Orochimaru, what do you think of my suggestion?
Deep within the dark, damp underground base, filled with the pungent smell of formaldehyde and blood, a hoarse, crazed voice shattered the deathly silence.
Shimura Danzō, leaning on a cane, stood before countless enormous glass jars filled with all sorts of deformed creatures.
His single, exposed eye reflected the twisted, struggling figures inside the glass jar, gleaming with a light colder and more ruthless than those monsters.
Before him stood a Jonin the Root organization, his entire body wrapped in bandages, with only a pair of cloudy eyes visible.
This Jonin is Danzo's most loyal henchman and currently the highest-ranking commander in the entire "Root" organization besides Danzo — Yamanaka Fū.
A month ago, when Hiruzen Sarutobi announced his surrender and was taken to the Moon Palace by Uchiha Gen'yō as if he were a criminal, the entire Konoha was plunged into unprecedented chaos and panic.
The army of the Divine Kingdom took over the village, and many ninja clans chose to submit. Even ancient clans like the Ino-Shika-Cho and Hyuga clans bowed their proud heads in the face of absolute power.
However, Danzo did not.
This man, who had spent his entire life lying low in the shadows of Konoha, immediately led his core "Root" organization members and, using the secret passages throughout the Land of Fire, vanished completely from everyone's sight.
He was like the most tenacious and venomous snake, lurking underground, silently licking his wounds, while his eyes, filled with hatred and ambition, peered at the vast and arrogant new empire on the surface.
Lord Danzo--
The sound of the Yamanaka Fū was somewhat dry.
Looking at his lord's face, which was distorted by anger and resentment, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He certainly knew what Danzo's proposal was.
Just now, Danzo summoned all the surviving core members of the "Root" organization who were still loyal to him and delivered a speech that could only be described as insane.
" Hiruzen Sarutobi, that coward! That traitor!"
"He betrayed the Second Hokage's will! He handed over the village that the First Hokage had personally established to a demon from the Uchiha clan!"
"You all saw it! How that brat Uchiha Gen'yō humiliated our Hokage and enslaved the entire Shinobi World!"
"Are you willing to accept this?! Are you willing to let Konoha, which we protected with our blood and lives, become the Uchiha's backyard?!"
"Are you willing to let our proud Will of Fire be trampled underfoot by that damned Gunbai banner?!"
Danzo's voice was like a poisoned blade, piercing the hearts of every Root ninja.
Of course they were unwilling to accept this!
They are the "Roots," the nameless people who support the great tree of Konoha in the darkness!
Their purpose in existence is to protect Konoha!
To achieve this goal, they are willing to use any means necessary, abandon emotions, and sacrifice everything!
but--
" Lord Danzo, what do we have to fight back with?"
Finally, an Anbu member wearing a tanuki mask couldn't hold back any longer and asked the question that was on everyone's mind in a trembling voice.
That man is a god!
"He destroyed Kumogakure in just one day! He can even modify people at the bloodline level! We can't even touch a single finger of his!"
These words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the spark of enthusiasm that had just been ignited.
Yes, they all watched that global live broadcast.
The apocalyptic scene of ten thousand Chakra cannons firing simultaneously, the " Rod of God " descending from the sky to destroy everything, the miraculous "bloodline limit modification"—
Faced with such immense power, their prized methods of assassination, infiltration, and torture seemed like a laughable child's game.
"God?"
Upon hearing this word, Danzo let out a harsh, cold laugh.
There has never been any god in this world!
He slammed his cane heavily on the ground, and a startling, almost manic light flashed in his single eye!
"He Uchiha Gen'yō, is nothing more than a mortal who stole even greater power!"
"Since he is a false god who stole power, then we—"
His voice suddenly rose in pitch, filled with a bewitching magic.
"Summon a true god to punish him!"
Everyone was stunned.
The real god?
Do such beings still exist in the Shinobi World?
Danzo slowly surveyed the crowd, watching the changes in their expressions—from despair to confusion, and then to a glimmer of hope—and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
Have you forgotten?
"When that arrogant Madara Uchiha thought he was invincible, who dragged him down from his pedestal?"
"Who single-handedly quelled the chaos and was hailed as the God of Shinobi '?"
A name, like a lightning bolt piercing the darkness, instantly exploded in everyone's minds!
Hashirama Senju!
The First Hokage!
"That's right!" Danzo's voice was filled with fervor, "It was the First Hokage!"
"The power of the Uchiha will ultimately be countered by the power of the Senju! This is an eternal truth!"
"If only we could summon the First Hokage back from that world!"
"As long as the God of Shinobi can reappear in the world!"
"What is a mere Uchiha Gen'yō?!"
boom--
The entire underground base seemed to tremble at this moment because of this insane plan!
The flame of hope was rekindled in the eyes of all the Root ninjas!
That was the last straw they grasped in despair!
That's right! The First Hokage!
There is still hope as long as the Lord First can be resurrected!
Seeing the renewed fervor of his subordinates, Danzo revealed a satisfied, sinister smile.
This is exactly the effect he wanted.
He doesn't need rational soldiers; he only needs fanatical weapons willing to die for a vague hope!
However, Yamanaka Fū was much calmer than the others.
He knew where the key to this plan lay.
" Lord Danzo, no one in our Root organization possesses that forbidden technique," he whispered a reminder. "Furthermore, activating that technique requires the First Hokage's— "
"I know." Danzo interrupted him, a calculating glint in his single eye.
"Someone knows the technique."
"We have offerings."
"As for the cells of the First Hokage— " Danzo's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "I have plenty here."
As he spoke, he slowly unwrapped the bandage on his right arm.
The arm covered in Sharingan and grotesquely menacing features made Yamanaka Fū feel a chill run down his spine.
"This arm is the best proof," Danzo said coldly as he rewrapped the bandages.
Everything is ready now, except for the final push.
Yamanaka Fū's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked, "You mean that missing-nin?"
"That's right." Danzo turned his back to him, his hunched figure looking like a demon crawling out of hell in the dim light.
" Sarutobi's biggest mistake back then was letting that most dangerous genius go because of a moment of soft-heartedness."
"However, it now seems that his mistake might be Konoha's last chance."
He paused, as if recalling something, and then slowly uttered the forbidden name in a complex tone that mixed with fear and expectation.
"Get ready, Yamanaka Fū."
"We're going to see an 'old friend'."
I want to go and ask him myself--
Danzo's voice carried a chilling wind through the empty base.
Orochimaru, what do you think of my suggestion?