They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 158 Hozuki Shingetsu: Danzo, do you want to be Hokage or not?

Let's put aside the question of how to become a Six Paths level master for now. After all, whether it's absorbing the nine tailed beasts to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki or using other methods, it's too early to talk about it now.

After all, neither the current situation in the ninja world nor Hozuki Shingetsu's own abilities are sufficient to support him in coveting the Six Paths level.

In terms of improving his personal strength, Hozuki Shingetsu's next focus should be on how to make Sage Mode a regular occurrence, as this is a more tangible and easier way for him to achieve his goals.

Based on Hozuki Shingetsu's more than ten years of experience in the ninja world and his years of experience with the original anime, if Hozuki Shingetsu has truly completed his training to make Sage Mode a regular occurrence, then combined with what he has learned now, he can truly be considered the number one person below the Six Paths level.

Even Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju at their peak would not have been his match in that state.

However, the normalization of Sage Mode training has reached a bottleneck, and Hozuki Shingetsu is still considering solutions.

Therefore, the Five-Tails will remain inside the Shinigami's belly for now. It will only be released when Hozuki Shingetsu truly needs it and has figured out how to use it.

Onoki, of course, was unaware of Hozuki Shingetsu's plans. He chose to leave because he couldn't bear Hozuki Shingetsu's "humiliation," but the representatives from the other ninja villages did not share this idea.

Having finally made it to Kirigakure, and with so many representatives from other ninja villages here, it would be a waste of this opportunity not to linger a little longer to investigate Kirigakure's true strength and exchange opinions with the other ninja village representatives.

Among them, Danzo Shimura, the leader of Konoha's Root and the infamous "Darkness of the Ninja" in the ninja world, who was in charge of Konoha's intelligence, would not let go of this great opportunity.

If Hozuki Shingetsu hadn't made prior arrangements and specifically ordered the Uzumaki clan to reinforce various seals in the embassy district, he probably would have already discovered some of Kirigakure's secrets through some means.

As a result, Shimura Danzo became aware of Hozuki Shingetsu's wariness towards him, but Shimura Danzo was not the kind of person who would give up when faced with setbacks.

Since he had long regarded Hozuki Shingetsu as an enemy, he was now trying to teach Tsunade some skills, hoping that during her three years in Kirigakure, she would find ways to gather information and send it back to Konoha.

Although Tsunade was disappointed with Konoha, out of resentment towards Hozuki Shingetsu's previous actions and her bond with Konoha, she ultimately accepted the mission, promising to send back some information to the village to the best of her ability.

It was at this time that Shimura Danzo received an invitation from Hozuki Shingetsu, who hoped that he could come to the Mizukage's office in the afternoon to discuss an important matter concerning Kirigakure and Konoha.

"What exactly happened? Lord Hozuki didn't specify?"

Shimura Danzo looked at the Kirigakure ANBU who had come to deliver the message, and a look of doubt appeared on his face.

The peace talks have been successfully concluded, the Second Shinobi World War has ended, and even the establishment of the International Shinobi Federation has been discussed and completed. What else could Hozuki Shingetsu possibly want to discuss with him?

Could it be a discussion about the three years Tsunade spent in Kirigakure after her death?

"Lord Hozuki didn't say it explicitly, but he emphasized that this matter is very important and hopes that Lord Shimura can come in person."

interesting……

Danzo Shimura instantly understood the hidden meaning in Shingetsu Hozuki's words: "in person" meant that he was expected to go alone, which meant that they wanted to discuss something that was not convenient for others to hear.

And this kind of topic, which even close confidants cannot hear, often means...

"Go back and tell Lord Hozuki that I will definitely visit on time."

With this thought in mind, Shimura Danzo immediately accepted Hozuki Shingetsu's invitation.

"'The Ninja Fox Demon'... Heh, I'd like to see if you, Hozuki Shingetsu, truly deserve this title in this face-to-face exchange..."

Since Shimura Danzo harbors deep malice towards Hozuki Shingetsu for some inexplicable reason, it is natural to gather a large amount of information in order to deal with him.

And what better way to understand someone’s personality than through a private, one-on-one conversation?

As for whether he was worried that this was a trap, and whether Hozuki Shingetsu would take this opportunity to do something to him...

Just kidding. After all, he is the leader of Root in Konoha, with the Hokage as his advisor. Even if there is a conflict between him and Hiruzen Sarutobi, if something happens to him in Kirigakure, will Konoha just stand by and watch?

Even if Konoha is weak at this moment, it will definitely launch a fierce counterattack against Kirigakure. Hozuki Shingetsu wouldn't do that unless he's stupid.

"This afternoon... let me see what you little fox are up to!"

As Shimura Danzo watched the departing figures of the Kirigakure Anbu outside the window, his mind was filled with a myriad of emotions.

-

"Lord Danzo, do you want to become Hokage?"

In the afternoon, in the Mizukage's office, Shimura Danzo stared in shock at Hozuki Shingetsu across from him, his words echoing in his ears like thunder.

Do you want to be Hokage?

Of course I want to!

This was Shimura Danzo's lifelong wish!

Even after he lost that crucial decision during the First Shinobi World War, becoming Hokage had become a deep-seated obsession for him.

However... isn't it absurd to say such a thing in the Mizukage's office in Kirigakure, coming from Hozuki Shingetsu's mouth?

Could it be that you can help me become Hokage?

"Lord Danzo, do you wish to become Hokage?"

Seeing Shimura Danzo still in shock and looking incredulous, Hozuki Shingetsu asked again with a smile in his voice.

"Do you want to become Hokage? Of course! Becoming Hokage is the dream of every Konoha ninja, just as becoming Mizukage is the dream of every Kirigakure ninja."

Danzo Shimura's mind raced, constantly trying to decipher the meaning behind Hozuki Shingetsu's words.

As a master of conspiracy theories, and having been invited here for a secret meeting by Hozuki Shingetsu, he didn't believe that this conversation was just casual chatter.

Given the uncertainty about Hozuki Shingetsu's true intentions, this official statement that includes Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) is undoubtedly the safest bet.

These words are perfectly acceptable no matter where they are spoken or who hears them.

Shingetsu Hozuki was well aware of Danzo Shimura's wariness.

However, his special invitation to Shimura Danzo for a private meeting was not intended to test him on anything, so he went straight to the point:

"Lord Danzo, there's no need for you to beat around the bush with me. The purpose of my invitation is very simple: let's deal with our common enemy—Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"I guarantee that what happened here is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me, and no one else knows about it."

"If Lord Danzo is still worried, then let me continue. How about you listen?"

Hozuki Shingetsu looked at Shimura Danzo, who remained silent for a long time, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"If Lord Danzo is interested, I have two options for you to choose from."

"One option is to nurture a bandit to enhance one's own power; the other is to rely on foreign powers to enhance one's own power. Which of these two strategies to adopt depends on Lord Danzo's choice!"

(End of this chapter)