Sarutobi Hiruzen pressed the summons bell on his desk.
"Hiruzen." Shimura Danzo's figure appeared in the office.
Ever since the Uchiha incident, Danzo had become increasingly silent and respectful in Hiruzen's presence.
He had personally witnessed how Hiruzen could turn the tables with a flick of his wrist. The resentment and jealousy in his heart had been replaced by awe.
He now understood very clearly that this young rival of his was not some gentle dove, but a dormant tiger.
"Sit, Danzo."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed to the chair opposite him.
Danzo sat down as instructed, his back ramrod straight.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasted no time and threw a piece of intelligence, freshly compiled by the Anbu, in front of him.
"Take a look."
Danzo picked up the intelligence report and quickly scanned it.
The content was about some recent minor movements by Iwagakure and Sunagakure on the border. Although they were not large-scale, they were all highly provocative.
"Iwagakure and Sunagakure..."
Danzo's brow furrowed. "Are they testing us?"
"No, they're making pre-war preparations."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was calm. "It's been many years since the First Great Ninja War ended. The major ninja villages have all licked their wounds. The new Kage have also solidified their positions and are beginning to harbor new ambitions."
"The lack of resources in the Land of Wind and the warlike tradition of the Land of Earth have determined that they will inevitably turn their eyes towards our fertile land."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his back to Danzo.
"I have already cleared out the internal threat of the Uchiha."
Danzo's body shuddered.
"Now, it's your turn, Danzo." Sarutobi Hiruzen turned around, his eyes burning as he looked at him.
"Your Root was not established to engage in internal strife within the village, nor to monitor your own compatriots."
"Its duty is to look outward! To plunge into the heart of the enemy! To gnaw on the toughest bones!"
He walked over to Danzo and slapped another scroll into his hand.
On it was the budget approval for the expansion of Root, as well as a list of elite ninja from various clans, personally selected by Hiruzen.
"I'll give you money, I'll give you men, I'll give you the greatest authority."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was filled with an unquestionable power.
"I order you to use Root, at all costs, to infiltrate all the surrounding countries! Especially Iwagakure and Sunagakure!"
"I need eyes, I need ears. I need to know what Onoki eats for dinner every night, and I need to know when the Third Kazekage goes to the bathroom!"
"Danzo, be the shadow of the village! Be the sharp sword hanging over the heads of all our enemies!"
These words made Danzo's blood boil.
This was what he wanted! This was the original purpose for which he established Root.
To delve into the darkness and eradicate all enemies that threatened Konoha.
Before, he had always felt that Hiruzen was too merciful and didn't understand his philosophy.
Now he understood. It wasn't that Hiruzen didn't understand; it was that his own perspective had been too narrow.
What Hiruzen wanted was a Root that could monitor the entire ninja world.
"Yes! Lord Hokage!"
Danzo shot to his feet and bowed deeply, his eyes for the first time burning with the pure flame of fighting for the village.
"I, Shimura Danzo, will not fail the village."
Watching Danzo leave, full of drive, a smile tugged at the corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth.
To deal with someone like Danzo, suppression alone is not enough. You have to give him a goal that is grand enough for him to realize his own value, and then tie him firmly to that goal.
In this way, he will become the most obedient and the sharpest sword.
At this point, the entire Konoha leadership, whether it was the advisory council, Danzo's "Root," or the Uchiha's Military Police Force, had been completely united by him.
The whole of Konoha had reached an unprecedented level of unity.
After dealing with all the political affairs, the sky had gradually darkened.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stretched, feeling a little tired.
Although the Sage Body kept him full of energy, the mental exhaustion still required rest to recover.