Danzo's Worries for Konoha's Future; Perhaps They're Deliberately Waiting for Konoha to Be Mutually Destroyed

Inside the Hokage Building 'Hokage's Office.

The smoke in the room seemed to never dissipate, much like the anxiety and determination that lingered in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind at that moment.

He had just spoken with several Jonin from his own clan who supported Minato, further solidifying his resolve to train Minato to become the Fourth Hokage.

However, this determination was soon interrupted by an uninvited guest.

The office door was flung open without even being announced by the security guards.

Shimura Danzō, leaning on a cane, Earth Run in with a face so dark it seemed to drip water, his single eye burning with a strange flame that was a mixture of "righteous indignation" and "indignation at their inaction."

" Danzo?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, displeased by his old friend and rival's rude intrusion, especially since he had just planned Konoha's "bright Mirai."

"What's up? I'm very busy right now."

"Busy?"

Danzo's voice was hoarse and shrill, carrying undisguised sarcasm.

"Busy paving the way for your ' Yellow Flash '? Busy ruining the situation that Konoha has finally managed to stabilize, Hiruzen!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened.

Danzo, watch your words!

Minato is also a hero of Konoha. He is young and promising, powerful, and loved by the villagers. He is an excellent candidate for the next Hokage!

I'm campaigning for him for the Mirai of the village!

" The Mirai of the village?"

Danzo his cane on the ground with a dull thud, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

"I think it's for you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and for the Mirai of your faction's power!"

He took a step closer, his one eye fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi, his words as precise and ruthless as a viper's hiss.

" Chiyo Uchiha has just performed an unparalleled service for the village, End of War, and his prestige is at its zenith! His strength is unfathomable!"

This is Konoha's true pillar and deterrent force at present!

"At this time, why are you so eager to introduce Minato Namikaze, whose qualifications, prestige, and strength are far inferior to his?"

Danzo's voice suddenly rose, filled with a heart-wrenching question.

"Are you trying to sow discord among the villagers? Are you trying to create internal conflict?"

Do they want to plunge Konoha, which has just experienced the ravages of war, into pointless internal strife and power struggles once again?!

"You're not doing this for the village's sake at all; you're disrupting Konoha's order! You're shaking the village's foundation!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned pale with anger at Danzo's series of accusations.

He also stood up abruptly, glaring at Danzo without backing down.

"Absurd!!

Danzo, you're judging a gentleman by your own petty standards!

Minato is also a hero of war!

His Flying Thunder God Jutsu allowed him to traverse the battlefield, saving countless comrades and intimidating countless enemies!

He represents the legacy of the Will of Fire!

"It's Konoha's Mirai under the sunlight!"

"And Chiyo Uchiha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi emphasized his words.

"His power is indeed formidable, but the history and Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha Clan make them more prone to extremism!"

The greatest risk is placing the village's Mirai on a powerful individual and a family that has historically been estranged from the village!

What we need is balance, stability, and a leader who can unite all ninjas and embodies the Will of Fire!

Minato is the best candidate!

"Balance? Stability?"

Danzo let out a harsh, cold laugh, a laugh filled with utter contempt for Hiruzen Sarutobi's "shortsighted" behavior.

"I think you're getting old, Hiruzen!"

The old folks are left with nothing but power struggles and the art of maintaining balance, unable to see what the village truly needs!

"Faced with absolute power, your laughable balances are as fragile as paper!"

He took a deep breath, as if trying his best to suppress his "rage," and uttered an extremely hurtful statement. This was the most "logical" attack under the subconscious guidance of Kotoamatsukami.

"You keep saying it's for the village, but it's really just out of fear!"

You fear that Chiyo Uchiha's power is beyond your control!

Fear that once he becomes Hokage, your power and that of your faction will be completely lost!

That's why you couldn't wait to release Minato Namikaze, a puppet with a clean background and easy-to-control abilities!

Danzo's single eye was as sharp as a knife, as if it could cut through all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's disguises.

"What do you mean he's the most suitable candidate?"

Ultimately, wasn't your choice of Minato Namikaze based on his commoner background, lack of connections, and dependence on you, the Third Hokage, to secure his position?

What you really want to do isn't to select the Fourth Hokage; you want to find a compliant representative, a puppet Hokage you can continue to control from behind the scenes!

"Continuing the era of Hiruzen Sarutobi! You are truly selfish and disregard the village's true interests!"

"You're talking nonsense!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was completely enraged.

Danzo's words were like the most poisonous needle, piercing deep into the corner of his heart that even he himself was unwilling to touch.

His forehead veins bulged, and he slammed his hand hard on the table, making the pen holder and documents jump.

" Minato Namikaze is the most outstanding young ninja I have ever seen!"

He possesses the Will of Fire, and is capable and responsible!

I chose him because I believe he can bring a better Mirai to Konoha!

Absolutely no selfish motives whatsoever!

Danzo, don't use your dark thinking to judge everyone!

"No selfish motives?"

