Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode

The third generation was not to be fooled by Danzo and refused again.

What a joke! If he ignores the rules and releases Danzo, he will bear full responsibility.

He always uses Danzo as a scapegoat for his actions. When has he ever taken the blame for Danzo? Besides, Danzo is dishonest and disobedient. If he's really released, whether he'll provide information is another matter entirely.

Just like that intelligence report, this guy didn't hand it over to him immediately, so how could he gain his trust?

Trust between people is very rare. A long time ago, he trusted Danzo, who had always taken the blame for him, but now he dared not trust Danzo, who liked to do bad things under his name, completely.

Also, what if Danzo is released and doesn't come back?

The thought that Danzo might become a rogue ninja sent a chill down the Third Hokage's spine.

Danzo completely dismissed the Third Hokage's words.

Leading by example in following the rules?

Pah!

Doesn't this guy know how much the Sarutobi clan has changed in Konoha since he became Hokage? Many important positions in Konoha are now held by members of the Sarutobi clan.

There's also the secret service; the head and deputy head are his son and daughter-in-law.

That's blatant lying.

In his eyes, the only thing commendable about the Third Hokage was that, like him, he was truly devoted to Konoha.

Besides ability, they have nothing else.

Danzo was extremely resentful at this moment, but the situation was beyond his control, so he could only continue to endure it and took the initiative to show weakness:

“Hiruzen, you may not know, but Root is facing a huge crisis right now. Outside, there is a mysterious organization called Yoru that is constantly targeting Root. It is destroying Root’s intelligence network outside. If we don’t get out soon, Root’s intelligence network outside will really be completely destroyed.”

"The Night Organization?"

When the Third Hokage heard that Danzo was being targeted by a mysterious organization, he immediately became alert.

Although Root is out of control, it is still an organization belonging to Konoha and can be considered one of their own. Now that Root is being targeted by a mysterious external organization, it is undoubtedly a challenge to Konoha's authority and a weakening of Konoha's power.

As the Hokage, he couldn't just sit idly by.

Moreover, a mysterious organization that could force Danzo to submit to him must be extremely dangerous.

From the current perspective, this mysterious organization is hostile to Konoha.

"That's right. This organization is very mysterious, and its core members are unknown. But one thing is certain: it knows a lot about Root and Konoha, and it is very powerful. Several Jonin from Root have already been killed by this organization. If you and I don't take it seriously, this organization will definitely become a major threat to Konoha in the future."

Danzo took advantage of the Third Hokage's ignorance of the Night Organization and deliberately exaggerated its harmfulness.

"I see."

The third generation nodded, but made no further comment.

Although he had never heard of the Night Organization before, he would not provoke it based solely on Danzo's words.

At least for now, this mysterious organization is only targeting Root and is not openly opposing Konoha.

In any case, he hasn't received any news about the Night Organization targeting Konoha yet.

Moreover, if this organization is as dangerous as Danzo said, it's best for Konoha not to provoke it for the time being. After all, Konoha is currently at war with Sunagakure and shouldn't spare any energy to deal with a powerful and mysterious organization whose whereabouts are unknown.

"Hiruzen, don't make a mistake. We must be vigilant against potential enemies like the Night Organization. We should destroy them before they grow stronger, otherwise Konoha will be in great danger. Don't worry, leave this to Root. We don't need to use the village's power. You just need to let me out."

Seeing that the Third Hokage was clearly thinking it was better to avoid trouble and didn't want to deal with the Night Organization for the time being, Danzo quickly reminded him.

"Hmph, all you've said is to get me to release you. Give up on that idea. As the Hokage, I can't possibly release a criminal serving a life sentence on my own. The fact that you're living so well right now is already a favor."

The Third Hokage mercilessly exposed Danzo's selfish motives.

"Are you asking me to turn a blind eye to the beast that you unleashed, the Uchiha clan? Haven't you realized how dangerous the Uchiha clan is now? Just from a small border battle, the Uchiha clan has gained more than ten pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan, and whether any of them have developed Mangekyou Sharingan is still unknown."

Hiruzen, you're playing with fire! If your teacher knew what you were doing, he would be very disappointed in you. I can't just stand by and watch Konoha be destroyed by the Uchiha clan. Those guys who have awakened the Sharingan all have mental problems. You can't possibly not know that. If they go crazy one day, it will be a disaster for Konoha.

Therefore, Konoha needs a force to restrain this beast, the Uchiha clan. "Hiruzen, you must let me out. Root cannot function without me. Only when I'm out will that old man, Homura Uchiha, be wary of Root's power."

Danzo said angrily, "After the Night Organization, we're now betting on the Uchiha clan, which is a very heavy bargaining chip."

When the Third Hokage saw Danzo bring up the Uchiha clan this time, his expression finally changed, revealing a thoughtful look.

The Third Hokage could disregard the Night Organization, which he had never even heard of before, but he could not disregard the Uchiha clan, who lived in Konoha.

During the Nine-Tails' inheritance operation, the Uchiha clan performed admirably. Even more commendable was Chizuru, Homura's granddaughter, who successfully rescued Kirito and made a significant contribution to sealing the Nine-Tails. This gave him hope that the Uchiha clan could integrate into Konoha in the future.

However, the Uchiha clan's power has indeed increased rather rapidly recently.

It can only be said that the Uchiha clan is indeed a born fighting clan. After only a few small border battles, more than ten three-tomoe Sharingan ninjas were born in the clan who would become Jonin in the future.

