Danzo truly was ruthless in his approach, always favoring the most extreme measures to solidify his influence.
As soon as Hiruzen assumed the mantle of Hokage, Danzo's thoughts immediately turned to eliminating dissenters.
"No, you can't do that!" Hiruzen said firmly, understanding the implication of Danzo's suggestion right away. His tone left no room for compromise.
Danzo's plan was simple and brutal: send the opposition on dangerous missions where the likelihood of survival was slim. They'd either die at the hands of enemies or through "unfortunate accidents" arranged by their own comrades. It would be clean and efficient—just as Danzo liked it.
Hiruzen, however, was the inheritor of the First Hokage's ideals. While he could be ruthless to enemies of the village, he found it difficult to condone the unnecessary deaths of his own people, especially over political disagreements.
"We are all ninjas of Konoha," Hiruzen said, his voice strained with frustration. "We must not turn on our own like this."
Danzo, unfazed by Hiruzen's moral objections, calmly replied, "Hiruzen, you are not suited for this position." His voice was steady, his gaze cold. "A village cannot survive on light alone. It must also have its darkness. You are too naïve to see that."
The two men long-time friends but now divided by ideals stood at an impasse once again. Hiruzen believed in a future for Konoha built on trust and cooperation, while Danzo saw only the need for control and fear to ensure the village's security.
Danzo, as always, was prepared to do whatever it took to maintain stability, even if that meant resorting to covert killings. In his mind, the ends justified the means. He had no qualms about creating a shadowy underbelly for the village if it ensured its survival.
But with Hiruzen now in charge, Danzo had no choice but to relent, at least for now. He couldn't openly disobey the new Hokage. Grudgingly, he agreed to Hiruzen's insistence on taking a less aggressive approach for the time being.
However, Danzo had another idea in mind.
"If not that, then at least let me establish an independent ANBU training unit," Danzo suggested, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll take charge of training them, leaving you free to focus on the larger issues of governance. It will take the burden off your shoulders."
Hiruzen was taken aback by this. "ANBU training class?" he repeated, as if he hadn't heard correctly. Danzo's proposition felt like a bid for more power, something that would allow him to operate freely and without much oversight.
Danzo nodded. "Yes. You're Hokage now. You'll have a lot on your plate too much for you to handle alone. Leave the more... delicate matters to me."
Hiruzen closed his eyes, wrestling with the decision. He knew what Danzo was truly after: autonomy, a way to build his own faction within Konoha. He had always wanted to be Hokage, and while that dream had been snatched from him, this was Danzo's way of gaining influence in the village through other means.
An independent ANBU unit? A power separate from the Hokage's direct control had never existed in Konoha since its founding. It would set a dangerous precedent.
Hiruzen hesitated. He didn't want to create a political rival right under his nose, but at the same time, he understood Danzo well. If he rejected this outright, Danzo might resort to something even more drastic, something irreparable.
After much internal deliberation, Hiruzen finally agreed. "Alright, but we need to discuss this with Koharu and Homura first."
Danzo's expression barely changed, but inside, he was pleased. "Of course," he said. He knew the two elder advisors wouldn't oppose his plan. Koharu and Homura had no family backgrounds of note, and they owed much of their positions to the Second Hokage. They would side with Sarutobi, and they wouldn't challenge Danzo's ambitions, not as long as it didn't threaten their own positions.
Thus, "Root," an ANBU unit independent of the Hokage's regime, was formed under Danzo's command. Its purpose would remain secret, known only to a select few.
---
Meanwhile, in front of Orochimaru's house...
"Orochimaru…" Tsunade's voice broke the silence.
"What is it?" Orochimaru responded, his tone indifferent.
"Will you take a walk with me?"
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
The two of them strolled down the streets of Konoha, the midday sun casting long shadows behind them. Orochimaru wore his usual white robe adorned with magatama symbols, while Tsunade was dressed in green, with short sleeves and shorts, her waist tied with a blue sash.
After a moment of silence, Tsunade spoke again, her voice filled with a strange melancholy. "When do you think this war will end?"
Her question was out of the blue, catching Orochimaru off guard. But as he glanced at her, he saw the sadness in her eyes. She had seen so much loss on the battlefield, and it had clearly weighed on her mind.
"I don't know," Orochimaru replied honestly. "But I do know one way to end all wars."
Tsunade looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected a real answer, much less from someone as young as Orochimaru. "Oh? What's that?"
Without missing a beat, Orochimaru's reply was cold and direct. "Unification."
"Unification?" Tsunade repeated, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Only through unifying the five great ninja villages can true peace be achieved," Orochimaru said, his tone devoid of any humor or jest.
Tsunade blinked, stunned by the seriousness in his voice. "You're joking, right? The five great villages have been at each other's throats for years. You think unifying them is possible?"
Orochimaru shrugged. "It's not easy. But it's not impossible."
Tsunade shook her head in disbelief. "You sound like a madman."
Orochimaru didn't respond. Instead, he changed the subject, his tone casual. "Forget it. Let's go get some roasted chicken. I'll treat you."
The abrupt shift in conversation threw Tsunade off. "Huh? How did you know I like roasted chicken?"
"I've seen you sneaking off to buy it by yourself more than a few times," Orochimaru said, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Tsunade flushed, embarrassed. "I didn't think you noticed…"
"It's hard not to."
Tsunade laughed, the somber mood lightening. "I didn't think you paid attention to other people, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing special. And if I remember correctly, Jiraiya's asked you to eat with him plenty of times…"
"Ugh, I'd never go with that big pervert!" Tsunade exclaimed with a scoff. "He doesn't know how to behave. Besides, someone like you is far more... tolerable."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Tsunade smirked playfully. "Of course. If I had to pick between you and him... well, let's just say you'd make a better boyfriend."
"Hmm," Orochimaru muttered, seemingly uninterested.
Tsunade blushed again, though she tried to hide it. "I'm just saying… when we grow up, maybe…"
"Maybe," Orochimaru replied vaguely. "But let's see what the future holds."
Tsunade's face brightened, but she quickly tried to play it off. "So you agree, huh?"
Orochimaru simply gave her a small, mysterious smile and continued walking, leaving her to wonder what exactly he meant by that.