Danzo - Hokage?

Everyone, including Tobirama himself, looked at Danzo dumbfounded, not expecting such courage and dedication from him.

- Hey, Danzo, what are you talking about! Let me go, I have more chances to survive! Although you can't tell from me, but I'm the best among you... - Hiruzen said confidently.

- That's enough, I'll be the bait. - Tobirama interrupted him sharply. - You are young flames who will protect our village in the future...

Danzo, following the original story, sharply objected:

- No! You're a Hokage! There is no one in the village stronger than you!

Tobirama looked Danzo straight in the eye.

- Danzo... You're competing with Saru everywhere and in everything, but right now, we have to act as one team. Figure out your relationship later. - After a short pause, Tobirama continued. - You don't realize the whole burden of responsibility that you are taking now... And you, Hiruzen, have been delaying your decision for too long. To accept it, you need to be completely confident in yourself, but at the same time be aware of your strength, otherwise you will endanger the lives of your comrades.

Tobirama thought about something for a moment.

- Anyway, Danzo, Saru, it's too early for you to die. One day your time will come, but in the meantime, cherish your lives... - suddenly, Tobirama got up from the ground. - Danzo, protect those who believe in you and love our village. Bring up a new generation to whom you can entrust her future... Starting tomorrow, you are the Third Hokage.

Danzo, completely unaware that Tobirama would change his mind, abruptly shook his head and knelt down, bowing his head.

- I'm sorry, but I'm not suitable for this position. I'm just not ready. Let Hiruzen become Hokage better.

"What are you thinking, old man! I've seen paperwork in a coffin! Let this idiot deal with all this while I rule the world from the shadows!"

Everyone was once again surprised by Danzo's similar behavior.

- Are you sure about that, Danzo? - Tobirama asked him.

- Yes. - Danzo answered shortly.

Tobirama turned his gaze to Hiruzen.

- Then... Saru, take care of Konoha.

Hiruzen, who was in shock from what was happening, immediately bowed his head and pressed his fist to his shoulder.

- There is!

Tobirama, without any words, went in the opposite direction to Konoha.

- In half an hour you have to go in the direction of the Forest of Death and only after making sure that there is no one on your further path, you can go to Konoha. - Tobirama gave his last order.

Incredibly quickly, Tobirama's silhouette disappeared into the darkness of the night.

After a short silence, Hiruzen approached Danzo.

- Thanks for that... So I owe you now?

At first, Danzo wanted to say that he and Hiruzen were even, but after a short reflection, he restrained his impulse and carefully considered his next words.

- The main thing is not to get conceited... I refused the post of Hokage for a reason. I'd like to talk to you alone.

After hearing this, everyone else silently agreed and went to such a distance that they could not hear the conversation between Danho and Hiruzen.

- I am not suitable for managing the entire village, but I would like to have a special shinobi organization that reports only to me and no one else, like the Konoha Military Police... Naturally, as Hokage, you can assign us some tasks, but everything else will be controlled by me. The tasks of my organization will include various activities that, for one reason or another, should be hidden from the public. Let's say that tasks are performed on the territory of other countries and villages. - Danzo explained his request.

At the moment, the Anbu has not yet had time to appear as an idea, since before the First World War, Shinobi did not even need it.

Danzo felt that this was the perfect moment to completely seize power over the Anbu.

Hiruzen pondered Danzo's words.

- And what will it be called?

Danzo didn't think much about the name of the organization.

- Anbu Root (Root of the Dark Side).

- It sounds kind of ominous... But I understand that the village really needs something like this. When we get back to Konoha, you'll tell me more about it. - Hiruzen expressed his opinion.