Chapter 376: Extra: Danzo becoming the Hokage?

Chapter 376: Extra: Danzo becoming the Hokage?

The cliff collapsed.

The base was instantly destroyed.

Just as Orochimaru had expected, Yakushi Kabuto used the base's trap to bury Uchiha Sasuke within it, while he himself escaped through a secret passage.

Standing outside the collapsed base, Kabuto gazed at the ruins with a hint of regret on his face and said, "Orochimaru-sama, my strength is limited; this is all I could do for you..."

"This kind of trap won't kill that kid..."

Orochimaru's voice suddenly appeared from behind Kabuto.

"Orochimaru-sama?"

Kabuto turned around in disbelief and saw Orochimaru's figure. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost! However...

Kabuto quickly regained his composure, a smile forming on his face as he praised Orochimaru just like before: "As expected of Orochimaru-sama, to survive such a terrifying Fire Release technique..."

"Enough."

Orochimaru snorted coldly, not wanting to dwell on his own embarrassment. He simply said in a cold voice, "Let's leave here first. That kid should be about to escape..."

Sure enough.

A sharp, giant purple sword suddenly tore through the collapsed cliff!

The towering purple Susanoo appeared, firmly shielding Uchiha Sasuke beneath it, causing Orochimaru and Kabuto's expressions to change simultaneously!

The two of them immediately hid in a secret place nearby!

Fortunately, there were many safe hiding spots around this base!

As expected, Uchiha Sasuke didn't find any trace of Orochimaru and Kabuto. Seemingly frustrated, he vented his anger by burning the collapsed base to the ground.

It was only after Sasuke left that Orochimaru and Kabuto emerged from their hiding place, their relationship seemingly closer after this experience.

"Orochimaru-sama..."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and bowed his head, as if he wanted to apologize for not stopping Sasuke from attacking Orochimaru with all his might earlier.

"No need to say more."

Orochimaru shook his head, showing no signs of anger, and even had a hint of satisfaction in his eyes: "You've done enough, Kabuto..."

As someone who didn't place much value on morality, Orochimaru never cared about trivial moral issues, because he knew which of his subordinates would be willing to sacrifice themselves for him and which ones would save themselves when he was on the brink of death.

To be honest...

Orochimaru even preferred clever subordinates like Kabuto.

If he had to choose a long-term assistant, Orochimaru would rather have someone like Kabuto by his side than a rash subordinate.

"Let's go."

"Help me find Tsunade."

Orochimaru extended his arm, a fierce glint flashing across his face: "Even with a new body, these hands still can't do anything..."

As he said this, Orochimaru looked back at Kabuto and ordered in a deep voice, "Kabuto, during this time, you'll act as my hands."

"Yes."

Kabuto humbly bowed his head.

"That bastard Danzo..."

Orochimaru, having laid out his next plan, couldn't help but mention the person he hated most: "Once my hands are healed, I'll go deal with him. That bastard thinks that just because he's become Hokage, he can betray our alliance..."

In fact...

Shimura Danzo was doing quite well at the moment.

Due to Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame infiltrating the village, even defeating Hatake Kakashi, the entire Konoha Village was on high alert.

Danzo personally approached the two Hokage advisors, suggesting that Uchiha Sasuke handle Uchiha Itachi, because brotherly conflict was a drama he enjoyed watching.

If nothing went wrong...

Itachi would definitely be killed by Sasuke.

Danzo had interacted with Itachi before, knowing exactly how to manipulate the arrogant Uchiha genius. He was also aware of how much Itachi loved Sasuke and knew the fate Itachi had prepared for himself.

It was bound to be a revenge drama...

However...

Danzo's plans were foiled.

When Sasuke returned, he didn't bring back Itachi's body, but instead delivered some extremely troubling yet exciting news to Danzo.

"Danzo-sama."

"I couldn't kill Uchiha Itachi."

Sasuke stood beside Danzo, slightly bowing his head: "But during our battle, I discovered some information about the Akatsuki organization..."

"!!!"

Danzo's expression suddenly changed.

This news...

Was definitely not good!

This wasn't the first time Danzo had heard of the Akatsuki organization.

He had indeed colluded with Hanzo the Salamander in the Land of Rain to nearly destroy Akatsuki, but in the end, he encountered the nightmare that was the Gedo Statue of the Outer Path, resulting in heavy losses for his Root ninjas...

The next time Danzo heard about the Akatsuki was when Itachi, in league with Uchiha Madara, participated in the massacre of the Uchiha clan. After the clan's annihilation, Itachi infiltrated the Akatsuki as a spy for the Konoha...

It seemed...

Itachi had discovered something?

"Oh?"

"About the Akatsuki..."

Danzo turned to look at Sasuke, instructing him to recount everything Itachi had said: "Tell me everything Itachi told you. I'll judge it for myself..."

"Yes."

Sasuke's eyes flashed slightly as he began fabricating the story: "Itachi behaved strangely at first, thinking I was still the weak ninja student of the past..."

"But when he discovered that I had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, his mood suddenly changed, and he stopped our battle, telling me to return to the village and meet with you, Danzo-sama..."

"I see."

Danzo nodded slightly, understanding that Itachi was a spy for the village and deeply cared for Sasuke, so naturally, he wouldn't want to fight Sasuke to the death.

However...

Danzo still wanted Sasuke to fight Itachi to the death!

"Then why didn't you kill him?"

Years ago, the four elders of Konoha handled the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership together, and only Koharu and Homura were aware of the truth behind Uchiha Itachi's massacre of his clan.

