Danzo, You're Too Weak! (5/10)

"What happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a deep voice.

"The intelligence in the minds of those spies indicated that a woman from the Uzumaki Clan was intercepted by them while fleeing from the Land of Whirlpools during the Second Shinobi World War."

"This member of the Uzumaki Clan possesses exceptional talent; their Chakra has healing abilities."

"Because of this ability, Kusagakure imprisoned him and used him as medical equipment."

Hatake Sakumo's expression was also not very good.

Although Kusagakure is a small Hidden Village, its ability to survive at the border of major countries suggests that it has found a way to make a living.

Their methods of spies and intelligence gathering are in no way inferior to those of the Five Great Hidden Villages.

If it weren't for the fact that both the Patrol Force and the Anbu have been strengthened, and experienced veterans such as the Hyuga, Uchiha, Aburame, and Inuzuka Clan have been added to conduct comprehensive patrols, it would be difficult to achieve this.

Otherwise, it would be really hard to find them.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out his Tobacco Pipe, squinted, and gestured for Hatake Sakumo to continue.

"Not only the Uzumaki Clan, but also ninjas from various Hidden Village, some of whom are said to have Ninja Clan blood—"

"However, according to the memories of the spies from Kusagakure, I don't have any special impression of them, so they probably didn't demonstrate any particular talent," Hatake Sakumo added.

The Ninja Clan does not mean that every member has superior talent; it just means that the probability is relatively high.

Taking the Uchiha Clan as an example, the Sharingan is actually only awakened by a small number of people; most people are destined to never attain this powerful Kekkei Genkai.

In contrast to the Uchiha, the Hyuga, who lacked the Mangekyō Sharingan, had an extremely high rate of Byakugan Kekkei Genkai inheritance.

If Madara's reputation weren't so overwhelming, it would be quite fitting to call the Uchiha and Hyuga the two great Ninja Clan Dōjutsu.

"How did they capture him?" Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke.

"They mainly roam the borders of various countries, attacking lone ninjas; they never target the strong."

"Intelligence indicates that if they Chunin, they will follow them for a long time, deliberately creating bait-and-switch tactics to gain an intelligence advantage in order to set up an ambush."

"During war, they would target some capable ninjas, but only if they were seriously injured and in the midst of combat."

In conclusion, Kusagakure truly deserves the title of "Shinobi World Hyenas" —they are cunning, treacherous, and incredibly audacious.

"Their core advantage lies in serving as Buffer Zone between us, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Sunagakure. Major Hidden Villages hire them as cheap spies."

"Therefore, their intelligence sources are relatively complex, and they even use the checks and balances among the Major Hidden Villages to elevate the status of Kusagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi and closed his eyes in deep thought.

The surviving member of the Uzumaki Clan is in Kusagakure, so the Hokage can't just pretend he didn't see him.

The promise made to Mito Uzumaki had only been made a short time ago, and it was also good for his reputation.

More importantly, the structure of Kusagakure is very similar to that of a kidnapping crime park, making it exceptionally suitable as a base and identity for Senju Tobirama after his resurrection.

A descendant of Uchiha clan member who was kidnapped.

Even for the Uchiha Clan, it's normal for them to be abducted by the Kusagakure in a sweeping, Scavengers -up-like manner when they are underdeveloped or seriously injured.

It is said that Uchiha Madara did not display any particularly amazing talent in his youth, but rather accumulated it over time.

Uchiha Isshin often used this to encourage his fellow Uchiha clan members, which is one reason why he had a good reputation within the clan.

Who doesn't like to hear comforting words?

As for how to explain the elements of Senju Tobirama within him and the talent he subsequently displayed --

Let alone the fact that most people wouldn't even consider it, even if a small minority would pay attention.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also had a countermeasure.

He heard it from Asuma.

Shisui Uchiha, a descendant of the Mirror, used the Second's Water Release techniques for communication.

That would be perfect; we can arrange for him to be the teacher's older brother then, so he can learn the Ninjutsu he developed himself!

Hiruzen Sarutobi had some ideas for showcasing his talent at a deeper level, but he still needed to discuss them with Tobirama himself, as the logic had to be airtight.

"Hiruzen, are you still going to launch a large-scale attack on Kusagakure?"

