Danzo's Dirty Tricks

"To kill someone, you have to break their spirit!"

Tsukimi's words swept through the Courtyard like an icy wind, scattering the warmth of summer. A chill ran through Hatake Sakumo.

He had fought countless battles, faced countless powerful enemies, and survived countless assassination attempts. But schemes this insidious had always been beyond him.

Sakumo thought back over Danzo's life. The man had always been obsessive, ruthless in pursuit of his goals, and brutal in his methods. Framing someone through public opinion seemed exactly like the sort of underhanded tactic Danzo would use.

The more Sakumo thought about it, the darker his expression grew. Any hope that he might be wrong had vanished.

He fixed his eyes on Tsukimi, his voice taut. "You mean... he'll turn public opinion against me? How?"

Seeing that Hatake Sakumo was finally taking the threat seriously, Tsukimi nodded slightly.

That's more like it!

Hiruzen Sarutobi and those two advisers had grown up with Danzo, so it was understandable if they saw him through rose-tinted glasses. But anyone else who had worked with Danzo, or knew what he was like, would have to be wary of him.

Ever since that life-or-death choice Tobirama Senju had presented them with, Danzo had gone completely off the rails. His mind swung between two extremes: shouting, "I'd sacrifice anything for Konoha," while thinking, This little matter isn't worth sacrificing myself over.

He forgot loyalty at the sight of a small gain, yet clung to his own life when great deeds were required!

Nothing described Danzo better.

After Pain's Assault in the original story, Danzo would never have become Hokage if Tsunade hadn't fallen into a coma and left Konoha leaderless!

"Think about it carefully, Sakumo," Tsukimi said, laying out Danzo's likely moves for the others. "You abandoned a border mission to