Danzo did not back down; instead, he met Danzo's furious gaze with a sneer.

"Then why are you in such a hurry?"

The war has just ended, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Chiyo Uchiha has made outstanding contributions and enjoys the support of the people. Even if you really want to cultivate Minato, why can't you proceed gradually?

Why go to such lengths, even using the Hokage's resources to create momentum and sow seeds of division?

What will the Uchiha clan members who shed blood for the village in the war think of your actions?

What will those ninjas and commoners who admire Chiyo think?

You are not Protect Konoha, you are sowing the seeds of future turmoil!

"Everything I've done is for the long-term stability of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's chest heaved violently, his gaze cold and unwavering.

"The power of the Uchiha must be checked and balanced!"

This is the wisdom passed down from my teachers! I will never let the village face unknown risks!

"Checks and balances? I think it's stifling! It's internal strife!"

Danzo retorted sharply.

" Hiruzen, you've finally become the very thing you hated most!"

Obsessed with power struggles and fearful of the strong, you've suppressed true heroes to maintain your ridiculous balance, dragging the village into an abyss of internal strife! You've disappointed me greatly!

"I'm the one who should be disappointed, Danzo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at the doorway, his fingers trembling with anger.

"I think you've been scared out of your wits by Chiyo Uchiha! Or maybe he's used some kind of trick on you!"

How could they be so unable to distinguish right from wrong, and so blatantly distort the truth!

Get out! I don't want to see you again!

My decision will not change because of your nonsense!

"Stubborn and inflexible! Utterly pedantic!"

Danzo's face showed an expression of extreme "disappointment" and "indignation," and he let out a heavy, cold snort.

"You will pay the price for your shortsightedness and selfishness today, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

" The Mirai of Konoha must not be ruined by a narrow-minded power player like you!"

After saying that, he didn't say anything more and abruptly turned around.

Leaning on his cane, filled with righteous indignation, Earth Run the door without looking back, and then...

"Bang!!!"

With a loud bang, Danzo slammed the door to the Hokage's Office Danzo with all his might!

The loud noise echoed throughout the corridor, even startling those in the Anbu outside the door.

Inside the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone in place, his chest still heaving violently with rage, his face ashen.

He looked at the door that was still trembling slightly, and it was as if he could see Danzo's face, which was filled with "accusation" and "betrayal".

"You damned bastard..."

He muttered a curse under his breath, a mixture of exhaustion and anger making him feel dizzy.

He slowly sat back in his chair, rubbing his aching temples, unable to understand why Danzo had become so unreasonable.

So... it's biased towards the Uchiha.

"Could it be... that Danzo under Genjutsu?"

A terrible thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately suppressed it.

"No, impossible... How could Danzo possibly..."

He preferred to believe that Danzo simply disagreed with him on political matters.

Or rather, it was jealousy that she chose Minato instead of him.

Uchiha?

There's no way such a powerful Genjutsu could exist!

Danzo behind him, walked down the cold corridor of the Hokage Building.

The "furious" expression on his face slowly faded, replaced by a deep, cold calm.

A calm light gleamed in those single eyes.

The argument just now seemed intense and ineffective, even as if he had humiliated himself.

But in fact, this was entirely part of the plan.

His task was to publicly portray a radical figure who had completely broken with the Third Hokage due to "ideological differences" and was "concerned about the Mirai of the village."

This argument was a public signal of a break, meant for everyone secretly watching the Hokage Building's movements and for the Konoha clans.

At the same time, his fierce opposition and those hurtful remarks were like a seed that was forcibly planted in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

No matter how angry or how much Hiruzen Sarutobi denies it at this moment, these words will leave a mark on his subconscious and may even affect his attitude and behavior towards Minato in the future.

If he shows even the slightest sign of "manipulating" Minato, it will immediately remind people of Danzo's accusations today, which will invisibly tie Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands and feet.

But this...

That's not enough.

Danzo didn't stop walking and went straight out of the Hokage Building.

Instead of going home, he turned in another direction.

He needs to find two other people --

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Soon, in a secret conference room with excellent soundproofing...

Danzo urgently summoned two high-ranking advisors from Konoha, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

" Danzo, what's the matter that you summoned us so urgently?"

Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, looked at Danzo whose face was still somewhat "gloomy," and asked in confusion.

Utatane Koharu, also cast an inquiring glance at her.

Danzo sighed heavily, his face showing a pained and indignant expression, perfectly continuing the emotions he had just displayed in the Hokage's Office.

"Yan, Koharu, we've worked with Hiruzen for decades, and I've always believed that regardless of our political differences, our ultimate goal is the benefit of Konoha."

His voice was low, with a hint of hoarseness and disappointment.

"But today, I realized I might be wrong..."

"Hiruzen He's probably been blinded by power, and he's even willing to push the village to the brink of danger!"

These words were extremely serious, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions immediately turned solemn.

"What exactly happened? Danzo, explain yourself!"

Utatane Koharu.

Danzo a deep breath and began his embellished "report".

