Setting Out for the Capital
Konoha
Early morning
Seventeen ninjas dressed in black vests, carrying long swords, and wearing masks that only revealed their eyes, gathered at the Daimon of Konoha.
Naraku, dressed in a black robe embroidered with rice ears and a purple open-fronted shirt, with a long sword hanging at his waist, glanced at the scene briefly and then waved his hand dismissively.
"Set off!"
"Hi" X17
Naraku went out first, heading towards the Capital City of the Land of Fire. Seventeen Special Police Division officers followed closely behind Naraku. After the group had been walking for a while, four squads spread out to guard the area, with only Uchiha Zensui following closely behind Naraku.
As Naraku and his group departed, a ninja dressed in Anbu attire quietly left one of the many houses near the Naraku Konoha Gate after confirming their departure.
After the Anbu left, a lazy stray cat on a nearby house meowed twice and disappeared into the alley.
"Zensui, this trip to the Capital City will be a tough battle. Be prepared."
"Naraku, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. You should have done this long ago."
"Zensui, killing a few of them is easy, but taking control of the village after that is not so simple."
The Third Hokage had controlled Konoha for a long time and had many supporters. To eliminate them, their reputations must first be ruined.
Then eliminate them silently, so as not to cause turmoil and division in Konoha.
The Uchiha's path to longevity lies in becoming Hokage, wielding power within Konoha, and being protected by numerous ninja clans and warriors.
Otherwise, if the Uchiha declines even slightly, it will become the next Uzushio Village.
Even after becoming Hokage of Konoha, the Uchiha, though slightly weakened, could still stand proudly in the Shinobi World.
Therefore, we must take a long-term view and not be driven by short-term gains."
Naraku patiently taught Uchiha Zensui, then silently ran forward.
"Yes, Lord Naraku, the Uchiha cannot function without your guidance."
Uchiha Zensui nodded, looking like he had learned something, and also gave a little flattery.
Naraku smiled slightly and shook his head, saying nothing more, and continued on his way.
This Special Police Division squadron is composed entirely of elite Uchiha with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and they are also wearing the latest Chakra Armor. Such an elite Uchiha force could easily handle a hundred-strong elite team from Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist.
A meeting was held the night before departure to inform them of the dangers of the trip, boost morale, and instruct them to be mentally prepared and to eliminate any obstacles that might arise along the way.
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, arranged for the candidates to meet the Daimyo in the Capital City before December 5th.
Naraku was unaware of the situation of the other Hokage candidates, but Naraku couldn't sit still. He decided to go to the Capital City first to wait, while also giving the Third Hokage and others a chance.
Giving them an opportunity to plot an assassination is one thing, Uchiha and Root have a history of underhanded dealings and dirty tricks. However, such an open confrontation is unprecedented.
Knowing full well there are tigers in the mountains, they still venture into the tiger's den, waiting for the surprises along the way.
Hokage Building
The three sat side by side on futons in the lounge.
"Third Hokage, Uchiha Nara has already set off for the Capital City. But I have a nagging feeling that if Danzo's operation fails and causes Uchiha rebellion, we might become the sinners of the village."
Mitokado Homura spoke to the two people beside him in a somewhat anxious tone.
The Group of Four had not yet set off for the Capital City. The Third Hokage Capital City's itinerary and dates were top secret, and even the other three members of the Group of Four would not be told by Sarutobi Hiruzen until the very last moment before departure.
"Yan, what operation? I have absolutely no idea about it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the Hokage's desk, a pipe dangling from his lips, a file in his hand, looking completely dazed and oblivious.
Mitokado Homura glanced at the Third Hokage, admiring his compromising and magnanimous nature, but also sighing at his soft-heartedness. It was precisely because of this that Third Hokage was needed to assist Danzo.
"There are only the three of us here, so there's nothing to be ashamed of. Let's hope Danzo's operation succeeds."
Utatane Koharu's words were cold and indifferent, appearing rather detached compared to Mitokado Homura.
"I know nothing about any operations or anything like that, so stop talking about it. This trip to the Capital City is just for reporting for duty and receiving the Fourth Hokage's appointment letter. Namikaze Minato should be leaving around this time as well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat wary of topics like Danzo's actions and didn't respond at all.
"The four of us can go to the Capital City, and let the Hokage candidate Namikaze Minato, manage the village."
Third Hokage, when you arranged for Namikaze Minato to go to the Capital City, were you absolutely certain that Uchiha Nara would arrive safely? Did you lack confidence in Danzo's actions?
It was only then that Mitokado Homura realized the Third Hokage's intention in sending Namikaze Minato to the Capital City. In case Danzo's operation failed, the situation would be very strange with just the four high-ranking officials and one Uchiha candidate.
If Namikaze Minato were in the Capital City, he could receive his appointment and position. And if Uchiha Nara in the Capital City, with Namikaze Minato as a Hokage candidate, it would mean that the Third Hokage did indeed arrange for a candidate to go to the Capital City to receive the imperial decree, and did not send Uchiha Nara alone.
In this way, even if there were conflicts along the way, everything would have room to ease after Namikaze Minato became the Fourth Hokage. The Third Hokage had governed Konoha for many years and was indeed shrewd and experienced!
Mitokado Homura now had a deeper understanding of his seemingly kind-hearted Hokage classmate. After so many years of friendship, this was the first time he realized that the Third Hokage was actually a person with such a profound mind.
Before the truth has even been revealed, the Third Hokage already knows absolutely nothing about Danzo's actions. Even if Danzo fails and the Uchiha clan reveals their true intentions, the Third Hokage will undoubtedly know even less.
Judging from the Third Hokage Danzo's actions, whether successful or not, would have little impact on the Third Hokage. However, Mitokado Homura was now somewhat worried about Danzo.
"My trip to the Capital City was solely to pay my respects to the Daimyo and seek his opinion on the selection of the fourth Daimyo. I know nothing else, so please refrain from further discussion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his words cold.
In the election for the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato only needed one advantage to win, whether it was the Jonin vote or the Daimyo appointment. If Namikaze Minato had the most Jonin votes, he would probably have already started handing over the Hokage position by then.
Sarutobi Hiruzen went to great lengths to secure Minato Namikaze's position as the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato and to protect his own power.
Root base
In a large office, four ninjas wearing strange helmets sat around a large, peculiar machine. On the machine was a huge, blue Chakra -shaped sphere. Black lines connected the helmets and the machine.
Not far away was a desk with a crystal ball on it. Danzo sat in the chair, with a masked ninja standing behind him, both silently looking at the crystal ball.
"Danzo, the sensory ninjas have made contact with the entire action team and are ready to issue orders to launch the operation at any time."
"No rush. With Red Moon taking action, everything will be foolproof. Just prepare for the cleanup, Ryoma."
Aburame Ryoma behind him Danzo a calm, unwavering tone.
"Did you send Red Moon, the top expert of Root, to take action? If it is Red Moon, then it is indeed foolproof. The legendary First Hokage who pacified the chaotic world was probably just like Red Moon."