Main World.
Konoha Year 21, autumn.
Root base, secret chamber.
Dark red light cast twisted shadows on the chamber walls. Danzo sat cross-legged on a stone platform, his eyes closed and his breathing steady, but his expression kept changing-his brows knitted, then relaxed, and at times his lips curved into a cold smile.
He was dreaming-a very, very beautiful dream.
In the dream, Tobirama Senju had grown old. His silver hair had thinned, his red eyes had clouded, and his once-straight back had stooped slightly. He even needed a cane to walk. He stood before the window in the Hokage Office, looking out over the lights of Konoha, his aged face filled with exhaustion.
"Danzo."
Tobirama Senju's voice was hoarse, like scraping sandpaper.
"Yes."
Danzo knelt behind him, his head bowed, his posture respectful.
"I am old. Konoha needs a new Hokage."
Danzo's heartbeat quickened slightly.
"Teacher, you..."
"I intend to pass the position to Hiruzen."
Tobirama Senju turned, his red eyes settling on Danzo.
"Hiruzen is generous and can unite the great clans. You are too sharp-edged. You are not suited to being Hokage."
Danzo stiffened slightly.
"Teacher, I..."
"Say no more."
Tobirama Senju interrupted him.
"That is an order."
Danzo lowered his head without speaking. But inside his sleeves, his clenched fists crackled.
Root base.
Danzo's room.
He sat in the darkness, his eyes shut, but his eyeballs moved rapidly beneath his lids. He was "thinking." His dream self was thinking.
The door was pushed open. Several Root Ninja entered and dropped to one knee. Their faces showed anger and urgency they could not suppress.
"Lord Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi is nothing but a mediocre leader. How can he be Hokage?"
"Exactly! Hiruzen Sarutobi is an incompetent fool. If he becomes Hokage, Konoha will surely decline!"
"For Konoha's