Only Shikaku seemed to understand Danzo's meaning to some extent.
But it was precisely because of this that Shikaku truly saw through the intentions of his Root leader. He simply wanted to start a war, to have Konoha defeat the other ninja villages, further solidify its position in the Shinobi World, and even dominate the entire Shinobi World!
This is quintessential hawkish thinking.
Having such an idea isn't incomprehensible, but Danzo's actions are baffling. Shouldn't the more he wanted to achieve this goal, the more he should have prevented Konoha from being the first to attack, or even surrounded and attacked?
You're provoking other ninja villages first, are you afraid that the major powers won't focus their attention on Konoha?
Konohagakure was already a target of everyone's hatred; if they wanted to further provoke the other ninja villages, wouldn't they be courting death?
Do they really think Konoha can take on the entire Shinobi World single-handedly?!
Even if they have indeed reached the second strongest period in the history of their ninja village, they still can't withstand a war with all the other ninja villages, can they!?
No!
To be more precise, taking on two opponents at once is the limit!
If three ninja villages were to exert pressure together, they wouldn't even need to go all out. As long as they didn't hold each other back and had some tacit understanding, Konoha would definitely not be able to withstand it. Not to mention, the combined number of Tailed Beast from the Three Great Shinobi Villages would be more than Konoha could handle!
Therefore, while Shikaku Danzo part of Danzo's intentions, he became even more confused and perplexed!
Shikaku would never have imagined was that Danzo was a hawkish guy who was so confident that he was completely stupid. He really thought that Konoha was enough to take on the entire Shinobi World by himself!
That's right, that's the kind of strength where even if the Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure all attack together, they can at least remain undefeated!
The attitude and actions of Danzo during the three major incidents in the original work— the Nine-Tails' Attack, the Konoha Crush Plan, and Pain's attack—already illustrate this point well. He genuinely believed that the problem wasn't with Konoha, but with Hiruzen Sarutobi, or more accurately, with the Sarutobi faction. He thought that if he made Hokage, all the problems would be solved.
Hiruzen Sarutobi is just too conservative!
No, it should be said that they were too cowardly!
Only he, Shimura Danzō, could lead Konoha onto the right path. He wanted to prove this, not only to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, but also to his former mentor. In fact, Danzo's obsession with this was even stronger!
" Danzo, are you serious!? How can war bring peace!? That's utter nonsense!"
After Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo with a very stern expression.
"Hmph, Hiruzen, I've already said it, it doesn't matter if you don't understand, but time will prove everything. From now on, you just need to follow my instructions..." (Tianlai Novel Network)
Danzo coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
But before Danzo finish speaking...
Hiruzen Sarutobi forcefully Teuchi him, saying, "Alright, you don't need to say anything more. From now on, no Root is allowed to leave Konoha without my orders—no, no one is allowed to leave Root's base. Root going out on missions, except for those with essential tasks, must all return to the village! This is my final warning, Danzo. En, you will lead the Anbu to take over the village security duties previously handled by Root!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately did not go all out.
Although he didn't understand Danzo's actions and even felt angry, strangely enough, this Third Hokage actually chose to believe Danzo's statement, "Everything I did was for Konoha!"
He had no doubt about Danzo's intentions in this regard; he simply felt that Danzo had gone too far and made some wrong choices.
In addition, he had a decades-long relationship with Danzo, which is why, despite Danzo's many acts that could be considered treasonous against the village, he not only escaped unscathed but was also able to continue leading the powerful Root organization as a high-ranking member of Konohagakure!
It can only be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly one of the strangest figures in the leadership hierarchy of the national ninja villages!
A flicker of shock flashed deep within Shikaku's pupils at that moment, not directed at Danzo, but at his own Third Hokage.
Danzo has done something that seriously damages the Hokage's prestige and the village's interests, and yet they just raise the issue high and then let it go lightly?
No punishment whatsoever!?
Shikaku probably thought that at the very least, Danzo's authority over Root should be stripped.
Is all that's going to be a few mild reprimands? What good is that?!
As a smart person, Shikaku truly couldn't understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions. Didn't their Lord Hokage worry that Danzo might cause some more trouble?!
Those who started this practice, will they have no descendants?
Although such words don't exist in this world, similar principles apply. Doesn't our Lord Hokage understand this principle at all!?
Shikaku even wondered if his brain wasn't working properly anymore.
However, in this situation, he did not have the right to speak easily, and even if he did, he would not reveal his true feelings. The reason why the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were able to establish themselves in Konohagakure and be trusted by successive Hokage was because of their steadiness!
"Yes, I understand, Hiruzen!"
Mitokado Homura was sitting on the left, immediately sat up straight and replied.
Mitokado Homura didn't think his old friend, the Hokage, had done anything wrong. This arrangement was just right; it could give Danzo and prevent the situation from escalating—it was perfect!
Utatane Koharu on one side of the room, also nodded slightly.
It's safe to say they truly live up to their reputation as the Konoha F4; their thought processes are remarkably similar in every way!
The only person who would have a different opinion was not present this time, and that was Torifu Akimichi, who was also a direct disciple of the Second Hokage. He was probably the only 'normal person' left among Tobirama Senju's disciples.
" Hiruzen, you can't do this! You may not understand, but you can't distrust me! Hiruzen!"
"I've already said it, Danzo, I am the Hokage. This is the Hokage's order, so obey it!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo with an unusually stern expression, and spoke in a slightly cold tone.
"You!!"
Danzo suddenly stood up, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a displeased expression. The slight rise and fall of his chest was enough to prove the anger of this Darkness of Konoha.
That's right!
In Shikaku's view, this arrangement was completely meaningless and had no punitive significance whatsoever.
From the perspective of the Konoha F4, this was already a form of punishment, and Danzo felt it was an excessive measure!
It's safe to say that the differences between people are truly enormous!