Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Therefore, seizing a bridgehead is of utmost importance!

Geographically speaking

While the Land of Tea and the Land of Spring to the south are not bad, they are too remote. If the goal is to target the fertile soil of the Land of Fire and to focus on Konoha Village, then the Land of Waves is the best target!

Mitokado Ero and Utatane Koharu also agree with this judgment.

"Hiruzen, we can put other aspects aside for now, but regarding the alliance between Iwagakure and Kirigakure, I think Danzo's deduction makes sense. Do you think we should make some arrangements in advance? I also think it would be more appropriate to prepare defenses for the Land of Waves in advance!"

Mitokado Homura looked at the Third Hokage, who seemed to be deep in thought at the head of the table, and asked in a questioning tone.

It has only been a few months since the clash between the three great ninja villages.

While it's generally true that things will likely calm down for a while, the friction between ninja villages can't be predicted in the usual way. Who knows if they might come up with a reverse strategy?

Most importantly, Kirigakure has been too quiet since the end of the Third Shinobi World War. Whether it was the friction between clouds and trees, the clash between rocks and sand, or even the most intense war between the three villages, Kirigakure has always remained a bystander!

Without knowing the full story.

It's hard not to suspect that Kirigakure is plotting something. During the Third Shinobi World War, they suddenly launched an attack on Konoha after Sunagakure surrendered, Kumogakure was almost about to cease hostilities, and Iwagakure was repelled by Konoha.

Going even further, the Second Mizukage insisted on a life-or-death struggle with the Second Tsuchikage because of the spoils of war, forcing the Second Tsuchikage, who was considered calm and collected among the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, to directly perish together with him. This shows that the leaders of this shinobi village cannot be judged by common sense!

He might be an even more volatile war maniac than the previous Raikage of Kumogakure. Mitokado Homura genuinely felt that taking precautions in advance was the safest course of action. As for the opinion of the Land of Waves...

Excuse me, what is that?

Compared to the overall interests and righteousness of Konoha and the Land of Fire, all other issues are trivial!

"No, we don't need to be so tense about the Land of Waves for now. We also need to be mindful of the diplomatic implications. We can slightly strengthen our defenses on the eastern front, but I think the most important thing is to figure out what exactly happened between Iwagakure and Kirigakure. That's the key point. Danzo does have some merit, but ultimately we need to get back to the issue itself, rather than creating problems. We've finally managed to ease tensions, and we can't afford to provoke others again."

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi first nodded, then shook his head and said...

Hiruzen Sarutobi did acknowledge some of Danzo's judgments, especially regarding Kirigakure, but he deliberately ignored the latter half. During the previous clashes between the three villages, Hiruzen Sarutobi had repeatedly held back.

It makes no sense for them to cause trouble now that we've entered a period of relative peace. In any case, Hiruzen Sarutobi's governing philosophy after entering his old age is to ensure the stability of the political situation as much as possible. As long as it doesn't involve core interests or the greater good of the village, he can always back down and tolerate it.

Even though Danzo knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's personality all along, and had been repeatedly refuted with similar opinions, and knew that in this situation, his close friend, the Hokage, would not really listen to his opinions, Danzo was still furious in the end.

Is it really necessary to be timid for the rest of one's life?

It must be said that the friendship between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi was real, but at a certain moment, Danzo's murderous intent towards Hiruzen Sarutobi was also real!

In his view, Hiruzen Sarutobi's existence was an obstacle to his ambitions and the greater good of the village. If he had the ability and opportunity, Danzo would have really wanted to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, and he had already taken action three years ago.

It can only be said that Danzo's ideas, policies, and strategies were not all wrong. Some of them were indeed very reasonable and worth learning from. However, his biggest flaw was that he was too stubborn and self-willed!

Perhaps in his youth he was merely radical and impulsive, but in middle age and even old age, Danzo had fallen into an incurable state of obsession. In this state, Danzo would not and could not accept the opinions of anyone other than himself. It was expected that others would agree with and agree with him, and it was wrong for others to refute him!

This includes his three former close friends: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

"Yes, it's always best to be cautious."

"We still need to gather more intelligence!"

As Danzo had expected, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had previously thought he made sense, turned around and agreed with Hiruzen Sarutobi's opinion as soon as he finished speaking. This scene had been played out countless times in this office over the past few decades!

"If you want to be on the safe side, I suggest that my Root members go to the Land of Water to scout ahead, as well as make advance preparations for the Land of Waves. I think we should at least have some preparations in advance. I don't think you have any objections to this, Hiruzen!"

Danzo took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

These are the words spoken, one by one.

First, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, then, looking at Danzo's expression, he nodded slightly after considering for a moment and said, "Well, then I'll leave it to you to take charge."

have to say.

Among the countless mistakes made by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The biggest mistake was repeatedly indulging Danzo.

Even the previously revoked authority over the Root organization returned to Danzo's hands just a few months later, right after the New Year.

It can only be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi was stubbornly clinging to Danzo's cause, always believing that his close friend's actions were merely somewhat inconsistent with his own ideals, and were ultimately for the benefit of Konoha.

You should know that they could even let go of something as simple as assassinating the Hokage.

Compared to what Danzo did, any rogue ninja from any ninja village would feel ashamed of himself!

That means Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Any other Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Villages would never have let Danzo go. Deposing him and then imprisoning him for life would have been the most merciful thing to do out of consideration for their relationship. They would never have allowed Danzo to remain one of the high-ranking members of Konoha, leading the Root organization with two or three hundred elite soldiers, like Hiruzen Sarutobi did!

"You don't need to worry about that. I will definitely bring back more accurate information. When the time comes, Hiruzen, I hope you won't hesitate at the crucial moment!"

