The mansion of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire was bustling with discussions about the reconstruction of Konohagakure.
A long table was set in the grand hall.
The Daimyō of the Land of Fire, Mitsuhide Akechi, sat at the southern end of the table.
To the east were five senior advisors to the Daimyō, all wearing dark high hats.
To the west sat five representatives from Konoha: Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, an ANBU squad leader clad in a white cloak and animal mask, the jōnin representative Shikaku Nara, and the head of the Root division—Danzō Shimura.
Mitokado Homura began, "We intend to continue our alliance's policies against Akatsuki..."
Across from him, the bespectacled and scholarly chief advisor replied, "Since the village has been reduced to this state, the Land of Fire will fully support its reconstruction. First, we must address the budget... and then work on repairing strained relations with other nations."
At this point, Danzō interjected, "More urgent than those matters is determining the next Hokage!"
Shikaku Nara immediately tensed. As expected... it has begun!
As the jōnin representative, Shikaku had previously proposed Kakashi Hatake as the next Hokage. However, he knew that another man coveted the Hokage's seat—Danzō Shimura!
Kakashi's ascension would not come without resistance.
The Daimyō fanned himself leisurely. "Can't we wait until Tsunade recovers?"
Utatane Koharu replied, "Daimyō-sama, Tsunade is still in a coma, and we don't know when she will wake up. Given the current state of the village, it will be difficult for her to lead effectively. Moreover, she bears some responsibility for the village's destruction..."
The "responsibility" Koharu referred to was Tsunade's decision to hide Naruto in the secluded Mount Myōboku, which had forced Pain to invade Konoha in search of him.
The Daimyō sighed. "I had originally thought of choosing Jiraiya. I admired him greatly, but alas, he is no longer with us. Are there any other candidates?"
At this moment, Danzō opened his mouth. "If that's the case—"
"I nominate Kakashi Hatake!" Shikaku interrupted forcefully, ignoring the icy glare Danzō shot his way.
"Oh! The son of the White Fang, is it? Hmm, not bad!" The Daimyō seemed pleased. He turned to the advisors. "What do you all think?"
"His reputation, strength, and character are all outstanding!"
"But isn't he a bit too young?"
"Wasn't the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, even younger at the time?"
The advisors voiced their opinions one after another, and the situation began to tilt in Kakashi's favor.
Then, the bespectacled chief advisor asked, "Kakashi Hatake—whose disciple is he?"
Mitokado Homura answered, "He was the disciple of the Fourth Hokage."
The Daimyō clapped his hands. "The Fourth Hokage was Jiraiya's student, and Jiraiya was the Third Hokage's student. Hmm, it seems there's no issue. Very well—"
Just as the decision seemed settled, Danzō coldly interjected, "The Third Hokage's teachings have done nothing but push the village toward ruin!"
The Daimyō flinched at Danzō's piercing gaze, hastily raising his fan to cover half his face.
Seizing the moment, Danzō continued, "The leader of Akatsuki, who destroyed our village, was once Jiraiya's student. This is the result of naively teaching foreign nations our techniques—a fatal mistake!"
"This misguided idealism, passed down through generations, led to the betrayal of our allied nations and gave Orochimaru the opportunity to attack the village!"
"And now, Akatsuki's new rising star is none other than a remnant of the Uchiha clan—a rogue ninja, Sasuke Uchiha!"
Shikaku's expression grew grim as he listened to Danzō's accusations.
Suddenly, Danzō's lips curled into a cunning smile, and he delivered another bombshell. "But above all, the greatest failure lies with another of Jiraiya's disciples—Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki, who has betrayed the village!"
"!!" Shikaku's expression changed drastically, and the entire hall erupted in shock.
The chief advisor exclaimed, "Wait a moment! Isn't Naruto the hero who defeated Akatsuki's leader? Isn't he currently resting and being celebrated for his deeds?"
"Heh." Danzō sneered, glancing at Shikaku. "You should ask the jōnin representative, Shikaku Nara, about that."
The Daimyō turned to Shikaku. "Shikaku, what is going on?"
Sweat trickled down Shikaku's face.
So, Danzō's spies had uncovered this after all...
But he quickly composed himself. "Daimyō-sama... it is true that Naruto did not return to the village after the battle. However, it is too early to conclude that he has betrayed us!"
Danzō, however, pressed on with baseless accusations. "We have received critical intelligence suggesting that Naruto Uzumaki has been in contact with Akatsuki's second-in-command, plotting against the village."
The advisors frowned. "Is this intelligence reliable?"
Danzō added fuel to the fire. "It is highly credible... I even suspect that Pain's attack on Konoha was part of a conspiracy between him and Naruto."
The Daimyō pondered deeply. "That doesn't seem likely. Naruto is said to be a pure-hearted boy, a role model for many ninjas."
Danzō retorted, "There is no such thing as 'unlikely.' Within him lies the Nine-Tails, the embodiment of evil. No matter how pure-hearted he may appear, the darkness within him will inevitably consume him. Furthermore, this outcome stems from Jiraiya's inadequate teaching, Tsunade's indulgence as Hokage, and Kakashi's negligence as his jōnin instructor."
The chief advisor adjusted his glasses. "Daimyō-sama... even if Danzō's claims are unproven, it seems Kakashi is temporarily unsuited to become Hokage."
"..." Shikaku wanted to counter, but Danzō's exploitation of Naruto's alleged betrayal had already shifted the tide irreversibly.
Bang! Danzō slammed the table and declared with conviction, "What kind of Hokage does the village need now? One who can turn the tide in the worst of times! Someone who can bring about reform and establish new rules for the ninja world. That Hokage... must be me!"
"..." The Daimyō closed his eyes in contemplation.
Shikaku hurriedly interjected, "Daimyō-sama, you must not take Danzō's words at face value. Konoha's ANBU is also tracking Naruto's whereabouts. I believe the truth will soon come to light—"
The Daimyō opened his eyes and made his decision. "Very well. It is decided. Danzō, you shall be appointed as the Sixth Hokage!"
A triumphant smile crept across Danzō's face. He thought to himself: I had planned to use the power of my right eye to manipulate the Daimyō if the situation turned unfavorable. But by exploiting the matter of Naruto's alleged betrayal to undermine Kakashi's candidacy, things have gone even more smoothly than expected. Shikaku, not even you can turn this around now...
---
After leaving the Daimyō's mansion, Danzō walked with his cane alongside a white-cloaked ANBU operative.
"How is the task I assigned you progressing?"
"Following your instructions, we have spread rumors among the villagers that Naruto and Pain conspired to stage the attack. The story claims that Naruto fled the village after you exposed his plot."
Danzō smirked. "Excellent."
The ANBU operative hesitated. "Danzō-sama, there is still no concrete evidence that Naruto has betrayed the village. Moreover, he is one of the few individuals with strength comparable to Jiraiya. Isn't this move risky?"
Danzō replied coldly, "Whether or not Naruto has betrayed us, as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, he is a destabilizing factor for the village. This budding threat must be eliminated before it can grow."
"Furthermore, no matter how powerful a weapon, if it cannot be wielded by me, it is a liability. Sacrificing Naruto is a necessary step for Konoha's future!"
Placing a hand over his right eye, Danzō's ambition burned brightly. "Once Naruto is dealt with, I will take control of the Nine-Tails. Then, I, Danzō Shimura, will become the strongest Hokage in history!"