"Tsunade?"
Danzo twitched the corner of his mouth, revealing a sarcastic sneer.
"This can't be what Tsunade means."
Mitokado Homura was stunned when he heard this.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Tsunade, that stupid woman, is simple-minded and addicted to gambling. Apart from inheriting First's brute strength and Medical Ninjutsu, what does she know about politics?" Danzo's tone was full of disdain, "Let her come up with a strategy of killing two birds with one stone by making Senju Faction 'neutral'? It's simply a fantasy!"
He tapped his fingers lightly on the cold stone tabletop, making a soft "thump, thump" sound, as if he was tapping Mitokado Homura's heart.
"This is absolutely not what Tsunade meant."
"You have been deceived. This should be what Senju Chen, the little brat, meant."
A word that wakes up the dreamer!
Mitokado Homura suddenly realized, with horror in his eyes.
He recalled the scene when he saw Senju Chen during the day, that respectful and docile attitude, that impeccable etiquette, that clear and innocent face...
He and Utatane Koharu always thought that the child who was brought back by Tsunade and given the surname Senju, who had always been obedient and sensible, was a mouthpiece that they could manipulate at will, and they regarded him as a mascot that they held high.
Now that I think about it, that calmness and calmness that transcends age, and those words that make "political speculation" look high-sounding... are simply not what a teenager should have!
"But how old is he..."
"Age has never been a criterion for measuring the threat of a ninja." Danzo snorted, "Everyone underestimates him. This Senju Clan's last orphan is not a docile sheep, but a young wolf who knows how to hide his claws!"
Danzo recalled the scene when he wanted to recruit Senju Chen, it was exactly the same as it is now.
"His announcement of neutrality seems to offend no one, but in fact he has taken away the most important weight Senju Clan from our balance! Without the support of Senju Faction's reputation, if I want to sit in that position, I will have to put in several times more effort, and even... I will lose my reputation for justice!"
"Now Senju Faction can only remain neutral, you..."
"Okay, you go back first." Danzo interrupted Mitokado Homura and directly issued an eviction order.
After Mitokado Homura left, Danzo's face showed a trace of real gloom for the first time.
His original plan was for Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, two old teammates of Third, to come forward and "persuade" Senju Chen as elders to let Senju Clan publicly support him.
Senju is the founder of Konoha and the surname of First Hokage. Their support represents a kind of legitimacy, which is enough to offset the achievements of Orochimaru and the popularity of Minato Namikaze.
But now, this most critical step was blocked by that seemingly harmless kid in an understatement.
Danzo slowly stood up and walked around the small stone room. His figure was elongated by the light, casting a twisted and ferocious shadow on the wall.
"Since conventional means won't work, we can only use 'root' methods to correct the mistakes of this village."
His footsteps stopped, and the one eye shot out a frightening cold light.
"Hiruzen, I have waited long enough. Since you are unwilling to hand over your position with dignity, then I can only help you with dignity."
He turned around and looked at a figure kneeling on one knee in the shadow of the stone room. It was a "root" ninja wearing an animal mask. From beginning to end, he remained as motionless as a sculpture, as if he did not exist.
"Send the order." Danzo's voice was devoid of emotion, "Initiate the final investigation of Orochimaru. Give me all the evidence, locations, and witnesses of his research on forbidden arts. I want everyone in Konoha to see what kind of monster one of the 'Sannin's they fear is!"
"Yes!" The masked ninja responded in a low voice, and his figure flashed and disappeared into the darkness, as if he had never appeared before.
Danzo's move is truly ruthless.
"And Uchiha..." Danzo's eyes became even deeper, "They have been too settled recently, and it's a bit abnormal. Police Force's reputation has changed dramatically in just a few years. There must be a huge conspiracy behind this."
He looked at the subordinates beside him, "I heard that that brat Senju Chen is very close to Uchiha Fugaku."
"This is indeed true. This afternoon, Senju Chen went directly to Uchiha's clan area and had a long secret conversation with Fugaku."
"Hmph, Senju Chen is even more restless when he comes back this time." Murderous intent flashed across Danzo's eyes.
But he has no way to move Senju Chen now, so he can only continue to endure it.
He sat back on the stone bench and fell into a brief silence.
In the stone room, the atmosphere was extremely depressing.
After a long time, Danzo raised his head and looked at another shadow.
"Ask Shisui Uchiha to come see me."
After a moment, a figure quietly walked out of the darkness.
He was a boy who looked to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, with black hair and black eyes, a handsome face, and clear eyes without any impurities. He was wearing a "Gen" standard combat uniform, but he still couldn't hide the unique temperament of Uchiha.
It is Body Flicker Shisui.
He knelt on one knee, put his right hand on his chest, and said in a respectful and pious manner, "Lord Danzo."
"Get up." Danzo's tone was unusually soft, as if he was admiring one of his most perfect works, "Shisui, what do you think is the purpose of root's existence?"
"It is to eradicate everything that threatens the safety of the village in the dark." Shisui stood up, looked directly at Danzo firmly, and said in a clear voice, "Even if you bear the stigma, even if you sacrifice yourself, as long as you can protect Konoha, it will be all worth it."
"Very good." Danzo nodded with satisfaction
"I have always told you that the meaning of 'root' existence is to protect the foundation of the big tree Konoha in the dark. For the sake of the village, we can bear all the infamy and sacrifice everything, including ourselves. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Shisui understands!"
"For the peace of the village, Shisui is willing to sacrifice everything!"
Seeing him like this, Danzo finally showed a satisfied smile on his lips.
What he wants is such a sharp blade that has the strongest power but also obeys his orders.
"Right now, the village is facing a huge crisis. I need you to do a task."
"Please give me your orders!"
"Root has investigated that someone from Kirigakure recently wants to take advantage of the sensitive period of Hokage's abdication to enter the village and steal village information and secrets. I need you to intercept and kill them."
When I heard that someone wanted to enter the village to cause destruction during this special period, Shisui Uchiha agreed immediately without hesitation.
"Yes, Lord Danzo. Guaranteed to complete the task."