Silence. Deathly silence. Danzo gripped the ring in his hand, but couldn't say a word.
He knew full well that with every deal, he'd lost more and more control. Now, he'd become the one begging Shiraishi for help.
"Danzo, we both know you've already lost," Shiraishi's voice continued.
"I haven't," Danzo denied in a low voice.
"Heh heh heh." Shiraishi chuckled a few times, then continued, "Keep some dignity, Danzo."
"Once the fact that you and Hiruzen Sarutobi switched bodies is exposed, even if I switch you back, it won't last long."
"Honestly, your abilities have disappointed me. You're the Hokage. You had all the initiative, yet you let things reach this point."
"Danzo, tell me, can I still trust you?"
Danzo gritted his teeth, filled with regret over how softhearted he'd been back then.
Why had he wanted to spare Hiruzen's life? If he hadn't gone soft, things would never have gotten this bad.
"If you help me kill all of them before they return to the village, nothing will happen," Danzo said quietly, clutching at his last lifeline.
"Danzo, how about I give you another choice?"
"What?" Danzo immediately grew wary.
"Why keep fixating on Konoha? If you can't become Hokage, you can still become the Kage of another ninja village.
"If you use this opportunity to fake your death and slip away, it'll be like a bird soaring into the open sky or a fish diving into the sea. You'll have plenty of room to act," Shiraishi said temptingly.
"I will never betray Konoha!" Danzo refused vehemently, as if he'd been insulted.
But after refusing, Danzo couldn't help considering Shiraishi's words. After hesitating for a while, he asked uncertainly, "You said my soul can no longer withstand the strain of the Reincarnation Technique."
"You have to look