Transmigrating as the Third Hokage: Make Konoha Great Again!

After all, he's always the one labeling others.

Suddenly being put on such a hat by Kakuzu is definitely not something I'm used to...

"So that's what you were thinking?" Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed.

"You're right. Merits hidden in the shadows may be misunderstood by others, but I will record them for you meticulously, so you won't suffer any loss..."

"But as I said before, ruthless methods are fine, but they cannot cross the bottom line of the Will of Fire."

Danzo Shimura's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "I know, Hiruzen..."

The pendant around his neck gently tapped against his chest as he moved along.

This is one of the reasons why he has such confidence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, his old friend, truly treated his Hokage rivalry with Orochimaru fairly.

He was taught by example how to be a Hokage and was also given adequate treatment.

Wasn't this collaboration with the daimyo something you brought along?

Danzo Shimura thought he hadn't done anything, only said a few words, and that Orochimaru could do the same thing...

The key was Hiruzen's skill; with just a few words, he got the daimyo to swear an oath and call him "elder brother," and even arranged a marriage between them...

Such methods impressed Danzo Shimura.

From a conspiracy theory perspective, Hiruzen's grandchildren all have the potential to become daimyo...

While most of the benefits come from Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct command, being able to participate is itself a form of recognition and seniority...

The fact that he brought him instead of Orochimaru says it all!

When Konoha benefits from this, the ninjas, filled with gratitude, will naturally trace the source and discover the shadow of Shimura Danzo.

Furthermore, during the twenty-four-hour period that Shimura Danzo spent researching Hiruzen Sarutobi…

I've also come to realize a truth!

When becoming Hokage, is it more important to gain the approval of the entire village or to gain the approval of Hiruzen Sarutobi?

In Shimura Danzo's view, Hiruzen was still the most important.

Because if Hiruzen approves of him, given Hiruzen's influence, he has his own ways of gaining the approval of the entire village...

Moreover, he gradually came to realize his own advantages.

Orochimaru's advantage lies in his research capabilities. Although Shimura Danzo secretly resented Orochimaru for embezzling funds, he could not find fault with him in this regard.

They are indeed capable.

His core advantage lies in his so-called reputation!

His seemingly terrible reputation, ruthless and rigid behavior, combined with his superb intelligence capabilities, made him a 'lone retainer' of Hiruzen Sarutobi...

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were a mean and ungrateful person, someone who would be treated like a chamber pot, filled with trash and then thrown away, then such a thought would be incredibly foolish…

But clearly, Hiruzen is not like that; he is different.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi's statement that one cannot violate the Will of Fire...

Danzo Shimura wasn't particularly interested, but Orochimaru, whom he saw as a venomous snake, was watching him closely...

He really didn't dare to do anything too outrageous, because if he were caught doing something wrong and the matter was blown out of proportion, it would be troublesome.

Danzo Shimura had a vague feeling...

In the past, although Hiruzen Sarutobi kept him behind the scenes, not giving him a chance to appear in public or teaching him how to become Hokage, he was indeed quite indulgent towards him.

Hiruzen now treats him with complete honesty, but if anyone crosses a line he has explicitly forbidden…

I'm afraid they won't treat him as leniently as they used to.

"Hiruzen, I know, you know what I'm thinking..." Shimura Danzo suddenly spoke:

"The tasks you assigned me were all ones I could complete and that would benefit me."

"For example, monitoring the source of funds for the 'Holy Land Maru' series and taking me to talk to the daimyo were also to ensure that I was associated with this major project and didn't fall behind Orochimaru, right?"

"If you're fair, then I naturally won't fall behind you. Don't underestimate me."

"I don't care what others think of me; it doesn't matter if they're wrong about me yesterday, today, or tomorrow..."

Danzo Shimura gave an awkward laugh: "This is my ninja way, and I enjoy it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was somewhat bewildered.

What do you mean, "you know what I know"? This is a tongue twister...

Is it both the way of ninjutsu and something that benefits him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't deliberately arrange what Danzo Shimura said; he simply followed the idea of ​​'the right person doing the right thing' and made arrangements accordingly.

Occasionally, we'll reminisce about our old friendship, crack jokes, and strengthen our bonds...

How did things turn into a special heart-to-heart talk?

"The ninja's mental state is indeed too beautiful..." Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself, but on the surface, he patted Danzo Shimura's shoulder vigorously.

