A Good Hokage Who Sees the Bigger Picture!

Although Yahiko and Nagato already knew that today's events were a trap Uchiha Jin had set for Shimura Danzō, they did not know exactly how he intended to carry it out.

So neither of them had expected Uchiha Jin to strike at Shimura Danzō the moment they arrived!

For a moment, they failed to react and stood there blankly.

Uchiha Jin, however, had been left with no choice.

Although Uchiha Jin had manipulated Hanzō the Salamander into cooperating with Shimura Danzō, Shimura Danzō had not fully trusted Hanzō the Salamander!

From the moment they met, Shimura Danzō had remained wary of Hanzō the Salamander, leaving him no opportunity to strike.

But the moment Yahiko and Nagato appeared, Shimura Danzō finally lost focus for an instant!

Given Shimura Danzō's personality, this was a rare opening!

An opportunity like this could not be missed!

So Uchiha Jin did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately controlled Hanzō the Salamander to attack Shimura Danzō!

Yet even so, Shimura Danzō reacted at the last moment and managed to avoid a Vital Point!

"Y-you... why?!"

Shimura Danzō hid amid a group of Root Ninja. While receiving treatment from one of them, he Questioned Hanzō the Salamander in disbelief.

Shimura Danzō simply could not understand why Hanzō the Salamander had attacked him! How dared Hanzō the Salamander attack him?!

He, Shimura Danzō, was an Elder of Konoha and a Hokage Advisor! A bona fide member of Konoha High-Level!

Was Hanzō the Salamander not afraid of Konoha's retaliation for doing this?

Hanzō the Salamander's gaze flickered. He gave a soft snort and said, "Danzo, this operation of yours did not receive Sarutobi Hiruzen's approval, did it?"

"You stirred up conflict in the Land of Rain's war without authorization. Would that Sarutobi Hiruzen really stand up for you?"

"Would Sarutobi Hiruzen truly plunge Konoha back into the flames of war for your sake?"

Hanzō the Salamander's series of questions stunned Shimura Danzō, leaving him briefly dazed.

Based on his understanding of Sarutobi Hiruzen, he probably really would not make a big issue of this for him!

Sarutobi Hiruzen had long since lost his edge. For the sake of that so-called peace, he would only choose compromise!

Not to mention that this operation had been carried out against Sarutobi Hiruzen's will. If something went wrong and he died, he would have died for nothing!

Once he understood this, Shimura Danzō's expression immediately darkened.

Hanzō the Salamander continued, "Sarutobi Hiruzen is a 'good' Hokage who sees the bigger picture! Without you, Shimura Danzō, holding him back, Konoha will become even more willing to see the bigger picture under Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence!"

"Though a chaotic situation can indeed bring some benefits to the Land of Rain, a Konoha that sees the bigger picture can bring the Land of Rain even greater benefits!"

Shimura Danzō's face turned even uglier. He already understood why Hanzō the Salamander had attacked him.

Among Konoha High-Level F4, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were all weak-willed compromisers. Only he, Shimura Danzō, was an aggressive Hardliner.

As long as peace could be maintained, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two were willing to sacrifice part of their interests for it!

While he, Shimura Danzō, was still around, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others had already given up far too much.

If he, Shimura Danzō, were gone, would those three not become even more excessive!

Such a Konoha was undoubtedly the best possible existence for the surrounding Other Country.

Hanzō the Salamander's choice could be said to be completely faultless.

The only thing Shimura Danzō still found somewhat puzzling was why Hanzō the Salamander understood Konoha High-Level's situation so well!

Could there be a traitor in the village?

"I was too careless..." Shimura Danzō said in a low voice, his gaze sinister. "But achieving your goal will not be so easy!"

As Shimura Danzō spoke, he was about to order the Root Ninja around him to attack Hanzō the Salamander.

But before he could speak, he suddenly sensed that something was wrong, and his expression changed drastically!

"Have you noticed?" Hanzō the Salamander smiled. "My attack was not so easy to evade!"

"Lord Danzo, his Kusarigama was poisoned!"

The Root Ninja treating Shimura Danzō cried out in horror. The wound on Shimura Danzō's severed arm had already turned purple-black!

With his abilities, let alone detoxifying Shimura Danzō, he could not even identify what poison Hanzō the Salamander had used!

"Danzo, today is the day you die!"

Hanzō the Salamander raised his Sword Finger, preparing to launch an attack.

"Attack! Don't let that brat get away either!"

Shimura Danzō waved his hand and issued an order to the Root Ninja around him.

Even at a time like this, Shimura Danzō had not forgotten Nagato's Rinnegan!

Dozens of Root Ninja immediately split into three groups. One remained behind to continue protecting Shimura Danzō, one charged toward Yahiko's Trio below, and the remaining majority rushed at Hanzō the Salamander!

"Fire Style: Exploding Flame Array!"

Seeing this, Hanzō the Salamander pressed his hands together and had no choice but to activate the Exploding Tags he had buried here in advance.

Although Shimura Danzō had sent Root Ninja to keep watch over Amegakure's movements, Uchiha Jin, who had remained hidden In Secret, had never been within their sight!

After confirming the exact location yesterday, Uchiha Jin had quietly come here and set up a large number of traps!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A series of explosions rang out as Exploding Tags flew up from the ground toward the Root Ninja, instantly turning the entire valley into a Sea of Fire!

"Get out of here, now!"

Hanzō the Salamander had deliberately avoided the area where Yahiko's Trio stood and shouted at them!

Only then did Yahiko's Trio snap out of it and turn to run out of the valley.

"Don't think you can escape!"

Several bedraggled Root Ninja rushed out of the Sea of Fire and chased after Yahiko's Trio.

Yahiko carried Konan and continued fleeing without looking back, completely unaffected. Nagato, however, came to an abrupt stop, turned to face the pursuing Root Ninja, and raised a hand.

"Shinra Tensei!"

An invisible repulsive force erupted in all directions, sending those Root Ninja flying while they were caught Off Guard!

However, Nagato had not yet fully mastered the Rinnegan's power, and Shinra Tensei was not very powerful.

Those Root Ninja quickly regained their footing!

With no other choice, Nagato could only stay behind to buy Yahiko and Konan time to escape.

At this moment, Hanzō the Salamander could no longer spare any attention for Nagato and the others. He himself was facing the combined assault of dozens of Root Ninja!

"Poof!"

Under the attacks of several Root Ninja, Nagato's body quickly burst into a cloud of White Smoke.

"A Shadow Clone?!"

The Root Ninja froze, somewhat at a loss.

From Beginning to End, their target had been Nagato, yet Nagato had never come here. They had suddenly lost their target!

"A smart choice!"

Hanzō the Salamander in the distance noticed this as well. While silently praising Nagato, he rapidly began Forming Seals with both hands.

Since only enemies remained here, he no longer had any reservations!