If they were allowed to fight on the battlefield for an extended period of time, perhaps even more ninjas with the three-tomoe Sharingan would emerge.

Moreover, as Danzo said, it is unknown whether any of these three-tomoe Sharingan ninjas will develop into Mangekyou Sharingan ninjas.

The Uchiha clan must be guarded against; Konoha does indeed need a powerful force to restrain the Uchiha clan.

"Hiruzen, how about we compromise? I can stay put, but you have to allow my shadow clones to go out. If you agree to this condition, I will pass on the information from Sunagakure to you as soon as possible, and Root will once again provide Konoha with a steady stream of useful information and play a role in sabotage behind enemy lines."

Danzo noticed that the Third Hokage's attitude had softened, so he immediately pressed his advantage and increased his offer to get the Third Hokage to agree to his demands.

As long as he gets out, even if it's just a shadow clone, he can do many things with it.

"Shadow clone?"

When the Third Hokage heard Danzo's request, a thought crossed his mind.

If it's just a shadow clone, then it's not impossible to discuss.

As long as Danzo himself is still serving his sentence and there is no risk of him defecting from Konoha, sending a shadow clone of Danzo to take charge of Root's operations, thereby activating Root and allowing it to continue contributing to Konoha, is indeed a good suggestion.

"Don't even think about it, Hiruzen. Don't you trust me? With me here, the Uchiha clan will never be able to swagger around in Konoha."

Danzo continued.

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage gave Danzo a suspicious look.

How dare you ask me to trust you? You bastard, was it true that you secretly went to destroy the sealing barrier of the Thousand Hands Clan's territory?

Upon seeing this, Danzo immediately felt uneasy and cursed himself for speaking out of turn.

The aftereffects of the previous sealing barrier incident are still present, and he will need to make some efforts if he wants to regain the trust of the Third Generation.

"Don't worry, I won't make the same mistake again."

Danzo guarantees the way.

What if they do it again?

The third generation of cold voices.

Danzo's eyes lit up when he heard this, realizing that the Third Hokage was about to agree to his request. He hardened his heart and gritted his teeth, saying, "If you find me committing another offense, then come and take my life. You don't need to show me any mercy. Is that alright?"

"Remember what you said today."

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, then stared coldly into Danzo's eyes and spoke.

No sooner had he finished speaking than he suddenly appeared in front of Danzo.

Danzo reacted quickly, but before he could make a move, a short sword was already at his neck.

Even before the sharp blade touched Danzo's skin, it sent chills down his spine. Danzo froze instantly, not daring to make the slightest move.

Konoha's White Fang is incredibly fast.

With his life no longer in his own hands, Danzo had no choice but to surrender, watching helplessly as the Third Hokage's hand landed on his heart.

The next moment, a large number of sealing techniques landed on Danzo's body, forming a curse mark on his chest.

The Third Hokage was known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," and naturally, he had some knowledge of sealing techniques like the Cursed Seal Technique.

At this moment, he planted a curse mark on Danzo called the Vajra Curse, a curse mark created by the Sarutobi clan. This curse mark has only one effect: it can kill the cursed person from a distance.

Now, Danzo's life or death is in his hands.

"Hiruzen, you actually planted a cursed seal on me."

Seeing that the curse seal had been successfully implanted, Danzo gritted his teeth and said.

"This is insurance. As long as you don't make a mistake, this cursed seal will never be activated. Danzo, this is my last act of mercy. You must remember this, remember it well, and never make another mistake. This is the only chance I'm giving you. There will be no next time."

The Third Hokage spoke coldly and ruthlessly to Danzo.

He has absolutely no trust in Danzo now, and for someone like Danzo who likes to be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, he must put a fatal shackle on him. Only the threat of death can make this unruly fellow obedient.

He won't make the same mistake twice.

He can only truly feel at ease if he has a firm grasp on the roots.

Now that he has control over the brain Danzo in the root, it is equivalent to controlling the root itself, something he has wanted to do for a long time.

Today, Danzo personally gave him this opportunity.

Since Danzo personally assured him that he would lose his life if he made another mistake, he naturally didn't need to be polite to Danzo anymore.

"You can secretly sabotage Hattori Masanari's deal with Iwagakure regarding the Land of Rain, but the deal between Konoha and Hattori Masanari absolutely cannot have any mishaps. Do you understand?"

The Third Hokage spoke to Danzo in a commanding tone.

Anger, humiliation, regret and other emotions were intertwined in Danzo's heart, making him almost unable to control himself and want to kill the Third Hokage, but the White Fang short sword on his neck and the cursed seal on his chest made him suppress these emotions.

He hasn't become Hokage yet, and he hasn't eradicated the Uchiha clan. Konoha still needs him; he can't die yet.

"Hiruzen, I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold in the future."

Danzo made up his mind, staring intently at the Third Hokage's emotionless, cold gaze, and with great difficulty uttered a few words from the air: "I understand."

"Very good, I look forward to your performance."

The third generation nodded.

After saying that, he didn't look at Danzo again and turned to leave.

When the Third Hokage was officially released from the prison, Sakumo Hatake lowered the dagger that had been held against Danzo's neck, and then disappeared from Danzo's sight without saying a word.

With a "plop" sound.

Danzo collapsed to the ground.

Then, a somewhat manic laugh escaped Danzo's lips: "Hahahaha..."

Soon after, countless darkness emanated from Danzo's body, quickly engulfing the light in the entire cell.