Danzo: The Story I Must Tell With Hiruzen

The Hokage, Shimura Danzō's lifelong greatest pursuit.

Just as Orochimaru sought Eternal Life, Danzō would stop at nothing to take the Hokage seat, even including, but not limited to, assassinating Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This is obsession, and also a weakness.

Kazama Kaguya was increasingly fond of using [Talk no Jutsu: Strike the Weak Spot Technique].

This feeling of directly breaking through someone's psychological defenses and hitting their weak spot was just too great and too effective, always working.

As expected, the moment the word "Hokage" was mentioned, Danzō could no longer move his feet.

He turned back, the killing intent in his eyes washed away by intense desire, and urgently said, "What plan does Orochimaru have? As long as it's feasible, the Hyuga clan's Byakugan isn't that difficult to obtain."

In just an instant, he had already thought of a poisonous scheme.

"Hmph, it just so happens that Kumogakure ninjas are in the village. I can arrange for Root members to impersonate Kumogakure ninja and attack the Hyuga clan to steal the Byakugan. This way, we can also interrupt the peace talks and continue to wage war to weaken Sarutobi's faction. If we add the Hyuga's support, it will be much easier for me to take over the Hokage position."

Under the lamplight, Danzō's single eye flickered with dark calculation.

The nasolabial folds on his face became even deeper, and in the shifting light and shadow, they resembled a slender poisoned blade.

"As expected of the 'Darkness of Konoha'."

Sensing Danzō's sinister malice, Kazama Kaguya secretly marveled at Danzō's ambition and continued to reveal secret information in Orochimaru's name.

"Lord Danzō, Lord Orochimaru has received clear intelligence. The Kumogakure ninjas' visit for negotiations this time is just a smokescreen. Their true objective is to use peace as an excuse and attempt to kidnap the young daughters of the clan to seize the Byakugan."

"What? They also want to seize the clan's Byakugan?" Danzō was astonished, a sense of absurdity rising within him.

He hadn't expected that the method he had just thought of was precisely the plan Kumogakure intended to execute.

"That's right, the intelligence is absolutely true."

Kazama Kaguya didn't dwell on the deeper meaning of Danzō's words and continued:

"Lord Orochimaru said that Kumogakure's plan is very thorough. First, they will directly kidnap the clan members to seize the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai. If successful, this group of Kumogakure ninja will be the escort team. Second, if it's not possible, they will try to die at the hands of the clan head. This way, they will use the continuation of the war as an excuse to demand the clan head's body, thereby obtaining the clan head's Byakugan."

Kazama Kaguya, of course, did not know Kumogakure's plan.

But with a higher-dimensional perspective, he knew the process and the objective. Then, putting himself in Kumogakure's shoes, deducing such a plan was effortless.

He continued to impersonate Orochimaru, pointing out Hiruzen Sarutobi's weakness, trying to resonate with Danzō, and said solemnly:

"Lord Orochimaru said that since the Fourth Hokage's death during the Nine-Tails' attack, the Third Hokage has grown old and indecisive, yearning for peace. No matter which plan Kumogakure succeeds with, the Third Hokage will inevitably compromise."

"But you, Lord Danzō, are different. You are resolute and decisive, and will not be threatened by Kumogakure. Only you can perfectly execute that plan."

Danzō nodded in agreement at the end, "Hiruzen has indeed grown old. Peace? That is something the strong fight for. Only the weak negotiate and compromise. He is no longer fit to hold that position."

"Lord Danzō is right." Kazama Kaguya flattered him smoothly.

"Speak, what scheme has Orochimaru devised to help me control the Hyuga clan?" Danzō's interest was greatly piqued. He wanted to hear what brilliant strategy Orochimaru had.

Kazama Kaguya said solemnly, "Lord Danzō, Lord Orochimaru has a plan called: 'The Tanuki Swaps the Crown Prince'."

"Lord Orochimaru said..."

Inside and outside the inn, snoring sounds could be heard.

The Nirvana Relaxation Technique had a wide range, covering several surrounding houses.

Except for two Root members, no one knew about the hidden conspiracy. Only hushed whispers could be heard for a long time.

As three figures flashed away, Kazama Kaguya stood up and turned on the electric light.

The bright white light tore through the darkness cast by the oil lamp, simultaneously conveying a message of safety to the distant Kimimaro.

After reviewing his performance tonight, Kazama Kaguya realized his back was already drenched in cold sweat.

This was dealing with a tiger, dancing on the tip of a knife. With the slightest mistake, he would be crushed to pieces.

"Sigh, my heart is weary. Weakness is the original sin."

"If I had Kage-level strength right now, why would I need these petty schemes? I'd just charge straight ahead."

Kazama Kaguya sighed, slumping onto the tatami mat, staring at the electric light on the ceiling, and muttered:

"It's coming soon. Kumogakure can't wait much longer. My Byakugan will be here soon."

"As soon as I obtain the Byakugan, I will immediately activate the evolution mode and summon Kisame Hoshigaki to protect me. Once I evolve into an Otsutsuki bloodline, all problems will be solved."

"And Danzō, after the plan succeeds, he will definitely silence me. I need to plan carefully. There are many opportunities in Konoha. It would be even better if I could stay."

"However, I also need a backup plan. If Danzō becomes too aggressive, I need to plan my next destination."

