[Shimura Clan, Council Room]
Boku nodded: "Indeed, our actions marked the end of the alliance between Iwagakure and Kumogakure according to my spies in the Uchiha's clans. However, they have been using their discontent as an excuse to plunder the land of rice and regain strength, while Sunagakure strikes in the South"
"Helping the land of rice is not in Konohagakure's interests. After all, Iwagakure has finally stopped its invasion. As for Kumogakure, they are targeting villages and civilians of another country, so it should have nothing to do with Konoha", Itoru spoke, "I suppose the fact that you are considering this option is its payout. Doing this will not please the council, and risks ending the friendship between you and Hiruzen. Worse still, it might force us outside of Konoha. Iwagakure has requested your life in exchange for peace, but the Hokage has been refusing this option out right. Stabbing him in the back would be...dishonest"
Danzo laughed: "Dishonest? He stole the seat of the Hokage, and never once confronted me about it. In the council, he made sure to show the discontent of the Nara, Hyuga and Aburame clans in my face before 'siding' with me. It was nothing more than a message, one telling me to obey him or face the wrath of the other clans. Hiruzen is drunk on power, and his inefficiency in the Eastern front might have been covered by our grand achievements, but I haven't forgotten he lost against the Raikage and the eight-tails jinchuriki two months ago"
Boku nodded: "I agree. Konohagakure might treat us well, but only if we obey them. If the Shimura Operation failed on the Iwagakure front, we would have received nothing. Such is the fragile equilibrium of Konohagakure's politics. Maybe it is time to send Hiruzen a message. Additionally, Sunagakure might be weaker than Iwagakure, but they have committed much more to this war than Iwagakure. I heard the Kazekage has been spotted leaving their village, meaning that we would end up fighting him if we accept Hiruzen's offer. Had he thought about it, he would have proposed a joint operation with the ANBU, or better still, with himself on the front. However, he seeks to undermine our growth"
"HAHAHA!", Danzo laughed, "It looks like you saw right through my mind, Boku. Hiruzen's dangerous stance against us is not the only reason why I have requested your presence today. War is the best fuel for our growth. If we solve the Southern Borders' issue, it will come at a cost, and more importantly, it will probably mark the end of the Second Shinobi World War. Hiruzen will then offer peace treaties. He might look oppressive, but in truth, he is weak-minded. His hatred towards war will cause him to lose in the negotiations. I propose something else"
"We are all hears"
"The Fire Daimyo and Rice Daimyo have offered us 1 billion Ryo in exchange for peace in the land of rice", Danzo muttered in a clear voice, the sum far exceeding any operation reward in the minds of elders, "The shinobi clans of the lands of rice, mere mercenaries until now, seem to have united their forces to protect their country, answering the Daimyo's command. This operation would grant us intergenerational wealth, but more importantly, strong ties with a new hidden village"
After exploring the two options, all six elders joined Danzo's opinion: Bypass Hiruzen's command and support the rise of a new hidden village: Otogakure.
However, Boku had a terrifying idea: "Danzo-sama...Why don't you return the Daimyo's letter with an additional condition"
"What would it be?", Danzo mused
"Giving the title of first kage of Otogakure to you, Danzo-sama", Boku revealed a terrifying smile, "Konohagakure has little to offer after the fall of Lord Second. The Hokage is still refusing to unseal the forbidden jutsu in times of war, and lacks decisiveness. We should have marched towards Iwagakure, rather than stay passive in front of their retreat. The Nara clan loathes us, and their close ties with the Akimichi and Yamanaka clan will make them our political enemies for a long time. The Hyuga fears our growth, while the Uchiha are ostracized. The Senju lost their leaders and fail to reproduce a worthy heir, their princess lacking Hashirama's bloodline limit or Tobirama's genius, the rest of their clan failing to produce elite jonins"
"I don't understand. Why would I throw away decades of investments in Konohagakure for a title which means nothing but trouble? Becoming a kage would mean having to deal with both Kumogakure and Iwagakure's wrath. Additionally, the glass factory underground will be seized by Hiruzen along with our industrial processes. My laboratory will also cease to exist! Ambition is good, but strength should remain our priority"
Boku pressed his advantage. Danzo had lowered his guard, asking questions that lingered on his heart, but Boku was a politician to his core, and once an opportunity for the clan offered itself, he could not help but shiver at the thoughts of a Shimura Kage:
"Precisely. The Fire Daimyo seeks stability in Rice Country, and the Rice Daimyo craves a protector. Who better than you, Danzo-sama? Your reputation as the 'Shimura Demon' shattered Iwa's armies. Your name alone would deter scavengers. And with our clan as Otogakure's core, we could absorb Rice's scattered mercenaries, forge them into a force loyal to us. Konoha's leash would snap. No more Hiruzen's whims. No more clan politics. Only growth. No more limitations at researching forbidden jutsu. Only growth. No more limitations on freedom. You will be the one to dictate freedom"
Yukiko's brow furrowed. "But abandoning Konoha… Would the Daimyo shield us from retaliation? Hiruzen would brand us traitors. The other clans—"
"—Are already fracturing," Boku interrupted. "The Uchiha isolate themselves. The Hyūga bleed in the south. The Senju wither. Konoha is a hollow tree, its roots rotted by Hiruzen's idealism. Let it fall. We'll plant new roots"
Itoru chuckled darkly. "A worthy gamble, in my opinion. The Wind and Lightning nations pick at Konoha's carcass. If we secure Rice Country, we control the crossroads between three nations. Trade. Espionage. Power. The Daimyos will pay dearly for that leverage."
Eiji looked up from his notes, eyes gleaming. "Experiments… A hidden village would grant us resources Konoha hoards. Sealing arrays. Human test subjects. No more hiding in shadows."
Himaru's blade hissed as he half-drew it, the steel catching the lamplight. "Our Kenjutsu Corps could absorb the Rice's samurai techniques. Merge their brute force with our finesse. An army unlike any shinobi village has seen."
Danzo raised a hand, silencing the room. His mind raced—visions of a village shrouded in mist and ambition, its foundations steeped in Shimura pragmatism.
Hiruzen's face flashed before him, weary and betrayed, but rather than make him feel apitied, it made Danzo jubilate.
"Boku," Danzo said, tone measured, "draft terms to the Fire and Rice Daimyos. The Shimura clan will eradicate the invaders plaguing Rice Country… in exchange for sovereignty over Otogakure. I will be its Kage, and our clan its eternal guardians. Ensure the Daimyos understand this is not a request. Ask for a meeting with Kumogakure's raikage. Draft terms for an alliance, and issue priority over our glass industry. Military strong, they lack access to basic resources. We can provide it for them, at a cost, that is. As for Iwagakure, they will remain our enemies anyway, so let us speak with steel"
Boku bowed, triumph etched in his smile. "It will be done."
Yukiko hesitated. "And Hiruzen? He'll learn of this. He'll come for us."
Danzo's smile was a razor's edge. "Let him. By the time Konoha stirs, Otogakure will stand fortified. Hiruzen clings to a dying dream. We… we will rise"
The elders rose as one, fists pressed to hearts in the Shimura salute. Outside, a storm brewed.