The rooftop platform of the Hokage Building.
The Third watched with a dark expression as Konoha Ninja rushed through the streets and alleys, putting out fires.
The Sky Ninja's surprise attack might not have caused many casualties, but the property damage was impossible to estimate.
From what he could see, at least several blocks had been burned to the ground.
Seeing this, Danzo, standing nearby, urged him again. "Hiruzen, what are you still hesitating for? Those Sky Ninja remnants have tasted success. They'll definitely launch a second wave, then a third. If we don't act now, the village will be destroyed on your watch! Give me a force of ninja, and I'll deal with them!"
The Third shook his head. "There aren't enough people left in the village!"
"What!?"
Danzo stared at him in disbelief.
The Third no longer hid the truth. He briefly explained that Tsunade had led the main force out of the village.
"You're all fools!" Danzo said, jabbing his cane hard against the ground. "Even if we defeat the Akatsuki Organization, we'll leave Konoha badly weakened. How will we deal with the aggressive Kirigakure and Iwagakure then?"
"We had no choice," the Third said.
Danzo gave a cold snort. "You're too naive. If I were Hokage, I'd seize this heaven-sent opportunity to fight the Akatsuki Organization and weaken the other four villages. Once we dealt with the Akatsuki Organization, Konoha could easily dominate the Shinobi World!"
The Third glanced at Danzo and sighed.
Danzo would never understand the meaning of cooperation. If they followed his plan, the Ninja Village Allied Forces wouldn't have the slightest chance of defeating the Akatsuki Organization!
No—the Ninja Village Allied Forces might not even be formed in the first place.
After all, in the original timeline, Danzo had been foolish enough