“Hmph.
So what?” Danzo Shimura replied coldly.
“I actually think handing the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki over to me and turning the Jinchūriki into an emotionless living weapon is a good thing.” “Only then can it truly contribute to Konoha, isn’t that right?” “Heh.” The Third Hokage snorted.
“Why don’t you say that to Lady Mito instead?” “I will never agree to it.” Hand her over to you?
At that point, it wouldn’t be for Konoha’s benefit.
It would be for your own.
The Third Hokage wasn’t a fool.
He knew better than anyone how obsessed his old companion was with the Hokage’s seat.
Given the chance…
Danzo might even try to assassinate him.
“Fine.” “If I can’t have the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki, then give me that boy.” “That’s impossible.” The Third Hokage rejected him without hesitation.
“I’ve already said it.” “He is a steadfast inheritor of the Will of Fire.” A pawn like that was the easiest to use.
If everything went according to plan…
The boy would become an unwavering supporter of the Hokage’s faction.
And if he eventually became the Fourth Hokage…
The Third could continue pulling the strings from behind the scenes without ever truly relinquishing power.
Finally, the Third Hokage looked calmly at Danzo.
“I am the Hokage.” “Hmph.” Seeing there was no convincing him, Danzo coldly declared, “You’ll regret this, Hiruzen!” With that, he slammed the door behind him as he left.
“Regret it?” A trace of mockery flashed across the Third Hokage’s eyes.
Impossible.
He knew very well that his years at his peak were numbered.
In another decade or so, his strength would begin to decline.
By then, Konoha would need a new Hokage.
But…
He had no intention of letting go of the power in his hands.
And so…
The idea of finding a puppet naturally emerged.
“I hope you won’t disappoint me, Akira…” The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes.
… Back at Root headquarters, Danzo had already suppressed his anger.
This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.
Most of his confrontations with Hiruzen had ended in defeat.
Thinking about it, Danzo let out a cold snort.
“Hiruzen…” “Just wait.” “One day…” “I’ll defeat you.” He looked ahead expressionlessly.
“Come out.” Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Three figures instantly appeared and knelt before him with their heads lowered.
“Hm?” Danzo frowned.
“Why is one missing?” “Where’s Ding?” He had sent four people.
Why had only three returned?
“Ding died during the mission.” Jia answered in a cold, emotionless voice.
“He accidentally touched an extremely sharp thread and was decapitated instantly.” None of the four of them had expected that, even after the battle had ended, such a deadly trap would still remain.
More importantly…
The thread was so thin it was invisible to the naked eye.
“Waste.” Danzo’s expression darkened.
“I only sent you to observe the situation.” “And yet one of you died?” “It seems your training is still lacking.” The three of them instinctively shuddered.
It was as though they had heard something truly terrifying.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Danzo spoke again.
“Report everything you learned.” “The battlefield was heavily damaged by a massive explosion.” “Most traces had already been destroyed.” “However…” “We found a corpse nearby.” “After examining its brain, we learned that one of his teammates had been controlled by an unknown force and killed him in a surprise attack.” “I see…” Danzo nodded slowly as he began thinking.
Controlling another person’s body…
The moment he heard that, he remembered what the boy had said earlier in the Hokage’s office.
Using threads to manipulate someone’s body…
What a terrifying ability.
Even if the success rate wasn’t particularly high…
Once it matured…
It would become an absolute weapon on the battlefield.
Thinking of that, Danzo became irritated again.
“Hiruzen…” “Why won’t you hand someone like that over to me?” Only by embracing the darkness could such talent truly realize its potential.
“Hmph.” “If he joins me willingly…” “Then no one can blame me.” Danzo slowly narrowed his eyes.
This wasn’t the first time he had employed such methods.
Once a Cursed Seal was placed upon someone…
Not even the Hokage would have any way of taking them back.
“That’s enough.” “You may leave.” After dismissing everyone, Danzo returned to his room.
“Aoki was a useless fool as well.” “He actually got held up by a mere child.” Annoyed, Danzo looked down at the scroll in his hand.
It contained Aoki’s complete file.
Many years ago, Aoki had been planted inside the Hidden Cloud as one of Danzo’s spies.
His memories had been sealed away, and a Cursed Seal had been placed upon him.
That Cursed Seal had been the final contingency prepared jointly by Danzo and the Third Hokage.
If Konoha’s pursuers failed to catch up in time…
The seal would restore all of Aoki’s memories.
He would then kill the remaining Hidden Cloud ninja and bring Kushina safely back to Konoha.
That’s right.
This entire incident had been deliberately orchestrated by the two of them.
Their goal was to stage a classic “hero saves the beauty” scenario so that Kushina would wholeheartedly place her trust in Akira.
At the same time…
It served as a test to determine whether the boy truly was a steadfast inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Otherwise…
How could Konoha’s barrier have conveniently developed a flaw?
The ANBU were hardly incompetent.
Without a predetermined escape route—and with the Hokage deliberately transferring the ANBU away from their posts—the Hidden Cloud ninja would never have made it out of Konoha alive.
In the end…
The Third Hokage achieved exactly what he wanted.
Danzo, however, was left simmering with frustration.
“String Release…” Danzo narrowed his eyes.
“It resembles the Sand Village’s puppet techniques to some extent.” “Perhaps…” “I can start from that angle.” Kid…
You’re still far too inexperienced.
And Hiruzen…
Just wait.
One day…
That seat will be mine.
For Konoha…
I will become Hokage.
I am the man most qualified to wear that hat.