination of all his efforts, the foundation of his bid for the Hokage Position!
He understood Uchiha Jin's terror perfectly well. There was no way he would allow Root to be depleted over something like this.
And in response.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table and roared in fury.
"Danzo, have you lost your mind?"
"Uchiha Jin is our greatest enemy. We must eliminate him as soon as possible, or the consequences will truly be unthinkable."
"This is not the time to bargain. If Uchiha Jin truly rises to power, do you think he will spare you?"
Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura hurriedly tried to persuade him as well.
But unfortunately.
It was completely useless!
Danzo's expression remained cold, and he even revealed a trace of disdain.
"Hiruzen, save your breath."
"Just as you said, Uchiha Jin's threat concerns all of us!"
"Why should Root alone be expended while you contribute none of your own forces? Do I, Danzo, look like an idiot to you?"
"My demands are right here!"
"Whether you agree or not is for you to consider."
Almost instantly.
As Danzo spoke, everyone fell silent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen could not say anything either. He truly had intended to deplete Root, but it was clear that would not work now.
After pondering briefly, he spoke again. "One Anbu Battalion. You'll have it!"
"Not enough." Danzo shook his head. "I want authorization!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned livid with rage, and he directly roared at him, "Don't even think about it! That is absolutely impossible!"
Yes.
Because of the Third Shinobi War, his reputation was already terrible.
If Konoha had been able to find someone more reliable, the Shinobi Clans would never have agreed to let him become Hokage.
Under such circumstances, give Danzo authorization?
That would be nothing but courting death!
"Then forget it."
Danzo folded his arms, his face full of disdain. "I'm not taking this job!"
Before you continue