Target: Third Hokage

"Is this Minato Namikaze?"

Beneath the Hokage Rock, in the open space before the Hokage Building, Shiraishi and Danzo stood in the shade of a tree at the corner of the plaza.

Ahead of them, on the steps at the entrance of the Hokage Building, a young man with golden hair was surrounded by a group of enthusiastic young ninjas, wearing a humble and sunny smile.

The scene was less like colleagues meeting and more like a group of fans encountering their idol.

Facing Shiraishi's question, Danzo nodded slightly, remaining silent.

Shiraishi stood to Danzo's right, holding an open paper bag in his left hand filled with various fruit-flavored gummies.

He had grabbed them from a street-side shop on their way to the Hokage Building, with Danzo footing the bill.

Shiraishi plucked a green gummy from the bag, popped it into his mouth, and chewed slowly; the sweet and sour taste of green apple made his fox-like eyes squint with delight.

Mmm! Sweet and sour, delicious!

"His aptitude is quite good," Shiraishi commented aloud.

From the perspective of a cultivator, Minato Namikaze's aptitude was top-tier, though still quite lacking compared to the standards of Shiraishi's previous life.

"If you were to reincarnate into his body, what are your chances of success?" Danzo asked, maintaining his composure.

"Ten out of ten." Shiraishi spoke while popping another gummy into his mouth, this one strawberry-flavored.

"Good!" The corners of Danzo's mouth lifted slightly.

"However," Shiraishi shifted his tone, "this Minato Namikaze is full of vitality and spirit. After the reincarnation, you would need at least a year to fully master his body. During that time, you would be in a state of confusion, rarely clear-headed."

The corners of Danzo's mouth, which had just lifted, dropped instantly. He turned his head to look at Shiraishi, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction.

"Don't look at me like that. When I was in the secret chamber, I only promised that the Reincarnation Technique would succeed; I never said how long it would take," Shiraishi reminded him with a smile.

"You!" Danzo was furious, but since his hope of becoming Hokage rested entirely on Shiraishi, he dared not turn against him. He could only force down his anger and say, "A year is too long."

"Don't be impatient," Shiraishi continued. "Isn't there still the Third Hokage? Come, let's keep looking!"

"Hiruzen!" Danzo muttered the name, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes before it finally hardened into resolve.

"Put your candy away and put on the mask I gave you. Remember, from now on, you are my guard."

"Understood." Shiraishi replied, wrapping the paper bag of candy tightly and tucking it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

Donning his Root mask, Shiraishi said playfully, "Let's go, Lord Danzo."

Danzo straightened his gaze and stepped forward, walking toward the Hokage Building.

Along the way, Danzo ignored Minato Namikaze at the entrance and ignored the Konoha ninjas who greeted him, his face as cold as frost, radiating an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Reaching the second floor, Danzo stopped in front of the Hokage's office door. He glanced at Shiraishi, and Shiraishi gave a wink to signal he understood.

Seeing this, Danzo reached out, pressed the handle of the office door, and pushed his way inside.

"Hiruzen! The peace talks with Kumogakure lack any sincerity; I absolutely do not agree!" Danzo stormed into the room and walked up to the Third Hokage.

Shiraishi followed unhurriedly behind Danzo, closed the door, and leaned against the wall, finding it quite interesting to watch the contest between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Just as Shiraishi had predicted, the fifty-something-year-old Third Hokage was already in decline; years of combat and the physical toll of ninja training had left his spirit and energy depleted, and his physical state was already on a downward slope.

Against such an existence, if Shiraishi were to perform the Soul Possession Technique—whether for himself or to assist Danzo—it would be as easy as turning over his hand.

Of course, if Shiraishi were to set up a formation in advance, helping Danzo successfully possess Minato Namikaze downstairs and quickly master his body would also be a simple task.

But why would Shiraishi do that?

Shiraishi had always upheld the principle of fair trade. Since Danzo provided him with a body of only average aptitude, the Soul Possession Technique he provided in return would naturally be of the most basic tier.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Danzo had come here specifically to pick a fight to create an opportunity for Shiraishi to observe Hiruzen at close range. After rushing up to the Third Hokage and berating him, he dropped a harsh threat and prepared to turn and leave.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been working peacefully in his office until Danzo burst in to berate him, felt his own anger rising and reminded him with a stern tone.

At these words, Danzo's body stiffened, a look of rage appearing on his face, though it was quickly suppressed deep within.

Hiruzen! You forced my hand!

In that moment, Danzo felt no more guilt toward his old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo resumed his stride, walked quickly to the door, and signaled for Shiraishi to leave with him.

The two did not stop, walking all the way out of the Hokage Building and onto the observation deck above the Hokage Rock.

Danzo stood before the railing of the deck, looking down at the village below. In his mind, the scene from decades ago resurfaced: Teacher Tobirama leading them to Kumogakure for peace talks, only to encounter a rebellion, and the teacher asking who would volunteer to stay behind to cover their retreat.

Teacher Tobirama, you misjudged the man!

"Well?" Danzo withdrew from his thoughts and asked aloud.

"Three days! With my help, it will only take three days for you to fully master the Third Hokage's body," Shiraishi said truthfully.

"Good! Tonight, I will invite Hiruzen for a late-night talk, and then..." Danzo said coldly.

"Are you really not going to reconsider, Danzo? In your current soul state, one reincarnation is your limit. Are you sure you want to waste this precious opportunity on a body as old and decrepit as your own?" Shiraishi's words were like the whispers of a demon.

Danzo's once-firm heart couldn't help but waver.

Should this only chance be wasted on the aging Hiruzen Sarutobi, or should he reincarnate into a young body and live his life once more?

A second youth—this was an opportunity so many craved but could never obtain, yet now it lay directly before Danzo, within easy reach!

"No need to consider it! What I seek is not merely to survive another lifetime; I want to become the Hokage of Konoha. I want to prove to Hiruzen Sarutobi and to Master Tobirama that I am the most qualified candidate for Hokage."

"Under my hand, Konoha will once again become the strongest in the ninja world!"

"I will prove to everyone that I, Danzo, am the most excellent Hokage this world has ever seen!"

Danzo looked at Shiraishi with a resolute expression, his eyes burning with a hint of fanaticism.

"Even if it means taking the identity of the Third Hokage?" Shiraishi scrutinized Danzo.

"Even if it means taking the identity of the Third Hokage!" Danzo declared decisively.

Shiraishi looked at Danzo, a faint smile appearing on his face; he felt as if he were seeing that beggar he had once supported in his past life, the one who eventually became a leader of the rebel army.

At this moment, Danzo truly possessed a certain brilliance!