And we can take this opportunity to win over these forces, bringing them to stand in your camp, Master Danzo.
This way, we can make things difficult for Hiruzen Sarutobi before the upcoming Third Shinobi World War.
With your Root, Master Danzo, and the support of these clans, there will be no questioning your title as Konoha's Uncrowned Shadow!”
Sai’s speaking pace was not fast, but every sentence was clear and well-reasoned, clearly having been deeply thought out.
“Uncrowned Shadow!” Danzo listened quietly, nodding occasionally to show his agreement with Sai’s analysis, and his eyes suddenly lit up when he heard “Uncrowned Shadow.”
“Furthermore, Master Danzo, think carefully!” Sai continued calmly, “If those forces continue to remain neutral as they have in the past, they will only be continuously depleted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi is quite a shrewd person; to achieve his grand goal of having the Sarutobi Clan replace the entire Konoha, he will certainly try every possible means to devour the resources and power of these neutral forces.”
“However, if these forces learn of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s previous hidden schemes, they will certainly be shocked and enraged.
To avoid greater losses in this war, they will undoubtedly choose to seek refuge with you, Master Danzo!
Because only this way can they escape Hiruzen Sarutobi’s control and also protect their own interests from harm—something no one else can offer them!”
“But, you are different; with the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki and your planning, Master Danzo, there will be no need to sacrifice them!”
“This way, these originally neutral forces will naturally stand on the same side as you, and they will absolutely not have any doubts about you!
Doesn't this mean that you, Master Danzo, have successfully brought them under your command?”
“At that time, as long as you contact those clans that have remained neutral and those that have already suffered losses, and everyone unites to challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi, then no matter how strongly his disciples support him, it will absolutely be impossible to hide such a huge contradiction!”
“You can even take the opportunity to expose the large number of Ninja he has secretly expanded, which will force him to send these hidden Ninja to the battlefield, thereby consuming a part of his strength!”
“After all!” Sai’s face was as still as water, a hint of coldness flickering in his eyes as he slowly said, “Konoha’s clans have expended a great deal of manpower and suffered such huge casualties for Konoha’s safety, yet he has always allowed his own clan members to evade the battlefield.
Now, it’s their turn to bear responsibility; they can’t just let other clans bleed!”
“What do you think, Master Danzo?”
“Precisely!” Danzo Shimura’s sole remaining eye narrowed slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. “Exposing these Ninja Hiruzen has secretly hidden will make everyone in Konoha see his ambition and greed.
When they recall the pain they suffered in the war and the benefits the Sarutobi Clan seized, they will absolutely not let Hiruzen Sarutobi off easily!”
“At that time, I will seize the opportunity to propose the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War and the deployment of these people to the battlefield.”
“This way, no matter how Hiruzen Sarutobi tries to explain and cover up, he will not be able to shirk responsibility.
If he continues to prevaricate, even his three disciples, Tsunade and Jiraiya, will not be able to defend him!”
“After all, where is there a Hokage who only sacrifices other clans but never sacrifices his own clan’s Ninja!”
“If Hiruzen doesn’t want to be disgraced, no matter how heartbroken he is, he can only grit his teeth and send these people to the battlefield.”
Danzo Shimura had no doubts about these outcomes; exposing the number of hidden Ninja and the benefits gained by the Sarutobi Clan was merely to make people aware of his corrupt practices, but completely refusing to send his own clan to the battlefield was an out-and-out act of a rogue Ninja, an absolutely unforgivable crime.
In Konoha, a place that seemed calm but was actually full of undercurrents, the fire will’s rules and regulations were like an unshakeable mountain.
Anyone who lacked the fire will would be like a rat crossing the street, pointed at by thousands, unable to find a place in this world, and would be directly executed without question.
This was not something that could be solved by corruption and an apology!
Didn’t Hatake Kakashi, who caused Konoha damage, have to commit suicide to atone and avoid accountability!
In an instant, all the gloom on Danzo Shimura’s face seemed to be swept away by Sai’s words.
A rare glint appeared on his face, a kind of desire and confidence for victory.
Then, Danzo Shimura said in a deep voice, “Ryuma, I order you to secretly eliminate the clan head of the Aburame Clan, the clan head of the Kurama Clan, the clan head of the Inuzuka Clan…”
“You must inform these neutral Konoha Ninja clans about the Sarutobi Clan’s affairs, exposing their true intentions and ambitions all along.
Only by gaining their support can I legitimately ascend to the position of Hokage!”
“This way, setting aside the Uchiha Clan, who are out of contention for the Hokage position, even if the Konoha Sannin all strongly support Hiruzen Sarutobi, I will have enough strength to contend with him.”
“However, do not be too hasty.
After contacting them, you must secretly bring them to another location.
There, we will publicly reveal Hiruzen Sarutobi’s ambition and his actions all along, in front of the clan heads of these neutral clans…”
“Hmm, this location will be known only to the three of us, to prevent any spies within Root from exposing our true purpose.” Saying this, Danzo Shimura paused and looked at Sai, specifically asking him.
“Hmm! Sai, you tell me, where would be best!”
“In front of the Uchiha Police Force headquarters, under the guise of targeting the Uchiha; this way, Hiruzen Sarutobi, based on his past understanding of you, Master Danzo, will surely have no suspicions!”
“Hmm, good!” Danzo Shimura nodded, his heart full of approval.
Thinking of the Uchiha Clan, he recalled the future rebellion incidents and the several pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan within them.
His eyes burned with fervor for a moment, then he reined it in.
Compared to the position of Hokage, the Uchiha Clan… he would let them off for now.
At least, he was about to challenge and target the Third Hokage, and he thought that the Uchiha Clan, who had always been at odds with Hiruzen Sarutobi, would at least stand in the neutral camp!
Given this situation, Danzo Shimura had no choice but to put aside his inner animosity.
Everything was for the purpose of becoming Hokage.
What’s more, inherently evil?
That was just a past saying!
To become Hokage, if the Uchiha Clan could stand in his camp, giving them a chance was not out of the question!
“I hope they are sensible!” Danzo Shimura thought to himself, already calculating various schemes.
“Ryuma, next, you go contact the clan heads of these clans; remember not to expose your whereabouts!”
“Yes, Lord Danzo!” Ryuma Aburame said loyally.
“As for Sai!” Danzo Shimura looked at his newly accepted disciple with satisfaction and said, “From now on, you will stay by my side and study diligently.
As a disciple who will inherit my will, you must have sufficient strength!”
“Yes, Master Danzo!”
Sai also feigned delight, saying, he truly hadn’t expected such unexpected benefits from becoming Danzo’s disciple.
…
Time flew by, like a white steed flashing past a crevice.
In this short period, Ryuma Aburame secretly launched a thrilling operation.
Like a ghost, he silently contacted those neutral or damaged clans one by one.
First were the Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, and the Kurama Clan—clans that had always been neutral, not completely subservient to the Hokage, and simply lived their own quiet lives.
These clans, after arriving in Konoha Ninja Village, had preserved their families but had not gained much benefit or seen their clans flourish.
According to the intelligence provided by Sai, Lord Danzo’s direct disciple, and his data analysis of Konoha clans, Ryuma Aburame accurately identified the clans that would not be close to the Sarutobi Clan.