As Sunagakure had concluded, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure reached similar conclusions.
In fact, to celebrate the success of the campaign, Sarutobi Hiruzen had even held a rare victory banquet specifically for Shimura Danzō. It was a celebration of the fact that Hozuki Shingetsu, that brat, was finally going to get what was coming to him.
It was also a chance to make peace with Shimura Danzō.
After all, last time, Sarutobi Hiruzen had practically humiliated Shimura Danzō to his face, stopping just short of accusing him of disregarding the bigger picture and being unfit to think about matters as a Hokage should.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had regretted it afterward, he would never apologize, whether out of respect for the Hokage's dignity or simply because he believed he had been right. But things couldn't go on like this forever. As the "Shinobi no Yami" who governed Konoha's hidden affairs, Danzō was an indispensable aide.
So, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, arranging a victory banquet for Danzō under the pretext of the Kirigakure affair was already a major concession. Surely Danzō could sense his sincerity?
As expected, Shimura Danzō was clearly flattered. He put their cold war behind him and readily agreed to every request Sarutobi Hiruzen made.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen overlooked the ambition hidden beneath Shimura Danzō's obedient façade. The resolute gaze of the man who had bowed his head foreshadowed a change in the relationship between the two old comrades who had once worked together so well.
"Shingetsu, what was Ren thinking, making those comments? Hasn't he completely torn away the thin veil hiding the rift between us?"
At first, Hozuki Shingetsu had been just as baffled by Ren's comments about the movie. But after thinking it over, he understood what Ren was doing.
In Ren's eyes, the Uzumaki Clan