Sleepless, Kazama Kaguya spent the night planning his escape route.

He hadn't actively refined Chakra for a long time, and had even stopped charging his Storm Release Kekkei Genkai.

The outbreak of the Bloodline Disease placed a heavy burden on his body. This energy, which required a large amount of physical vitality to synthesize, could cause his body to collapse at any moment if he continued to refine it.

Moreover, even if he evolved Storm Release, with his current physical condition, he wouldn't be able to develop any Ninjutsu.

The reason Kazama Kaguya still had Chakra to use now was entirely due to the Shikotsumyaku spontaneously synthesizing it after he ate.

Although not much, it was enough to use All-Killing Ash Bones three to five times without any problem.

After dawn, Kakashi and Tenzo, who were responsible for guarding and monitoring the Kumogakure ninjas, were surprised to find that Root members had also arrived.

"Leopard, Tanuki? What are you doing here? This is an ANBU mission," Kakashi said warily to the two Jonin wearing leopard and tanuki masks.

The two Root members, hidden within their hoods, stared coldly at Kakashi and Tenzo, remaining silent.

"Silent, efficient, a truly familiar style," Kakashi sighed, not pressing further.

He and Tenzo had both been part of Root before. They were very familiar with the methods of these people who wore masks and were only referred to by codenames.

They were the extension of Danzo's dark will, silent executioners. Wherever they appeared, bloodshed and slaughter inevitably followed.

Upon seeing the Root members, Kakashi suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Tenzo, I'm going to report to the Third Hokage." Kakashi formed a hand seal and created a shadow clone, then teleported towards the Hokage Tower.

The Root members were unfazed by Kakashi's departure, merely watching the inn where the Kumogakure ninjas were staying with indifference, monitoring their every move.

However, to Kakashi's surprise, when he arrived at the Hokage's office, he saw Aburame Ryoma and Nara Shikaku guarding the entrance, one on each side, poised and in a standoff.

Inside the office, Hokage advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu remained silent, while Danzo and the Third Hokage were engaged in a heated argument.

"Hiruzen, the Kumogakure ninjas have wolfish ambitions. Peace talks are just a smokescreen; they definitely have another purpose. I suggest we eliminate the Kumogakure squad immediately and then launch a surprise attack on Kumogakure village with lightning speed."

Danzo's voice was filled with malice as he said sinisterly, "Then you can conveniently concoct a reason, say the Kumogakure ninjas intended to assassinate you, forcefully hold the Kumogakure responsible, demand war reparations, or else declare war."

"Peace? That must be forged with blood and fire, not achieved through the negotiations of a few diplomats."

"If all else fails, release the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's seal and throw her into Kumogakure village. Heh heh, let them taste the Nine-Tails' rampage too. If we can also detonate the Eight-Tails, then Kumogakure village can be wiped off the map."

Outside the office, Kakashi held his breath, horrified.

In all of Konoha, there was no one else besides Danzo who possessed such a hard-line, direct, and disregardful approach to human life.

Even the Third Hokage was shocked by Danzo's terrorist-like ideas.

"Cough, cough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled the smoke he had inhaled, angered, "Danzo, are you insane? Detonate the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki again? Don't tell me you don't know whose child that is?"

"And a surprise attack on Kumogakure? Danzo, Konoha doesn't have many high-level combatants left. Sakumo is dead, Tsunade and Jiraiya left in disappointment, Orochimaru defected, the Uchiha are outwardly united but inwardly divided, and the Hyuga main family hasn't fought head-on since the Byakugan was lost last time. Who do you expect to carry out the surprise attack?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted angrily, spraying a mouthful of choking smoke onto Danzo's face.

Danzo's expression was blank. He blew away the secondhand smoke and said coldly, "The Uchiha clan's ambitions are unending. Send Fugaku, Shisui, and others as vanguards; this is a plan to kill two birds with one stone. Then send Tenzo, Kakashi, and Might Guy to assassinate the Raikage, and have the Ino-Shika-Cho lead the front lines. With this, destroying Kumogakure is a sure thing. Once Konoha's prestige spreads throughout the ninja world, whether there is peace or not will be up to us."

"Ha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed in anger at Danzo's blatant schemes.

Draining the Uchiha clan was a feasible idea, and he agreed with it.

But what about the rest?

Tenzo, Kakashi, Might Guy, Ino-Shika-Cho – all of them were his direct forces, to be sent to Kumogakure village to die?

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was just old, not senile.

He took a deep drag of his pipe, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said sarcastically, "Why don't you just have me lead the team for a surprise attack on Kumogakure and assassinate the Fourth Raikage?"

As soon as Danzo heard this, his eyes gleamed, and he agreed, "If you, Hiruzen, were to lead the team, that would be for the best. You are the strongest Hokage of all time."

At these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer suppress the rage in his heart and roared, "Danzo, it's not your place to tell me what to do! I am the Hokage, get out!"

"Hiruzen, this is a good opportunity."

"Get out."

"Hiruzen..."

"Get out!"

"..."

Looking at the bulging veins on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, Danzo opened his mouth, but finally turned and left.

However, before he left, he still couldn't give up and turned back to say, "Hiruzen, you are old and too indecisive. You will definitely regret this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth, "Danzo, remember this, I am the Hokage."