During the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, news that Sunagakure had joined forces with Konoha's rogue ninja Orochimaru to attack Konoha soon spread throughout the Shinobi World.
After all, apart from Konoha, the Shinobi World had long since entered the information age.
Plenty of people had been trying every possible means to broadcast the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams over the outside world's internet.
Konoha's Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had died fighting for Konoha, which gave people in quite a few shinobi villages some interesting ideas.
At the same time, the death of Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was also revealed.
Rasa's death, however, was something of a joke. At least the Third had died fighting for his village.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had actually been killed through the scheming of Konoha's rogue ninja Orochimaru. Not only had he been murdered, but Orochimaru had also stolen his identity to launch an attack on Konoha.
For a time, the entire Shinobi World was talking about what had happened in Konoha.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building.
Inside the conference room, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat with grim expressions, while Shimura Danzō sat across from them.
"Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Utatane Koharu questioned Danzo, displeasure written across her face.
Danzo remained perfectly composed.
"What am I trying to do? Don't you two understand by now? We've been old comrades for decades. You should know what I want."
Mitokado Homura slapped the table and said,
"Of course we know, but let me make this perfectly clear: it's impossible."
"That's right, Danzo. Konoha isn't what it used to be. Right now, it's like a great ship riddled with holes. Even Hiruzen could barely keep that ship afloat. Now that he's gone, we should be choosing a young Hokage.
"Konoha can't afford to let you