Danzo and Azō

"So, you're finally going to make a move against the Uzumaki clan?"

In an underground base within Konohagakure, Shimura Danzō looked at the intelligence he had just obtained, his expression extremely grave.

"Go and invite the Hokage over. Tell him it's a matter of great importance."

After pondering for a moment, Shimura Danzō gave the order.

Soon, a Root ninja departed. Before long, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived.

"What's happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was also serious. He knew his friend well; if it were a normal matter, he would have come to the Hokage's office to discuss it. But for him to be summoned here meant it must be something very special.

"This is intelligence obtained from Kumogakure."

Shimura Danzō handed over the two pieces of intelligence.

"The Byakugan of the Hyuga Main Family, the Uzumaki Sealing Technique, and Kumogakure has allied with Sunagakure."

After reading the two pieces of intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew even more solemn. He identified three key points from them, especially the first two, which were very much in Kumogakure's style.

"It's not just Kumogakure and Sunagakure who have ideas about the Uzumaki Sealing Technique. Iwagakure and Kirigakure, who possess Tailed Beasts, must also have their sights set on it.

Although, according to current intelligence, they seem to already have Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, they often go berserk. This is due to the inadequacy of their sealing techniques. They must want to obtain a sealing technique that can perfectly seal Tailed Beasts.

This presents an opportunity for us, and it's the Uzumaki clan's last chance."

Shimura Danzō's eyes were sharp and cold. He needed Hiruzen's authorization to lead more Anbu ninjas to the Land of Whirlpools to eliminate the Uzumaki clan as a potential threat.

Konoha should be the only one possessing a sealing technique that can perfectly seal Tailed Beasts; there's no need for a second party.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't respond immediately. He took out his pipe, lit it, and began to smoke quietly, deep in thought.

He knew his old friend's intentions. Over the years, he had invited the Uzumaki clan to migrate and integrate into Konoha three times in his capacity as Hokage. This way, they could obtain all of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, and he would have more trump cards.

But the Uzumaki clan had rejected his good intentions every time. Now, the Four Great Shinobi Villages were indeed targeting the Uzumaki clan. If they were to obtain the Uzumaki Sealing Technique and create a perfect Tailed Beast Jinchuriki like Lady Mito, it would be a huge problem.

"Lady Mito is getting old. The village needs a young Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi voiced a goal, a goal that must be achieved.

Becoming a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki is not easy. It not only requires a perfect sealing technique but also immense Chakra.

Especially since they possess the most powerful Nine-Tails, the requirements for a Jinchuriki are even more stringent. Currently, only members of the Uzumaki clan can fulfill this role, and they must be direct descendants.

"I will bring back the most suitable Jinchuriki."

A smile appeared on Shimura Danzō's face. This was what he had been waiting for, and he knew Hiruzen would agree.

In fact, he understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts very well. Although he had invited the Uzumaki clan to migrate to Konoha three times before, he knew that Hiruzen, deep down, did not wish for the entire Uzumaki clan to relocate.

The problem lay with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Currently, only direct descendants of the Uzumaki clan could serve as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If the entire Uzumaki clan were to migrate, then would the Nine-Tails belong to the village or the Uzumaki clan?

Lady Mito's status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki already made the Senju clan so arrogant. Hiruzen's position as Hokage was almost unstable back then, and their own situation hadn't been smooth in recent years.

If the Uzumaki clan were to come, wouldn't the Senju clan, who had a marital relationship with them, become even more insufferable!

At that point, the Nine-Tails would be with the Uzumaki clan, which meant it would be in the hands of the Senju clan. That would be too dangerous!

Therefore, it would be best for the Uzumaki clan to disappear entirely, leaving behind only one person to be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

However, this was not something Hiruzen could do; it had to be him.

In Konoha, Hiruzen was the leaf bathed in sunlight, while he was the root in the darkness!

"If they remain stubborn and unyielding, act with discretion. Absolutely do not leave any traces."

Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded him with a grave tone. He had little patience left for the Uzumaki clan, but Lady Mito was still alive, and some things couldn't be done too overtly, or it would cause significant problems.

"Do you think I need you to tell me that?"

Glancing sideways, Shimura Danzō naturally understood this principle. This operation absolutely could not see the light of day.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind Danzō's attitude, knowing his friend's personality and that he was likely still bothered by that incident years ago.

They were old partners of decades. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans were even long-standing allies and had fought together many times during the Warring States period.

The Shimura clan's Wind Style could perfectly fuse with their Sarutobi clan's Great Fireball Technique, greatly increasing its power. He and Danzō had grown up together since childhood and shared a bond forged through life-and-death situations.

"You switched out Teacher's Sword of the Thunder God a few days ago. Was it related to this intelligence?"

He then asked about another matter. A few days ago, Shimura Danzō had suddenly gone to the Hokage's office to examine the materials and belongings left by their Teacher. Out of curiosity, he had gone to take a look and discovered that their Teacher's Sword of the Thunder God had been swapped.

He had been puzzled at the time, finding it truly incomprehensible that his friend would do such a thing.

Now, with the acquisition of such crucial intelligence, especially from Kumogakure, he couldn't help but form some suspicions.

"That's none of your concern!"

Glancing at his friend, Shimura Danzō certainly wouldn't reveal the truth. That was also one of his trump cards at the moment.

Although he was displeased with that brat's boldness and methods, he could understand.

Perhaps only someone with that kind of personality could survive in a place like Kumogakure. Being overly cautious was not the mainstream style in Kumogakure.

With that brat's intelligence, his position in Kumogakure would undoubtedly rise continuously in the future. If he could resolve the issue of his Chakra aptitude, he might even become a high-ranking official in Kumogakure.

He could even arrange for a few accomplishments to be credited to that kid, such as the intelligence regarding the Uchiha clan's main combat force heading to the Land of Lightning this time, so that he could rise faster and higher in Kumogakure, thereby obtaining more intelligence.

He was quite tolerant of talented and intelligent people.

Seeing that Danzō was unwilling to say more, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't press further, but he understood in his heart that his good friend must have placed a capable operative in Kumogakure, and that person's status and position were definitely not low.

This was a good thing. Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kumogakure was the only purely martial faction, advocating for external attacks and plunder, posing the greatest threat to their Konoha.

Even their Teacher had died at the hands of Kumogakure back then. Having a high-ranking spy within their ranks was a good thing.

"Keep your people in check and don't cause any trouble. We worked hard to secure some of the Teacher's legacy, and it wouldn't do to have news of a theft spread now."

He reminded him with a grave tone. The matter of the Sword of the Thunder God could be big or small; it would be very troublesome if the Senju Clan made a fuss about it.

With the Great Ninja War about to begin, he didn't want any internal trouble in Konoha.

"Are you telling me how to do my job?"

He glanced sideways again. Shimura Danzō was still quite confident in that brat, especially since he held the kid's bonds in his hand.

A knife doesn't fear being sharp; as long as one can hold the hilt, it's fine!

Seeing his old friend's confidence, Hiruzen Sarutobi also relaxed. Then, his expression shifted, and he spoke with a hint of fawning in his tone, "A-Zō, lend me tens of thousands of ryo again."

"Going to buy those miscellaneous books again?"

Shimura Danzō's eyes held undisguised disdain and disgust. He knew his old friend's little hobby very well, and he had already borrowed money from him many times over the years.

He called me Danzō before, and now he's calling me A-Zō. What does he take me, Shimura Danzō, for?

"No, I just want to buy some good tobacco leaves. You know, Biwako doesn't like me smoking and doesn't give me money to buy tobacco."

Hiruzen Sarutobi flatly denied it. How could he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, read such vulgar books? The copy of The Story of Gatekeeper Grandpa Sarutobi in his office drawer was definitely not his.