Naruto: From Capturing the Main Clan to Becoming the Mastermind

Chapter 70 Danzo: Now, I am the Hokage!

"Elder Danzo, it's been a long time."

In the Hokage's office in Konoha, Danzo sat in the spot he had longed for, looking at the newcomer. He wanted to show a smile, but his long-standing gloomy expression prevented him from displaying a friendly smile; instead, it resembled a cold laugh.

This made Kazuma, one of the twelve guardian ninja of the daimyo, frown. "Do you have a problem with me?"

Danzo suppressed his awkward smile and coughed. "Of course not. Thank you for bringing the daimyo's appointment letter. This is the promised reward."

Danzo took out a sealed scroll and handed it to Kazuma.

The latter took it, looked at the words "Nine-Tails" on the scroll, and narrowed his eyes. "When did you collect this chakra?"

"In the past, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was not very proficient in sealing techniques, and the Nine-Tails' chakra leaked several times. At that time, one of my subordinates was monitoring her."

Danzo casually offered an explanation, then, observing Kazuma's calm yet joyful expression, he warned meaningfully, "Don't use it against Konoha."

"If we can continue our friendly cooperation, then naturally not."

Kazuma calmly put away the scroll, took out the letter of appointment and showed it to Danzo, but did not hand it over directly.

"The daimyo plans to invite the fourth daimyo to the capital to discuss the losses from this war. It should take about half a month. You should need that time, right?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes, knowing he needed to raise the stakes, and said softly, "I will give you access to some of the research results from Root."

Thank you.

Kazuma smiled slightly and handed the letter of appointment to Danzo. "From now on, the Hokage will be in charge of coordinating the expenditure of funds from the Land of Fire to Konoha with the Daimyo."

Danzo caught it steadily, gripping the appointment letter tightly in his hand as if he had grasped the future.

Seeing this, Kazuma took a step back and said, "Then I'll take my leave. I'll invite the Fourth Hokage to the Daimyo's residence when he returns."

The Leaf Village has actually split apart; this is truly a godsend.

Without the instigation of Konoha's ninja clans and high-ranking officials like Danzo, it would have been difficult for him and the Daimyo's people to challenge the Hokage's authority and force the Daimyo to share this exclusive right with Danzo.

With this appointment, coupled with Danzo's supporters, Konoha will have two powerful figures, and the political struggle will become even more intense.

In this way, the plan to abolish the Hokage and concentrate all the power of the Land of Fire in the hands of the Daimyo can proceed more smoothly.

One piece of the Fire Country's jewel is enough!

Danzo watched Kazuma leave through the door with a cold smile.

This power is currently in his hands, and it will belong to him once he becomes Hokage.

A Jonin actually dared to attempt to use the Nine-Tails' scattered chakra to attack Konoha and concentrate power in the hands of the Daimyo; how naive!

If the Land of Fire didn't have Konoha and the Hokage, how could the Daimyo hold his position?

The Land of Fire only needs one jewel, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a daimyo.

When I become Hokage, I will definitely help Konoha and the Land of Fire take another step forward!

With that thought, Danzo put away the appointment letter with satisfaction and looked towards the corner.

"Chief Rizu has given me a good suggestion."

Hiashi emerged from the shadows, followed by Tokuma.

"It's because Lord Danzo had ample intelligence that he was able to utilize those twelve Guardian Ninjas to achieve his plan," Hiashi said with a soft compliment.

"No need to be modest. Compared to most mediocre clan leaders, you are really quite good."

Danzo's tone was full of admiration, "With this appointment, I can make more arrangements."

The right to assist the Hokage comes from the Hokage himself; his past power was given to him by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and he actually only controls Root.

The actual amount of real power is not as much as people imagine.

Although he currently has the support of the ninja clan, if he is removed from the position of Hokage's assistant, it will ultimately be illegitimate for him to do certain things.

This appointment is equivalent to real power, a power that the Hokage cannot easily abolish!

"In the past, the person in charge of liaising with the daimyo on financial matters was always the Hokage. This was one of the lifelines of the ninja village and one of the core powers of the Hokage. But this power was actually the power of the daimyo, who could liaise with whomever they wanted."

Danzo looked at Hiashi Hyuga and said with emotion, "The situation is different now. I am capable of obtaining this right. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have overlooked this."

Rizu's eyelids drooped slightly.

Yes, the situation is different now.

He had already seen the battle reports from the front lines with Danzo.

He drew only one conclusion from this—Konoha is too strong!

How long did it take from the arrival of reinforcements to Konoha defeating Kirigakure?

Less than ten days!

Never before has a war ended so quickly. The strength Konoha has displayed will make neighboring countries uneasy, as will the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire!

"Kazuma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, had long been plotting to give the Daimyo all the power in the Land of Fire. Some of his actions were too obvious. However, he was just a Jonin, so I didn't pay much attention to him before. Fortunately, I kept him alive."

Danzo's voice was somewhat complicated, "Not everyone is the First Hokage, and no one believes the Fourth Hokage was the First Hokage!"

Those who hold high positions in the Land of Fire do not entrust everything to trust.

Konoha appears to be a formidable force capable of taking on the four great ninja villages alone, making the external threats that the Land of Fire used to face seem insignificant. Shouldn't the power of the Hokage be restricted?

Given Konoha's current strength, if it continues to develop, will the "King" of the Land of Fire be the Hokage or the Daimyo?

People always tend to assume the worst about others.

Those who were already dissatisfied with the near-equal relationship between the Hokage and the Daimyo did not consider the benefits of Konoha's strength; they only wanted to reduce the Hokage's power to prevent the Daimyo from one day becoming a puppet in name only.

This time, he only gave a gentle push from behind to obtain this right.

Hiashi Hyuga bowed and congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Danzo."

"Um."

Danzo nodded, carefully putting away the appointment letter, and murmured, "The two most core powers of the Hokage—the power to manage the ninja village and the power to hand over power to the Daimyo—are now in my hands."

"Even in name only, you can't overpower me, who has a daimyo appointment certificate. How can you possibly fight me, Minato Namikaze?"

"Hiruzen, I have won. Now... I am the Hokage!"

Danzo walked to the window, looked at the Hokage Rock outside, and a variety of emotions welled up in his heart, with a feeling of joy arising spontaneously.

Over the past six months, the Fourth Hokage's Shadow Rock has been gradually completed, standing there alongside those of the previous Hokage for all to admire. Soon, a new Shadow Rock will also be carved there.

The Fifth Hokage – Danzo Shimura!

Teacher, I will prove to you that I am the best candidate for Hokage. I will lead Konoha to an unprecedented peak, stronger than Minato Namikaze, and surpass the Konoha at its inception!

With his eyes lowered, Hiashi watched Danzo's retreating figure, his expression calm, devoid of sorrow or joy.

Beside him, Hyuga Tokuma also kept his head down calmly, remaining silent.

(End of this chapter)