Naruto: From Shikotsumyaku to Otsutsuki

Hokage was Danzo Shimura's greatest pursuit in his life.

Just like Orochimaru's pursuit of immortality, Danzo was willing to pay any price to become Hokage, including but not limited to assassinating Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This is both an obsession and a weakness.

Kaguya Kazama is now increasingly fond of using the "Talk-no-Jutsu: Exploiting Weaknesses" technique.

The feeling of directly breaking through someone's psychological defenses and hitting their weaknesses is just so great and useful; it never fails.

Sure enough, the moment the words "Hokage" were uttered, Danzo was completely rooted to the spot.

He turned back, the murderous intent in his eyes dissipated by an intense desire, and asked urgently, "What's Orochimaru's plan? As long as it's feasible, getting the Byakugan from the main branch of the Orochimaru family isn't difficult."

In just a moment, he had already come up with a wicked plan.

"Hmph, it just so happens that the Cloud Village ninjas are in the village. We can arrange for Root members to pretend to be Cloud ninjas to attack the Hyuga main family and steal the Byakugan. This way, we can also interrupt peace negotiations and continue to launch wars to weaken Hiruzen's faction. If we also add the support of the Hyuga, then it will be much easier for me to take over the Hokage position."

Under the lamplight, a dark calculation flickered in Danzo's single eye.

The nasolabial folds on his face became even deeper, resembling a slender, poisonous blade under the shifting light and shadow.

"As expected of the Darkness of Konoha."

Sensing Danzo's sinister malice, Kaguya Kazama secretly marveled at Danzo's ruthless nature and continued to reveal secret information in Orochimaru's name.

"Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru has received clear intelligence that the Cloud Ninja's arrival for negotiations is merely a pretext. Their true aim is to use peace as an excuse to kidnap the youngest daughter of the main family and seize the Byakugan."

"What? They also want to take the main family's Byakugan?" Danzo was shocked, a sense of absurdity rising within him.

He never expected that the method he had just come up with was exactly the plan that the Cloud Ninja were about to implement.

"That's right, the intelligence is absolutely true."

Kaguya Kazama didn't dwell on the deeper meaning of Danzo's words and continued:

"Lord Orochimaru said that the Cloud Ninja's plan is very thorough. First, they will directly kidnap the main clan to seize the Byakugan bloodline. If successful, this Cloud Ninja team will be the escort. Second, if things don't go well, they will try to die at the hands of the main clan head. In this way, they will use the excuse of continuing to wage war to demand the hand over of the main clan head's body and obtain the head's Byakugan."

Kaguya Kazama, of course, was unaware of the Cloud Ninja's plan.

However, once the process and purpose are understood from a higher-dimensional perspective, it is easy to reverse-engineer this plan from the perspective of Yunren.

He continued to impersonate Orochimaru, pointing out Hiruzen Sarutobi's weaknesses in an attempt to resonate with Danzo, and said in a deep voice:

"Lord Orochimaru said that since the Fourth Hokage's death during the Nine-Tails' attack, the Third Hokage's spirit has been worn down, he has become indecisive, and he longs for peace. No matter which of the Cloud Ninja's plans succeeds, the Third Hokage will inevitably back down."

"But Lord Danzo, you are different. You are resolute and decisive, and you will not be threatened by Kumogakure. Only you can carry out that plan perfectly."

Danzo nodded in agreement at the end: "Hiruzen has indeed grown old and arrogant. Peace? That's something the strong fight for; only the weak negotiate and compromise. He's long since become unfit for that position."

"Lord Danzo is right," Kaguya Kazama said, offering a quick compliment.

"Tell me, Orochimaru, what scheme have you come up with to help me control the Hyuga clan?" Danzo's interest was piqued; he wanted to hear what brilliant plan Orochimaru had in mind.

Kaguya Kazama said in a deep voice, "Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru has a plan called: 'The Prince Replaced by a Tanuki'."

"Lord Orochimaru said..."

Inside and outside the inn, the sound of snoring could be heard.

The range of the Nirvana Abode technique is vast, even encompassing several surrounding houses.

Apart from two Root members, no one knew about the conspiracy in the shadows; only whispers lingered for a long time.

As the three figures vanished in an instant, Kaguya Kazama got up and turned on the light.

The bright white light tore through the darkness under the oil lamp, simultaneously conveying a message of safety to Kimimaro in the distance.

After reviewing her performance tonight, Kaguya Kazama realized that her back was soaked with cold sweat.

This is like dealing with a tiger for its skin, dancing on the edge of a knife—too dangerous and reckless. A single misstep could lead to utter destruction.

"Sigh, I'm so tired. Weakness is the original sin."

"If I had Kage-level strength right now, I wouldn't need these petty schemes; I could just charge straight in."

Kaguya Kazama sighed, slumped onto the tatami mat, stared at the ceiling light, and murmured:

"It'll be soon. The Cloud Ninja won't have to wait much longer; my Byakugan will be here soon."

"Once I obtain the Byakugan, I will immediately activate evolution mode and summon Kisame Hoshigaki to protect me. Once I evolve into the Otsutsuki bloodline, all problems will be solved."

"And then there's Danzo. He'll definitely kill us to cover it up once the plan succeeds. We need to think this through carefully. There are still many opportunities in Konoha. It would be even better if we could stay."

