Chapter 319 - Danzo Gears up.

2:30am. Hokage Tower.

15 minutes ago, the Hokage had summoned around a dozen ninjas from Jonin and Anbu ranks and held a secret meeting. Hiruzen looked at them and his eyes held a grim edge that had everyone slightly tense. They had all heard about Orochimaru and Tsunade's clash. Asuma, Anko and Anbu Deer were some of the people taking part in this meeting.

Hiruzen quickly began without wasting any more time. "I called all of you here because you are some of the best in the village and your loyalty is unquestionable. The mission I'm about to assign you is of a grave nature."

Hiruzen was silent for a moment and quickly looked at each of them and then continued. "You'll be assigned a team composed of Jonins and other Anbu personnel. Each of you will either be the leader of the team or will be the second in command. This is a joint mission and Shikaku Nara and Anbu commander Ox have already picked the ones you'll be leading for this task."

"What's the mission? Does it have to do with Orochimaru?" Asuma couldn't help but ask. He knew a joint operation like this was highly unusual.

Hiruzen looked at his son and nodded. He then began to explain. "We have identified several hidden bases in this country belonging to him. They have defensive measures in place and each of them are guarded by at least 2 dozen men. Your task will be to eliminate or if possible, capture those men for interrogation and then raid the hideout. Take anything and everything of value and rescue Tsunade or Shizune if they are at that location."

The shinobi nodded but some were still not sure why Anbu and Jonins were working together.

"But this is only the primary task that you must complete." Hiruzen spoke and he looked to the side and nodded at his secretary. The Chunin handed the ninjas a folder consisting of several documents on certain ninjas.

"Your secondary mission is to eliminate the ninjas you see in your files." As soon as Hiruzen's words were finished there were murmurs within the assembled shinobi.

Asuma looked at the document in his hand and in the file was a picture of a Chunin he knew.

Jogan Himaki.

He wasn't close with the man in the file but he was familiar with him. He looked at the kage and his eyes slightly narrowed.

"What's going on? As far as I know Jogan is a Leaf ninja and he isn't a criminal. He's a good person. A good Chunin. So why the kill order?" Asuma asked the question that many others wanted to know the answer to.

"Yes. Jogan is a Leaf ninja and he hasn't committed any crimes. Yet."

Asuma and the rest of the ninjas were puzzled. They had an ominous feeling in their hearts.

Hiruzen kept his face neutral and showed no outward emotion as he spoke. "His loyalty isn't to the Leaf village but to another entity and if he stays in the village then there is a good chance he and the rest of them will cause a civil war here in the next few hours or days… The people in those documents are sleeper agents."

Everyone was shocked to hear that and they immediately understood the gravity of the situation.

"Is the information accurate? About them being sleeper agents?" An Anbu questioned. He wanted to be sure before he executed people he once called comrades.

"Yes. I've had a few among the list be secretly taken to the interrogation department and they were able to confirm it. The intelligence is solid." Hiruzen replied and the ninjas became silent.

"Are they working for another village? Another organization or something?" Another Jonins asked.

"They belong to the Foundation under Danzo."

The Hokage's reply shocked almost everyone. They knew the implications of making such a claim.

Danzo is planning a coup.

The Jonins and Anbu in the room were smart and they quickly came to the conclusion.

"So this is a clean up mission along with a rescue mission." Anko spoke up with a rare surprising serious gaze.

"Yes. There might be people you know in those files… Whatever attachments you have towards them, whatever emotions you have, you'll need to put them aside for this task. If any of you have a problem, speak up now."

Nobody said a word and stood silent as they gazed at their kage. Hiruzen looked at their determined expression and knew Ox and Shikaku picked the right people for the job.

He began to explain the particulars of the mission.

"The ones marked in the files… They will have to be removed. If possible ideally during your clash with Orochimaru's men. If not then it will be up to you on how you get it done. But make sure none of the others in your squad knows about this."

The ninjas nodded in understanding. Once Hiruzen was done giving them the details of the mission parameters he dismissed everyone present and asked them to meet with their teams and assemble on the roof of the tower.

2:45 am. Sensor Team.

By the time all the teams left the Hokage tower, a communication department was set up with several Yamanaka ninja in charge. Shikaku Nara and a Hyuga were also keeping an eye on everything and relaying the necessary instructions and commands to all the teams.

"It will take about 4 to 5 hours for them to reach their target locations. But we need to be ready if anything unexpected occurs." Shikaku spoke and the others nodded.

3:00 am. Hidden Leaf Village Borders.

An Anbu with a mask that has markings resembling a Bear was quietly moving through the shadows. He recalled the secret Jonin and Anbu meeting the Kage had called half an hour ago.

'Every person called to that meeting was a high level shinobi. They'll be able to contain and eliminate the problem. It's better for the village if those radical and loyal to Danzo disappear… But still… Lord Hokage won't be able to continue with his position for much longer after this. It looks like the political power system will be changing soon.'

He leapt to another branch without making a single leaf fall and quickly moved forward.

'I wonder who the next Hokage is going to be? Jiraiya most probably or maybe Lady Tsunade if nothing happens to her… Still, this will certainly cause a disturbance… Well, it's not my headache anyway.'

Anbu Bear had another assignment given by the Hokage and the man was quickly moving in the direction of the Valley of the end.

His destination - The Hidden Sound Village.

—-

Somewhere Underground. 3:00 am.

In a dimly lit chamber, deep within the hidden recesses of the village, Danzo stood before a large, intricately carved table. Maps and scrolls were scattered across the surface, illuminated by the flickering light of candles.

His second in command, a figure shrouded in shadows, stepped forward. He had a hint of urgency in his posture.

