Danzo's Backstab

Orochimaru would betray every boss he ever had.

But he would never abandon any of his subordinates.

It was precisely because of this.

That he was able to gain the following of so many people, and even after defecting from the village, many of his old subordinates were still willing to act as his eyes and ears in Konoha, leaking intelligence about the village.

He even turned Sasori's spy, Yakushi Kabuto.

Who practiced loyalty to Orochimaru with his very life.

And Anko's choice.

Had cooled the heart that Orochimaru originally held for his subordinates by a few degrees.

The next day, early morning.

The sky had just begun to brighten.

Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.

The Third Hokage was already waiting there early.

His bloodshot eyes proved that he had not rested for the entire night.

Since it concerned his most valued disciple, the future successor to his mantle, Orochimaru, he had to act with extreme caution.

"Did Orochimaru say anything?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Anko, who had just appeared in the office.

Anko knelt on the ground, shaking her head gently; faced with the Third Hokage's inquiry, she chose silence.

Teacher Orochimaru said nothing at all...

He did not make any response.

A flash of conflict crossed Anko's face.

Had she done something wrong?

Her eyes were red, and tears could not help but stream down, soaking her collar.

Many thoughts flashed through her mind.

Teacher...

Why... did you choose a piece of trash like Uchiha Ao as your closest assistant...

And yet, after I have followed you for so many years, I have still been unable to gain your trust!

What on earth does Ao have that makes him better than me!?

Is it just because of his status as a member of the Uchiha clan!?

Teacher... why didn't you listen to my advice back then and give up those dangerous researches.

Do you really intend to continue down this path of no return?

Research into forbidden jutsu had always been a project prohibited by the village.

Not to mention that it involved human experimentation, the taboo among taboos.

At first, Anko did not understand these restrictions.

It was only under the Third Hokage's explanation that she realized everything her teacher was doing was behavior not permitted by the village.

It went against human ethics.

And in the end, it would never be accepted by the village.

At this moment, the words Uchiha Ao had once said to her could not help but surface in her mind.

"The teacher doesn't need a marionette; he needs an assistant who has their own thoughts and judgment..."

That newcomer actually dared to mock her for lacking judgment!?

Impossible!

Anko screamed frantically in her heart.

She had her own judgment!

What she was doing now was her judgment: to abandon those forbidden researches, practice the Will of Fire, help her teacher preserve his original reputation, and prepare for the election of the next Hokage.

The Third Hokage was old.

As long as her teacher did nothing, he could steadily become the next Hokage.

There would be no surprises.

Just as the Third Hokage had said.

The path her teacher had chosen was a path of no return, and those experiments that violated human ethics were a mistake in and of themselves!

She believed the Third Hokage was right.

She believed that her own choice was the best way to help Teacher Orochimaru.

Anko denied in her heart that her actions were a betrayal, viewing them instead as a form of salvation for Orochimaru.

Everything was a choice and a judgment made so that her teacher could walk the righteous path.

She had not expected this.

Orochimaru had flatly rejected her good intentions, failing to appreciate her painstaking efforts.

He had destroyed the favorable situation she had worked so hard to cultivate.

The experiments had clearly achieved a major breakthrough, resulting in the Cursed Seal, a forbidden technique capable of elevating a Chunin to the level of a Jonin in a short period.

It was enough to drive any of the five great ninja villages into a frenzy.

Jonin were the core, top-tier combat power of every ninja village.

The Kage of every village valued them immensely.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was no exception.

As long as these research results were handed over.

Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen disregarded their bond as teacher and student, he would certainly protect her teacher in light of such significant research findings.

But now, everything was ruined.

Anko's heart was filled with despair, and she had no desire to continue answering Sarutobi Hiruzen's questions.

Just as the two were at a stalemate.

Danzo walked up and placed a report letter onto the Hokage's desk.

This report, initiated by a high-ranking official of Konoha whom even Sarutobi Hiruzen feared, was something the Third Hokage could not afford to ignore.

And to do it right in front of Anko...

He handed the report letter to him.

It caught Sarutobi Hiruzen off guard.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the report, silently lit his pipe, placed it in his mouth, and took a puff, but there was no smoke.

He picked up the pipe, tapped it gently against the desk to shake out a small pile of ash, then refilled it with tobacco and lit it again.

"Are you aware of Anko's recent situation?"

After taking a puff, he picked up a file, tossed it in front of Danzo, and asked.

"What's wrong with her? Was she also involved in Orochimaru's research? Should she be eliminated as well?"

Danzo picked up the file, flipped through it twice, then cast a glance at the kneeling Anko with a hint of killing intent, feigning ignorance as he asked.

He had already successfully integrated the First Hokage Cells and discarded the side effects of the Sharingan, restoring his strength to its peak.

Orochimaru was now of no use, and his main purpose in coming to see Sarutobi Hiruzen this time was to eliminate Orochimaru, the only variable.

He wanted to ensure that no one could compete with him for the position of the next Hokage.

"The things recorded here are quite interesting. A Chunin's Chakra levels rising to that of a Jonin in less than half a month? Could this involve research related to the remains of the First Hokage?"

