But it was not foolproof.
Especially if the other party had an inside man and might use unconventional methods.
"That old schemer Danzo..."
Di Yan's gaze deepened, "If he really sets his mind to it and uses that trump card..."
"He might actually succeed in controlling Tsunade and completing a coup."
He thought of Danzo Shimura's right eye, which had always been hidden under bandages.
That Mangekyo Sharingan, transplanted from Uchiha Shisui.
And the Kotoamatsukami, the most overpowered Genjutsu in the Hokage world, contained within that eye!
It could completely change the will of others without them knowing.
Making the target serve him without question.
This ability, used in political struggles and usurpation,
was practically a nuclear-weapon-level cheat!
"If Danzo successfully used Kotoamatsukami on Tsunade and controlled the Fifth Hokage..."
"Then Konoha's internal strife would likely quickly subside, turning into a situation where Danzo alone dominated."
Di Yan stroked his chin.
This was not the situation he wanted to see.
What he needed was chaos, mutual destruction, a struggle between two powers!
An overwhelming, one-sided victory would be convenient.
But it lacked fun.
And it would be harder for him to find the perfect opportunity to intervene and secure everything in one fell swoop.
"It seems... I might have to 'help' Tsunade a bit."
A mischievous smile played on Di Yan's lips, as if he had found an interesting new game:
"Lest she be careless and accidentally fall into Danzo's trap; that would make this play too boring."
"An even match, a back-and-forth battle, mutual attrition—that is the most wonderful."
His eyes gleamed with calculation, "When they fight to the death, revealing all their trump cards, and are utterly exhausted..."
"Then I can appear as a savior, clean up the mess, and wouldn't that be delightful?"
Just as Di Yan was contemplating how to "add fuel to the fire" for Danzo and Tsunade's confrontation,
Uchiha Izumi approached silently and reported in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, Tekka has sent word that he has successfully made contact with Danzo."
"This is the secret letter Danzo asked Tekka to bring back."
Izumi said, respectfully presenting a sealed letter.
Di Yan took the letter, his fingertips exerting a slight force.
He shattered the Chakra seal on the envelope.
He unfolded the letter and quickly scanned its contents.
The content of the letter was Danzo's meticulously planned coup d'état scheme:
Danzo proposed that three days later,
Di Yan, as the "aggrieved" Emperor,
would officially challenge Fifth Hokage Tsunade regarding the "Asuma assassination incident," demanding an explanation from Konoha.
At that time, all Konoha Higher-Ups, Advisors, and representatives of major clans would certainly gather.
To jointly respond to this political crisis.
And this was the best timing Danzo had been waiting for!
He promised that during the meeting, he would, with "the smallest cost" and "the fastest speed," control all Konoha Higher-Ups, including Tsunade, in one fell swoop!
Although the specific methods were not explicitly stated in the letter,
His confident tone made it seem as if everything was under control.
Once the situation was controlled,
Danzo demanded that Di Yan, as the supreme ruler of the Land of Fire,
immediately announce Tsunade's dismissal.
And appoint him, Danzo Shimura, as the Sixth Hokage!
To complete this "legitimate" transfer of power.
Di Yan looked at the letter, the cold sneer on his lips becoming more pronounced.
Danzo's plan was almost identical to his guess.
That old fox indeed intended to use this opportunity of the Higher-Ups gathering to launch a lightning strike!
And the "smallest cost" method, which was not explicitly stated,
was ninety-nine percent likely to be controlling Tsunade with Kotoamatsukami!
As long as Tsunade was controlled and turned to support Danzo,
Plus the power of his Root and the support of some major clans,
With the others leaderless,
The success rate of the coup was indeed extremely high; this was much smarter than the Uchiha Clan's mindless coup back then.
"To take the Hokage position with the fastest speed, completing the transfer of power before Konoha's regular Ninja Army system can react..."
Di Yan mused, "That is indeed a good move. After all, most mid-to-lower-level Ninja only recognize the Hokage position and its orders."
"As for who sits on top, as long as the procedure is 'legal,' they don't have much choice."
"History has always been written by the victors."
With completely unequal information,
Danzo, relying on Kotoamatsukami, this "divine tool," had a very high chance of success!
"But..."
The playfulness in Di Yan's eyes grew stronger, "Such a one-sided crushing victory is too boring."
"Moreover, letting Danzo take the Hokage position so easily would make subsequent handling troublesome."
He decided that he must add a "variable" to Danzo's plan.
To make this play more interesting.
And to make both sides exhaust themselves more thoroughly.
After a brief thought,
Di Yan had a brilliant plan that could both trip up Danzo and keep himself out of it.
He turned to Uchiha Izumi and instructed:
"Izumi, make arrangements. Have Ino... find a way to secretly contact her teacher, Fifth Hokage Tsunade."
Izumi paused slightly but immediately accepted the order:
"Yes. What message does Your Majesty wish to convey?"
Di Yan smiled faintly, his smile full of calculation:
"Just have Ino tell Tsunade... that I, the 'victimized' Emperor, have some 'interesting intelligence' regarding 'Elder Danzo Shimura's recent unusual movements' that I'd like to discuss with her privately."
"As for the location... let her decide, and it must be kept secret."
He specifically emphasized "private discussion," hinting at sharing classified intelligence.
Choosing Ino to deliver this message was a well-thought-out decision.
Ino was once Tsunade's student, having studied Medical Ninjutsu under her.
With this teacher-student relationship,
Her attempt to contact Tsunade would not seem too abrupt.
It wouldn't easily arouse excessive suspicion from Danzo's informants.
Moreover, Ino was currently under Di Yan's control and dared not disobey his orders.
Nor dared she leak any extra information.
Di Yan never believed that Danzo would fully trust him.
That old fox must have surrounded the inn with surveillance.
Any direct unusual movement by his Ninja, especially the Uchiha, could alert the enemy.
However, having Ino, a Konoha Ninja "forced to remain by the Emperor's side,"
attempt to "secretly" contact the Hokage using old ties,
seemed much more reasonable.
It was more like a desperate girl trying to seek help from the Village or convey information.
"Danzo, oh Danzo..."
Di Yan looked at Konoha's night view outside the window, as if he could see his old adversary hiding in the shadows.
"You think everything is under control? But you don't know that hunters also like to watch their prey kill each other first."
"I hope Tsunade enjoys this 'great gift' from me."
"Please don't disappoint me... The more intense this Konoha internal strife is, the more exciting it will be!"
Izumi accepted the order and silently withdrew to make arrangements.
Not long after, Ino Yamanaka arrived.
She walked in front of Di Yan.
Her expression was complex, and her eyes flickered.
It seemed her heart was undergoing a fierce struggle.
She opened her mouth, her voice a little dry:
"Your Majesty... you want me to find Hokage-sama... I..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Di Yan reached out.
And pulled her into his embrace.
Ino's body stiffened slightly, instinctively wanting to struggle.
But in the end, she only pursed her lips.
And leaned obediently against Di Yan's chest.
She could even feel his steady heartbeat and the warmth radiating through his clothes.
Di Yan looked down at the uneasy girl in his arms, his fingers gently lifting her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze:
"What? You don't want to convey this message for me?"
Ino avoided his burning gaze, her voice carrying a hint of grievance and probing that she herself didn't notice:
"You... you trust me to go just like that?"
"Aren't you afraid I... I'll take the opportunity to run back to Hokage-sama's side and never return?"
After asking this question, even Ino herself was momentarily stunned.