Conspiracy

"I've already heard Kazumi's report. According to her, you performed quite well. It's a little embarrassing for me as your teacher that I haven't looked after you very much."

"But you should know, this is how a ninja survives."

Danzo turned his head toward Sosuke, his voice a little hoarse.

His eyes, which had been half closed, were now open. Clouded as they were, they gazed at Sosuke as if looking somewhere else. He continued in a low voice.

"Sarutobi and I are very different, whether in our decisions for the village or in our definitions of what it means to be a ninja. Sarutobi is far too gentle. A Konoha that develops this way will gradually lose the authority it ought to command."

At this, Sosuke's gaze behind his glasses flickered with surprise. He hadn't expected Danzo to tell him such personally revealing things.

But it didn't matter. From beginning to end, his face wore a respectful, gentle expression. He could be said to have played the part of a dutiful student to perfection.

Danzo failed to notice the glint in Sosuke's eyes and continued on his own.

"Some villages have already begun to slowly bare their claws. Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, Sunagakure of the Land of Wind, and Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning all have formidable leaders in this generation. With them taking such a hard-line stance, Konoha's weak approach to development is bound to invite others' covetous attention."

"Fortunately, Konoha still has time, and Root still has room to grow. And you, my student, Sosuke, are the key to Root's ability to help Konoha rise among these monsters."

As he spoke, Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Sosuke, his voice filled with righteous indignation.

His clouded eyes nevertheless revealed faint glimmers of light, as if he were hatching some astonishing plan!

Sosuke, for his part, put on an expression of utter astonishment that perfectly suited the moment and cried out,

"Teacher! What does any of this have to do with me?"

Danzo glanced at Sosuke's astonished expression. He was quite pleased, though his own face remained stern as he replied,

"Konoha needs a strong-willed person to lead the village to its peak! Sarutobi clearly lacks that kind of resolve. I, meanwhile, must remain hidden within Root and quietly serve as the village's last line of defense. You're my student, and you have that kind of potential."

Sosuke looked a little confused.

"Potential?"

At his words, Danzo's expression grew grave. In a low voice, he uttered a single sentence.

"The potential to become the Fourth Hokage..."

At this, Sosuke's handsome face behind his glasses showed shock. He cried out again,

"The Fourth Hokage!! How could that be? How could I ever reach that level?"

Though he acted so shocked on the surface, Sosuke was secretly sneering to himself.

Just as I thought. As the leader of Root, you suddenly took me on as your student. There must be an astonishing plan hidden behind this break with convention. You probably don't really intend to put me forward to become the Fourth Hokage. What you really want is to take that position yourself.

Still, becoming the Fourth Hokage is something I want too. Let's hear your plan. In the end, it's still up in the air who'll claim this wedding garment.

At the thought, a smile tugged at the corner of Sosuke's mouth, unnoticed by anyone.

Across from him, Danzo smiled faintly and looked at Sosuke with one eye.

"Don't worry, Sosuke! As your teacher, I have great faith in your potential. And I believe your character and reputation will give you an advantage when the time comes to contend for the position of Fourth Hokage!"

Sosuke looked hesitant, but Danzo didn't suspect anything. He raised a hand to stop Sosuke from speaking and continued sternly,

"Though you have tremendous potential, Sosuke, and I have great faith in you as your teacher, there's one thing I need you to do now!"

At this, Sosuke immediately focused on the task Danzo had mentioned and asked in confusion,

"Teacher, what do you need me to do?"

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes. His voice was hoarse as he said,

"The Uchiha..."

The moment Sosuke heard the name Uchiha, the first thing that came to mind was Tokino's blood-red eyes during their fight. Knowing Danzo wouldn't mention the clan for no reason, he quickly realized—

Could he be trying to make me an outright enemy of the Uchiha Clan, so I'll never be able to leave Root's protection?

Just as Sosuke had expected, Danzo's next words were meant to leave him no way back.

"Your attempt to resolve your conflict with Uchiha Tokino failed. That arrogant, foolish bloodline clan wants to destroy you. Root tried to help you with the matter, but the Uchiha Clan didn't appreciate it. Now there's an opportunity for you to put all this behind you."

Sosuke put on a mildly troubled expression and asked, though he was already certain of Danzo's intentions,

"What opportunity?"

Danzo spoke in a low voice.

"You've lived in the village for quite some time, so I imagine you know something about the conflict between the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan."

"Before long, the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan will form a squad. Root will place someone in it as well, creating a special three-person Genin team."

"And during one of your secret missions, you'll need to work with someone from the Hyuga Clan to eliminate the Uchiha Clan's brat without anyone knowing."

"If the mission succeeds, Root will gain the Hyuga Clan's support, and you'll offer the Hyuga Clan protection and friendship in certain matters."

"This mission is extremely important to both you and Root. Do you understand, Sosuke?"

After hearing all this, Sosuke immediately understood what Danzo was really thinking.

Danzo probably wanted to use the conflict between Sosuke and the Uchiha Clan to get close to the Hyuga Clan, then gain their support through some kind of political maneuvering.

Having someone from the Hyuga Clan help kill a member of the Uchiha Clan was probably one of the terms of the agreement.

Afterward, they would shift the Uchiha Clan's hatred onto Sosuke. After all, the Hyuga Clan was undeniably one of the village's great clans! Even the Uchiha Clan couldn't easily fight them.

Sosuke would have no way back. He could only rely on the support of the Hyuga Clan and Root—perhaps one day, he might become a puppet Fourth Hokage.

Though he was coldly laughing inside, Sosuke wore a serious expression, as if he'd spent a long time agonizing over it before finally answering in a low voice,

"I understand, teacher!"

Only then did the corners of Danzo's mouth lift into a faint smile. His narrowed eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of expectation.

On the way home,

Sosuke smiled warmly at every villager who greeted him kindly, while inwardly sneering at Danzo's plan.

His eyes behind his glasses flickered as he carefully considered how to seize the greatest possible advantage for himself from this plan!

After a long while, once he had gradually pieced together a plan, a wicked, cold smile appeared on his lips.

Come on... I can hardly wait to see the chaos this little nudge will unleash...

Is that so... Kyoka Suigetsu...