The next day, Danzo was reviewing the latest intelligence from Sunagakure when he suddenly received word that someone in Konoha had begun promoting public opinion in favor of Shuten-doji.
"They really praised Shuten-doji to the skies?"
"Yes. Some even compared Shuten-doji with Namikaze Minato, saying Shuten-doji's contributions to the village were no less than Namikaze Minato's."
Danzo's expression immediately darkened.
Someone was trying to sow discord.
Everyone among Konoha's upper ranks knew that he was determined to become Hokage. Shuten-doji was his disciple and a capable subordinate who had rendered great service. Promoting Shuten-doji now—wasn't that an attempt to force master and disciple alike into responding?
And responding would be especially disgusting. If that child Byakuya thought his wings had hardened and truly wanted to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage, things would become troublesome.
"Bring Aburame Torune here."
"At once."
Aburame Torune had "redeemed himself through merit" in the Battle of Kikyo Pass and regained Danzo's forgiveness. He had once again been entrusted with important duties. After Yakushi Nonō left for Kirigakure and Izumi Orange was effectively given by Danzo to Byakuya, Torune gradually took over Root Division's intelligence work.
Never underestimate the organization of intelligence. In the current situation, intelligence was the most important thing. Only by knowing the enemy's information could one formulate all manner of plans and then push those plans into action.
The reason the Kirigakure Collapse Plan had drawn the attention of Konoha's upper ranks was because, while Byakuya was clearing out Kirigakure Ninja along the Eastern Defense Line of the Land of Fire, he came into contact with Karatachi Yagura of Kirigakure's Genji Faction. From Yagura's words and actions, he judged that Kirigakure's contradictions were ready to explode, which was why the Kirigakure Collapse Plan had been launched so quickly.
Aburame Torune