The Third Hokage looked deeply at Danzo and warned,
"Although this is a rare opportunity, it would put Konoha in a dangerous situation."
"I do not permit you to do this, do you understand? I absolutely do not agree to you doing such a thing."
"I am going to negotiate with Genji of the Hidden Mist now. For a long time to come, I will be busy wrangling with him."
"You shouldn't be idle either. Handle the personnel transfers within Konoha and the frontline armies."
After saying this, the Third Hokage took a puff on his pipe and waved his hand, dismissing Danzo.
A gloomy smile appeared on Danzo's face. He turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi, are you f**king kidding me?
Danzo cursed silently in his heart. The Third Hokage was blatantly setting him up to take the fall!
Fortunately, Danzo was used to this kind of thing and didn't feel too disappointed.
If it were any other politician looking for a scapegoat, the scapegoat would be finished nine times out of ten!
But Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi were different. Hiruzen couldn't bear to let Danzo die.
In the original story, Danzo committed so many wrongdoings, yet Hiruzen chose to forgive him.
Even when Danzo tried to assassinate Hiruzen, Hiruzen forgave him with great magnanimity.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's love for Danzo Shimura was indeed profound.
...
"Giving all personnel transfers in the village and the frontlines to Danzo? Isn't this blatantly giving Danzo a free hand to act?"
In the Konoha guest house, Yagyu, who had been basking in the sun with narrowed eyes, suddenly opened them.
He never expected the Third Hokage to actually let that mad dog, Danzo, off the leash.
Yagyu pondered.
If he wanted to leave, he and Genji's group could depart right now, before Konoha's preparations were complete.
But... leaving so timidly made Yagyu feel somewhat unreconciled.
He imitated Kizaru, but he wasn't truly Kizaru.
Whether he imitated part of Kizaru or all of him depended on his own thoughts.
He wasn't controlled by the template; he wouldn't simulate Kizaru's thoughts completely in everything he did.
"How about I stay and cause a huge scene?"
"With so many experts in Konoha, it will surely push my template unlock progress to a higher level, right?"
The corner of Yagyu's mouth hooked up, revealing a playful smile.
Neither the Third Hokage nor Danzo could ever have imagined that Yagyu's Observation Haki, which covered the entire village, could easily eavesdrop on their operational plans.
...
"Elder Genji!"
Yagyu found Genji, who had just returned from negotiating with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Yagyu, is something the matter? I have to be busy wrangling with Hiruzen for a while. If it's nothing important, you, Terumi Mei, and the others should go play by yourselves!"
Genji smiled, looking like a kind, ordinary old man.
Under the current circumstances, Genji dared not treat Yagyu as an ordinary ninja.
Yagyu said seriously, "According to the intelligence I've obtained, Konoha wants to make a move on us."
Genji was shocked. "What did you say? Impossible. Where did you get this information?"
Yagyu replied solemnly, "Don't ask how I know. In short, the intelligence is correct."
"On the surface, Hiruzen is stalling you with negotiations, but in the shadows, Danzo is mobilizing troops."
"The reason they haven't struck immediately is that the personnel they prepared to deal with me haven't returned from the front lines yet."
"Of course, the fact that they are so eager to act against us is largely because of the threat I pose."
Hearing Yagyu's account, Genji's expression became serious, and he spoke angrily, "If that's true, we must leave here immediately."
Yagyu shook his head. "Not 'we,' but 'you.' You guys go first; I'll bring up the rear."
Genji's face changed, and he refused flatly,
"No! Even if someone has to stay behind, it should be the three of us covering for you."
"Perhaps you don't realize your own value yet, but I can tell you clearly: the Mizukage believes you are the one who can revitalize the Hidden Mist."
"Your ability, your strength, your potential... you are the one we need to protect the most."
Yagyu said calmly, "Don't be silly. Why would I need your protection? I'm staying because I have absolute confidence that I can leave here."
"As long as I want to leave, no one in the world can keep me. Konoha is no exception!"
"Forget the fact that they've diverted a large number of troops to deal with the Sand and Stone; even if they sent their entire army against me, they couldn't do anything to me."
Yagyu spoke with great arrogance, but he indeed had the capital to be arrogant.
His Elementalization ability allowed him to ignore 99% of attack methods in the Ninja World, and light-speed movement gave him powerful survivability.
Combined with Observation Haki that allowed him to anticipate the enemy's moves, Yagyu was practically invincible from the start.
A mere Konoha wanted to deal with him?
Watch how he rampages through their ranks like Zhao Yun at Changban!
Genji frowned and thought for a moment, finally reluctantly agreeing to Yagyu's request.
First, Yagyu's attitude was resolute, and he knew further objections were meaningless. Second, Yagyu was right; with the strength he had displayed, he could easily cover their retreat.
Yagyu smiled.
"Go tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that you have handed over the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Hidden Mist to me."
"Take Terumi Mei and the others and leave. I will send a clone to escort you, just in case they try to ambush you halfway."
"Their main target is me; they won't alert the enemy just for you guys. Your safety won't be an issue."
Genji nodded calmly, turned, and left the guest house.
A moment later, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Genji in shock, asking in disbelief,
"Elder Genji, are you sure you're not joking?"
Genji replied indifferently,
"Is there a problem? With the strength Yagyu has shown, is he not qualified to negotiate with you on behalf of the Hidden Mist?"
"I'm not afraid to tell you: Yagyu is the man most likely to become the next Mizukage. His words are fully valid!"
"As for us... something has come up in the Hidden Mist. We need to return first. We will leave tomorrow."
Hiruzen didn't say much more; at a time like this, he really shouldn't say much.
Fortunately, their main target—Yagyu—would not be leaving with Genji.
However, Hiruzen felt uneasy, as if all his schemes had been seen through.
No, it's all an illusion!
Hiruzen muttered to himself.