The current situation in the ninja world is ever-changing. Just when it seemed Konoha might be on the brink of collapse, they managed to sign a peace agreement with the Hidden Cloud Village after Deidara and Sasori defeated the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee.
With this agreement, Konoha could focus all its forces on fighting the Hidden Sand Village, which couldn't withstand the pressure. Just as Danzo was about to revel in his impending victory, the Hidden Stone Village made a move. They ambushed the Hidden Sand Village during its decisive battle with Konoha, effectively stealing Konoha's victory.
Upon hearing this news, it is said that Danzo was so furious that he not only smashed the Hokage's office desk but also turned the entire office upside down.
As a result, Konoha's prolonged warfare, which came at a great cost, ultimately yielded nothing, turning them into a laughingstock in the ninja world.
"Hokage-sama, now that the war is over, shouldn't we lower taxes and focus on recovery?"
In the Hokage's office, Shikaku Nara braced himself as he asked the question, fully aware that it might not please Danzo. However, it had to be addressed. Konoha's economy was on the verge of collapse, and continuing to squeeze it would cause irreparable harm. Moreover, dissenters would become increasingly difficult to suppress.
"Shikaku!" Danzo was already in a foul mood these days, so expecting any patience from him was futile.
"Although there is temporary peace, we have the Hidden Stone Village to the west, who stole our victory, and the Hidden Cloud Village to the east, eyeing us like a tiger. Now is not the time to relax!" Danzo declared.
"Ah!" Shikaku sighed slightly, knowing better than to press further.
At that moment, Might Guy, clad in his distinctive green bodysuit, entered the room.
"Hokage-sama! Please allow me to leave the village and bring Kakashi back! I don't believe he would betray the village; there must be some misunderstanding here!" Might Guy pleaded passionately.
He could hardly believe it when he returned from a mission and heard the news of Kakashi's defection.
How could this be? How could Kakashi possibly betray the village?
Danzo felt a twinge of headache. Of course, there was no misunderstanding, as Kakashi was sold out by Danzo himself.
But it wasn't out of personal interest—it was all for Konoha! Without using Kakashi as a bargaining chip, how could he have persuaded Deidara and Sasori to help defeat the Hidden Cloud? How else could he have secured peace?
Moreover, in this deal, he managed to earn an additional profit from the mysterious man, who specifically requested Deidara be sent to the front lines.
Trading Kakashi for all these benefits was undoubtedly a profitable exchange!
Of course, there was no need to let others know the truth behind the scenes. Danzo was willing to bear the sins alone.
"Might Guy, Kakashi's defection is a fact. Don't cause trouble here."
"Given the village's tense situation, your strength should be focused on contributing to the village, not on personal matters!" Danzo reprimanded, leaning on his cane.
Might Guy hadn't been sent to the front lines. Firstly, Danzo wasn't fully aware of Might Guy's true strength. Secondly, the village needed high-level power to handle S-rank missions, which were crucial for Konoha's financial survival.
Especially with someone like Might Guy, who could be easily persuaded to hand over all mission rewards, it was ideal!
However, when it came to Kakashi, Might Guy's resolve was unwavering, and no amount of persuasion worked.
After arguing with Danzo for a while and realizing he couldn't convince him, Might Guy abruptly left, breaking through the door. "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama!"
"I must bring Kakashi back!"
Seeing Might Guy run out of the village, Danzo was so furious that his nose almost twisted in anger.
Troublemakers! They're all troublemakers!
None of them obey orders! If they were all trained like Root members, Konoha would be united, and it wouldn't be in its current state!
"Hokage-sama, what should we do?"
"Should we bring Might Guy back?" asked his deputy, Ryoma Aburame.
"Catch him! With what?" Danzo shouted angrily. Even with Might Guy's exposed Six Gates strength, no one in the village, except Jiraiya, could defeat him.
But would Jiraiya help him?
Clearly not.
After enduring repeated frustrations, Danzo didn't bother with paperwork anymore and headed straight to the Root headquarters, seeking some rest.
"Yo! You're finally back. I've been waiting for you."
As Danzo stepped into the Root base, a White Zetsu poked its head out from the ceiling.
"Who are you?" Root guards quickly assumed battle positions, while Danzo looked up coldly at White Zetsu. "He didn't come personally? Sent you to deliver a message again."
White Zetsu wasn't offended by Danzo's disdain or insults. In fact, White Zetsu lacked the emotion of anger.
"Here! This is the payment for this transaction." White Zetsu handed over two bottles of green liquid containing mature Hashirama cells.
Obito knew Danzo had Kotoamatsukami, especially now that Konoha was in crisis. He dared not show up in front of Danzo, fearing he might be controlled by Kotoamatsukami, which would be laughable.
A Root ninja stepped forward to receive the vials, and Danzo examined them, nodding in approval.
"You may leave."
"Oh no! I still have something else to deliver!" White Zetsu exaggeratedly refused.
"What is it?" Danzo asked coldly.
"We want to make an agreement with you," White Zetsu replied.
"What agreement?"
"Divide the ninja world. The Hidden Cloud Village is already within our sphere of influence. Before that, we'll target the Hidden Mist Village."
"And you, Konoha, will target the Hidden Stone Village. Once we each control half of the ninja world, we can then decide the ultimate winner."
"Otherwise, it's easy for other ninja villages or Akatsuki members to take advantage, as they have now," White Zetsu explained.
Divide the ninja world? It was indeed a tempting proposal. After pondering for a moment, Danzo nodded in agreement. "Alright."
"Then goodbye!" White Zetsu waved and vanished once more.
After White Zetsu left, Danzo continued deeper into the Root base, where he had established a research facility exclusively for Root. It housed a large group of various talents researching all sorts of subjects.
Including, but not limited to, Hashirama cells, Edo Tensei, Flying Thunder God, Sharingan, and more. Unfortunately, while ordinary talents were easy to find, those like Orochimaru, capable of groundbreaking achievements, were almost nonexistent, resulting in little substantial progress in various areas.
However, despite the lack of research capabilities, identifying items was still feasible.
"Hokage-sama, these are indeed very mature Hashirama cells. Once transplanted, you can immediately master Wood Release, and your control over it will be quite high," a researcher said excitedly.
"Danzo-sama, will you use them yourself?" Ryoma Aburame asked.
"No!" Danzo unexpectedly refused.
"Have you forgotten? Konoha already has a ready-made Wood Release user and the last member of the Senju clan."
"They are the most suitable candidates for this."
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