Naruto: Nara's skill set is incredibly sneaky.

"What?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and stared at Danzo Shimura in disbelief.

Danzo Shimura coughed, managing to conceal his true intentions well. "There's no time to explain, Hiruzen. We must quickly gather the ninja to defend ourselves!"

Danzo believed that Orochimaru had no chance of surviving.

The Third Raikage, Raikage's son A, Magnet Release Troy, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

As long as Orochimaru dies.

Who can say he's wrong?

Moreover, Shimura Danzo had long disliked Orochimaru.

Danzo Shimura thought to himself, "I kindly invited you to study Wood Release, but you refused in every way. You really don't know what's good for you."

In addition, Orochimaru is also a strong contender for the next Hokage.

In Shimura Danzo's plan.

Nara Shikatoki and Namikaze Minato are both very strong candidates for the next Hokage, but they are too young.

That leaves only Sakumo Hatake and the three legendary ninja.

Sakumo Hatake has already retired due to previous events, so he is not a concern.

Of the three legendary Sannin, Jiraiya and Tsunade have clearly stated that they will not become Hokage, so the only one who poses a threat is Orochimaru!

This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate Orochimaru!

It's absolutely not that Shimura Danzo was afraid of death! That's exactly it!

After recovering from his shock, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grim. "Owl! Immediately gather all the village's ninjas and send them out to defend."

"yes!"

The owl disappeared.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Danzo Shimura. "Danzo! Explain the situation before you to me in detail!"

"no problem!"

Shimura Danzo spoke with such righteous indignation.

He portrayed himself as someone who was afraid of death and wanted to stay and fight to the death, but had to leave and return to report for the sake of Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that Danzo Shimura had definitely exaggerated.

However, this also shows that the situation is quite serious.

"Have the Third Raikage and the others gone mad?"

What Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't understand the most was why the Third Raikage would go berserk when victory was assured!

Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew about this move from previous intelligence reports.

However, Konoha Village simply couldn't spare any manpower.

So Hiruzen Sarutobi thought he could stall for as long as possible.

If it really can't be delayed any longer, then abandon some resources.

As long as Konoha Village can free up its resources, it can launch a counterattack.

With such a frenzied attack, aren't they afraid that other ninja villages will reap the benefits?!

"I don't know either. Although the previous attacks were surprise attacks, they were very methodical. But in this final battle, they were really in a hurry!" Shimura Danzo also noticed this problem, but he just couldn't figure it out.

"Go and gather the Roots; come with me out of the village to defend it!"

Now is not the time to think about such things; we must stop those lunatics from Kumogakure!

A large number of ninjas left the village to deploy defenses.

The atmosphere also seemed somewhat heavy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the head of the group, gazing into the distance.

The owl appeared, kneeling on one knee. "Lord Hokage, someone's coming."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened. "They've arrived? How many are on the enemy side?!"

The owl's expression was strange. After hesitating for a moment, it said, "They are all our own people. Lord Orochimaru brought back a lot of wounded soldiers."

Danzo Shimura clasped his hands tightly.

My heart was screaming.

"Orochimaru! Why aren't you dead?!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately said, "Take me there!"

Soon the group arrived in front of Orochimaru's group.

Orochimaru was somewhat surprised to see Hiruzen Sarutobi, and forced a smile. "Sarutobi-sensei, I'm not so important as to warrant you bringing so many people to greet me, am I?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Orochimaru, what's going on here? Where are the Cloud Ninja?"

Danzo Shimura also looked at Orochimaru, wanting to know what had happened after he left.

"Shikatoshi-kun is back! He led Kurama and Akane in a fierce battle against the Third Raikage. The entire Hidden Cloud Village has been repelled. Shikatoshi-kun is guarding the border with some lightly wounded ninjas. Sarutobi-sensei should make arrangements as soon as possible!"

The words "Nara Shikatoki" brought a huge sigh of relief to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo Shimura's face darkened. Why did he have to come back just when he was on the run?

