Root in the Sunlight!

On a hill near the Akatsuki Organization's base, the masked Uchiha Obito and Zetsu watched Kanzō leave the base and vanish into the darkness.

"Based on the intelligence collected by White Zetsu, Hanzō the Salamander has likely reached some kind of agreement with Shimura Danzō against the Akatsuki Organization!"

"This Kanzō is here to lure Nagato and the others into a trap!"

Black Zetsu spoke, laying out the intelligence in his hand and the conclusions he had drawn from it one by one.

"Danzo..." Uchiha Obito muttered softly, his tone full of disdain. "He really is someone who loves causing trouble everywhere."

When he had been "alive," Uchiha Obito had not known much about Shimura Danzō. He had barely even heard the name.

But after Uchiha Obito's "death," once he came into contact with the dark side of the Ninja World, Shimura Danzō's name had become thunderous in his ears!

Framing others, manipulating Public Opinion, inciting wars, assassinations, decapitations... Shimura Danzō handled practically every kind of Dirty Work, and his methods were ruthless to the extreme, stopping at nothing!

Sometimes, standing before Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Obito even felt as pure as a Little White Flower! (PS: At this point, Obito had not done anything too outrageous yet.)

"Still, this time he has done something good."

When Hanzō the Salamander had met with Yahiko's Trio last time, Uchiha Obito had hoped Hanzō would discover Nagato's Rinnegan and attack them, drawing Nagato into darkness.

But Hanzō the Salamander seemed not to have noticed Nagato's Rinnegan. Not only had he not clashed with Yahiko's Trio, he had even spoken with them quite pleasantly.

That had left Uchiha Obito a little disappointed.

Uchiha Obito had already given up hope on this matter, but he had not expected such a sudden turn of events—Shimura Danzō had appeared out of nowhere!

Now, things had taken a turn for the better again!

Uchiha Obito said, "Have White Zetsu keep a close eye on them! At the Critical Moment, we can give them a push as well!"

"Understood!"

Black Zetsu nodded, but then hesitated, seeming to have something he wanted to say.

Uchiha Obito noticed Black Zetsu's unusual behavior and asked, "What is it? Is there something else?"

After pondering for a moment, Black Zetsu said uncertainly, "I don't know why, but I keep feeling that something is wrong."

Black Zetsu had not discovered anything. He merely had an inexplicable premonition that this matter might not be as it appeared!

"Something is wrong?" Uchiha Obito frowned slightly. After thinking for a while without finding anything, he asked, "What is wrong?"

"I don't know!" Black Zetsu still shook his head. "It is just a feeling..."

A feeling?

Uchiha Obito glanced at the pitch-black Black Zetsu, suspicion in his eyes.

Had this guy been influenced by White Zetsu after spending every day with him?

"What kind of look is that?"

Black Zetsu sensed the malice filling Uchiha Obito's gaze and felt insulted!

"Nothing. Don't overthink it either!" Uchiha Obito quickly withdrew his gaze and changed the subject. "This matter did not have much to do with us to begin with. Even if it fails, it does not matter!"

"Just pay closer attention. At worst, we can look for another opportunity next time!"

Black Zetsu nodded and said nothing more.

After all, Nagato was only a tool to begin with. It was merely Uchiha Obito's own twisted amusement that made him want to draw him into darkness!

Whether this succeeded or failed would not affect the bigger picture!

Several hours later, inside a cave somewhere in the Land of Rain.

Shimura Danzō sat deep within the cave with his eyes closed, resting. Most of the surrounding Root Ninja were resting as well.

"Tap tap tap, tap tap tap..."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps rang out, shattering the cave's silence!

Everyone in the cave opened their eyes at once, but none of them moved.

Their comrades standing watch outside had not sounded an alarm, and the newcomer had deliberately made noise to announce his arrival.

It could only be one of their Own People!

"Lord Danzo!"

A masked Root Ninja approached from afar and dropped to one knee before Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō said flatly, "Report!"

The Root Ninja said, "There have been no abnormalities on Hanzō the Salamander's side. He sent someone to arrange a meeting with the Akatsuki Organization's Leader, and just now, he abducted the woman among the Akatsuki Organization leader trio!"

A Bright Light flashed through Shimura Danzō's eyes. He asked again, "Have there been any unusual troop movements among Amegakure's ninja?"

The Root Ninja answered firmly, "No! All Rain Ninja are under surveillance. There have been no abnormalities!"

"Very good!"

After confirming that Hanzō the Salamander had taken the bait, Shimura Danzō finally relaxed.

This time, Nagato's Rinnegan was his for the taking!

And it seemed he could do even more!

If Hanzō the Salamander suddenly died, then an Amegakure without a leader would be completely vulnerable!

As long as he handled things properly, he could swiftly take the Land of Rain in a short time and gain tremendous benefits!

Shimura Danzō closed his eyes and began analyzing every possible situation, along with the gains and losses involved.

Swallowing Rain Attacking Earth... Combining Wind and Pressing Clouds... sweeping across all directions, unifying the Ninja World... Ruling the World, Eternal Generations...

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Shimura Danzō quickly opened his eyes again, his gaze filled with resentment!

Before his path to magnificent ambitions and great achievements could even begin, it had been interrupted by that nightmare-like voice!

With the power currently in his hands, even if he could take the Land of Rain, he would not be able to hold it!

He would become a Target of Public Criticism, a target to be besieged by every side!

More importantly, Konoha would not support him!

That Sarutobi Hiruzen had completely lost his edge! Seeking balance, he would never approve of such an aggressive approach!

"Damn it!"

Shimura Danzō cursed under his breath, his voice full of unwillingness!

Konoha had clearly been the victor of this Shinobi World War, yet it had gained no benefits at all and had sacrificed countless ninja for nothing!

Konoha had clearly been the strongest side on the Land of Rain battlefield, yet its Actions had been timid and cowardly, without even a trace of the bearing expected of the Number One Great Village in the Ninja World!

If he were Hokage, Konoha would never have become what it was now under his leadership!

If he were Hokage, Konoha might have unified the Ninja World long ago!

But he was not Hokage!

The unwillingness in Shimura Danzō's heart grew stronger, and his gaze became colder and sharper!

He could not be hasty. He still had a chance!

Sarutobi Hiruzen would certainly have to take responsibility for the losses in this war and step down from the Hokage Position.

Orochimaru had leverage in his hands, while Minato Namikaze had no political skills at all. Neither would be his opponent!

As long as the war could continue, he could use the opportunity to make Shimura Danzō's name known. With his seniority, he might not be unable to fight for the position!

That was right. Shimura Danzō had come to the Land of Rain this time to stir up conflict not merely to secure Konoha's interests, but also to fight for an opportunity for himself!

Originally, with Sarutobi Hiruzen's support and Orochimaru's own seniority, Orochimaru's position as Fourth Hokage had been beyond dispute.

But not long ago, Shimura Danzō discovered that Sarutobi Hiruzen had suddenly changed his mind and begun supporting the newly risen Minato Namikaze instead!

Shimura Danzō could guess some of Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts, and that gave him hope!

He could not compete against Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru joining forces, but once their strength was divided, his opportunity would come!

"Lord Danzo, it is about time!"

Just as Shimura Danzō was deep in thought, a Root Ninja spoke up to remind him.

Shimura Danzō raised his head. A faint ray of light pierced through the Dark Cloud and shone into the dim cave.

"Let's go. It is time for me to bathe in the sunlight as well!"

Shimura Danzō rose to his feet and was the first to walk out of the cave.