Facing Yamato's request, Danzo naturally agreed with pleasure.
Although he couldn't compare to Hashirama Senju, Yamato was still a promising candidate, at least a guaranteed elite jonin!
Thus, Yamato spent the following time in the Root division, learning various ninjutsu techniques.
From chakra extraction to hand seals, and then to releasing ninjutsu.
Danzo even found several relatively ordinary Wood Release techniques for him to learn, such as "Wooden Dome Wall" and "Wood Clone."
Surprisingly, Yamato showed exceptional talent in learning Wood Release techniques.
In just a month, he had mastered most of the techniques Danzo had given him.
If not for the limitation of his chakra reserves, he might have been able to learn even more.
This result pleased Danzo greatly.
As expected of someone who dared to assassinate the Third Hokage alone!
Perhaps soon, this guy could officially join the Root division and become Kakashi's colleague.
Apart from training Yamato, Danzo's focus during this period was entirely on Kakashi.
To deal with Obito, the best approach was to have Kakashi awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and master Kamui.
Using Kamui to counter Kamui. There was no other way; Obito's space-time ninjutsu was just too overpowered.
As long as he didn't take the risk to attack and kept his body hidden in another dimension, even Madara Uchiha probably couldn't do anything to him!
But if Kakashi could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, he could use Kamui to transfer himself to another dimension and deliver a fatal blow when Obito phased out!
To this end, Danzo specifically had Shisui take over Kakashi's mission of protecting the jinchūriki, allowing Kakashi to stay in the Root division and focus on training his Sharingan.
Unfortunately, the Sharingan wasn't something that could be improved through mere grinding.
Enhancing the Sharingan seemed to require more of a mental component.
Only intense mental conflict could trigger the evolution of the Sharingan.
In the original story, Kakashi didn't master the Mangekyō Sharingan and Kamui until much later, which was still a good ten or twenty years away.
Expecting him to learn and master Kamui in such a short time was really asking too much.
Regardless, as Kushina's due date approached, while Konoha appeared calm on the surface, it was actually becoming increasingly perilous.
Not only had Jiraiya been urgently recalled, but other famous ninjas like Fugaku Uchiha and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had also had their missions suspended and were on standby in the village.
Although no one knew exactly what was going on, everyone could sense an impending storm.
"Isn't this a bit too... cautious?"
"Suspending so many missions will have a huge impact on Konoha's reputation and income."
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked at Danzo.
Due to Orochimaru's defection, Hiruzen's influence within Konoha's leadership had sharply declined.
Even so, he expressed dissatisfaction with Danzo's orders.
The other two advisory elders also voiced their concerns. "I understand that the jinchūriki's childbirth is a significant event, but such a drastic mobilization will have too great an impact on the village."
Koharu Utatane shared Hiruzen's stance. While it was important to take the jinchūriki's childbirth seriously, it shouldn't disrupt the village's normal operations!
In fact, even Minato himself felt that Danzo might be being a bit too cautious.
But Danzo's terrifying capabilities displayed during the Third Great Ninja War made Minato wonder if Danzo knew something in advance.
In response to their concerns, Danzo adopted an even more resolute attitude than usual.
"If the Nine-Tails jinchūriki is attacked during childbirth and the Nine-Tails goes on a rampage in the village, Konoha will suffer a devastating blow!"
"Therefore, we must concentrate all our efforts to prevent this from happening, even if it means delaying some missions!"
Danzo's extremely firm stance left Hiruzen and the others baffled.
"Danzo, the attacks you mentioned are just speculation!"
"Konoha is the leader of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the strongest place in the ninja world!"
"Even if someone dares to attack Konoha, we have full confidence in protecting the jinchūriki and the village's safety!" Hiruzen calmly retorted.
To be honest, his perspective wasn't unreasonable.
From their viewpoint, given Konoha's current strength, no one could pose a threat to it.
Unless the other four great nations launched a joint war.
But was that possible? After all, the Third Great Ninja War had just ended.
Apart from that, they couldn't think of anyone else who would make Konoha go to such lengths.
Could it be Madara Uchiha resurrected?
But from Danzo's perspective, things were entirely different.
In the original story, it was this very event that led to Konoha's gradual decline.
Therefore, he absolutely could not let history repeat itself!
"I have made up my mind; we must do everything to protect the jinchūriki's safety!!" Danzo placed his hands on the table, his exposed eye firmly fixed on Hiruzen and the other two.
His overwhelming presence left them momentarily at a loss.
Fortunately, the Hokage, Minato Namikaze, stepped in to mediate: "Everyone has a point, but considering the existence of that mysterious organization, I think it's better to be safe. What do you think, elders?"
Minato's statement clearly aligned him with Danzo.
Given Konoha's current political landscape, once Danzo, the leader of the hardliners, and Minato, the Hokage, reached a consensus, the elders had little say.
Thus, no matter how dissatisfied they were, they had no choice but to compromise.
"It seems the Hokage will be called a coward behind his back again."
After Hiruzen and the two elders left, Danzo joked.
Minato smiled wryly and shook his head, then his expression turned resolute.
"For Kushina's safety, being called a coward a few times doesn't matter!"
Danzo nodded.
"Tonight, I'll have the Earth Branch team escort Kushina to a secret base. During this period, she shouldn't appear in public to avoid anyone deducing her due date."
With only about a month left until Kushina's due date, continuing to appear in public would make it easy to estimate her delivery timeline.
Minato clearly understood this and nodded. "I'll communicate with Kushina. Don't worry, Senior Danzo."
Hearing this, Danzo gave a slight nod, his hands behind his back as he gazed out the window at the village. "Next, let's see how our enemies make their move."
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