Danzo stood up, a familiar sinister look on his face, snorted coldly, and then turned and strode out of the office.

After seeing Danzo's attitude.

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally felt a little relieved. Yes, this was the Danzo he knew.

However, what Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't notice was...

As Danzo turned his back to the three, a ruthless glint appeared in the eyes of this dark figure of Konoha.

"Since you remain so stubborn, Hiruzen, don't blame me for being ruthless. Uchiha, Orochimaru, the Akatsuki, and that so-called Obito, right? I'll use you all as pawns in my grand scheme, and make good use of you!"

Danzo thought fiercely to himself.

Danzo, who still maintained close ties with Orochimaru, had more information than Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.

After all, Orochimaru still needed to obtain a steady stream of supplies and important research materials from Danzo.

Therefore, there are some requirements for Danzo.

As long as it doesn't involve core interests.

Orochimaru usually doesn't refuse.

421. The Turmoil Within the Akatsuki Organization

Some information was very important, but Orochimaru didn't think it was of much value. If Danzo wanted to know, then just tell him.

So don't be fooled by Danzo's earlier act of 'the Uchiha clan is a liar' in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others. In reality, Danzo knew very well that 'Obito' was a real person. Moreover, two years ago, before the Uchiha clan and Orochimaru had defected, he had once again infiltrated Konoha and made contact with Orochimaru.

Of course, Danzo and Orochimaru didn't know that the person was actually Shoji, but this was a wonderfully clever misunderstanding that made Orochimaru and Danzo directly point the finger at 'Obito'. The person might not be that specific, but he definitely existed. To put it simply, Danzo still didn't believe that the person who could control the Nine-Tails was Uchiha Obito, but he believed that such a person existed, and he also believed that this traitor of the Uchiha clan was hostile to the Uchiha clan.

Danzo knew about the Rinnegan of the Akatsuki leader, including the fact that he had taken the initiative to join forces with Hanzo of the Salamander to wipe out almost all of the Akatsuki's forces. Of course, based on this, Danzo didn't really believe that those eyes were the Rinnegan, or even if they were, they were definitely not as terrifying as the legends made them out to be!

From Danzo's perspective, this thing is probably on the same level as the Sharingan and Byakugan.

Danzo may covet it, but he will never be afraid of it.

This is Shimura Danzo.

It was precisely because he secretly did so many things that he also learned some information that even Hiruzen Sarutobi was unaware of.

This made Danzo realize that he had a lot of room to maneuver.

Danzo, who prides himself on his unparalleled wisdom and strategy, plans to leverage his intelligence advantage and employ a two-pronged approach, utilizing the influence of other villages to gradually realize his ambitions.

After Danzo left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also briefly explained to Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane the issues that needed to be addressed in the village recently, and the two Hokage advisors then departed one after the other.

After only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the huge office.

"Zero, no, Kakashi, how much truth do you think this information is?"

I don't know how much time passed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, turned his head to look at the left side, and spoke in a meaningful tone.

It was also at the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking.

"Whoosh!"

In the nearby location.

A dark figure flashed into view.

Standard equipment for covert operations.

It was still a very striking head of silver hair.

The newcomer was none other than Kakashi Hatake, who was still serving in the Hokage's direct ANBU unit. At this moment, the face of this former Konoha genius, hidden beneath the ANBU's standard mask, revealed an indescribable expression.

"Lord Hokage, Obito died right in front of me; I witnessed it with my own eyes!"

Kakashi lowered his head and replied in the most resolute tone, his words even revealing a hint of anger—anger at the fact that his dead comrade was being resented and doubted by others!

He did not directly answer the Third Hokage's question.

But this answer was enough to show Kakashi's attitude.

After his father committed suicide due to mission failure, the messages he left behind, and the resentment of the comrades he had rescued, Kakashi was plunged into endless darkness for the first time. It was Obito who rescued him from this darkness. For Kakashi, Obito was undoubtedly the white moonlight in his life and the existence he believed in the most.

Even though Kakashi later fell into darkness again due to Obito's death and Rin Nohara's death, unlike before, there was still a paradise of light in the depths of Kakashi's heart, which was his memories with Obito.

This is also why Kakashi was able to gradually recover in the later parts of the original work. By the time the main characters Naruto and others graduated, Kakashi had actually returned to normal. Otherwise, the Third Hokage would not have let Kakashi lead Naruto and Sasuke's team.

Therefore, Obito is Kakashi's deepest sore spot, and no one can question this 'white moonlight' in his heart!

Listening to Kakashi's answer.

A faint, strange light flickered in Hiruzen Sarutobi's extremely cloudy pupils. From his heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly did not believe the information that had been delivered this time, but his sense of smell and sensitivity, which he had cultivated over the years, still left him with a last shred of doubt.

The dead are resurrected?

This is not impossible. After all, if we only talk about the return of consciousness, Konoha Village has a very convenient method.

That is the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

'Um!?'

The moment this thought crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, the Third Hokage's expression shifted slightly, because he suddenly remembered that his village actually had a way to prove whether Obito was still alive!

A crucial method that all four of them had previously overlooked!

This method is to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique to prove it.

Because living people cannot be resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation technique; only the dead can die. As for the medium required for the Impure World Reincarnation technique, although Obito's body was not brought back, Kakashi happened to have such an item on him—Obito's Sharingan!

As long as Obito's cells are extracted from this Sharingan, they can be used to perform Edo Tensei!

If the technique succeeds, there's no need to say more; it can be dispelled directly. But if the Impure World Reincarnation fails, then the authenticity of the information can be almost 100% confirmed. Why doesn't someone who didn't die, who was a direct subordinate of the Fourth Hokage, return to the village?