Shimura Danzō's head was wrapped in bandages, and his face remained expressionless.
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangements, he merely gave a cold nod.
Beside him, the other two raised no objections when they heard that they each had to contribute another squadron.
Without their support for Danzo, the problem of where to find the orphans could not be solved.
Although the Land of Grass was weak, it did have a small ninja village.
With only Danzo's hundred or so people in Root, it would be far too difficult to take on!
Seeing that the three had no objections and understood what he meant,
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled easily, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.
He savored the faint fragrance of tea spreading through his mouth.
Suddenly, he thought of something important.
He set down the cup and looked around at the three of them.
Fixing his eyes on Danzo's one remaining eye, he warned them solemnly, "All of you, remember this: we must not touch Wood Release for the time being, and we certainly must not touch the Senju!"
"Even in the south, do your best not to set foot there yourselves. Only when these groups have grown up will we have the strength to confront the Senju!"
"Don't worry. Build up our strength, and when we make our move later, you'll be satisfied!"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura nodded in understanding, then both turned to look at Shimura Danzō.
Feeling his three old friends' gazes on him, Danzo spoke in his raspy voice. "If Wood Release grows up, it won't matter how many people we have!"
Hearing his old friend's concern, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled unconcernedly. "He won't get the chance to grow. Even Lord Hashirama only began to approach his peak at thirty!"
"Of course,