The Third Hokage is a political figure in the ninja world.
Starting from receiving intelligence about a Wood Release ninja from the Third Hokage, to how to make the most of this intelligence, it all took less than twenty minutes.
Firstly,
Uchiha Itachi participated in the Chunin Exam alone.
Rationally and emotionally, the emergence of such a young genius is a blessing for Konoha.
Unfortunately, Itachi was born into the Uchiha clan, which is currently the most unstable factor in Konoha, always having a rift with the village.
If this ten-year-old genius passes the exam alone, it would undoubtedly make the already arrogant Uchiha clan even more haughty and dismissive of other Konoha ninjas, worsening the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village.
However, at this time, a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja appeared in the village. Regardless of his current strength, he would be able to keep the Uchiha clan in check for some time.
After all, during the Warring States period, the First Hokage of Konoha, Senju Hashirama, defeated and subdued the strongest leader of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Madara, with his Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, completely stopping the Uchiha clan's domination in the ninja world during that era.
Most cleverly...
This Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja just happens to be a subordinate of Shimura Danzo.
The Uchiha clan's leader, Uchiha Fugaku, has always known that Shimura Danzo is the person in Konoha who is most hostile towards the Uchiha, constantly suppressing the clan's development.
Six years ago, during the Nine-Tails' disturbance, most of Konoha was destroyed, and in front of many clan heads of Konoha, Danzo relocated the Uchiha's living area to the edge of the village.
Now, having a possible Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja who could suppress the Uchiha clan among Danzo's subordinates would definitely put pressure on Uchiha Fugaku.
As the Hokage and highest leader, this provided a space for mediation.
The Third Hokage, having ruled Konoha for the longest time, is experienced and seemingly mild, yet maximizes benefits without needing harsh measures.
Just the selection of the person sent by the Third Hokage to deliver the exam application contains a strong warning signal, as Tenzo is the former Wood Release Kekkei Genkai wielder of the Root organization, and Kakashi is the one who guided Tenzo to leave the Root organization, even causing a big disturbance in the Root to rescue him.
Undoubtedly,
Danzo detests both of them.
However, not long has passed since the last incident of the Anbu surrounding the Root organization, and the current Danzo does not dare to act against the Hokage's messengers, only able to accept the warning from the Third Hokage and reluctantly follow his commands.
"Off you go."
The Third Hokage arranged everything, waved Kakashi and Tenzo off to deliver items to the Root organization, and planned to relax a bit by picking up his pipe again.
The Third Hokage glanced at the crystal ball on his desk and suddenly raised his head to look around, as if sensing something!
The next moment,
The old man couldn't help but laugh.
"It seems I am indeed getting old, feeling a bit off, to mysteriously sense Danzo watching me..."
...
Inside the Root's training ground,
[System Prompt]: [New work task, according to the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's request, to participate in Konoha's second half-year Chunin Exam.]
This work system can even accept tasks remotely!
Indeed.
Any ninja within the Konoha system is nominally a subordinate of the Third Hokage, and the Hokage doesn't even need to know who they are and yet can request tasks from them!
However…
This Hokage's intuition is quite sharp!
Truly a peeping enthusiast!
Wait…
It should be said that you truly are a seasoned ninja!
Inside the Root organization's training ground.
The young Akihara Kagura is somewhat amazed by the Third Hokage's acuity and admires the usefulness of the [Ninja in the Shadows] trait provided by the system.
This trait is so useful.
It allows for gathering intelligence without exposing oneself.
Even if someone sharp does feel spied upon, they only sense that they are being watched by Danzo...
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but glance at Danzo beside him, feeling a bit sorry for him, estimating that he would have to make his superior take the blame for many things in the future…
However...
That's how it should be.
If a superior can't take the blame for their subordinates, who would want to work for them?
Akihara Kagura looked at Danzo beside him, thinking that Danzo, who has taken the blame for so many things in his life, surely wouldn't mind taking more for his subordinates, right, Lord Danzo?
Shimura Danzo has no idea about his subordinate's thoughts, still obsessively thinking about how to conceal Akihara Kagura's existence, considering nurturing Akihara Kagura well to give a big surprise to Sarutobi Hiruzen in the future...
"Tomorrow I will teach you a new ninjutsu."
Shimura Danzo is still immersed in the joy of having gained a powerful fighter, already planning to arrange Akihara Kagura's life, thinking of ways to make this child forever loyal to him...
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Akihara Kagura quickly nodded.
Hoping that Lord Danzo's mood remains as good later.
Not much time has passed.
Inside the Root organization's base.
When Danzo returned with Akihara Kagura, they were confronted by two familiar Anbu ninjas being stopped at the base's entrance...
"Hatake Kakashi!"
Shimura Danzo saw one of the silver-haired Anbu ninjas, his expression immediately turned exceptionally cold: "You dare to come here..."
However, when Danzo saw the other Anbu ninja, his tone of voice became gloomier: "Humph, you dare to come here too..."
"Lord Danzo…"
This Anbu ninja clearly is an honest person. When he saw Danzo, he seemed somewhat ashamed and lowered his head: "I..."
"Tenzo, we are here to convey the orders of Lord Hokage."
Kakashi had long known that his teammate would have difficulty facing Danzo. He quickly intercepted in front of his teammate and coldly said: "Lord Hokage's order is for the child with the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai to participate in the Chunin exams later this year."
After Kakashi finished speaking, his gaze swiftly moved to the young man next to Danzo: "I suppose Lord Hokage is referring to this child? There was quite a commotion earlier at Training Ground Nine…"
Shimura Danzo couldn't refute.
The old man felt somewhat uneasy.
He wondered if Sarutobi Hiruzen, the damn fool, was trying to take away Akihara Kagura again. This child's talent was even more terrifying than the traitor who changed his name to Tenzo! How could he stand a chance then?
Shimura Danzo wished he could immediately kill both Kakashi and Tenzo in front of him and then lead the Root organization to storm the Hokage building and kill Sarutobi Hiruzen in frustration!
However…
Rebellion was a bit difficult.
He vividly remembered the last time Sarutobi Hiruzen led a group of Anbu to surround the entire base of the Root organization. A single command could take down both Shimura Danzo and the Root organization…
Kakashi took out a prepared registration form and handed it to the young man, softly saying: "This is your registration form for the Chunin exam."
Akihara Kagura stared at Kakashi without saying anything.
"Take it."
Kakashi urged, somewhat indifferently: "You are a ninja of Konoha, you must obey Lord Hokage's orders."
"I will only obey Lord Danzo's orders."
Suddenly, Akihara Kagura turned to look at Shimura Danzo and asked: "Lord Danzo, if they have upset you, may I kill them?"