Danzo is Tricked
Danzo dispatched Root operatives to pursue and assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had supposedly left the village to visit the Fire Daimyō's estate.
Two Anbu walked alongside "Hiruzen," one in front and one behind, while three others remained hidden nearby for protection.
Unbeknownst to both parties, Root operatives were shadowing them from a distance.
At the same time, Chi Yu's shadow clone concealed its presence, carefully observing both groups.
As "Hiruzen" stepped into the forest, ten Root operatives finally made their move.
Five dropped down from the trees, landing in front of Hiruzen and his escort, charging with drawn kunai.
The two visible Anbu instantly responded with shuriken and closed in with their own blades, while the three hidden guards revealed themselves to provide support—only to be intercepted by four more Root operatives who leapt out to block their path.
The clash quickly escalated: nine Root against five Anbu, the battle drawing further and further away from the original target.
Through it all, "Hiruzen" stood silently, clutching his Hokage hat, as though calmly studying the battle.
Then, a Root operative appeared directly in front of him. The boy wore a mask, but his voice gave him away: Kinoe.
Kinoe pressed his palms together.
"Wood Release!"
Jagged wooden spikes burst from the ground, lancing toward "Hiruzen."
The Hokage didn't even flinch. With a puff of smoke, the wooden spikes impaled nothing but a substitution log.
"Substitution?!" Kinoe hissed.
He snapped his gaze upward and saw the Hokage standing atop a tree branch. But as smoke cleared, the figure wavered—revealing not the Third Hokage, but a masked Anbu operative.
Kinoe instantly understood: the real target wasn't here.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"
Wooden tendrils sprouted from his arm, snaking forward.
The Anbu's hands blurred through seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"
Gleaming wind blades sheared through the wooden branches in an instant.
Realizing he was outmatched, Kinoe retreated without hesitation. The Anbu didn't pursue.
Soon, the other five regrouped.
"They weren't after us," one Anbu concluded coldly. "Their only goal was to lure us away from the Hokage."
"Status?"
"All intact."
"Good. Return—we'll report directly. The Third himself will handle the rest."
With that, the Anbu flickered away, leaving the battlefield behind.
Chi Yu's shadow clone quietly dispersed, returning its memories to the real body.
At his home in Konoha, Chi Yu paused mid-cooking, spatula in hand. He muttered, lips twitching into a wry line:
"So Hiruzen was a step ahead… He already knew Danzo would try something. Even noticed that Wood Release boy long ago. Hmph. I didn't gain much from this… Still, a mosquito's leg is still meat. Watching costs nothing."
He wiped his hands, formed a seal, and created another shadow clone.
This time, it transformed into a snake and slithered toward the Hokage's Office.
---
Inside that office, Danzo Shimura sat in Hiruzen Sarutobi's chair, as though it were already his by right.
In his mind, Hiruzen's death was guaranteed.
The Third had grown old and rusty. His last true battle was against the Nine-Tails. Even during the Third Shinobi World War, Hiruzen had rarely fought directly; he was the Hokage, and a Kage only entered battle when absolutely necessary.
The real key, however, was Kinoe.
The moment Hiruzen saw Wood Release—Hashirama's lost power, reborn—he would surely hesitate. That hesitation would create the opening needed.
Danzo smirked faintly. Kinoe was his prized tool, handpicked and trained personally. He had even secured the First Hokage's Wood Release scrolls for him to study. Though still only a child, Kinoe's value to Root was immeasurable.
Reclining, Danzo swiveled his chair toward the window, closing his eyes. From today onward, the reins of Konoha's power will be mine.
And once Hiruzen was gone, his next step would be clear: the village's entire strength would be directed at eliminating Chi Yu.
Just picturing the obstacles in his way crushed beneath his will made Danzo's lips curl into a smile.
Outside, the snake—Chi Yu's clone—watched from the window, tongue flicking, its reptilian face almost mocking.
Danzo was so lost in triumph that he didn't even notice the footsteps behind him.
"Sorry," came the calm, heavy voice, "but I can't give up this seat just yet."
Danzo's eyes snapped open. He spun the chair around—and there stood Hiruzen Sarutobi, very much alive.
"You—!" Danzo's composure shattered, his face twitching, cold sweat breaking instantly. "I… heard you had left for the Daimyō's estate—"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened like a blade.
"Danzo, do you think I know nothing of this village? Ten operatives slipped out of Konoha late last night. Do you imagine it's difficult to uncover what they intended—or who sent them?"
Danzo clenched his jaw, calculating furiously.
Hiruzen drew deeply on his pipe. "By rights, the mastermind behind such treachery deserves death. But…" He exhaled slowly, smoke curling in the air. "…my principles do not permit me to needlessly harm another from this village."
Danzo's eyes widened.
Hiruzen continued, voice steady: "If I met him face-to-face, I would tell him this matter is forgiven. But in return—I would demand his devotion to Konoha, from this day forward."
Danzo's lips curled, torn between disbelief and scorn. "Still clinging to your naïve ideals… Your pacifism will one day be your undoing, Hiruzen."
The Third Hokage's eyes softened as he turned to the window. "…Perhaps."
Danzo rose stiffly and made for the door.
"Don't you have anything to say?" Hiruzen asked quietly.
Danzo froze, frowning. "Say what? That you are the light, and I am the shadow? That has always been the way of things."
Hiruzen shook his head, sighing. "I wasn't speaking of that."
Danzo glanced back, impatience etched on his features. "Then what?"
"Wood Release," Hiruzen said gravely. "Such a power is vital to Konoha's future. Do you truly think I have been blind to your experiments and your Root? I've allowed you great autonomy, Danzo. But never believe I know nothing."
Danzo stiffened, eyes widening in shock.
Could it be…? Hiruzen had people inside Root all along?
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