In Konoha, within the Root headquarters.
Fuma, Danzo, and Orochimaru sat around a low table, silently sipping tea. The atmosphere within the Root headquarters grew increasingly eerie with these three together. Even the disciplined Root members showed signs of discomfort, feeling an unusual unease.
This unease was twofold, affecting both their minds and bodies, seeing these three people gathered.
Shimura Danzo, a man who walked like a ghost in the shadows of Konoha, was known as the 'Darkness of the Shinobi' due to his ruthless methods.
Orochimaru, though still relatively normal in behavior, was already perceived as a psychopath by ordinary standards. His transformation into a serpent-like being was evident and he was showing signs of breaking down.
Uchiha Fuma, possessing a body like a demon, fought with a hellish aura of blood, and was seen as a harbinger of death by the ANBU of other villages.
With these three gathered, the atmosphere was already charged; discussing plans to annihilate a village almost seemed a given.
Fuma savored the clear tea. The lingering, sweet aftertaste indicated it was a special supply of Flame Tea reserved exclusively for the Daimyo. It seemed that the Root's resources were quite ample, at least in terms of luxury.
An awkward silence settled in, with no one wanting to speak first. Fuma enjoyed his tea, seemingly lost in its sweetness.
Orochimaru was engrossed in a physiology book written by Fuma, fully absorbed. Danzo, holding documents, busied himself with administrative tasks, displaying his decent bureaucratic skills.
About twenty meters away, a spy who had infiltrated Konoha's market was pinned to a cross, undergoing inhumane torture.
After a while, a Yamanaka clan member from Root stopped their technique and reported back quickly.
"Lord Danzo, the information matches what we obtained from the ANBU."
Danzo acknowledged with a nod, passing the information to Fuma and Orochimaru. Although the ANBU had already extracted the information from the spy, Danzo no longer trusted their capabilities.
The incompetence of Hiruzen Sarutobi and his foolish son allowed a mere Rain shinobi to infiltrate.
If he, Shimura Danzo, were Hokage, Konoha would never face such issues!
"The rats in the sewers can't stay put and dare to provoke Konoha. We must make them pay," Danzo declared.
Fuma, holding the intelligence, smiled, "Calling them rats seems inappropriate. Hanzo of the Salamander is still quite a formidable opponent."
Danzo snorted, giving an order-like tone, "A creature like a salamander is no match for your speed. Can anyone stop you from infiltrating the Rain Village?"
Fuma laughed, not bothered by Danzo's condescending tone. He simply tapped the table lightly, indicating he was listening.
Danzo continued with his plan, "We can infiltrate the Rain Village and use a decapitation operation to kill Hanzo, then annex the Rain Village in one fell swoop!"
Orochimaru, surprised, glanced at Danzo and put down his book, which he hadn't even read. His snake-like eyes widened as he countered, "That's not what teacher Sarutobi intends."
Hearing Sarutobi's name, Danzo's face twisted in anger, just then Fuma interrupted him.
"Indeed, Elder Danzo, there's a significant difference between the Hokage's assistant and the Hokage."
The mention of Hokage seemed to trigger Danzo, throwing him into a state of madness. He waved his hand angrily and glared at Fuma, "No matter what, this plan is the most beneficial for Konoha."
Fuma lounged back on the sofa, refilling his tea. If he were to disregard the Hokage's orders and listen to Danzo, the Uchiha might as well start a rebellion to avoid being backstabbed.
He reaffirmed his stance, expressing that he would only act on the Hokage's orders, then continued sipping his tea.
Orochimaru, equally disdainful, said, "Assassinating the leader of another village during peacetime would draw condemnation from the other villages. If it sparks a great war, can you bear that responsibility?"
Danzo's face darkened further as he replied, "Sacrifice and dedication are a shinobi's duty. For Konoha, nothing is off-limits."
Seeing Danzo in such a state, Fuma couldn't resist speaking out.
"I heard that during the Second Hokage's last stand, he and my father made the ultimate sacrifice. If you had stayed behind too, they would have had a chance to survive, no?"
His words were like a knife to the heart, causing Danzo to leave in a huff.
Orochimaru, looking somber, asked quietly, "Do you still hold a grudge over your father's death?"
Fuma waved his hand dismissively, "I've long forgotten what my father looked like. I just wanted to remind him not to demand of others what he couldn't do himself."
"However, he's right about one thing: the Rain Village's provocation requires a response."
Orochimaru remained silent, his interest in war diminishing as he delved deeper into research.
Noticing Orochimaru's expression, Fuma wondered if he had started collaborating with Danzo on the Wood Release experiments. He decided to offer a warning.
"Working with that old man is risky. Be cautious."
Orochimaru, surprised, realized this was a warning. Seeing Fuma's usual expression, he nodded slowly.
......
In the Hokage's office in Konoha.
The Third Hokage, with a friendly demeanor, patted Fuma on the shoulder, "Teaching students for the first time isn't easy, right? I remember when I taught them; it was exhausting."
The Third's approach and rhetoric were far better than Danzo's, making one inclined to listen rather than commanding and ordering with a sour face.
Fuma nodded in agreement, "Indeed, these kids are a handful. It's troublesome."
Unknowingly, he was blessed with talented students like Minato, Nawaki, and Kushina, a lineup many envied.
After some small talk, the atmosphere warmed up. The Third Hokage took out his pipe, taking a deep puff, his face showing hesitation as if he wanted to ask something but felt embarrassed.
Fuma, in no hurry, gave him ample time to formulate his question. At this moment, the initiative was his.
With a sigh, the Third Hokage adopted a regretful yet inescapable expression.
"Fuma, can you be honest with this old man about your true strength?"
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