Danzo's voice held not the slightest hint of emotion, yet the cruel malice in his words sent a chill through everyone present.
His uncovered left eye swept coldly across the room, and a chilling aura unique to Danzo filled the entire meeting hall. Some members of Konoha's High Command, already fearful of him, even lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
Seeing that his presence had cowed everyone, Danzo continued, "Kumogakure has actually committed the full strength of its forces to attacking Sunagakure. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our village! Over the years, Kumogakure has grown increasingly powerful, and it shows every sign of overtaking Konoha as the Shinobi World's foremost village. We can use this chance to wipe Kumogakure out completely and eliminate future threats!"
"Our top priority is to contact Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, and form an alliance. When Kumogakure and Sunagakure are locked in the decisive stage of their battle, we'll join forces with Iwagakure to annihilate their main forces. Then we can go further and completely destroy and divide up the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind!"
At Danzo's proposal, the Konoha High Command fell utterly silent. The Third Hokage also furrowed his brow, voicing no opinion at once.
Danzo's plan was despicable and underhanded, but it had a very high chance of success. Iwagakure and Kumogakure had been sworn enemies ever since the two villages were founded, and their history was filled with countless brutal wars. If Konoha took the initiative to ally with Iwagakure and wage war on both Kumogakure and Sunagakure, Iwagakure would surely agree. That would give them a very good chance of deciding the outcome of the war in a single battle!
"Lord Danzo, this plan would make Konoha the enemy of the entire Shinobi World."
A young voice spoke up. It belonged to Namikaze Minato, who had distinguished himself in the Second Shinobi World War and been promoted as a result.
His expression was grave, and his eyes were fixed directly on Danzo. He showed no sign of backing down under the pressure of Danzo's presence.
Rising from his seat, Namikaze Minato continued, "We could consider an attack on Kumogakure punishment for starting the war. But if we attack Sunagakure, our ally, as well, how will the rest of the Shinobi World see us?"
Danzo sneered. "Shortsighted and softhearted!"
"Konoha sits at the heart of the Shinobi World. For years, we've been surrounded by enemies and unable to expand. As our strength has waned, we've gradually lost our position of dominance in the Shinobi World. You could say that our location, which ought to be exceptionally advantageous, has instead done the village more harm than good."
"But if we can destroy the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind, everything changes. The Land of Earth, tucked away in a corner, will find it incredibly difficult to compete with us for the lands of those two countries. From our position at the center of the Shinobi World, we'll easily claim the greatest spoils after the war. From then on, three-fifths of the Shinobi World will fall under the rule of the Land of Fire!"
"By then, neither the Land of Earth nor the tiny island nation of the Land of Water, far across the sea, will be able to match our national strength. Their annexation will only be a matter of time!"
The louder Danzo spoke, the more his initially composed expression grew animated.
"No one understands war better than I do. I'll make Konoha great again!" Danzo proclaimed.
He spread his hands slightly to either side, as if the future he envisioned were already within reach. In that moment, his ambition—or perhaps his aspirations—stood fully revealed.
The meeting hall fell silent once more. Even Namikaze Minato was stunned by the latter half of Danzo's plan and couldn't think of how to argue against it.
Everyone had assumed Danzo merely wanted to profit from the conflict between the two sides. They hadn't expected him to have a postwar plan as well—and it truly was a golden opportunity for Konoha, or rather the Land of Fire, to rise again as the Shinobi World's strongest power.
Danzo felt his heart beating faster than ever, as if it could no longer be contained in his chest.
As the plan's originator, if he could bring it to perfect fruition, he would become the greatest contributor in the entire Land of Fire. Becoming the Fourth Hokage would be only natural.
Whether in wartime or peacetime, expanding a nation's territory was always the highest achievement for a politician or military strategist!
Too caught up in his excitement, Danzo failed to notice his old companion, the Third Hokage, watching him from the corner of his eye. The Third Hokage had also seen through the thoughts in Danzo's mind.
Danzo was a skilled schemer and an exceptionally ruthless man, but when it came to political maneuvering, he was still a step behind the ever-composed Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage knew that Danzo's plan had a very high chance of success. Even though it would damage the village's reputation and carried many risks, it was still well worth attempting.
Unfortunately, the plan was Danzo's idea. That meant the Third Hokage absolutely would not allow it to be carried out!
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