You Regret My Shadow Bang!

Bang!

The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open roughly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't need to look up to know who it was. He let out a long sigh and looked at his imposing old friend.

"Danzo, what is this now?"

Shimura Danzō was blunt, getting straight to the point. "Hiruzen, you've seen the battle reports from the Iwagakure battlefield, haven't you? Tell me, what do you think?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe, his mood unusually relaxed. "The situation has already turned in our favor. I expect the war with Iwagakure will be over soon."

The situation with Sunagakure had already reached a truce.

Large-scale warfare had ceased on both the Kumogakure and Kirigakure fronts, with only minor skirmishes occurring currently.

On the Iwagakure battlefield, which had been the most difficult situation, Konoha had suffered heavy losses this time. However, considering the overall state of the Great Ninja War, this was a major victory for Konoha.

Konoha's most critical period had finally passed.

"You know that's not what I'm asking!"

Shimura Danzō said irritably, "It's Uchiha Aoya! What do you think of him?"

He had already read the battle reports from the front lines.

This Uchiha brat, only twelve years old, was simply defying the heavens!

He easily killed Jonin, casually used wide-range Fire Style jutsu, killed hundreds of Iwa-nin by leveraging the power of the elements, and even captured Ōnoki's son, Kitsuchi!

This was simply not the strength a normal twelve-year-old ninja should possess.

Therefore, there was only one answer.

Mangekyo Sharingan!

Unless he had awakened the Mangekyo, there was no way that kid could have achieved such a terrifying increase in strength!

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "Danzo, what do you intend to do? Recruit Uchiha Aoya into your Root organization?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? How could that be possible!" Danzō scoffed.

If it were a ninja from a commoner or orphan background, he might still have a chance to recruit them into his Root organization.

Even some Uchiha who leaned towards the village's side, he might have a possibility of recruiting.

But Uchiha Aoya...

He was purely a seed for the future Uchiha Hawk Faction!

With his, Shimura Danzō's, reputation, for the Uchiha Hawk Faction, if not notorious, he was at least detested.

Uchiha Aoya was more likely to defect than join Root!

"If we allow him to continue growing, he will eventually become a threat to the village. We must take precautions early!" Shimura Danzō revealed his true intentions.

"I knew it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, not surprised at all.

"Leave it to me, Hiruzen!"

"The war isn't over yet. I guarantee I can do it without anyone noticing!"

Shimura Danzō said confidently.

If he could eliminate Uchiha Aoya, not only would he remove a future threat, but he might even obtain his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"You know the war isn't over either!" Hiruzen Sarutobi reprimanded. "The village's situation has only just begun to improve, and you're already causing trouble again!"

"Danzo, I warn you not to act rashly. Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

"You!"

Shimura Danzō became enraged. "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi retorted without hesitation.

That line again!

Danzō's breathing hitched. He couldn't help but recall the scene when the Second Hokage had to choose someone to stay behind and cover the retreat. If he had been the first to speak back then, perhaps the position of Hokage would be his now!

With a cold snort, Shimura Danzō stopped arguing, turned around, and slammed the door shut as he left.

Bang!

Returning to his Root organization base.

"Ryoma!"

Danzō suppressed his anger and summoned his subordinate.

"Yes, Lord Danzō!"

Aburame Ryoma quickly stepped forward. "Are we going to make a move on Uchiha Aoya? Leave it to me. Should I poison him or assassinate him?"

"Who told you to kill him!"

Danzo said irritably.

If we move against Uchiha Qingye now, and it blows up, Sarutobi Hiruzen might really throw aside all sentiment.

Konohagakure suffered too greatly in this Ninja World War. Once the war ends, Sarutobi Hiruzen, this Third Hokage, will most likely step down.

But that doesn't mean Sarutobi is willing to take the blame for anything before he steps down.

Konoha's White Fang died under unclear circumstances a few years ago. If Uchiha Qingye, this young ninja who just achieved great merit, also dies, even if there's no evidence linking the Hokage, the ninja in the village will still have opinions about Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Ryoma, you must remember," Shimura Danzō said with a cold laugh, "There's more than one way to kill someone, and you don't always have to do it yourself."

Poisoning and assassination can kill people.

Excessive praise can also kill people!

"Go help Uchiha Qingye, spread his achievements and fame..." Shimura Danzō ordered.

The Mangekyo Sharingan has the flaw of blindness. The Second Hokage had researched this.

As long as Uchiha Qingye is praised highly, letting him consume the Mangekyo's pupil power again and again in future wars until he goes blind!

At that time, what threat could a blind man pose?

"Danzo-sama is truly brilliant!"

Aburame Ryoma was sincerely convinced.

"Oh, right, Danzo-sama, our people also investigated something else..."

Aburame Ryoma then recounted how Uchiha Obito abandoned a mission to save his teammates: "However, Minato Namikaze will likely try to cover this up."

"Spread that out too!" Danzō said without hesitation.

The two hottest candidates for Hokage in Konoha right now are Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru.

In terms of strength, merit, and popularity, the two are roughly equal.

He valued Orochimaru more, while Sarutobi Hiruzen now seemed to be gradually leaning towards his grand-disciple, Minato Namikaze.

This is perfect. Let's use this opportunity to damage Minato Namikaze's reputation!

"Arrange for people to spread rumors, saying that Minato Namikaze's disciple, Uchiha Obito, abandoned his mission during the war and is utterly unworthy of being a ninja!"

After a great battle, they had only rested for two days when reinforcements from the Sunagakure battlefield arrived.

"Qingye-sama, Shikaku-sama requests that you and all the Jonin come for a meeting."

The Genin messenger's face was full of admiration and respect.

I'm being called 'sama' now too...

Qingye couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Just three months ago, he had only gained a little status after killing a Tokubetsu Jonin in direct combat.

As expected, I need cheats!

Which powerhouse in the multiverse doesn't have cheats? What's wrong with me having one?

Following the messenger to the commander's tent, he was met with surprised, admiring, and respectful gazes along the way. People occasionally pointed at him, whispering to others, introducing him.

Halfway there, Qingye suddenly saw a familiar zombie-like face.

"Patriarch, you're here too."

Facing him was a man with stiff facial features, exuding a low-pressure aura, clearly not one for smiles.

Beside him followed a young boy with tear troughs who was curiously sizing up Qingye.

It was the father and son duo, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi.

The Patriarch even brought Itachi?

Qingye felt a little speechless: Itachi is only four years old, right? The war isn't over yet, bringing a child to the battlefield now seems a bit inappropriate.