One battle report.
One secret letter.
These were what Orochimaru had someone send back to Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the secret letter first. The main contents of this secret letter concerned Uchiha Fugaku.
Because the situation on the front line was unfavorable, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been desperate to gain an advantage. That was why he had no choice but to make use of Uchiha Fugaku, hoping that Fugaku could bring some support to the front line.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi was not particularly at ease regarding Uchiha Fugaku.
Even though Uchiha Mikoto was still in Konoha.
Even though Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto's second son, who had not been born for very long, was also still there.
Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered that Uchiha Fugaku's eldest son had disappeared at some unknown point.
As though he had vanished into thin air.
This caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicion toward Uchiha Fugaku to deepen even further.
"Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Fire-Rat Form? Another superior Devil Fruit?"
A trace of jealousy rose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
"Why do all these good things fall into Sunagakure's hands? Is this Heaven's compensation for the fact that they are surrounded by desert on all sides?"
"Uchiha Fugaku's performance was much worse than I expected."
"Because he hasn't been on the battlefield in too long?"
Ever since the Uchiha clan's rebellion, the Uchiha members who still remained in Konoha had also been placed under severe restrictions. Only a very small number of them possessed relative freedom.
As for Uchiha Fugaku, he was the key target of surveillance by Konoha's ANBU shinobi. He basically had no chance to leave that narrow compound.
Until this time.
"Facing an ordinary jonin from Sunagakure, even if that person possessed a superior Devil Fruit, Uchiha Fugaku still should not have performed like this. He has disgraced the Uchiha name."
Only after that did Hiruzen Sarutobi open Orochimaru's secret letter.
"He wants me to communicate with Danzo and activate the spies and undercover agents Danzo planted in Sunagakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
"That fellow Orochimaru wants me to bring Danzo back into use? Is this Danzo's intention? Does he think that because I have now let Orochimaru command Konoha's army, I must give him face?"
"Danzo, you are thinking far too much."
"And Orochimaru too. Danzo asked, and you simply gave it to him?"
"Is your relationship with Danzo truly that good?"
"Even above me, your teacher?"
Only afterward did Hiruzen Sarutobi pick up the frontline battle report.
The next instant, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.
"The Sun Disk is actually this terrifying?"
"Sunagakure! Again, Sunagakure!"
"But fortunately, the ones who died were not Konoha shinobi, but Iwagakure shinobi."
A wave of lingering fear rose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
Based on the description written in the battle report, Hiruzen Sarutobi could completely imagine how devastating the blow to Konoha would have been if the dead had been Konoha shinobi instead.
"So Orochimaru wants to activate Danzo's undercover agents because of the Sun Disk?"
"No wonder Onoki cared so much about the Sun Disk before."
"Danzo…"
"Forget it. He has been confined for so long. He should have reflected enough by now."
An ANBU shinobi quickly arrived at the Shimura clan compound.
"Danzo-sama, Hokage-sama asks that you come over."
"Hiruzen is looking for me?"
Danzo raised a brow.
"Fine. I understand. I will go over shortly."
Danzo slowly rose to his feet, drank tea, chatted casually, and waited a while longer before finally leaving the Shimura clan compound and heading toward the Hokage Building.
"Hiruzen."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat displeased from waiting.
But right now, the matter of the Sun Disk was too important.
Moreover, the spies Konoha had previously planted in Sunagakure had already undergone one purge. Yakushi Nono, whom they had sent there, had never achieved any meaningful results.
If they wanted to quickly obtain intelligence on the Sun Disk, then most likely only Danzo had a chance.
"Danzo, you're here. Sit."
Danzo nodded and sat down.
"Hiruzen, what did you call me here for? If I remember correctly, I am still under confinement. Coming here now won't cause any trouble, will it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened.
"Danzo, I know there is resentment in your heart. But I punished you because your methods were indeed improper. You acted without permission, putting even me, the Hokage, in an extremely passive position."
"If I did not punish you, what would others think?"
"We have worked together for decades. Surely you won't still blame me?"
The corner of Danzo's mouth tilted.
"No, no. Hiruzen, just say it directly. What is it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned serious.
"Bad intelligence has come back from the frontline battlefield. Sunagakure used that thing called the Sun Disk. In an extremely short period of time, it killed over a thousand Iwagakure shinobi."
"It directly routed an entire Iwagakure army!"
"That thing is far too intimidating."
"As long as we cannot find a way to counter it, it will hang over Konoha's head every single day."
"Therefore, we must obtain more intelligence regarding the Sun Disk. Danzo, I will leave this matter to you."
Danzo hesitated for a moment.
"Hiruzen, it's not that I don't want to, but right now, I am only an ordinary person. I cannot do it."
"I will restore your position as an elder."
Danzo still shook his head.
"Hiruzen, you know very well that the position of elder is nothing more than an empty title. I have no one I can use."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, feeling that Danzo was far too greedy.
"What else do you want?"
"Root."
"Danzo, Root has already been dissolved."
Danzo said calmly, "Then I have no way to do it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.
But he still calmed himself down, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart.
"Fine. You may restore Root, but the number of personnel in Root cannot exceed ten. That is the limit. Do not bargain with me again, Danzo!"
Danzo revealed a smile.
"Hiruzen, rest assured. I will do everything in my power to obtain all information regarding the Sun Disk as soon as possible."
After saying that, Danzo turned and left.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Danzo's departing back and sighed.
"Given the current situation, allowing Danzo to possess Root again is not a good thing for me."
"But Sunagakure is too frightening."
"And at a time like this, there are not enough usable people in the village. Only Danzo is suited to handle such matters."
"However, Konoha still has time."
"This time, the Sun Disk harmed Iwagakure. Iwagakure will inevitably be furious. In that case, I can make Iwagakure the main force attacking Sunagakure, while Konoha provides containment."
"That will ease Konoha's situation considerably."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression relaxed slightly.
Suddenly—
An ANBU shinobi quickly rushed inside.
"Hokage-sama, the situation on the Hyuga clan's side seems somewhat abnormal."
"The Hyuga?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
"What trouble is the Hyuga clan causing now?"
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