In Naruto, build the strongest Hidden Mist Village.

Chapter 128 Hiruzen, it's time for you to take the blame.

"Lord Danzo, Kirigakure and Sunagakure have officially formed an alliance, and the army has already departed from Sunagakure Village."

That was all there was to it. As the scorching sun beat down on their backs, making them feel slightly hot, the Root ninjas felt a chill creeping through them.

Naoki Kaguya, you bastard, you bastard!

I must kill you, you bastard from the Mist, I absolutely must.

Danzo roared inwardly, his defenses broken, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a few words.

"I know."

He turned around with difficulty and met Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. The anger of being deceived disappeared, and a greater anger, directed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, welled up inside him.

Even at a time like this, you still think about mocking me?

Surprisingly, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't show the slightest hint of sarcasm; instead, he spoke seriously.

"It's time to withdraw and leave, and then communicate with Sunagakure to avoid further losses, Danzo."

He truly is my bright and great old friend.

You're probably secretly overjoyed, yet you're pretending to be so weak in front of me.

"It's none of your business, you weakling!"

Danzo snorted coldly, raised his chin, and tried to give Hiruzen a superior attitude.

This position allows him to experience a unique kind of pleasure.

Of course, that kind of pleasure isn't enough.

Danzo lifted his foot, then put it down again.

"Don't forget, I am the Hokage."

"You'll regret this, Danzo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and said this to his old friend who had already taken a step and was about to pass by him.

"Don't forget, you're only the acting Hokage right now."

"Being an agent is not a reliable option."

The previous pleasure vanished completely, and his already gloomy face became even more somber.

Hiruzen won't let you succeed.

Isn't it just that you want to see me step down from the Hokage position so you can continue your Hokage journey and suppress me in the days to come?
Never allow it!

There is still hope for a comeback.

Danzo gripped his cane tightly, lifted the curtain, and looked at the map.

There is only one solution for now.

Shatter the myth of Kaguya Naoki's invincibility, that is, defeat him!
Danzo's face darkened further.

Although he felt that he was not without a chance of victory.

But I am the Hokage, how can I participate in the war so carelessly?

We need to change our approach.

Danzo sighed deeply.

He shook his head, a flood of thoughts washing over him.

Intimidation, assassination, sneak attack, conspiracy.

As the idea of ​​a conspiracy came to mind, a sudden flash of inspiration struck.

You don't need to learn from the monkey's weakness, but you can learn from his scheming methods when he was Hokage.

Learning from each other's strengths and making up for each other's weaknesses is the way to long-term success.

Danzo vigorously slapped his thigh and then closed his eyes.

Think about what that weak person would do.

Scenes flashed through my mind.

It was a series of feigned retreats that led Danzo to repeatedly fall into Hiruzen Sarutobi's carefully laid traps, committing evil deeds and taking the blame.

That's not all; the monkey got all the benefits. He got nothing but blame.

Danzo, having come to understand all this, felt a pang of heartache and a stronger urge to turn the tables.

You, monkey, will bear the responsibility for this failure to divide up Sunagakure!

This doesn't count as colluding with other villages; it just earns them a reputation for stupidity.

Hiruzen, for the past few decades, you have made me bear the burden of Konoha's darkness. Today, perhaps it is time for you to sacrifice yourself.
-
"Has Danzo finally seen the light?"

They actually thought of framing Hiruzen Sarutobi for this, making him take the blame, so that his position as Hokage would be more secure.

Naoki Kaguya glanced at the secret letter, smuggled in by a Root ninja, and couldn't help but feel a surge of trust in her now-close ally. It seemed she could have even more faith in Danzo's future efforts to restore Kirigakure's glory.

After trust comes joy.

Naoki Kaguya is very happy now.

The source of this emotion is rather complex, the most important of which is his realization that Danzo has finally matured.

Danzo's maturity gave him the feeling of watching his son grow up and learn to respect his parents.

Despite the fact that the two men were decades apart in age, and Danzo was even much older than him.

Suppressing his thoughts, Kaguya Naoki continued reading, and finally came the compensation contract written by Danzo for his intervention.

Once raw, twice cooked.

Danzo is no longer burdened by this agreement.

However, they were still selling to other ninja villages.

It's a pity I didn't get the wool from Konoha, but I will get it someday, Danzo.

After putting away the scroll, Kaguya Naoki went outside, gave a few earnest instructions to Biwa Juzo, and then summoned an ice mirror, gliding through the sky.

As stated in the letter, I will make a secret deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi in a valley.

They were caught in the act by Danzo and the Konoha ninja he brought with him.

This self-directed and self-acted plot has a strong resemblance to a honey trap.

Rough, but effective.

Is this the valley?

Naoki Kaguya beckoned to the Root ninja, then landed, casually burned the mask the ninja had prepared with his hand, and put on the one he had prepared.

When will Hiruzen Sarutobi arrive?

The Root ninja remained still, placing a bone into his throat.

"soon."

"Then what use are you here?"

The Root ninja wore masks, so his expression was not visible, but it remained cold.

"Watch you."

"Spy on me?"

Naoki Kaguya felt that this guy, who was in the same lineage as Danzo, truly lived up to his reputation.

They really enjoy provoking the strong.

Naoki Kaguya wouldn't bother with someone like that, so he turned around and waited.

"I advise you not to go against the Hokage's plan, otherwise..."

A bone pierced through his thigh, pinning him to the ground. The cold, chilling voice from before vanished, leaving only painful groans.

"What if you, this idiot, are actually of some use?"

As Kaguya Naoki spoke, he sat on the ninja's body, looked at the high sun, and quietly waited for Hiruzen Sarutobi to arrive.
-
"Danzo, the Hokage, asked me to set up defenses here?"

Looking at the map in his hand and at this remote location, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but understand his old friend's feelings.

He's probably afraid I'll steal his thunder.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and decided not to try to persuade him any further.

If he were to try to persuade them, there would most likely only be one scenario.

You regret my shadow.

Then go for it.

When they are about to start the battle, they will return to the battlefield and save Konoha's future.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi clenched his fist.

This old friend is completely unsuitable to be Hokage; it's up to me to take the job.

With a swift movement, it disappeared into the desert.

Danzo breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the scene before him.

Monkey, you're so stupid. You haven't changed at all over the years.

I think I'm more suited to be Hokage.

Danzo thought to himself, quietly waiting for time to pass. After a while, many Konoha ninjas had gathered one after another, and then he spoke with a serious expression.

"I suspect that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Kage of Konoha, is colluding with Naoki Kaguya in order to become Hokage again. Everyone, follow me."

(End of this chapter)