This matter...

Could not have been hidden from the two Hokage advisors, as they had also agonized over the Uchiha problem with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo for a long time.

"He won't be allowed to know for the time being."

Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes. He had deliberately dismissed Uchiha Sasuke in front of the two Hokage advisors because he didn't want these two old friends to realize how excessively loyal Uchiha Sasuke was to him, lest they suspect anything.

"The issue we need to address now is how to quickly confront the threat of the Akatsuki..."

Shimura Danzo glossed over the topic of Uchiha Sasuke, seemingly casually reminding his two old friends: "Back then, I and Hanzo of the Rain Village jointly attacked the Akatsuki, killing their leader, but it resulted in heavy losses for both of us..."

"That organization even has a Rinnegan wielder among them, whose power exceeds anything I've seen, and together with their group of S-class rogue ninja, if the village is left leaderless, the losses will be significant..."

"If the village suffers even greater losses..."

"Other ninja villages will certainly not stand idly by..."

"..."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances.

Their old friend was right.

If Konoha suffers another blow at this time, the other ninja villages will certainly not sit by and do nothing. If too much is lost during the Akatsuki's attack on Konoha, it could very well trigger the Fourth Great Ninja War!

Moreover...

There's an even greater threat...

Konoha is particularly vulnerable at this moment. If the Akatsuki truly succeeds in capturing Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, that would be a real disaster!

"Immediately recall Jiraiya and Naruto."

Koharu Utatane made a swift decision, saying gravely: "For now, we'll put the task of finding Tsunade to succeed the Hokage on hold. Also, order the village's outer sentries to strengthen their vigilance, and the Anbu to prepare for battle with full force!"

"Danzo."

Homura Mitokado looked at Shimura Danzo, and with a somewhat sincere tone, offered his suggestion: "You should take charge of the effort to repel the Akatsuki. For the time being, you can act as the interim Hokage, and once the Akatsuki issue is resolved..."

"Agreed."

Shimura Danzo suppressed the excitement in his heart and nodded casually: "We will also have ample time to cultivate a more suitable successor for the village..."

I've got it!

The Hokage position has finally fallen into my hands!

Shimura Danzo's hand gripped his cane tightly, and he spoke in a deep voice: "I will now go to meet the Daimyo to receive his formal appointment..."

"..."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado couldn't help but frown.

Isn't this a bit too eager?

If the situation weren't so urgent, would you have also insisted on immediately holding a Hokage succession ceremony?

However, this move was understandable, as Konoha's finances largely depended on the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. It wasn't surprising that Shimura Danzo's first action upon taking office would be to receive the Daimyo's appointment...

"..."

Shimura Danzo, however, appeared as if he didn't care at all, his expression remaining calm and composed: "As for the village's Hokage succession ceremony, the vote of confidence from the Jonin, and the carving of the Hokage's face on the mountainside..."

"Danzo..."

Homura Mitokado interrupted Shimura Danzo, frowning as he reminded his old friend: "The most urgent matter for the village right now is dealing with the Akatsuki's threat!"

"I will make arrangements."

Shimura Danzo nodded with a serious expression and said in a deep voice: "I will have the Anbu and the Root increase patrols immediately and gather more intelligence on the Akatsuki as quickly as possible..."

"Hmm..."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado finally nodded in reassurance.

"..."

A trace of disdain appeared in Shimura Danzo's eyes.

These two old friends are just like Sarutobi Hiruzen, always becoming soft when faced with a crisis, actually worrying that the Akatsuki could cause any major problems?

Certainly, the Akatsuki's threat is significant.

But in the face of a behemoth like Konoha, the Akatsuki surely cannot triumph; at most, the village will suffer some casualties...

These sacrifices are necessary.

As ninjas...

They must learn to make sacrifices.

When Shimura Danzo left the Hokage building, he was already holding the village's Hokage hat. He intended to wear it when meeting the Daimyo, ensuring that the appointment would be completed immediately.

The old man's mood was better than ever, and his attitude towards Uchiha Sasuke even improved. He asked with some interest: "I remember Uchiha Itachi mentioned wanting to meet me outside the Daimyo's city?"

"Yes."

Uchiha Sasuke glanced at the Hokage hat in Danzo's hand, a hint of surprise crossing his face: "Danzo-sama... are you becoming Hokage?"

"Indeed..."

Noticing Uchiha Sasuke's gaze, Shimura Danzo slowly put on the Hokage hat, his aged voice finally tinged with satisfaction: "Though it's several decades late, I have finally fulfilled my wish. Come with me to the Daimyo's city to receive the formal appointment..."

"Yes."

The weight on Uchiha Sasuke's mind was finally lifted.

If Shimura Danzo still couldn't become Hokage, Uchiha Sasuke would have had to question the man's intelligence and ambition...

It's done.

The plan has finally reached its final stage.

Uchiha Sasuke watched Shimura Danzo, dressed incongruously in the Hokage robes, wearing the Hokage hat, yet sneaking along a path where the villagers wouldn't notice. It gave an odd sense of incongruity.

The village's Hokage...

Yet acting like a rat in the sewer?

This old man...

Is even less upright than Akihara Kagura!

Fortunately.

The final step has finally arrived.

Uchiha Sasuke followed Shimura Danzo, recalling the lessons he had learned: if you push someone to a high place and then pull them down from that height, it makes the fall even more painful.

"Hopefully..."

"You won't be too surprised... Danzo-sama."