Inside the depths of the Root headquarters, Shimura Danzō wasted no time after returning.
He immediately summoned Aburame Ryūma, Yamanaka Fū, and Tenzo.
"The Uchiha have agreed," Danzō said plainly. "They will dispatch an unknown Kage-level combatant to assist in eliminating Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Ryūma's voice lowered.
"As expected of a clan with a thousand years of heritage. Another hidden Kage-level figure… With Uchiha Jin and Uchiha Shisui already present, their strength is terrifying."
A sharp glint passed through Danzō's lone eye.
"My teacher's caution toward the Uchiha was not without reason. It seems… my approach toward them must evolve."
Ryūma hesitated.
"You mean the Council seat…?"
"No." Danzō shook his head. "For now, I still require their support."
"Besides, among the Uchiha, only that Jin is troublesome. The rest are manageable."
His tone turned cold.
"Once I become Hokage, the Uchiha can become a blade in my hand."
"As long as Jin is removed… the clan will fall in line."
"And if I grant them a Council seat then—so be it."
Ryūma considered.
"That Uchiha Jin will not be easy to eliminate."
Danzō closed his eyes briefly.
"I have three methods for dealing with him."
He raised three fingers.
"Entertain him."
"Behead him."
"Or make him kneel."
Yamanaka Fū and Tenzo exchanged confused looks.
Ryūma answered without hesitation.
"If the goal is to control the Uchiha, then Jin must be removed."
"Behead him."
His voice carried killing intent.
"He will never submit willingly. Only his death maximizes our gain."
Danzō nodded slowly.
"But Jin is no easy target."
"He is clan head. He commands the Military Police. His strength speaks for itself."
Root's power had diminished severely. Assassinating him within Konoha would be near impossible.
Danzō added, almost casually:
"I believe Orochimaru would find Jin… a fascinating specimen."
The room quieted.
"The question," Danzō continued, "is how to lure him outside the village. And it must be done swiftly—before everything settles."
Only then could he absorb the Uchiha's strength cleanly.
Silence stretched.
Jin was not a man easily baited.
Then—
Yamanaka Fū spoke.
"I've heard Jin has close ties to Yakushi Nono from the orphanage."
Danzō's eye flashed.
How had he nearly forgotten?
Previously, during dealings involving Amegakure, he had tested Yakushi Nono's value. Jin's reaction at the time had been extreme.
Yes.
She was a weakness.
Ryūma nodded slowly.
"This has potential."
Danzō allowed himself a thin smile.
"Good. We will plan carefully. After Hiruzen is dealt with, this moves forward."
He paused again.
"And after Hiruzen… what of Namikaze Minato?"
Namikaze Minato.
"Entertain him. Behead him. Or break him."
Ryūma considered.
"Minato is not like Jin. He is idealistic. Easier to handle."
"Perhaps try entertaining him first?"
Danzō shook his head.
"Minato is naïve—but he has conviction. He will not bend."
"Unlike Jin, his weakness is obvious."
He spoke calmly.
"We will eventually control the Nine-Tails' power."
"So Minato… we break."
Ryūma nodded.
"And perhaps after Hiruzen's death, we secure the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and Minato first. Then use them to deal with Jin."
Danzō did not object.
"For now, the priority remains Hiruzen."
"Do not underestimate him. Old—but far from harmless."
"One Kage-level combatant is insufficient. We need… external leverage."
His voice trailed off.
Root's manpower was dangerously thin. He could not risk exposing allied village clans to regicide. Unlike the reckless Uchiha, most families would flee at the mere suggestion of assassinating a former Hokage.
Was he truly to gamble what remained of Root on this single move?
For once—
Danzō hesitated.
Not because he valued his subordinates' lives.
But because he had so few left.
Then Yamanaka Fū spoke again.
"Danzō-sama… perhaps we can let the tiger devour the wolf."
"Don't forget—the Eight-Tails jinchūriki and the Kumogakure delegation are still in the village."
For a moment—
The air froze.
Danzō's single hand clenched into a fist.
His eye gleamed.
Ryūma slowly turned toward Fū.
When had this boy become so vicious?
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