"However, we also need a Plan B. If Danzo keeps pressing us too hard, we need to plan our next destination."

Unable to sleep all night, Kaguya and Kazama were both planning their next move.

He hadn't actively refined chakra for a long time, and had even stopped charging his Storm Release Kekkei Genkai.

The outbreak of bloodline disease puts a great burden on the body. This kind of energy, which requires a lot of physical vitality to synthesize, might cause the body to collapse at any moment if it continues to be refined.

Moreover, even if he were to evolve into Storm Release, he wouldn't be able to develop any ninjutsu in his current physical condition.

The reason Kaguya Kazama can still use chakra is entirely due to the spontaneous synthesis of Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse) after she eats.

Although it's not much, using it three to five times to kill Ash Bones is perfectly fine.

After dawn, Kakashi and Tenzo, who were responsible for protecting and monitoring the Cloud Ninja, were surprised to find that members of Root had also arrived.

"Leopard, tanuki? What are you doing here? This is an ANBU mission." Kakashi looked warily at the two Jonin wearing leopard masks and tanuki masks.

Two Root members, hidden in their hoods, coldly watched Kakashi and Tenzo without uttering a word.

"Silent and efficient, that's a familiar style," Kakashi sighed, not pressing further.

He and Tianzang were both members of the Root organization, and they were very familiar with the way these people, who wore masks and were only referred to by code names, acted.

They are the extension of Danzo's dark will, silent executioners; wherever they appear, bloodshed is inevitable.

Upon meeting the Root members, Kakashi suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Tenzo, I'm going to report to the Third Hokage." Kakashi formed hand seals, created a shadow clone, and instantly flew towards the Hokage Building.

The Root members were unmoved by Kakashi's departure, merely watching the Cloud Ninja's lodging with indifference, monitoring their every move.

However, to Kakashi's surprise, when he arrived at the Hokage's office, he saw Ryoma Aburame and Shikaku Nara standing guard on either side of the door, ready to fight each other.

In the office, Hokage advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu remained silent, while Danzo and the Third Hokage were engaged in a heated argument.

"Hiruzen, the Cloud Ninja are treacherous. Peace negotiations are just a pretext; they must have other motives. I suggest we wipe out the Cloud Ninja squad immediately and then launch a lightning-fast raid on the Hidden Cloud Village."

Danzo's voice was full of malice as he said in a sinister tone, "Then you can make up a reason and say that the Cloud Ninja intended to assassinate you, forcefully hold the Cloud Ninja accountable, and demand war reparations, or else war will break out."

"Peace? That requires blood and fire to win, not something that can be negotiated by a few diplomats."

"If all else fails, we can unseal the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and throw him into Kumogakure. Hehe, let them experience the chaos of the Nine-Tails. If we can also detonate the Eight-Tails, then Kumogakure can be wiped out."

Outside, Kakashi held his breath, his heart filled with horror.

This kind of tough, direct, and hawkish style, which treats human life as worthless, is something that, apart from Danzo, no one else in the entire Hidden Leaf Village can be found.

Even the Third Hokage was shocked by Danzo's terrorist-like ideas.

"Cough cough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled the smoke he had inhaled, and roared, "Danzo, are you out of your mind? Detonating the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki again? Don't tell me you don't know whose child that is?"

"Another surprise attack on Kumogakure? Danzo, Konoha doesn't have many high-level fighters left. Somo is dead, Tsunade and Jiraiya left in disappointment, Orochimaru defected, the Uchiha are only superficially united, and the Hyuga main clan hasn't fought a direct battle since losing the Byakugan. Who do you want to send for the surprise attack?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted angrily, blowing puffs of choking smoke into Danzo's face.

Danzo, expressionless, blew away his secondhand smoke and coldly said, "The Uchiha clan is still up to no good. Sending Fugaku, Shisui, and others as vanguards is a two-birds-with-one-stone plan. Then we'll send Tenzo, Kakashi, and Might Guy to assassinate the Raikage, while the Ino-Shika-Cho trio will lead the front lines. With this, annihilating Kumogakure is a sure thing. Once Konoha's fame spreads throughout the ninja world, whether there's peace or not will be up to us."

"Ha..." Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed in exasperation at Danzo's blatant scheming.

He agreed that weakening the Uchiha clan was feasible.

But what about the rest of the people?

Tenzo, Kakashi, Might Guy, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio—these were all his direct subordinates, and he sent them all to their deaths in Kumogakure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is just old, not suffering from dementia.

He took a deep drag on his pipe, suppressing his anger, and said sarcastically, "Why don't you just let me lead a team to raid Kumogakure and assassinate the Fourth Raikage?"

Danzo's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he agreed, "If Hiruzen were to lead the team, that would be perfect. You are the strongest Hokage of all time."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer contain his anger and roared, "Danzo, it's not your place to tell me what to do! I am the Hokage, get out!"

"Hiruzen, this is a good opportunity."

"Get out."

"Hiruzen..."

"roll!"

"..."

Seeing the veins bulging on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, Danzo opened his mouth, but ultimately turned and left.

But before leaving, he still wouldn't give up, turning back to say, "Hiruzen, you're getting old, too indecisive. You'll regret this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth: "Danzo, remember this, I am the Hokage."