"**Hiruzen, this must be an Uchiha conspiracy! Akashi Uchiha must have knowingly broken the law and coerced Gumu, which is why Yugakure—"
After hearing about Yugakure, Danzo immediately came to the Hokage Office.
However...
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe against the desk and cut him off. "Watch your words! Yugakure has formally submitted a document expressing its intent to cooperate."
Danzo froze at that...
Seeing his old partner's expression, Danzo immediately understood. Hiruzen was extremely satisfied with these terms and would never give them up!
Danzo inwardly complained about Hiruzen Sarutobi's shortsightedness—though it looked beneficial to the village, if the benefits amounted to ten parts, the Uchiha Clan would take eight of them... Rounding it off, the village would lose six parts!
"Even if we truly have to send ninja, those Uchiha people will only ruin things. Besides, the Uchiha Clan is ultimately a hidden danger within the village. We absolutely cannot send them to Yugakure for a long-term mission. I think Root should provide the personnel..." Danzo said darkly.
But he noticed that Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was off, so Danzo hurriedly changed his words. "What I mean is, with Orochimaru supervising Root, Root is less likely to have problems!"
Danzo had dragged Orochimaru in as an excuse, arguing that Root had not crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line.
However...
"Don't mention that guy!" Sarutobi said irritably.
Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi had recently quarreled quite a bit over battlefield command—Orochimaru's powerful sealing techniques made long-distance arguments possible.
Danzo's expression shifted slightly at the sight.
It felt as though Hiruzen and Orochimaru's relationship had been getting worse and worse lately. Could this be an opportunity for Root?
But before he could lose himself in thought, Sarutobi had already said, "The Uchiha Clan has also received the news. This mission was originally arranged