"There's no need for further words between us..."

"With your help, it's like the first generation of lords gaining the second generation!"

Although I don't know why Danzo suddenly acted this way, praising him is never a bad thing...

"Comparing yourself to the First Hokage? Hiruzen, you certainly have ambition!"

Danzo Shimura puffed out his chest slightly and said with a serious expression, "Comparing me to a teacher is too much of a compliment. Tobirama-sama is the role model I have always strived for!"

For this ninja in darkness.

He might not say anything to others who praise him as the first generation, but he must be unhappy inside.

But if one were to praise him for having the style of Tobirama…

That hits the nail on the head.

The two marched rapidly toward Konoha, chatting about village affairs as they went.

Soon, they arrived at Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft breath.

Preparations to revive the teacher are now basically complete...

Upon returning to the Hokage Building, Sakumo Hatake brought new news.

"Lord Hokage, the patrol and Anbu have captured several spies from Kusagakure..."

"They were hired by Kumogakure and Iwagakure. After some of them were sent to the analysis team, they discovered special intelligence," Sakumo Hatake said in a deep voice.

"There are actually members of the Uzumaki clan in Kusagakure, and they're in a precarious situation..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened.

What audacity!

005 Danzo, you are too weak! (5/10)

"What happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a deep voice.

"The intelligence in the minds of those spies indicated that a woman from the Uzumaki clan was intercepted by them while fleeing from the Land of Whirlpools during the Second Shinobi World War."

"This Uzumaki clan member has exceptional talent; his chakra possesses healing abilities."

"Because of this ability, Kusagakure imprisoned him and used him as a medical instrument."

Hatake Sakumo's expression was also not very good.

Although Kusagakure is a small, hidden village, its ability to survive at the border of major countries suggests that it has found a way to make a living.

Their methods of spies and intelligence gathering are in no way inferior to those of the five hidden villages.

If it weren't for the fact that both the patrol forces and the ANBU have been strengthened, and experienced veterans such as the Hyuga, Uchiha, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans have been added to conduct comprehensive patrols, it would be difficult to achieve such results.

Otherwise, it would be really hard to spot them...

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe, squinted, and gestured for Sakumo Hatake to continue.

"Not only are there members of the Uzumaki clan, but also ninjas from various hidden villages, some of whom are said to have ninja clan blood..."

"However, according to the memories of the spies from Kusagakure, I don't have any special impression of them, so they probably didn't demonstrate any particular talent," Sakumo Hatake added.

Being a member of the ninja clan does not mean that every member possesses exceptional talent; it simply means that the probability is relatively high.

Taking the Uchiha clan as an example, the Sharingan is actually only awakened by a small number of people; most people are not destined to have this powerful bloodline limit.

In contrast to the Uchiha, the Hyuga, who lacked the Mangekyou Sharingan, had an extremely high rate of Byakugan bloodline limit inheritance.

If Madara's reputation weren't so overwhelming, it would be quite fitting to call the Uchiha and Hyuga the two great ninja clans of dojutsu.

"How did they capture him?" Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke.

"They mainly roam the borders of various countries, attacking lone ninjas; they never target the strong..."

"Intelligence indicates that if they target Chunin, they will follow them for a long time, deliberately creating bait-like targets to gain an intelligence advantage in order to set up an ambush."

"During war, they would target some capable ninjas, but only if they were seriously injured and in the midst of battle."

In conclusion, Kusagakure truly deserves the title of "hyena of the ninja world"—they are cunning, treacherous, and incredibly audacious.

"Their core advantage is that they serve as a buffer zone between us, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Sunagakure. All the major hidden villages hire them as cheap spies."

"Therefore, their intelligence sources are relatively complex, and they even use the checks and balances among the various hidden villages to raise the status of Kusagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and closed his eyes in deep thought.

The surviving member of the Uzumaki clan is in Kusagakure, so the Hokage can't just pretend he didn't see him.

The promise made to Mito Uzumaki had only been made a short time ago, and it was also good for his reputation.

More importantly, the Kusagakure village is very similar to the structure of a kidnapping crime park, making it exceptionally suitable as a base and identity for Tobirama Senju after his resurrection.

—A descendant of a kidnapped Uchiha clan member.

Even for members of the Uchiha clan, it's normal for them to be abducted by the Grass Village in a sweeping, cleanup-like manner when they are underdeveloped or seriously injured.