The words Danzō had spoken could only represent himself.
And precisely because this was the kind of scheme that could never see the light of day, Tsuchidai no longer treated him with the same restraint as before.
"That's not the point," Shimura Danzō said calmly, unmoved by the sarcasm. "This is mutually beneficial. Kumogakure has no reason to refuse."
Tsuchidai shook his head.
"Assassinating Konoha's Third Hokage… forgive me, but all I see is risk. I fail to see the benefit you speak of."
Of course he saw the benefit.
He simply wanted more.
Danzō didn't take the bait.
"If Sarutobi Hiruzen dies, Konoha is weakened. That much is undeniable."
"What diminishes us strengthens you."
"Kumogakure and Konoha are enemies by nature. If given the opportunity, you would kill a Hokage yourselves."
"Now the opportunity presents itself—with less effort on your part."
He paused.
"And when the chaos erupts, I will create the chance for you to reclaim the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki."
"T he hostage gone, the treaty becomes meaningless."
"That is the greatest concession I can offer. There will be no more."
Tsuchidai's heart tightened.
Nearly half the indemnity remained unpaid.
A fortune in minerals and currency.
That alone was worth considering.
And here Danzō was, offering to burn his own village's leverage.
But this was Danzō—the man called the darkness of the shinobi world.
Tsuchidai dared not relax.
He hesitated deliberately.
"And if Hiruzen proves harder to kill than expected? What if you renege?"
Danzō's gaze hardened.
"I would be conspiring to assassinate the Hokage alongside you. What retreat would remain to me?"
"If I betray you, you may expose the plot."
"Even without proof, the suspicion alone would end my candidacy."
"Of course," he added coldly, "do not mistake this for leverage. If I become Hokage, I will not be threatened."
"I have borne slander my entire life. A few more accusations mean nothing."
Tsuchidai understood.
While Danzō still sought legitimacy, rumors mattered.
But once in power?
A man like him would crush dissent before it formed.
Tsuchidai finally said, "I require time. I must consult the Raikage."
"There is no time," Danzō replied. "Hiruzen travels with only two ANBU squads. The ambush must occur on his return."
"This opportunity will not come again."
"You must act first—report later."
Tsuchidai shook his head.
"Without authorization, I lack the forces necessary. Our delegation is small. We cannot slip elite fighters out of Konoha unnoticed."
Danzō let out a humorless chuckle.
"Enough."
"Do not pretend before me."
"Though Kumogakure withdrew from the Land of Hot Water, you left several elite jōnin squads hidden near the Fire Country border to support this delegation."
"Your men. My men. Together—we have more than enough."
Tsuchidai's pupils contracted.
So Root truly had eyes everywhere.
After a long pause, he nodded.
"Very well."
"But once the deed is done, Killer B must be released immediately."
"And you will guarantee our safe return to the Land of Lightning."
Danzō smiled faintly.
"I have no desire for my first act as Hokage to be marred by incompetence."
"The jinchūriki will be released at once."
"A deal, then."
"A deal."
Danzō rose.
"Have your forces move toward the Fire Daimyō's route."
"I will send word when the time comes."
"Then I shall not see you out."
Tsuchidai inclined his head.
Danzō left without another word.
Only when his footsteps faded completely did Samui speak.
"Lord Tsuchidai… are we truly aligning with him?"
"That man is a tiger."
Tsuchidai gave a low chuckle.
"He is dangerous."
"Ordinarily, I would never cooperate with such a person."
"But this time is different."
"He spoke at least one truth."
"This is Konoha's internal struggle."
"The more vicious their infighting, the greater the benefit to us."
"If Danzō takes power," he added quietly, "Konoha's strength will bleed away within a few years."
Samui hesitated.
"That is not my concern."
"My concern is this—once we are no longer useful, what prevents him from silencing us?"
"If it were me, I would kill to eliminate witnesses."
"And Danzō is far more ruthless than I."
Tsuchidai's eyes glinted.
"Do you remember the report from the Land of Rain?"
Samui frowned.
"The rumor that Danzō clashed with Hanzō and both sides suffered heavy losses?"
"It was unverified—"
"It is true," Tsuchidai interrupted softly.
"And his losses were likely greater than reported."
"He lacks the strength to accomplish this alone."
"That is why he came to us."
"And a man without strength," he concluded calmly, "cannot afford to silence allies."
Samui's gaze sharpened.
Tsuchidai folded his hands.
"This time… Konoha will bleed."
"And we shall profit."
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> [email protected]/warewolvesTL(replace@ with a)