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Things between nations don't move quickly, so Danzo was left waiting in Konoha for the Water Country's response. It also told her one other thing-Minato had been summoned personally by Akira to return.
After handing over the latest intelligence report to Sarutobi Hiruzen, his composure broke under sudden concern.
"Why him? Why Minato? Are they targeting him too? Danzo, do you have any backup candidates?"
Danzo rubbed her temple as she replied with clear frustration. A genius like Minato at the perfect age-and not from any clan. Background checks confirmed he idolized Sarutobi's Will of Fire. The kid was practically born to carry Hiruzen's dream forward.
"If I had others lined up, we wouldn't have to depend on this war strategy to weaken the ninja clans. There'd be enough talent among civilians for us to use by now."
"No one else?"
Sarutobi sighed sharply. He'd crossed too many lines already, letting good people die, setting up allies for failure, all to suppress the power of the clans. Now he faced this: giving their most dangerous tool to the ninjas with command over troops?
Even if he were in their position, he wouldn't bet they'd do the right thing either.
"How were you faster than me on this? Are you sure this hasn't leaked?"
Danzo raised one brow stiffly. "What are you implying? Only you and I know about this plan. If you're not the leak, that leaves just me, and you're accusing me?"
"No, no," Sarutobi waved his hands quickly and offered her that placating smile of his. "Come on-you're the last person I'd ever doubt. Hell, I'd doubt my wife before I doubted you. I just... I'm asking if your Root agents discovered anything suspicious."
"Hmph."
Though her chest swelled slightly at the flattery, Danzo didn't soften her tone. "I wrote that plan myself and executed it myself. No one saw it but you. As for why Minato, he probably admires you too damn much. Helped Kushina during that mental breakdown too, so..."
"I see…"
Realizing it was indirectly his own influence that shaped the current outcome, Sarutobi couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head in disbelief.
"In that case, Minato's loyalty is probably safe for now. Danzo, what do you think is the best way to approach him next?"
"Huh?"
She looked at him with open suspicion. "Minato's just a civilian child. Focus too much on him now and the clans will notice immediately and start sniffing around. If they see us acting so early-especially when your power in the village isn't solid-it might backfire hard."
Danzo couldn't afford infighting while preparing for war with outside nations. Her own faction was small and not ready for clan warfare from within.
"Hiruzen, don't act recklessly."
"I know."
He leaned in closer and lowered his tone slightly. "Listen, if Minato makes contact with Uzumaki Akira, there's every chance he'll pick up some serious skills or even get taken in as her disciple. In that case, we move our schedule forward."
"Move it forward?!"
Danzo paled slightly at his boldness. "You're insane! If we start now, the land of Water won't hand over the remainder of the Whirlpool's spoils-"
"Let them keep it!"
Sarutobi's expression hardened completely now. "What's been happening over there is enough justification to declare war outright. From there-"
His eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
"We press forward on two fronts, one open war with Water Country and one defensive deployment against the surrounding nations. Assign Uzumaki Akira to lead that front line alongside Uchiha and Senju."
"If they fail to hold it-whether they die or get injured-it doesn't matter either way. And if they failed…"
He cracked what passed for a grin on him now.
"Well, then he just proved he isn't even close to his father's level."
Danzo felt her heart pick up again after lying dormant so long, but as always, she reminded herself that Hiruzen had no intention of ever surrendering the title to her.
"This is risky-even if we win, the Senju might revolt against us for how we handled it. And what if Water exposes our role in Whirlpool's fall?"
"They won't expose anything."
Sarutobi exhaled with confidence now that his plan was laid bare.
"They've already accepted payment from Whirlpool resources, the moment the truth comes out every nation gets pulled in by association. To avoid war or silence critics, the land of Water will take full blame themselves and endure retaliation from others."
"As long as they rely on Shinobis, they'll hide our secret forever... unless their entire country collapses overnight."
Danzo sat back and finally nodded as she turned it over in her mind again. What he said made sense-and it terrified her too.
For once, she looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen not as her comrade-but as someone who might've truly earned his enemy's fear.
Hiruzen enjoyed that look-smiling faintly as he ran fingers down his beard again. "And as for the Senju, without Momori or Nawaki and without Uzumaki resistance, what is even left of them?"
Danzo gave one final warning under her breath: "There's Tsunade…"
"She stays alive," Hiruzen said quickly. "At least until we finish our 'Wood Release Inheritance Plan.' Once we've secured that power-our own child will hold Wood Release. Our child will be Konoha's permanent Kage candidate."
Danzo didn't answer right away-but clenched her jaw behind tight lips.
They were talking about having children now-and she was almost forty.
"Fine," she eventually snapped out. "Whatever you want."
Sensing her coldness returning, Hiruzen gently clasped her hand where it rested on the desk and smiled slightly again.
"You'll see-it'll go smoothly from here. I just want your help organizing troop deployment across the borders."
"You're heading to the Academy?"
"Yes," he answered simply. "Minato visited Mito today, I'm sure we'll win him over soon enough. And once we've bred our Wood Release heir and raised them strong enough to hold the Nine-Tails…"
His eyes darkened again-the warmth gone completely.
"Minato and the entire Uzumaki bloodline will no longer be necessary."
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