"How many ninja in Root are still loyal to the Hokage? As Danzo's confidant, you should know," Fugaku said.
Gray Snake replied, "Danzo has spent years quietly purging ninja loyal to the Hokage, especially during the recent wars against Stone, Sand, and Cloud.
"A great many ninja died in those wars. There aren't many left in Root who remain loyal to the Hokage. I know of three, but Danzo is probably the only one who knows the exact number."
Fugaku nodded. "Tell me who they are and where they usually stay."
"They're Black Fox, Tianhe, and Asuka. Root is short-handed now, so none of them has a fixed post.
"They spend most of their time at Root Base. Danzo knows they're the Hokage's people, so he neither favors nor sidelines them.
"He sometimes sends them on missions that benefit the village. That lets him keep up appearances for the Hokage.
"But for his private affairs, he sends only his own confidants."
Fugaku waved a hand, and Gray Snake vanished. To Fugaku, most of Danzo's actions were little more than attempts to cover his ears and pretend no one could hear the bell.
Even without his own people in Root, the Third Hokage was shrewd enough to guess what was happening. He simply preferred not to see it. As long as nothing was brought into the open, he had no wish to fall out with Danzo.
The two truly were lifelong companions. One hid a ruthless heart behind a respectable face; the other was vicious, calculating, and fiercely ambitious.
Time passed in relative calm. Construction in Konoha continued at full tilt. Nearly every villager had joined in, and the village changed by the day.
At the same time, rumors damaging to Danzo spread everywhere. The situation, which had seemed to favor