Actually,
Hiruzen needs to understand Koharu's meaning.
He thought that when Koharu warned him about Danzo, she meant that Danzo was plotting to become the Hokage.
But in reality, he didn't know...
From a medical ninja's perspective, Koharu had discovered that Danzo's vital signs were off!
This is a complete misinterpretation of intelligence.
It doomed Hiruzen to a passive role during this crucial transition of the Hokage position.
"What should we do?"
Shikaku asked Hiruzen, puzzled, as he noticed the unusual movements of the Root ninjas.
"Should we stop them?"
"Or..."
"Should we wait and see?"
Shikaku is a clever man, but even with his strong ability to extrapolate after the incident with Aoba, he no longer unquestioningly trusts his ability to fill in gaps as he once did.
As an advisor in Hokage's office, Shikaku had extensive insight into the Root organization. Although he hadn't been an advisor for long, he needed to understand many things to maintain his position, so he was knowledgeable about the Root.
This organization is an underground faction within Konoha.
The ninjas of Root fundamentally belong to the Anbu, but they serve exclusively under Danzo and are not part of the official Anbu framework.
In Shikaku's view, this is an uncontrolled Anbu organization!
Having such an organization within Konoha is like having a ticking bomb, a source of instability that could explode at any moment.
Of course, Shikaku also knew this was a double-edged sword. Although it posed a risk to Konoha, the benefits outweighed the harm for the Third Hokage.
However, according to records, just records.
Since Shikaku had not been an advisor for long, all the information he could access was from documented sources; he hadn't experienced anything not covered in the records. Previously, he hadn't achieved high positions, so his understanding wasn't very clear.
So, beyond these records, he couldn't be entirely sure if such things had happened…
According to what he knew, Root ninjas operated within Konoha, dealing with matters that the village leadership couldn't handle publicly, effectively representing Konoha's darker side.
As an advisor in Konoha, now part of the village's political sphere, and a member of the Nara clan, one of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans under Hiruzen's direct supervision, Shikaku was privy to a lot of information.
Those who enter the political sphere understand that there's no right or wrong, no justice or darkness, only perspectives.
The victors are justified, and the winners are always right, earning the right to bask in everyone's admiration from the moral high ground.
The losers bear all the blame!
Inside Konoha, many necessary actions occur, such as if a ninja kept publicly criticizing the Third Hokage. If these accusations were baseless, it would be one thing, but what if they were true? If this person, undeterred and unadvisable, kept spreading such truths, they might suddenly decide to end it all by drowning in a river.
Such incidents are not rare, but most people don't associate them with the Third Hokage because his public image is so positive and bright, handled instead by Danzo's Root.
Root's role is to undertake the tasks that Konoha's leadership cannot handle openly.
They uphold the village's darker justice!
They can't solve problems, but they can eliminate those who cause problems!
However, at this moment, a group of Anbu loyal only to Danzo suddenly left Konoha to undertake an unspecified mission outside the village; how could this not raise suspicions?
If it were just one or two Root ninja squads leaving quietly, they might not be detected, but this time, there were too many. They left en masse through the main gate, not even trying to hide their movements—clearly impossible to conceal!
Upon seeing this intelligence about Root, Shikaku began to speculate about their purpose.
Root ninjas, unlike regular ninjas, lose their identities upon joining and are left only with codenames. They are devoid of individual lives, and their lives are no longer their own; they are merely emotionless tools for carrying out missions.
These Root ninjas would not act independently; all their actions are commanded, and Danzo is the only one who could issue such commands.
Seeing these Root ninjas heading outside Konoha yet tasked with a mission concerning the village, Shikaku didn't find it difficult to suspect their targets might be certain individuals among the ninja forces returning to Konoha.
This immediately brought two names to Shikaku's mind.
Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato.
This sharp realization led him to a significant secret: a major political upheaval might unfold in Konoha.
The skies of Konoha were changing.
Someone was beginning to aim for the position of the new Hokage.
Even the villagers of Konoha felt that a change was due.
Sakumo and Minato were both popular candidates for the new generation of Hokage.
Since Minato led Konoha's ninja forces to victory in the Third Great Ninja War, his reputation significantly boosted morale and inspired the people.
Ever since the start of the Third Great Ninja War, life has become dull and tasteless for many. Everyone was living in a state of constant worry, and their lives were overshadowed, especially the local shops, which faced economic depression and immense pressure.
War has a significant impact on people!
Even those sheltered within the village felt the strain; the war affected not just their livelihoods and businesses but also their relatives and friends, including the usually smiling faces of the ninjas they knew.
How many of those who went to the front lines would return?
