Root's existence did not actually serve much purpose. After all, Root's functions completely overlapped with those of the ANBU.
People said Root handled matters that could not see the light of day, but wasn't that the very reason the ANBU existed?
In truth, Root existed only because Hiruzen Sarutobi indulged it.
To maintain his rule, Hiruzen Sarutobi indulged Danzo. One played the good cop and the other the bad cop, and together they had mastered the art of political balance.
As a result, the Will of Fire took deep root in people's hearts, cultivating countless diehard loyalists. Even Uchiha members like Shisui and Itachi, who had become Hokage, turned into brainless fans of the village. Could anyone say Hiruzen Sarutobi's rule had not been successful?
But the price was that the village's overall strength grew weaker and weaker. Constant internal strife and self-consumption made it excessively timid in foreign wars.
Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi was dead, the village should have entered a period of peaceful development.
If Danzo had not received word that Jiraiya and Tsunade had proactively contacted Orochimaru and had even acted together with him, he would never have chosen to make a move.
Now that he had acted, no matter who emerged victorious, Konoha's strength would be weakened once again.
Danzo and his Root were strong, but before Kage Level powerhouses, they were not much to look at. If his modifications to his own body were not counted, he could only be considered among the lowest tier of Kage Level powerhouses.
However, Danzo's intelligence said that both Orochimaru and Tsunade had suffered unexpected accidents and could not wield their full strength. Jiraiya's personality was also far too soft; he could never ruthlessly attack people from the village. That was why this ambush had been arranged.
Danzo would