Danzo Sets His Sights on the Uchiha

Danzo's eyes sharpened in an instant, as if he had found his way in the fog, trying to decipher the deeper meaning behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

He quickly grasped Hiruzen Sarutobi's strategy.

A bitter smile crept onto his lips; he couldn't help but admire his old friend's shrewdness and resourcefulness.

However, even after understanding Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions, Danzo's heart was still filled with ripples, and he was unwilling to accept this reality.

He gripped his cane tightly, as if pouring all his resentment into it.

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a cold tone, "I must remind you, the Hyuga Clan is not to be trifled with. They will not easily fall into your trap."

This statement was like a boulder thrown into a tranquil lake, creating ripples on its surface.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly to Danzo's words, his expression remaining calm, like a bottomless black hole.

He knew Danzo's concerns were not unfounded, but he was confident in his plan.

He believed that, with the right approach, the Hyuga Clan would eventually advance according to his vision.

After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze shifted slightly from Danzo and finally landed on the mountain of documents piled up on the table.

A hint of weariness flickered in his eyes. He waved his hand gently and said calmly, "Alright, Danzo, if you have nothing else to do, you may leave. I still have a lot of heavy work to do."

Danzo around, his steps halting at the doorway. His heart was filled with endless regret and helplessness, like a small boat trapped in a storm, knowing full well the huge waves ahead, yet unable to find a safe harbor.

Suddenly, he turned around abruptly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, as if he had grasped some crucial information, like finding a ray of light in the darkness.

"Hiruzen, do you know anything about what's been happening with Hatake Sakumo lately?"

Danzo's voice carried a hint of provocation as he stared directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, attempting to see into the secrets of his heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi an eyebrow slightly, like a skilled fox, instantly concealing the turmoil in his heart beneath the calm surface of a lake.

A hint of confusion appeared on his face. "Hatake Sakumo? What's wrong with him lately?"

A fleeting, almost imperceptible look of confusion crossed his face, making it difficult to discern whether it was genuine or feigned.

Danzo's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile that revealed both his disdain for Hiruzen Sarutobi's acting skills and his underlying doubts about him.

His answer to Sarutobi was like a flickering Kakkō in the cold wind—both warm and dangerous, making it difficult to discern the truth behind it.

"Stop pretending. We all know how powerful your Anbu is, even more powerful than my Root. I don't believe you haven't heard about Hatake Sakumo."

Danzo's gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing straight into the depths of Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

He no longer concealed his doubts and cut straight to the point. "Hiruzen, we all know Hatake Sakumo's strength, the significance behind his actions, his frequent appearances in Uchiha territory, and his increasingly close relationship with Uchiha Fugaku. Shouldn't we be on high alert?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

He understood that Danzo's words were not unfounded; Hatake Sakumo's recent actions had indeed caught his attention, but he had not yet fully grasped the intentions and motives behind them.

"Danzo, I understand your concerns, but we need to be more careful in assessing the veracity of the intelligence and the intentions behind it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm, yet it revealed a firm resolve. "I will personally investigate Hatake Sakumo's actions. We shouldn't make impulsive judgments based on momentary speculation."

Danzo's dissatisfaction did not dissipate Danzo hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words; on the contrary, it intensified.

He knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was using this method to stabilize the situation and avoid unnecessary suspicion and conflict.

Hiruzen, you're still as cowardly as ever!

However, Danzo had his own plans, and he would not allow any potential crisis to escape his grasp.

"I expect you to take this matter seriously." Danzo's gaze was piercing as he stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"The Uchiha Clan has long harbored disloyal intentions. If Hatake Sakumo is indeed secretly colluding with them, it would undoubtedly pose a tremendous threat to us."

Danzo's voice was deep and firm, revealing an unquestionable determination.

"I will intervene if necessary!" Danzo's voice was as cold as ice!

"We must not act rashly!" Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly stopped him.

"You will pay the price for your naiveté!" Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer bear it. "If you hadn't been so stubborn and driven me to the brink, would Sakumo have turned out like this?"

Hiruzen was also filled with worries, feeling as if he were walking on thin ice.

However, if Danzo hadn't been so persistent in using public opinion to pressure people and drive them into a corner, how could things have developed to this point where it's irreversible?

Since Sakumo left his position Anbu Captain, he has also lost a capable assistant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi never stopped searching for him, but each time he was casually rejected by Sakumo.

Hiruzen was fully aware of his close relationship with the Uchiha, and he was more anxious than anyone else about it, but he was powerless to stop it!

Is he going to kidnap Sakumo and bring him back?

Moreover, since that incident, the impact on the ninja community has been profound, especially within the Anbu. Ninjas who had worked with Sakumo for a long time all had some complaints about it!

In the world of ninjas, discipline is paramount and missions come first; this is a belief that every ninja has held since childhood.

However, as the Sakumo incident continued to escalate, the ninjas began to realize that they were, after all, flesh-and-blood human beings, not cold-blooded execution machines.

They too possess rich emotions, with their own joys and sorrows. Who can guarantee that they won't encounter difficult choices while carrying out a mission?

Even the renowned and decorated Hatake Sakumo met such an end. If that day were to come, how would ordinary ninjas cope?

In the eyes of the other ninjas, Sakumo had already been forced to resign from his position as Anbu Captain. If Danzo were to attack Sakumo now, how would they feel?

At a time of internal and external troubles and turmoil, Hiruzen Sarutobi does not want this to cause unrest among the people.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes burned like fire as he fixed his gaze on Danzo, his tone carrying an irresistible authority. "Danzo, I reiterate, you are not to take any action against Hatake Sakumo. This is an order, and my final warning to you."

Danzo with Hiruzen Sarutobi's stern gaze, Danzo could only outwardly submit, his voice low and heavy. "I understand, I will not act rashly."

However, beneath his seemingly calm exterior, a storm of anger and resentment raged within him.

A raging fire ignited in Danzo's heart; he felt his authority being challenged and his plans being ruthlessly disrupted.

He could not tolerate Hiruzen Sarutobi's control over him, nor could he accept Hatake Sakumo and the evil Uchiha clan continuing to roam free.

A wicked thought arose in his mind: since he couldn't harm Hatake Sakumo, he would let the Uchiha Clan bear the brunt of his wrath.

A cold glint flashed in Danzo's eyes; he was already silently plotting a revenge scheme.