"I just came out of the Hokage's Office; I had a huge argument with Hiruzen."

He paused, as if trying to calm his agitated emotions.

"I questioned him, why, when the people's hearts were still unsettled after the war, did he so eagerly and relentlessly promote Minato Namikaze, even overshadowing the contributions of Chiyo Uchiha End of War? Wasn't he afraid of causing discontent among the Uchiha Clan and a split within the village?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance; they too were vaguely worried about this issue.

However, due to trust in the Third, they did not investigate further.

What was Hiruzen's answer?

Mitokado Homura asked.

"His answer?"

Danzo sneered, his single eye filled with mockery.

"He won't listen to any advice! He says the Uchiha forces are dangerous and need to be checked!"

They say Minato is the true inheritor of the Will of Fire! They say it's for the long-term stability of the village!

Danzo's voice suddenly rose, filled with "resentment".

"That's just an excuse! I called him out on the spot!"

I asked him if it was because he feared Chiyo Uchiha's power.

Fearing the loss of power, is that why they rushed to put forward Minato Namikaze, a commoner with no power base and easily controlled, to make him a puppet Hokage so that they can continue to control Konoha from behind the scenes?!

Upon hearing this, Homura and Koharu's expressions immediately changed.

This accusation is too serious!

" Danzo, you can't say things like that!"

Koharu said hurriedly.

"Nonsense?"

Danzo his cane on the ground in excitement.

Do you know how he reacted after hearing that?

He was furious! He pointed his finger at me and told me to get out!

He even said... that I received benefits from the Uchiha and was misled!

Danzo perfectly captured the grief and indignation of being wronged.

"I, Shimura Danzō, may have used radical methods, but my heart is always with Konoha!"

The reason I don't support Minato Namikaze is because I clearly see that only absolute power and prestige like Chiyo Uchiha can truly protect Konoha in this perilous Shinobi World!

Only in this way can the village maintain unity and deterrence!

Instead of like Hiruzen, who forcibly created divisions and suppressed meritorious officials for the sake of so-called balance and power politics!

He looked at his two longtime partners, his tone "sincere" and "heavy".

"Yan, Koharu, we've known each other for decades."

Think about it carefully, isn't Hiruzen's recent behavior unusual?

The war has just ended; shouldn't this be the time to appease the heroes and unite all forces?

Is it really the behavior of a rational Hokage to so hastily, even somewhat roughly, promote Minato Namikaze power while suppressing Chiyo Uchiha's reputation?

"This..."

Mitokado Homura hesitated, his brows furrowed.

Utatane Koharu, also had a thoughtful expression on her face.

Danzo continued, lowering his voice even further, as if sharing a terrifying secret.

"I even suspect that Hiruzen might have been under pressure in the later stages of the war."

My mindset has changed.

He became extremely insecure, began to trust only his own lineage, and...

He could no longer tolerate the existence of any powerful force beyond his control.

What he's doing now isn't cultivating a successor, but rather finding a puppet to perpetuate his power!

These words, half true and half false, were highly inflammatory.

It cleverly connects Hiruzen Sarutobi's behavior with "selfishness," "loss of control," and "mental imbalance," deeply touching Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

As advisors to the Hokage, their most important responsibility is to maintain the stability of the village and the "correctness" of the Hokage's decisions.

If the Hokage makes a decision that could jeopardize the stability and unity of the village for personal reasons, then the villagers have no choice but to be vigilant and intervene.

Silence fell over the meeting room.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions became very serious.

They were indeed somewhat puzzled by the Third Hokage's eagerness.

Now that Danzo has "exposed the truth" and linked it to serious issues such as "manipulating puppets" and "mental imbalance," their dissatisfaction and doubts about Hiruzen Sarutobi have begun to quietly grow.

Although they wouldn't immediately believe Danzo's side of the story entirely, a seed of doubt had already been planted.

When they look at the Third's subsequent series of actions to support Minato, they will inevitably be looking through scrutinizing and suspicious lenses.

Danzo observed the changes in their expressions, a subtle, unnoticed smile flashing deep within his single eye.

The plan is progressing step by step.

This was intended to sow Hiruzen Sarutobi's three associates, creating rifts and doubts within their ranks.

This will create more favorable conditions for the Uchiha, and even Chiyo Uchiha, to eventually become Hokage.

"Well!"

Danzo let out a heavy sigh, his expression somber.

"I hope my worries are unnecessary. But for the sake of Konoha, we must remain vigilant."

Perhaps... we need to pay closer attention to the Lord Hokage's decisions.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu didn't speak, but their silence itself was an attitude.

The atmosphere in the meeting room became subtle and heavy.

"By the way, the war is over, but that's all."

"Although the four major powers sent Ceasefire Letter, their surrender document..."

Danzo calmly and silently stood up.

He looked at the two of them with a meaningful gaze.

"But we haven't seen a single one yet! This is not a good sign!"

"Perhaps they are also stalling for time, deliberately waiting for Konoha... suffer heavy losses on both sides!"