After leaving Konoha Hospital, Danzo returned to the Root base with a dark expression.
It was only once he stepped into the shadows of his own domain that he allowed his temper to flare.
"Just a bratty Genin! And he dares dream of becoming Hokage? Foolish!"
Danzo's anger wasn't born of Shigure's strength alone—it was because the boy's very existence threatened his ambitions. Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken the Hokage seat, Danzo had quietly nurtured his own designs for the position.
But now, at this critical juncture, Jiraiya had suddenly reappeared—intent on finding Tsunade.
If Jiraiya succeeded, then two of the Legendary Sannin would stand in Konoha's ranks. With such candidates available, the title of Hokage would never fall to him.
That left only one option: resolve the Hokage succession before Tsunade could return.
"It seems I'll need to strike a deal… with Orochimaru."
Orochimaru was the only one who could hinder Jiraiya's search. But convincing him wouldn't come cheap. Orochimaru had little interest in political games—only in forbidden knowledge, experiments, and…
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Yes, Orochimaru would gladly bargain if Sasuke were involved. Even if Orochimaru couldn't completely stop Jiraiya, simply delaying him would buy Danzo enough time to claim the Hokage's chair.
"And then… there's that brat Shigure."
During the invasion, Shigure's performance had been nothing short of dazzling. Both shinobi and civilians were already hailing him as the light of Konoha.
Alongside his comrades, their growing reputation as the "three prodigies" was exactly what Hiruzen had intended, raising them up as future pillars of the village.
Even though Danzo had tried to muddy the waters by spreading word that Shigure was of the Wuyue clan from Kirigakure, the boy's achievements shone too brightly to be ignored.
"I'm afraid even Homura and Koharu have started paying attention to him," Danzo muttered darkly.
"If that brat remains, the Hokage faction will surely nurture him… and he'll only become more of an obstacle."
His eye glinted coldly.
"No… I must act first."
In the Hokage Building, Konoha's two senior advisors—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—sat across from Danzo.
Both frowned at his unexpected summons.
"Danzo, what matter was so urgent that you needed us here?" Koharu asked.
Danzo's tone was grave. "The village is in chaos. Konoha is weakened. Hiruzen lies in critical condition, and we don't know when—if—he will recover. We cannot leave the Hokage's seat untended. Even if only temporarily, we must appoint someone to lead."
The two elders exchanged a glance. They immediately understood what Danzo was implying.
Homura replied cautiously, "With your current authority, Danzo, no one would oppose you taking temporary command for the sake of stability. But surely… you mean more than that, don't you?"
Danzo's expression didn't waver.
"Of course, I can handle matters for now. But if Hiruzen never wakes… then what? Shouldn't we decide our path ahead of time?"
Koharu frowned. "In that case, we would simply hold an election for the Fifth Hokage. But tell us—who do you think is suitable?"
The question startled them. Knowing Danzo, they expected him to declare himself outright.
Instead, Danzo leaned back calmly.
Koharu spoke firmly. "Jiraiya. As one of the Legendary Sannin, and Hiruzen's student, his strength and reputation are more than fitting."
"Yes," Homura agreed. "Jiraiya is the obvious choice."
Danzo smiled faintly. "Indeed… Jiraiya is suitable."
At that moment, the doors swung open.
"I don't want to be Hokage."
Jiraiya strode into the room, his face serious.
Homura and Koharu blinked in shock. Why was Jiraiya here? Did Danzo invite him? That was unlike him.
Even Jiraiya himself seemed suspicious of Danzo's sudden "hospitality."
"Jiraiya," Danzo pressed smoothly, "if you won't take the position, who else can? Should Sarutobi never recover, Konoha must still have a Hokage."
The two elders nearly choked. Was this really Danzo, urging someone else to take the role? Had age finally dulled his ambition?
But Jiraiya shook his head. "No. I refuse. I'll find Tsunade instead. If the old man can't return to duty, then she can take the hat. She's more than capable."
The suggestion carried weight. Homura and Koharu both agreed—though slightly less renowned than Jiraiya, Tsunade was still a Sannin and fully qualified to lead.
They turned to Danzo, expecting his resistance.
Instead, he smiled thinly. "Tsunade would indeed be acceptable. But how long will it take you to find her?"
Jiraiya considered. "Half a year, at most."
"Half a year?!" Danzo shot up from his seat. "Unacceptable! Konoha cannot go leaderless for that long. Nor can Hiruzen wait!"
Homura and Koharu realized then—this was Danzo's true play.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "And how long do you think?"
"One month," Danzo declared. "At most. Within that time, you must return with Tsunade. Otherwise, the village will be forced to choose a new Hokage."
The advisors nodded reluctantly. The logic was sound. Konoha couldn't remain in limbo.
They looked to Jiraiya.
"One month, Jiraiya. Can you manage it?" Koharu pressed.
Jiraiya was silent for a few moments, then finally nodded. "Fine. I'll do it."
Danzo's voice was like a blade in the room. "If Tsunade is not found within a month, then a new Hokage must be chosen immediately. And if no one else will stand… Jiraiya, the position may fall to you regardless."
Jiraiya met his gaze steadily.
"No. If I fail to bring Tsunade back in time, then the title will fall to you, Danzo-sama."
After speaking, Jiraiya turned and strode toward the door.
"I'll be taking the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki with me," he added. "Naruto will accompany me while I search for Tsunade. If I leave him here, I'm afraid someone will make a move against him."
His pointed words were aimed squarely at Danzo. Yet Danzo, rather than taking offense, remained composed.
"Very well," he said evenly.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance but offered no objections.
"In that case," Jiraiya said, "I'll be on my way."
He departed, his footsteps fading into the corridor. Only then did Danzo speak again, halting the two advisors who were about to leave.
"Wait."
Homura and Koharu turned back with slight impatience. "What now, Danzo?"
Now that Jiraiya was gone, only the three of them remained in the room.
Danzo's gaze drifted toward the window, his tone cold and deliberate.
"The Sand has long been considered Konoha's ally… but their betrayal in this attack proves they are utterly unreliable. With the Fourth Kazekage dead, Sunagakure is consumed by turmoil—internal strife within, and enemies pressing without. They can offer us nothing."
The two advisors fell silent, mulling over his words. They often clashed with Danzo, but when it came to the village's survival, they could not dismiss a valid point.
"What are you suggesting?" Koharu asked cautiously.
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed.
"Konoha needs a new ally."
...
TN:
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