He felt that Lu Shi was targeting him!

"Danzo's expression seems a bit grim. I happen to have some scores to settle with you about later!" Orochimaru said with a sinister look.

That bastard, he ran away at such a crucial moment!

If Nara Shikatoki hadn't returned, Orochimaru would have really died there!

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo Shimura a deep look. It seemed that things were even more outrageous than his old friend had described.

Shimura Danzo felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so he coughed and said, "Now that the village's crisis has been resolved, I'll go and treat the patients."

After saying that, he left immediately.

"hehe!"

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't stop him. "Orochimaru, I'll arrange for the wounded to be treated. You all go back to the village to rest. I'll come find you later."

"understood."

The number of wounded this time is simply too high.

The Konoha Hospital is overflowing.

They could only set up tents outside the hospital.

In the afternoon, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered Orochimaru's hospital room.

"Orochimaru, tell me, what exactly is going on?"

After arranging everything, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't dare to delay for a moment and immediately ran over.

"The situation is simple. During the great battle, Danzo ran away, right in front of everyone on the battlefield, without looking back. If it weren't for Shikatoki, I might really be dead there, and the surviving ninjas would be slaughtered!"

Orochimaru didn't waste any words.

"If the teacher doesn't believe it, he can ask the surviving ninjas."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted.

A surge of anger, a feeling of disappointment and frustration, welled up inside me.

That bastard Danzo Shimura! What on earth is he trying to do?!

On the battlefield, he deserted in front of so many people, and the person he betrayed was his beloved disciple.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had three disciples, but he was most satisfied with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru sighed as he watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's face change repeatedly.

He knew very well that his teacher would ultimately protect Shimura Danzo, but he still harbored a tiny, insignificant hope.

"Sarutobi-sensei, let's think about how to appease the ninjas on the battlefield. This is no small matter."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave. "I understand. I will punish Danzo. You can focus on recovering."

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi leave, Orochimaru smiled helplessly. "Just punishment?"

This is a case of the commander-in-chief running away, and the punishment is just ridiculous.

Within the root base.

"Lord Danzo, the Hokage has arrived."

"I won't see you! Just say I'm seriously injured and need to recuperate!" Danzo refused outright.

However, the next moment, the gate at the base was blasted away.

"How dare you! Who would dare trespass into our territory!"

"It's me!"

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo's words stuck in his throat, and in the end he could only give an awkward laugh.

"Hiruzen, what brings you here?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim. "Danzo, do you even realize the enormity of the mess you've made this time? Your commander fled the battlefield! I think you've truly gone mad!"

Danzo Shimura lowered his head, unsure how to explain.

That's the truth, after all.

He used to portray himself as a hero, but now he's become a clown.

It should be noted that the first thing he did upon returning was to arrange for Root ninjas to spread his heroic deeds throughout Konoha Village.

Now that Orochimaru has returned with his men, his reputation is completely ruined.

"Disband the roots!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm.

Danzo Shimura breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood."

"This time I'm serious. I will arrange for the Dark Guard to eradicate the Root, and all seals sealing the source of all gossip will be lifted!"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Danzo Shimura's expression changed.

This is for real!

"Hiruzen! You can't do this! Root is my life's work! You..."

"Besides disbanding Root, you must also be locked up in jail!" Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzo, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Danzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief.

"Hiruzen! You're insane!"

"I'm not crazy! If we follow the normal procedure, you're dead for sure! Danzo, you need to understand, this is wartime! If I let you off easy, what will the ninjas fighting on the front lines think?!"

"If morale falters, Konoha might truly cease to exist! I'm not discussing this with you; I'm issuing a formal notice!"

Danzo Shimura opened his mouth as if to say something, but he knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was right.

If this matter hadn't been exposed, it would have been fine, but once it was, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has already let him off the hook.

With this in mind, Shimura Danzo closed his eyes. "I understand."