The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

"Is it really like this!?"

Jiraiya closed his eyes in pain.

He had initially believed in his teacher, thinking everything could be handled, but the harsh reality was a slap in the face to everyone in Konoha.

Mianma knows everything.

At this moment, regret was rapidly eroding Jiraiya's heart. He had so many opportunities to change everything.

At that moment, Jiraiya finally understood why Menma had been so 'respectful' during their first meeting that day.

That's actually a huge form of alienation and isolation.

Because he knew his identity!

"Jiraiya, we need to have a serious talk, for the sake of this village."

At that very moment, on the other side, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, the two Hokage advisors, also stepped forward with solemn expressions, looked at Jiraiya, and spoke in a very solemn tone.

Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Raido Namiashi, Anko Mitarashi, and other Jonin sitting nearby all had a strange glint in their eyes at that moment.

"Yes, I understand."

Jiraiya, who was well aware that he was now the pillar of Konoha, nodded. He took one last look at the body of Hiruzen Sarutobi, which Asuma had already collected, and then followed Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane toward the Hokage Building.

At the same time.

In a dimly lit basement in the eastern part of Konohagakure.

Danzo sat calmly in the main seat, listening to the intelligence reports from his Root members. When he heard the news of Hiruzen Sarutobi's death, a trace of sadness flashed in the eyes of this dark figure of Konoha, but only for a second before his heart was filled with immense joy.

Only this Third Hokage died.

Only he can aspire to the Hokage's throne.

Later, upon hearing that the attacking Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja had been completely wiped out, and that the One-Tailed Jinchuriki had been successfully captured, they realized that...

A faint smile appeared on Danzo's lips.

This result perfectly matched his initial expectations.

However, upon hearing that Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, had betrayed the village on the spot and later left with Orochimaru...

Danzo suddenly opened his eyes, a chilling look on his face: "What did you say!? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki defected with Orochimaru!?"

His words were full of disbelief.

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

"Damn it! Orochimaru!"

After his subordinates confirmed it a second time.

Danzo slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his face contorted with rage.

Just like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, and others, they didn't think this would be Menma's own choice.

Instead, they all think it's the result of Orochimaru's manipulation.

Danzo also felt that he had been tricked by Orochimaru.

How dare they take away Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!?

Danzo would never allow such a thing to happen!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 127 Meeting and Fury

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This time, the Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja joined forces in the Konoha Crush plan.

The core organizer was none other than Orochimaru.

However, Danzo Shimura also played a very important role here. Without Danzo Shimura's help, it would have been impossible for thousands of Sand Ninja and hundreds of Sound Ninja to sneak past the huge border defense force of Konoha Village and reach the outskirts of Konoha Village.

To put it bluntly, Danzo was a 'third-party ally' in the Konoha Crush plan, providing intelligence assistance, covering up and erasing traces, and ultimately remaining inactive. While Root didn't have many members, each one was an elite Chunin-level individual.

This force was not deployed to the battlefield to resist foreign enemies.

This already clearly demonstrates Danzo's intentions.

He was hoping that Hiruzen Sarutobi would die in this war, and he didn't care if Konoha paid a price for it. In Danzo's view, Konoha was a large and powerful family with decades of accumulated strength. Even if they lost a little, they could still firmly hold the throne of the number one ninja in the world. The decline in recent years was not due to the decline of the village's power, but only to the weakness of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo believed that as long as he successfully ascended to the throne of Hokage, he would definitely be able to wipe out all enemies in Konoha. This was Danzo's 'confidence'!

Therefore, Danzo felt that the deaths and injuries of some Konoha ninjas and civilians, and the destruction of some buildings, were not a big deal, as they were sacrifices that had to be made for the sake of 'righteousness'.

But this absolutely does not include Menma, who was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, defecting!

This is a strategic weapon that even Danzo considered crucial.

Therefore, upon hearing that Menma had been bewitched by Orochimaru, this Dark One of Konoha could no longer maintain his composure.

"Damn it, immediately send someone to contact Orochimaru and tell him to send the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki back right away, or he will bear all the consequences. I will never let him off!"