When Danzo said these words.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent, and the words he had intended to use to defend Orochimaru were buried deep within him.

Desecrating the dead, especially the founder of Konoha, the First Hokage...

Once such a crime was exposed, no villager would ever forgive Orochimaru.

Danzo's actions clearly showed he had no intention of giving Orochimaru a chance to reform.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took the pipe from his mouth and opened it, wanting to say something.

But seeing the eager expression on Danzo's face, he suddenly realized that his old comrade was waiting for him to make a mistake!

If he chose to shield Orochimaru, the student he valued most, it would certainly be exposed to the village.

At that point, his reputation would likely be ruined.

For the sake of Orochimaru, to sacrifice the integrity he had maintained his entire life...

Was it worth it?

Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated.

Memories of the time he spent with Orochimaru surfaced in his mind.

His heart was filled with reluctance.

Subconsciously, he wanted to suppress this matter.

He looked at Danzo with hope, but the words he intended to use to plead for mercy stopped in his throat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen saw the desire for the Hokage position in Danzo's single eye, along with a bottomless, dark haze.

Konoha must never be handed over to someone like Danzo.

As companions and rivals who had relied on and opposed each other for decades.

He knew Danzo's character all too well.

He could be an excellent ninja, but he would never be an outstanding Hokage.

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen convinced his own heart and made a decision—to abandon Orochimaru!

To abandon the brilliant disciple he had cultivated for decades.

Even though he had always regarded him as a genius ninja who brought him glory, once he fell into darkness, he would not show the slightest tolerance, even for his favorite personal student!

I am sorry... Orochimaru!

My negligence led you down the wrong path.

As your teacher, my responsibility is undeniable!

Since you have erred.

Then you must honestly bear the consequences, strive to correct yourself, and in the future, you can still be an important pillar of the village.

Orochimaru, your teacher has always believed in you... that you would surely be able to turn over a new leaf and start anew!

"Anko has already confessed to me; she has no involvement in Orochimaru's research and is herself a victim."

"You cannot touch her!"

The Third Hokage noticed the malicious look Danzo was casting toward Anko and issued a warning.

He understood that Danzo was worried Anko might have leaked intelligence to Orochimaru.

There were still secrets within Anko.

She was of great use to the village, and he could not let Danzo get his hands on her.

At the same time, she was also Orochimaru's only disciple.

He could not protect Orochimaru.

But he could at least shelter Anko!

"The Anbu will be closely monitoring Orochimaru's movements from now on. Once his illegal research is discovered, I will take action personally."

The Third Hokage's gaze gradually grew firm. Casting his emotions aside, he regained his usual composure.

He would not give Danzo a single opportunity to exploit.

The current Konoha could not withstand any more turmoil.

This matter regarding Orochimaru had to be forcibly suppressed; by sacrificing Orochimaru, the unrest would be kept to a minimum.

Soon, he dismissed Danzo.

He then turned his gaze toward Anko, who stood with her head bowed in silence.

"Where is Orochimaru now?"

Anko hesitated for a moment, but under the pressure of the Third Hokage's gaze, she finally revealed one of Orochimaru's most hidden hideouts.

"Lord Hokage... can you spare my teacher's life?"

Anko asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, who was still waiting quietly outside the door, and did not answer.

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the vast expanse of Konoha below through the glass.

He took a deep drag from his pipe, the thick smoke filling his throat.

Finally, he nodded slightly.

It was as good as a promise.

He exhaled a heavy cloud of blue smoke, as if trying to vent all the stifling frustration in his chest.

Seeing this, a trace of joy appeared on Anko's face.

As long as Lord Orochimaru remained alive, that was enough.

Everything she had done was worth it.

"Kakashi... move out!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and ripped off the haori he was wearing, revealing a black combat uniform underneath.

Whoosh!

Hatake Kakashi, who had been guarding outside the window, vanished instantly.

Several squads of elite Anbu departed with him.

They would be the first to seal off the key points of Orochimaru's base, waiting for the Third Hokage's arrival.

"Danzo, I leave the village to you. I will personally capture Orochimaru and bring him to justice!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head to look at Danzo, who had been waiting at the office door, and then vanished in a flash.

Anko instinctively wanted to follow.

But she was blocked at the doorway by Danzo.

"The Third Hokage spared your life, so you had better stay here obediently. If you step out of this door... his promise will become void."

Danzo said coldly.

If not for the sake of the Third Hokage.

He would have already seized Anko and thrown her into the dungeons of Root.

At this moment, Anko was stunned.

She had never expected things to develop to this point, and the face of a certain person suddenly surfaced in her mind.

Ao...

If you were to encounter a situation like this, what would you do?

She thought subconsciously.

"Facing the Hokage and the entire elite Anbu, you would probably choose to abandon your teacher and flee far away!"

Anko muttered silently in her heart.

Her footsteps retreated involuntarily, and she ducked into the Hokage's office, avoiding Danzo's cold and ferocious gaze.

This was not fear.

It was simply the best choice!