Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his cigarette, his appearance visibly aged. He was deeply worried, sitting silently as he smoked one cigarette after another. His face was so wrinkled it seemed it could squash a fly.
Reflecting on sending Uchiha Sogetsu to the Hidden Mist Village, he now felt such deep regret that he wanted to beat his chest and stomp his feet.
It wasn't that he blamed Sogetsu. In fact, it was quite an accomplishment for Uchiha Sogetsu to assassinate the Third Mizukage in the Hidden Mist Village.
With some effort and Hiruzen's support behind the scenes, Sogetsu could easily gain significant influence within the Uchiha clan.
From this perspective, Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it a good thing.
But... the timing was all wrong.
Why was the timing wrong?
Because the current situation in the ninja world was tense, with nations forming alliances and plotting in secret. War was imminent.
As Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped to delay the war as long as possible, at least not in the near future.
Otherwise, the power he had just consolidated after purging the village would be scattered and diluted due to a hastily started war.
More than the dilution of power, what concerned Sarutobi Hiruzen was that war would severely deplete Konoha's potential.
Genin were undoubtedly "consumables" in war, their lives feeding the immense war machine. These children, who might have become Konoha's future pillars, would be ruthlessly crushed by the cruel gears of war.
Anbu ninja remained silent, waiting for the Hokage to make a decision.
After a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed heavily, the sadness on his face deepening, and his cloudy eyes revealed a hint of helplessness: "Go and call the heads of the major clans, the two advisors, and Danzo to the office. We must prepare in advance."
The course of history is never affected by individual will.
Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen was unwilling, as the Hokage of Konoha Village, he had to harden his heart and make the right decision.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Anbu ninja lowered his head and quietly left the room.
Seeing the people leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, pinching his swollen eyebrows with his fingers.
His eyes fell back on the table, the intelligence that was sent back. His eyes revealed deep helplessness, and he couldn't help but sigh: "He's a good kid, he has strength and ideals, but... why is his thinking so extreme?"
As expected, it was still because of Uchiha.
It must be these extreme guys who led Uchiha Sogetsu astray! What a good child! How great it would be if he was born in the Sarutobi clan!
Enough of the small talk.
Anbu ninja asked his subordinates to notify others in turn, and then decided to meet Danzo in person.
Don't know if it's because his power was taken away, but Danzo has been missing for a while. Even when the Hokage sent people to invite him several times, he was directly rejected.
He seemed to have no interest in worldly power and hid in the underground headquarters of Root.
When he arrived at the gate, he was stopped by someone.
Anbu ninja frowned slightly but still remained patient and said, "The Hokage asked me to invite Danzo to the office to discuss important matters."
"Danzo-sama has instructed us not to see anyone during this time as we have important matters to attend to."
The Root ninja spoke sternly, showing no concern for who he was addressing, and strictly adhered to Danzo's orders.
"This is an order from the Hokage." Anbu ninja raised his voice slightly, exuding a commanding presence.
He stared sharply at the Root ninja and said in a deep voice, "I'll say it again, no matter what Danzo is doing, he must go to see the Hokage. Do you understand?"
Even if the Root only obeys Danzo, they still have to follow the official orders of the Hokage.
Being lenient on a daily basis does not mean you can openly defy the Hokage's orders in critical times like this.
"This..."
As expected, the Root ninja hesitated.
"Go and inform Danzo, I'll be waiting here." Anbu ninja's attitude was uncompromising, "This concerns the safety of Konoha. Danzo must come forward!"
He was just an ordinary ninja from the Root. Facing the powerful personal guards of the Hokage, he could only comply. He turned and dejectedly reported the news to Ryoma.
After hearing the report, Aburame Ryoma nodded expressionlessly, "Got it, I'll tell Danzo-sama."
He then disappeared into the shadows.
Reaching the door of a dimly lit room, Aburame Ryoma paused for a moment, adjusted his breathing, and knocked on the door, "Lord Danzo."
"Leave!"
A sharp voice angrily shouted, "Didn't I tell you? Don't see anyone during this period of time!"
Aburame Ryoma, standing outside the door, remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything, and continued, "Danzo-sama, this is an order from Hokage-sama, and it may concern the safety of Konoha. You must go."
The words "Hokage's order" left Danzo silent for a long time.
Aburame Ryoma, well-acquainted with the temperament of his old leader, seized the moment and continued, "Danzo-sama, if it weren't a matter of utmost importance, Hokage-sama wouldn't be so insistent. Besides, through this matter, perhaps you can reclaim some of our Root's power."
At the mention of power, Danzo's interest was piqued, and his voice grew more vigorous: "Hmm, what you say does make some sense."
Noticing he had fanned the flames enough, Ryoma wisely fell silent.
He could only push so far. Any further, and with the old fox Danzo's keen instincts, he might arouse suspicion.
After a brief silence, the door creaked open from the inside.
A figure in a black robe slowly emerged. Who else could it be but Danzo?
Strangely, Danzo was not only draped in a loose black robe, but he also made a point to obscure his form, even wearing gloves as if he could not be seen in the light.
"Lead the way, let's go." Danzo coughed forcefully a few times, his tone shifting from shrill to hoarse, though if one listened carefully, there was a faint hint of frailty in it.
Aburame Ryoma bowed his head, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Ever since he had secretly handed the ring to Danzo, the man's behavior had grown increasingly odd, culminating in his self-imposed isolation.
That in itself was strange enough, but what puzzled Ryoma more was why Danzo's voice now sounded somewhat like a woman's?
No, no, no, it must be an illusion!
Aburame Ryoma shook his head vigorously, dismissing the audacious thought from his mind.
He laughed at himself. How could that be possible? He must have been overthinking it! How could a man turn into a woman?
Danzo, cloaked in a black robe, walked briskly with a cane. When Ryoma saw him from behind, his brows furrowed immediately.
For a ninja, especially one from Root, keen observation is crucial, and no detail can be overlooked. Having followed Danzo for many years, he was naturally familiar with all the nuances of his old leader.
But just now, when Danzo walked past him, Ryoma noticed a subtle difference.
From the width of his strides and the depth of his steps, he realized that Danzo's height and weight seemed to have changed significantly. It was almost as if he were a completely different person!
"Lord Sogetsu, what have you done?"
Aburame Ryoma stared at Danzo's back, plunged into deep self-doubt.
********
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