To hand over the Root he had worked so hard to establish so easily.
Danzō could only feel his heart bleeding endlessly.
No matter how much he was unwilling, Danzō didn't dare to utter the word "refuse."
He didn't even dare to make the slightest movement. Hashirama Senju was not Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If he truly dared to make any extra move, Hashirama Senju would undoubtedly and without hesitation blast him to pieces right there and then.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane glanced in Danzō's direction, then instantly averted their eyes, subtly shifting slightly to the outside.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Jiraiya seemed a bit dazed by Hashirama Senju's decision to have him take over the ANBU and Root.
However, Jiraiya still nodded.
Although Jiraiya had the thought of leaving Konoha and continuing to gather intelligence as he had before, Konoha, having just gone through two great wars, clearly needed him more.
"Since no one has objected to these two matters, it is settled."
Hashirama Senju, seeing that no one had spoken, said with a simple smile as he scratched his head.
After these few matters were settled, aside from Hyuga Hiashi showing no change in expression, the Konoha high-ups such as Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Danzō, Tsunade, and Jiraiya all left the Hokage's office one after another, each with their own complex expressions.
Until he had left the Hokage's building by a considerable distance.
Danzō, who had been trying his best to remain calm, suddenly clenched his fists, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
But very quickly, that murderous intent disappeared again, as if it had never appeared.
Danzō continued walking forward, his eyes constantly flickering.
Today, Hashirama Senju had truly given him real lesson.
Danzō had originally thought that while Hashirama Senju's strength was formidable, he might not be well-versed in politics. But now it seemed he had underestimated Hashirama Senju!
It wasn't that Hashirama Senju didn't understand, but that he disdained to use it.
Possessing a powerful force capable of suppressing the chaotic era, any and all schemes were utterly useless.
Only now did Danzō suddenly realize that perhaps he had strayed down the wrong path.
Strength was the foundation!
Although Danzō had long had a vague feeling that Hashirama Senju was somewhat dissatisfied with his past actions, he never expected Hashirama Senju to strip him of all his power.
Without "Root," Danzō was as good as having lost his hands and feet.
Especially now, with Hashirama Senju already somewhat displeased with him.
"It seems I must prepare myself."
Danzō lightly lifted his hand and touched the bandaged right eye, muttering to himself in a low voice.
This technique had always been Danzō's ultimate trump card. Originally, it was meant for someone from the Uchiha clan.
But now it seemed he would have to use it ahead of schedule.
Before long, a great war would likely erupt between Hashirama Senju and the First Mizukage, Byakuren.
This would be the only opportunity Danzō would have to use this technique.
Most importantly, Danzō had no intention of using this technique on Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama Senju might be somewhat displeased with him, but he would absolutely not kill him.
Of course, there was another, more important point: Danzō had no confidence he could control Hashirama Senju.
But Danzō, through some of Konoha's secrets, knew that the First Mizukage, Byakuren, had a very weak resistance to genjutsu.
Compared to Hashirama Senju, the success rate with the First Mizukage would obviously be much higher.
At the thought of this, a hint of excitement flashed deep in Danzō's eyes.
If he succeeded, whether it was Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha, he would no longer fear anyone.
Unifying the entire shinobi world was not out of the question!
Danzō's footsteps unconsciously quickened. He needed to make preparations for this as soon as possible.
However, Danzō hadn't walked much further when he suddenly stopped his steps at an intersection ahead.
There, leaning quietly against a wall at the corner of the crossroads, was a figure.
"Kabuto?"
Danzō narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking in a cold voice towards Kabuto.
Ever since the information Kabuto had provided to Konoha was confirmed, the surveillance on him had been lifted.
Of course, this was only the removal of the overt ninja; covert ANBU ninja were still keeping an eye on Kabuto.
The Konoha high-ups had long since forgotten the conditions they had initially agreed to with Kabuto. In short, it was a cold shoulder treatment.
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Lord Danzō. What a surprise."
Kabuto looked at Danzō and said with a smile.
A cold smirk appeared on Danzō's lips. Kabuto had probably been waiting for him here:
"I'm a little impressed that you could so easily shake off the ANBU surveillance."
"It took quite a bit of effort to lose them, but they'll find me again soon. Judging by your expression, Lord Danzō, it seems something went wrong at the meeting."
Kabuto shrugged, putting on a helpless expression.
"Get to the point!" Danzō's face showed impatience as he said coldly.
Hearing Danzō's words, a hint of surprise and a sharp glint flashed in Kabuto's eyes.
It seemed Danzō's situation was even worse than he had anticipated.
Otherwise, with Danzō's high opinion of himself, he wouldn't have wasted so much time on him.
"I want to cooperate with you, Lord Danzō."
Kabuto stood up straight, his expression dead serious.
"You?"
Danzō raised an eyebrow, speaking with a hint of disdain.
After speaking, Danzō turned and continued walking forward.
"I might not be qualified, but what about Orochimaru-sama?"
Kabuto said slowly as he walked towards the retreating Danzō.
Danzō's footsteps halted, and he spun his head around to look at Kabuto:
"Orochimaru is dead. Are you asking me to make a deal with a dead man?"
"The Legendary Sannin can all be brought back to life. Naturally, so can Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto said with a confident expression, looking at Danzō.
Danzō stared deeply at Kabuto for a moment before turning and leaving.
Only after Danzō's figure completely disappeared from his sight did a smile appear on Kabuto's lips.
Danzō hadn't agreed, but he hadn't refused either.
In Kabuto's eyes, this was the best news.
He had only intended to test the waters, but unexpectedly gained something more.
After all, of everyone in Konoha, Danzō was probably the only one who could help him.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Just then,
a series of piercing sounds suddenly came from one side.
Several masked ANBU ninja appeared simultaneously around Kabuto.
The ANBU ninja stared coldly at Kabuto.
"Do it again, and we won't hesitate to make our move."
One of the ANBU ninja said coldly.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses, his face full of an innocent expression.
The ANBU ninja didn't say anything more and flashed, turning into afterimages and disappearing.
Kabuto shoved his hands in his pockets and began to return along the same path.
The prey Orochimaru-sama had been keeping an eye on had defected, and had gone to Madara Uchiha.
Under the watch of the ANBU ninja, there was nothing Kabuto could do even if he wanted to.
And now, regarding Sasuke, who had left Konoha, Kabuto was even more powerless.
He had originally planned to use the cursed seal left on Sasuke to revive Orochimaru-sama, and then have Orochimaru directly take over Sasuke's body.
But now it seemed that plan was no longer feasible.
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