Danzo coldly looked at the Root member below and spoke in an extremely chilling tone.

Danzo, whose self-confidence was extremely inflated, couldn't stand Orochimaru toying with him like this.

"Yes!"

"Lord Danzo, Elder Mitomon has sent word that a high-level meeting needs to be convened immediately, and he requests your presence at once!"

After the person from the Root Sect answered, a figure flashed in from the left side.

He knelt on one knee and reported to Danzo, who was sitting at the head of the table.

Upon hearing this, Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded gently, saying, "Yes, I understand. You all need to handle the matters I just instructed immediately, understand?"

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

After explaining.

Danzo, leaning on his wooden staff, left the Root base and walked straight ahead. Before long, he arrived at the building located beneath the Hokage Rock. Looking at the four Hokage statues on it, a subtle, fiery light flickered deep in Danzo's eyes.

'It'll be my turn soon!'

Danzo murmured to himself.

He immediately started walking, striding towards the top floor of the building.

When Danzo arrived at the Hokage's private office, there were already four figures inside.

Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Jiraiya, and Nara Shikaku, who served as the Hokage's strategist.

Upon seeing these people...

Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had just slowly walked to the sofa on the left and sat down.

Mitokado Yan, who was sitting opposite, spoke up.

"Danzo, you've come at the right time. We just happened to be discussing a crucial issue. With Hiruzen already dead, although the village has many problems to deal with, the top priority is to decide on the Hokage. Koharu and I both think Jiraiya is the most suitable candidate, and we plan to submit this directly to the Daimyo. You can sign your name as well."

While it is true that the succession of the Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages requires the approval of the Daimyo of their respective countries and goes through a formal appointment process, in reality, everyone knows that this is just a formality. Over the decades, which Kage of the Five Great Ninja Villages has actually been chosen by the Daimyo?

The so-called leader and monarch of the entire country are really just a nominal symbol for the ninja village.

The daimyo could not truly interfere in the affairs of the ninja villages.

Especially regarding the selection of the Kage, once a consensus is reached within the ninja villages, there is absolutely no possibility of any backsliding at the national level, led by the Daimyo.

They had no choice but to agree.

In the original work, there is only one scene where the choice of the Kage is hindered and changed: when Tsunade falls into a coma and Kakashi is to succeed her as the Sixth Hokage. However, the key point is not the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, but Danzo's interference and manipulation.

Otherwise, if he had the approval of the vast majority of people, Kakashi would absolutely have been able to succeed as the Sixth Hokage.

Whether in the original story or in this timeline, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's death, Danzo clearly had his sights set on the position of the Fifth Hokage.

But at the moment his old friend Mitokado Haru uttered those words...

Danzo's heart sank.

"Yes, Yan and I agree. Jiraiya is the right choice right now. Danzo, you probably think so too, right?"

Koharu Utatane slightly opened her eyes, looked directly at Danzo opposite her, and said in a deep voice.

As longtime close friends of Danzo Shimura, both Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane knew Danzo's personality all too well. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't directly say anything about what he had done in the past, as advisors to the Hokage, they were both very clear about it.

However, they shared the same view as Hiruzen Sarutobi: Konoha needed Danzo to do some special things, but they also had to keep Danzo under constant control.

Danzo must not be allowed to mishandle important village affairs.

For example, regarding the current position of the Fifth Hokage, both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu believe that Jiraiya is the most suitable candidate for their Konoha Village.

Whether it's strength, prestige, or status!

These are the best choices to restore stability to Konoha. Konoha now needs a powerful Hokage to lead it.

This was something that could have been expected.

But when he heard that his two close friends shared the same opinion...

Danzo's expression also became very gloomy.

The temperature around them seemed to have suddenly dropped.

Also, one second later.

Danzo seemed to have composed himself, glancing indifferently at Jiraiya before saying, with a hint of snort and a casual air, "If you think it's okay, then it's okay."

These are words spoken in a plain and unassuming manner.

Only Danzo himself knew the anger in his heart.

Shikaku, standing on the other side, appeared expressionless, but inwardly he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 128 Problem-Oriented Approach