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

Chapter 176 Danzo's Thoughts

"Welcome all ninja villages to settle in Kirigakure... If you are not comfortable there, you may choose to settle in a country near the Land of Water. Kirigakure guarantees that it will not resort to force... The Ocean Ninja Alliance provides financial assistance, and the Kirigakure International Student Program..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked at the "recruitment notice" in his hand. He was increasingly unable to understand what Shingetsu Hozuki was up to.

He could understand the point about summoning ninja clans and villages within the spheres of influence of other countries to settle in countries near the Land of Water.

It's just a desperate measure to prevent them from quickly recovering their strength!

The original treaty stipulated that no means could be used to prevent other ninja villages from annexing forces within one's sphere of influence; otherwise, the other major ninja villages would unite to attack.

However, Hozuki Shingetsu's move of cutting off the supply line did not violate this rule. He did not stop the four great ninja villages from annexing each other, but merely called on them to relocate to the vicinity of the Land of Water.

As for the rest, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't too concerned. As long as he could stop you before you moved to the Land of Water, that would be enough.

What puzzled him was why Kirigakure had to specify later that as long as they joined the Ocean Ninja Alliance, they would receive money from these small ninja villages and be recruited as international students.

Although Kirigakure has made a fortune from this war and has a lot of money to spare, and is now living a very comfortable life, they shouldn't be spending it so extravagantly.

And what about that Kirigakure Ninja Academy exchange student program? Does Kirigakure not know that ninja academies are highly classified military institutions?

Letting children from other villages go in, and if they learn real skills and bring them back to their own villages, isn't that like raising a tiger to cause trouble?

However, judging from Hozuki Shingetsu's past behavior, this guy is definitely not the kind of person who likes to give love. There must be a series of preparations behind what he did, and a very deep purpose.

"Danzo, what do you think?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked his old teammate what he thought of the "Root" buried deep underground, the "Darkness of the Ninja" who was on par with Shingetsu Hozuki.

"How do I see? I see with my eyes."

Although Shimura Danzo really wanted to retort, he ultimately restrained himself when he thought about the plan he was about to carry out.

"Based on my understanding of Hozuki Shingetsu, he certainly wouldn't speak without reason; there must be some conspiracy..."

After spouting a bunch of correct but meaningless platitudes, Danzo Shimura finally got to the point.

"...However, although we don't know what he's planning, we can definitely learn from this international student's plan."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply and retorted without hesitation:

"Exchange students? Danzo, you should know the importance of the Ninja Academy. It's impossible to let those ninjas from other villages who are destined to return stay here..."

However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Danzo Shimura.

"Go back? Why should we let them go back?"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, his hand holding the pipe still.

As the Hokage who had ruled Konoha for many years, and an old teammate of Shimura Danzo, he instantly understood what Shimura Danzo meant—since letting them go back would expose intelligence information, why not just not let them go back?

"Given our current pace of annexing smaller factions, we can't possibly absorb them in a short time. Moreover, with Kirigakure's recruitment notice, we've become even more passive, having to guard against their escape... In that case, why not simply use this student exchange program to stabilize them?"

A cold glint flashed in Shimura Danzo's eyes. Although he had agreed to cooperate with Hozuki Shingetsu, he had not forgotten his own identity.

When faced with a crucial opportunity to strengthen Konoha's power, he was still generous with his advice.

"Have each family send a few of their most talented or noblest children to our ninja academy as 'hosts'."

"Tell them that we will temporarily refrain from attacking those who are willing to send their children over. But we will resolutely crack down on those who are unwilling to send their children over!"

"People are always inclined to compromise. As long as we leave them some room for maneuver and make them believe that we won't attack them because they have the 'hostage,' they certainly won't risk traveling thousands of miles to the Land of Water to gamble on a guarantee from Kirigakure that they don't even know if it's true!"

As a mastermind behind conspiracies, Danzo Shimura naturally had a deep understanding of human nature. He knew that the four great ninja villages were pushing these smaller forces too hard, making them lose all hope for the future. That's why they went to the Land of Water, where the future was uncertain, to gamble on a vague hope.

"By keeping them in check, and once our strength has fully recovered, we can wipe them all out in a short time with overwhelming force!"

Danzo Shimura slammed his cane down hard, a cold smile playing on his lips.

compromise?

In Shimura Danzo's mind, there was no intention to compromise with these smaller forces!

"...That is indeed a good idea."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe and exhaled a deep puff of smoke. He had to admit that Danzo Shimura's move was indeed highly skillful.

"In that case, let's leave this matter to them! However..."

"Ha, so what if they don't make it public or admit it, just to avoid affecting Konoha's reputation!" A sneer flashed across Shimura Danzo's eyes.

As a former teammate, Shimura Danzo understood what Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to say the moment he opened his mouth. On one hand, he wanted to use such underhanded methods, and on the other hand, he wanted to maintain a good reputation, as if he were untainted by the mud.

What the hell!

However, he immediately thought of something, and after a moment of silence, he said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Don't waste those kids! Although the geniuses from the smaller ninja villages can't compare to ours, they can still be useful... Let's all add them to Root later!"

Should it be inserted at the root?

After pondering for a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to Danzo Shimura's request.

After all, his relationship with Shimura Danzo had been somewhat strained lately, and now that he needed to do some work, he had to give him some incentive.

"In that case, even if we don't know what Hozuki Shingetsu is planning, as long as we can keep these smaller factions in check and prevent them from going to the Land of Water, then his plan is destined to fail before it even begins..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look out the window and gently tapped his pipe.

"Young man, you must walk the straight path! Schemes and tricks won't last long..."

Unseen behind him, Hozuki Shingetsu's true killing move, Comrade Shimura Danzo, gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a deep look before turning around and leaving the office.

(End of this chapter)