How many of their familiar ninjas would come back?
These questions remained unanswered until the return of the ninja forces.
War means death, and death brings grief.
Many of those who went to the front lines were relatives and friends of the people of Konoha, and any harm to them was difficult for people to accept, even though they were prepared for the possibility of sacrifice. Who truly wants to face such outcomes?
The people of Konoha had long hoped for the end of the war and a return to peaceful, stable, and happy times.
What they wanted was simple.
Now, Minato had brought back this carefree life, making the calls for him to become the new Hokage resoundingly strong in the village.
This situation threatened the Third Hokage's position, something Shikaku was acutely aware of. He also saw that the Third Hokage had no intention of stepping down from his position anytime soon, meaning a series of irreconcilable conflicts between Hiruzen and Minato was likely.
As for Danzo…
Just as Shikaku had previously speculated,
Danzo's actions were not under Hiruzen's influence but were his initiative, indicating that he, too, was aiming for the Hokage position.
Realizing this, Shikaku understood that he was witnessing a three-way struggle for the Hokage position, and if Sakumo were included, it would be a four-way contest.
Such a phenomenon had never occurred before and was unlikely to happen again.
So many people vying for the position of Hokage simultaneously was indeed a rare occurrence.
If such an event were to occur again, the likelihood of another coup affecting the situation in Konoha would be almost nonexistent.
After all, the conditions required are quite stringent!
First, there needs to be a Hokage clinging to their position, unwilling to leave. Second, a deputy by the Hokage's side who also desires the position. Lastly, one or two potential successors who are widely accepted by the village.
These conditions take a lot of work to meet simultaneously!
Indeed, this was also a once-in-a-century scenario for Konoha!
This situation left Shikaku needing help with how to respond. After Aoba's guidance, he learned that many things required careful consideration and should not be acted upon based solely on his talents. Often, knowing does not necessarily mean speaking out, and what he knows might not always be correct.
Shikaku looked at Hiruzen with a slightly sad gaze, waiting for him to continue. Regardless of how much he knew or judged, he was just an advisor in Konoha, with many things involved, especially regarding the Hokage position, which was already completely beyond his control. Even if he saw through everything, he was like a small boat drifting with the waves, unable to control his fate, like seeing a great historical wheel rolling towards him but powerless to alter its course.
"Let's pretend Danzo's actions never happened!"
Hiruzen said under Shikaku's expectant gaze, his thoughts simple—if Danzo could handle these issues, it would save him a lot of trouble.
According to his understanding of Danzo, Danzo was definitely going to take action.
He still needed clarification about what methods Danzo planned to use to resolve the crisis threatening the position of Hokage.
However, regardless of the method used, it would be very beneficial for him as long as it could defuse the current crisis.
If Sakumo and Minato's threats were removed, dealing with Danzo would be simpler.
Hiruzen had many ways to handle Danzo!
He had Danzo completely under control.
No one knew Danzo better than he did!
Hiruzen could fundamentally return Danzo to his original position and continue waiting for him to take over when he was ready to relinquish the Hokage position.
Unlike Sakumo and Minato, Danzo had always lived in the ominous shadows, rarely appearing in Konoha. He did deeds that were not to be seen, silently upholding a dark justice he believed in. He did not even realize that he was completely under Hiruzen's control, just a gun contemplating when to aim the muzzle at Hiruzen.
That was the situation...
Danzo had no foundation among Konoha's people; if he wanted to become Hokage, he would have to succeed him. Although they used each other, Hiruzen had very clear control over this relationship.
As for Minato and Sakumo, having a public base and the ninjas' internal support made them much more dangerous to Hiruzen, capable of displacing him from his position.
He hadn't made any unforgivable mistakes this time!
But as Hokage for many years, Hiruzen understood that high places are cold. Standing in such a position, he couldn't guarantee he'd never make a mistake; any slight issue could be exploited, providing an opportunity for those with a public base and prestige who wanted to become Hokage. Even if he still wanted to remain Hokage, he could be forced out by public opinion and the combined pressure of other clans.
That would make him feel helpless, something beyond his control, possibly leaving him with no options. After all, the situation with Sakumo had already made him feel a sense of crisis.
He did not want to repeat that mistake.
But if Danzo could perfectly resolve this situation, even if it meant assassinating Minato, he could pin the blame on Danzo and then deal with him.
Of course, by dealing with Danzo...
He didn't mean killing Danzo, but rather completely removing his chances of becoming Hokage!
As long as Danzo lacked the credentials to succeed as Hokage, he could rest easy, continuing as the Third Hokage for many more years without a problem!