Surprisingly, Shimura Danzō said, "Although the blitzkrieg strategy was excellent before, as long as Konoha can hold on and develop its strength, it's a sure win for them."

"How about I send a Anbu to carry out a covert rescue?"

Hatake Sakumo looked at Shimura Danzō with a look of utter disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

He's old enough to be called Danzo the same Militant Faction Danzo.

How could this man utter such Dove Faction words!

Shouldn't they be yelling and demanding the extermination of the Kusagakure?

"Sakumo, your eyes prove you don't understand how glorious Konoha's future will be—"

Shimura Danzō a cold laugh, "Do you know how much money Hiruzen and I got from the Land of Fire?"

He held up three fingers.

Hatake Sakumo frowned. "A grant of three hundred million?"

"No, it's three billion! And it will continue to increase; this is just the beginning—"

Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened slightly. "So many?!"

Such an amount is astronomical even for a powerful figure like him.

"Hmph, a lot? It's just one or two B-Rank Mission per person. Compared to what the Hokage has to do, this money is far from enough—" Shimura Danzō repeated Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, enjoying Hatake Sakumo's shocked expression.

He felt secretly pleased.

As for why he was so proficient, it was because he kept a small notebook specifically for recording the words of Hiruzen Sarutobi that shocked him.

Seeing that Hatake Sakumo also had this expression made him feel much better.

"Alright!"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi his fist on the table, unusually angry. "Danzo, you're too conservative! What are you doing? We're not making money to weaken the village!"

This shot instantly stunned Shimura Danzō.

It instantly brought back those old feelings.

But something about the lines doesn't quite add up.

He used to criticize Hiruzen Sarutobi for being too conservative and weak, saying he would regret it in the future.

After all these years, Shimura Danzō finally experienced what it meant to be called weak.

"Hiruzen, you—" Shimura Danzō stammered, but he couldn't bring himself to say the word "regret."

After all, it was he who used to criticize Hiruzen being weak and conservative.

To refute this would be to deny oneself after so many years, wouldn't it?

With the production line for "Sage Land Pill" now operational, the next payment won't be until a year later.

"The establishment of other product lines will also take three to five years, or perhaps longer."

"Does this mean Konoha must continue to tolerate attacks from other Hidden Village during this period?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up and stared at Danzo: "I know this is the result of your thinking, different from your usual way of thinking, and it's for the good of Konoha."

I was a little excited just now, please forgive me.

"It's nothing—" Shimura Danzō, then said, "You—"

For some reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi's immediate apology after reprimanding him made him feel somewhat uneasy.

Isn't that too formal?

Moreover, he used to slam doors when the two of them argued!

I've never seen him apologize to me.

Looking at it this way, was Hiruzen really so tolerant of him back then?

"Dispatching a Anbu team is certainly a prudent suggestion."

"But we must clearly recognize that the order of the Shinobi World is always backed by military hegemony, and any commercial or cultural intrusion must rely on this. We must never put the cart before the horse!"

"The heavy blow dealt to Kusagakure is intended to keep our strength a mystery to the enemy for a period of time, thus ensuring our economic development remains undisturbed and deterring those wolves!"

A fierce glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. "I was just about to establish my authority, and these bastards delivered themselves right to my doorstep—"

"What we need to do now is figure out how to deliver this punch both powerfully and beautifully!"

"If things drag on too much, it will indeed, as Danzo said, cause other Hidden Village to harbor rebellious intentions."

Hatake Sakumo clicked his tongue inwardly in amazement.

Who said the Lord Third was Dove Faction? Where exactly did he go wrong?

Shimura Danzō stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then nodded emphatically. "Hiruzen, your criticism is valid, I support your opinion!"

This resolute and forceful Hawk Faction statement undoubtedly struck at his heart.

Moreover, Hiruzen gave him a way out, saying that his considerations were also objective issues.

What reason is there not to support this?

"From now on, Anbu, concentrate your forces and give it your all to thoroughly investigate Kusagakure!" Hiruzen Sarutobi commanded without room for argument.

Shimura Danzō and Hatake Sakumo, the two leaders of the Anbu, immediately stood up straight and responded.

"Yes, Hokage!"