Daimyo: Between Danzo and Me, Konoha Can Only Choose One!

The moment he opened the scroll and read for only a few seconds, his expression changed drastically.

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Intelligence like this is fake. Someone must be deliberately targeting the Land of Fire, targeting the relationship between Konoha and the Daimyo's Mansion."

Danzo, the leader of Konoha's Root, was plotting to assassinate the Daimyo? What kind of nonsense was that?

Although Danzo really did want to crush the Daimyo to death.

The Third Hokage would never allow him to do such a thing.

Nor would Danzo dare do something so absurd at a time like this.

Because if he really did it, it would mean there would be no place left for him in Konoha—or even the Land of Fire.

"Impossible!!"

The Daimyo did not believe the Third Hokage's explanation at all. He even thought it was merely an excuse. Furious, he sprang from his chair and demanded loudly,

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you know exactly what kind of person Shimura Danzo is. A few years ago, you came to me for help and asked me to support Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage. I helped you. And what happened afterward?"

"The way Danzo looked at me, it was like he wanted to kill me. You said you would give me an explanation. Where was it?"

"What a load of bullshit."

Afterward, the Third Hokage had forgotten about it. More accurately, he had never dealt with it in the first place.

The war had just ended, and the village had a mountain of problems to deal with. On top of that, Minato had become Hokage, and the Third Hokage had needed to carefully manage all sorts of matters. How could he have had the time to worry about this?

Besides, it had only been a threatening look. It was not as if Danzo would actually kill him.

Who could have expected the Daimyo to remember it?

Combined with this unreliable intelligence report, it had truly convinced the Daimyo that Danzo wanted to kill him.

Fuck me!!!

The Third Hokage was so furious he nearly cursed aloud.

What ancient history was this? Why did he still remember it? And where had this damned intelligence report come from?

Seeing the Third Hokage's gloomy expression and silence, the Daimyo took it as a sign of guilt and sneered.

"Hokage, you say Danzo is not that kind of person? Fine..."

"That Uchiha over there, tell me. What kind of person is Danzo?"

"..."

I was just here to watch the show. How did I end up dragged into it?

Yan froze for a moment, then immediately noticed the Third Hokage abruptly looking up at him.

The meaning was obvious: do not speak recklessly.

The Third Hokage was not worried about anyone else, but Yan was another matter.

Given that Yan had dared to attack the clan elders and curse Danzo as a sewer rat and a venomous snake in the Police Department, without a warning, he would absolutely spill everything Danzo had done.

"Hmm~~~ Advisor Danzo is a good man. A very good man."

Although he and Danzo had already fallen out completely, now was not the time to poison the well. Otherwise, he would only be making trouble for himself.

Yan did not want this fire to inexplicably burn its way onto him.

It was better to just watch the show.

"Bullshit!"

Hearing Yan say that, the Daimyo became so anxious that he cursed. His gaunt face, nothing but skin stretched over bones, trembled slightly.

"You think I'm a fool? You think I can't gather intelligence on Konoha?

"How Danzo has targeted the Uchiha—don't you, as an Uchiha, know that perfectly well?

"Or have you forgotten how you cursed Danzo not long ago?"

"A good man? He's a good man?"

Well then, now the cards were on the table.

Yan shrugged at the Third Hokage.

This was not his fault. The Daimyo's Mansion had people in Konoha gathering all kinds of intelligence. There was nothing he could do about that.

The Third Hokage was completely numb.

At this moment, he could only grit his teeth and continue explaining himself and defending Danzo.

"Daimyo, there are many misunderstandings between Danzo and the Uchiha. However, this intelligence report is inaccurate. Danzo could not possibly commit such an act of treason, and I will not allow him to make any move."

"Fine, I believe you."

The Daimyo demanded angrily,

"Then tell me, how would an ordinary person know about Konoha's Root department?"

"..."

How the hell would I know where this damned intelligence came from?

The Third Hokage was instantly left speechless.

Not only was Root kept secret from outsiders, but even within the village, very few people knew of its existence. And those who did were required to keep it confidential.

Otherwise, the Anbu would come knocking for a little chat.

He had vented his anger and done his share of cursing. Feeling that he had somewhat lost his composure today, the Daimyo sat down and drank two cups of tea in succession before calming down.

Then he gave the Third Hokage an ultimatum.

"I do not care whether Danzo has such intentions or not. In any case, I greatly dislike that man. As for Root, I do not think it needs to exist either.

"You spend my money to raise people who threaten me. I am not a fool."

This was the first time in all the years since the nation's founding that the Daimyo had issued a public threat. It showed just how furious he was.

In the end, it was all because he feared death, and because Danzo's character was already questionable.

With the previous threat and Yan's fabricated intelligence, the Daimyo had exploded outright.

I give Konoha so much money every year, and this is how you repay me?

You think I'm not giving you enough, so you want to kill me and support someone else?

"If this matter is not handled properly, then Konoha can forget about receiving any more money from the Daimyo's Mansion. I will directly contact the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and the Daimyo of the Land of Earth. I believe the Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Cloud Village would be more than willing to provide me with protection."

"..."

Damn it!!!

The Third Hokage was nearly on the verge of collapse. The Daimyo had practically brought up every hostile village, showing that he had made up his mind.

Either Konoha dealt with Root and Danzo itself, or he would contact villages hostile to Konoha and have them protect him.

He would no longer provide funding either, forcing Konoha to live like the Hidden Sand Village—self-sufficient and tightening its belt.

Was there even a choice?

Of course not. The Third Hokage could only choose the Daimyo and abandon Danzo and Root.

"Hmph. I hope you will not try to brush me off."

"Please rest assured, Daimyo. I will personally handle this matter properly. If you are still worried, Konoha can provide absolute protection to prevent any accidents."

Let people from hostile villages protect the Daimyo?

What kind of international joke was that? Never mind the consequences, if word got out, Konoha would be laughed to death by the other villages.

"Accept your protection? Forget it. I would not dare."

The Daimyo could not help rolling his eyes. Danzo wanted to kill him, yet he was supposed to accept Konoha's protection? Would that not be delivering himself straight into a wolf's den?

"If the Daimyo is worried, the Uchiha can provide protection."

Seeing an opening, Yan naturally intended to take advantage of it. Maybe he could gain some benefits and, while he was at it, find something for Shisui to do.

Rather than letting Shisui enter the Anbu and continue working tirelessly as a double agent, it would be better for him to protect the Daimyo at the Daimyo's Mansion.

And while he was there, he could see exactly what kind of person Danzo was.