[Coming in a hurry and with great fanfare.]
[In the end, just because of a piece of intelligence... a result that might not even happen, they slunk away in disgrace.]
[The situation was urgent; it was a desperate measure.]
[If Hiruzen Sarutobi were a few years younger, or if a few more years had passed and his most trusted successor of the Will of Fire had grown up, he might have been a bit more firm.]
[The Ninja Bear is still just the Ninja Bear after all.]
[He can endure, and yet he still looks like that cowardly bear.]
[The most critical point is that the Root Organization and the Anbu have infiltrated each other.]
[At this moment, the intelligence Hiruzen Sarutobi received...]
[...could very well be from subordinates loyal to the Hokage.]
[Or it could be from someone on the Root Organization's side.]
[Of course, it could also be people belonging to Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado—the neutral faction... and one cannot rule out those who are neutral for their own sake.]
[In short, given the current situation, no one else wants to see the Anbu and the Root Organization—that is, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura—fighting like dogs, leading to a massive loss of vitality.]
[Furthermore, if a rift develops, they won't be able to cooperate after Tsunade returns, neither putting in work nor effort.]
[In that case, Tsunade might very well turn the tables.]
[As long as they lose... given Tsunade's status, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire might just jump out to voice his opinion.]
[In that way... the final result would likely be that many people would have a large portion of their power stripped away by Tsunade.]
[At that time, it will be the countdown to 'death' for this group of people.]
Senju Tobirama: "Hmph!"
Senju Tobirama: "A bunch of vermin!"
Uchiha Izuna: Who exactly is protecting this kind of person?
Just after saying it, Uchiha Izuna felt that this was too obvious and didn't fit his character persona.
Uchiha Izuna: So it's someone's disciples... and a bunch of people brainwashed by the Will of Fire left behind by a certain someone and his elder brother... no need to be so explicit.
Hmm... and then.
Uchiha Madara: The Will of Fire also contains the shadow of your elder brother.
Uchiha Izuna: "..."
[Poof—]
[The Shadow Clone sent back its memories and experiences.]
[Naruto was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.]
[Birds of a feather, colluding together against outsiders.]
[Standard operation.]
[It doesn't matter; anyway, the gift has been sent. I'll ignore them for now and continue harvesting 'chives'.]
[On the other side, inside the Root Organization's underground base.]
[After Danzo Shimura learned that his close friend had withdrawn his troops and no longer dared to use him as a scapegoat, he let out a cold sneer.]
["Hiruzen, oh Hiruzen, I told you, you will definitely regret this."]
["Now... regret?"]
["It's already too late!"]
[With that, Danzo Shimura glanced at a figure in the shadows.]
["Go back and tell Orochimaru that the deal continues. Also... I accept this cooperation."]
["But he must agree to my conditions, otherwise... hmph!"]
[As he finished speaking.]
[The figure in the shadows slowly stepped out.]
[He raised his hand and pushed up his glasses.]
[The light reflecting off the glasses flashed across Danzo's eyes.]
["Understood. I will relay your words exactly."]
[With that, the person turned and left.]
[Danzo glanced at his retreating back.]
[His old face remained expressionless.]
[But his thoughts drifted away.]
[After a long time, Danzo suddenly said, "Bring me the scroll concerning the Yakushi Nono incident."]
[Since he had decided to do it, he had to be fully prepared. Anything that could be utilized, whether humane or not, was fine as long as it worked, led to victory, and allowed him to have the last laugh.]
[Konoha... Crush Plan!]
[...]
[The Hokage Building was brightly lit once again.]
[The fatigue on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face could not be hidden.]
["Why return at this point in time?"]
["Is there any sign of those three?"]
["Unlikely... but it cannot be entirely ruled out."]
["Have people watch if Tsunade is really coming back, and keep a constant eye on her location."]
["If they are exposed, swap them for someone else to continue following."]
[As the voice fell.]
[In the Hokage Office, an acknowledgment came from a certain corner.]
[Afterward, the Hokage Office fell silent once more.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples and couldn't help but yawn.]
[Exhausted and very sleepy... but he couldn't sleep just yet.]
[Suddenly, his right eyelid twitched.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Am I just getting old after all?"]
["Or am I overthinking it?"]
["I have a bad feeling... never mind."]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up to clear his head.]
["Let's pick up the pace a bit."]
[He murmured, memories of what happened back then surfacing in his mind.]
[In the late stages of the Third Great Ninja War, Tsunade became disheartened with this Konoha, with him as her teacher... and ultimately chose to leave the Village.]
[It was very quiet.]
[It was so back then.]
[But now... that might not be the case.]
["No matter."]
["It was so then; how much difference will there be now?"]
["Besides... under my leadership, Konoha will soon have its first Perfect Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."]
["Thus... if she has no designs on this position..."]
["...then there won't be any problem."]
["If she can stay in Konoha peacefully, contribute to the Village, and gain a deeper understanding of the true essence of the Will of Fire, it would actually be a good thing."]
[Tsunade's departure caused the medical standards of Konoha—no, the entire Ninja World—to stagnate for many years.]
[Concepts from years ago are still being used today.]
[If she can continue to contribute in this field, or even grasp the true essence of the Will of Fire and devote herself to the Village, it would be an absolute blessing.]
[Combined with the support of Tsunade's status... the position of Hokage will only become more and more stable.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and murmured, "Let her come back then. It just so happens she can make it in time for the Chunin Exams."]
["At that time... when I announce the return of one of the Legendary Sannin and my disciple, Tsunade—hehe, those rats hiding in the gutters might just hesitate for fear of collateral damage."]
["For now... let's handle the matters from this period first."]
[With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back in the Hokage's seat.]
[What a headache.]
[To this day, he still hasn't figured out who exactly is targeting him.]
[Despite all the searching, not even a shadow has been found.]
[However... looking at the series of events from a broader perspective, they seem inseparable from Danzo Shimura and the Root Organization.]
[Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Clan grounds.]
[Under the moonlight.]
[A figure fell heavily.]
["Damn it... why just can't I do it?!"]
[The boy was covered in wounds.]
[Lying on the ground, he gasped for breath continuously.]
[His hands were covered in tiny scars.]
[Clearly, the only one who would be training here was Uchiha Sasuke.]
["I've done everything I should have... why is the gap still so huge?!"]
[Sasuke's mindset underwent another shift.]
["No!"]
["I must make a change... otherwise, when will I ever get my revenge?!"]
["Naruto... yes, Naruto will definitely have a way!"]