Danzo: You Want Me to Risk My Life Without Giving Me Anything?

Hokage Office.

The atmosphere was exceedingly oppressive. Even without Sarutobi Hiruzen saying a word, Danzo and the other two, who had just arrived, could feel the immense pressure.

"Hiruzen, what happened?"

Utatane Koharu was the first to speak.

Mitokado Homura's face was filled with concern. After all, the two of them were rather mediocre in ability; they had risen to their current positions as Elders almost entirely through Sarutobi Hiruzen's support.

Therefore.

The moment they sensed that something was wrong, they naturally became anxious.

Danzo alone wore a look of utter disdain.

With Root, his own private armed force, he naturally had more backbone than these two old friends. He merely sat silently in his chair, leaning on his cane with an indifferent expression.

"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.

It was precisely because he had realized this that Sarutobi Hiruzen was truly beginning to panic.

Utatane Koharu spoke first. "Bastards! Are they trying to rebel?"

"They must be punished!" Mitokado Homura voiced his opinion.

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately asked, "Then shall I leave this matter to the two of you?"

In almost an instant.

The two men, who had just been speaking so righteously, immediately fell mute.

They could not help it!

Uchiha Jin was far too powerful, and more importantly, his methods were exceptionally ruthless. Even when facing Konoha's Higher-ups, he was unwilling to give them the slightest bit of face.

Danzo, who had nearly died several times last time, had the most to say on that matter.

If they truly provoked him, people would definitely die!

They had no problem shouting a few slogans in the Hokage Office, but actually leading a team to deal with Uchiha Jin?

What a joke. They did not want to die!

Therefore.

There was no doubt about it—they had chickened out!

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

Watching his two old friends choose to keep their mouths shut and play dead, a row of black lines appeared across his forehead.

What a sin!

Useless at everything, champions at playing dead.

Of course.

He had not held much hope for these two old friends in the first place.

After sighing, he looked toward Danzo.

And at that.

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could speak, Danzo said in a thoroughly disdainful tone, "I told you long ago that the Uchiha are all a bunch of madmen. The longer you drag this out, the more likely accidents are to happen!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of bitterness.

Yes!

He truly regretted it somewhat.

The Uchiha were simply 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, ah!

After a helpless sigh, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe. "Now is not the time to assign blame. Danzo, I need you to act quickly. You must use every possible means to kill Uchiha Jin!"

His tone was icy.

Someone who understood how to wield political power was a far greater threat to him than anyone 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 had dared to kill Senju Nawaki and Dan Katō because he knew Tsunade cared more about the village her two grandfathers had built!

He had dared to let the Uzumaki Clan be utterly annihilated without fearing that Uzumaki Mito would go mad, because Uzumaki Mito cared about the Senju Clan.

Not long after Uzumaki Mito died, he launched the Hashirama Cells experiment and wiped out the Senju Clan along the way.

Hatake Sakumo had been too upright and cared about his son Kakashi. Namikaze Minato's weak point was Uzumaki Kushina. Though Jiraiya was upright, he lacked the courage to shatter everything. Even Orochimaru, who seemed cold and ruthless in daily life, was someone Sarutobi Hiruzen knew valued emotions most deeply.

Otherwise.

With Orochimaru's intelligence, would he not have known that using villagers for experiments would sooner or later draw the Anbu's attention?

No, he knew!

He had merely despaired of his teacher and wanted to sever those bonds through this, then defect.

Looking back on all the opponents Sarutobi Hiruzen had encountered throughout his life, he had been able to seize every one of their weak points. Uchiha Jin alone was the exception!

That bastard had no weaknesses.

He did not care about the Uchiha's survival. So long as Sarutobi Hiruzen's side made the slightest move, he would dare to let the entire Uchiha Clan die just to drag the Sarutobi Clan down with them.

Friendship?

He had no friends!

Love?

He did not have a girl he liked!

Parents?

Sarutobi Hiruzen 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-level powerhouse and now controlled the entire Uchiha Clan, yet he had no intention whatsoever of rescuing his parents. He did not even have the interest to negotiate with Sarutobi Hiruzen over the matter.

His cold-hearted nature left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling as though thorns were pressing against his back.

Especially since Uchiha Jin was also skilled in political maneuvering. In their several confrontations, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been faintly but thoroughly suppressed by him.

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 ready to flip the table!

But, unfortunately.

Danzo's tone remained cold. "As I said before, I want an Anbu Battalion and authorization to transfer three elites from every Shinobi Clan into Root."

"Also, give me one hundred million ryo. I need to find some Cannon Fodder at the Gold Exchange!"

Yes.

Root was the culmination of all his efforts, the foundation upon which he would challenge for the Hokage Position!

He knew perfectly well how terrifying Uchiha Jin was. There was no way he would let Root suffer losses over something like this.

And at that.

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table and roared furiously.

"Danzo, have you gone mad?"

"Uchiha Jin is our greatest enemy. We must eliminate him as soon as possible, or the consequences will truly be unimaginable."

"This is not the time to bargain. If Uchiha Jin truly ascends to the position, do you think he will spare you?"

Utatane Koharu 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 it."

"Just as you said, Uchiha Jin is a threat to all of us!"

"Why should Root alone be worn down 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 decide."

In almost an instant.

As Danzo spoke, everyone fell silent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was left speechless as well. He had indeed intended to wear down Root, but it was clearly impossible now.

After pondering for a moment, he spoke again. "An Anbu Battalion. You have it!"

"Not enough!" Danzo shook his head. "I want authorization!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned ashen with rage, and he roared at him, "Don't even think about it! That is absolutely impossible!"

Yes.

Because of the Third Shinobi War, his reputation had already become terrible.

If Konoha could have found someone more reliable, the Shinobi Clans would never have agreed to let him serve as Hokage.

Under such circumstances, give Danzo authorization?

That would be practically asking to die faster!

"Then forget it."

Danzo crossed his arms, his face full of disdain. "I won't take this job!"