According to Shimura Danzō's plans, once the Third Hokage stepped down, he would emerge from the shadows as the leader of Root and rightfully inherit the Hokage Position as the Fifth Hokage.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the two Hokage Advisors, both had working relationships with him. He couldn't imagine how he could lose.
But if Tsunade returned to Konoha, it would all be over.
Tsunade's reputation in Konoha was naturally beyond anything Shimura Danzō could match.
Whether in strength, prestige, accomplishments, or popularity, the two of them simply weren't comparable.
And Danzō's most important allies, the two Hokage Advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, would both firmly side with Tsunade.
A ninja from the Senju Clan becoming Hokage was the politically correct choice.
What's more, Tsunade was the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Even if Tsunade herself had no desire to become Hokage, when the time came...
Danzō's gaze turned cold.
He had to strike first!
The struggle for the Hokage Position had always been like this!
To this day, he still couldn't let go of that night in the Land of Lightning, when Kinkaku and Ginkaku had hunted them down.
"In this situation, someone has to act as a decoy and lead them away."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "I'll go. I'll leave everyone in Danzō's hands from now on."
Shimura Danzō: "Shut up! I was about to volunteer."
Second Hokage: "Monkey, starting tomorrow, you'll be Hokage."
Whenever he thought of it, Danzō's heart ached so badly he could hardly breathe.
That had been the closest he'd ever come to the Hokage Position.
He'd always believed he'd lost the position because he'd been a little slower than Sarutobi Hiruzen to speak up.
"If only I hadn't been so cautious back then..."
But there was no going back.
Danzō sighed