Danzo's single visible eye shifted towards the other figure. "Zero. Report."

"The Hokage made his move. The Root agents we had planted within his ranks have been sent on missions outside the village."

The old warhawk narrowed his eyes at that unexpected news. "Is it just a coincidence or…?"

The figure shrouded in darkness shook his head. "It doesn't seem so, sir. All of our sleeper agents within the ranks have been deployed and the ones in non critical positions have disappeared without a trace. I'm certain the Hokage took them. He has anticipated our plans. I was able to procure a copy of the latest mission details but nothing more."

Danzo studied the information and despite the troubling situation he found himself in, a small smile formed on his face. "It seems Hiruzen has outmaneuvered us for now. He's deployed our own agents away from the village under the guise of rescuing Tsunade and Shizune. It seems he's not just targeting Orochimaru. He's also leaving us vulnerable."

"The Hokage might be aware of our plans. It's possible he's attempting to weaken our position by drawing our forces thin."

Danzo tapped on the table and slightly nodded to himself. "It wasn't Hiruzen. He couldn't have anticipated my move so easily. If I had to make a guess, it must be Shikaku. He must have been the one to figure it out."

The second in command of the Root organization nodded. 'He's the best strategist in the village and he's a cunning man. If he had the information the Hokage has then I have little doubt that it was him behind this predicament. But even he won't know everything.'

The figure looked at his master with a calm gaze. "The Hokage might be looking to strip the Root of its strength before he strikes directly. With our forces diminished, we're at a disadvantage… How should we proceed, Lord Danzo?"

"We have to accelerate our plans. First, we'll have to reinforce our position within the village. I've cultivated loyalties that Hiruzen isn't aware of. It's time to call upon those alliances. Secondly, we need to control the narrative. Spread rumors within the village that Hiruzen's sudden actions against Orochimaru are rash and that it's weakening the village's defenses."

The second in command of Root nodded, absorbing every word. "And if the Anbu confronts us before then?"

"Then we take the battle to a field we control. I have secured several locations within the village that can serve as strategic points for an ambush. Our forces may be smaller, but they are elite. We can use the village's own infrastructure against them."

The man standing near Danzo nodded. He knew a battle was coming and was prepared.

Danzo had another thought pop up in his mind and he quickly spoke. "Additionally, we need to prepare for the worst. If Hiruzen attempts to strike against us directly, we'll need contingencies. Ensure that this building is secure. And the sealing jutsu... They should be ready. If Hiruzen does attack, we'll need every advantage to counter his ninjutsu."

"I'll make sure this stronghold is well-fortified." The masked ninja nodded. "And the villagers, Lord Danzo? If this escalates, public perception could turn against us. We've always operated in the shadows for the greater good of the village."

Danzo was silent for a few moments before he replied. "We can craft our narrative carefully. We're not insurgents but patriots, prepared to do what's necessary for the village's survival. If Hiruzen attacks us, we can frame it as a desperate act of a paranoid man afraid of change. We'll need to manipulate public sentiment. They should see us as the lesser of two evils."

"Lord Danzo, we might be able to fool the civilians but the Shinobi clans… They will see through our tactics."

"I'm aware. My success hinges on precise, strategic ambushes and the loyalty of the village's clans. We need to use the village's geography to our advantage in battle and I need accurate intelligence on where each clan stands." Danzo's face turned slightly grim as he thought about the numbers. He knew they were not in his favor. 'I'll need some help from the people in the Royal court once this is all over.'

At this time Zero spoke. "The Hyuga are traditionally loyal to the Hokage, but there is internal division. The branch family may feel disenfranchised enough to side with us, especially if we promise reforms on the clan's curse mark system. A targeted approach, exploiting these divisions, could work to our advantage."

Danzo nodded with that strategy. "Good. Make those promises discreetly."

"And the Nara clan? They're a significant asset of the village." The root agent asked his master.

Danzo had a frown on his face as he thought about the Jonin commander and the head of the Nara clan. "Shikaku Nara is loyal to Hiruzen and most of their clan is loyal to Shikaku. He'll be a thorn."

"Maybe we can target the younger Naras. The ambitious ones. They might be swayed to our side. We can offer them positions of influence once you take charge."

Danzo grunted. "Hm… But those offers have to be enticing. And people from that clan… They're not easily fooled. Lastly, we need to control the narrative within the village. The Akimichi, Yamanaka, and other influential clans must see us as the legitimate future of Leaf. Spread rumors of Hiruzen's failing health and indecisiveness in times of crisis."

"If we move too aggressively, too quickly with this strategy, there is a chance it will fail or be used against us." Zero cautioned the old man.

Danzo was silent as he realized the valid point the masked ninja made. 'Hiruzen has been preparing this. And his words back at the office. He has contingencies in case of his death? He wasn't bluffing then. Zero is right. If I make too much noise too soon it could be used against me.'

At that moment his agent spoke. "What if we keep this battle in the shadows. We could organize a silent coup from within. That way there will be minimal disruption to the village... A coup that's over before anyone realizes it has begun."

Danzo shook his head. He knew such a plan would not be feasible. Especially not now. "That won't be easy. We have to consider Hiruzen's next steps. He's no fool and will be anticipating such a move from us."

Danzo crossed his arms and felt the power in his body. 'It looks like a direct confrontation is unavoidable.'

"Lord Danzo, what about Orochimaru? If he learns of our predicament, he might see it as an opportunity to strike at us." Zero asked his master.

Danzo frowned as he thought about the rogue Sannin. "Orochimaru is a variable we cannot control, but we can try to anticipate him. We'll send feelers out, perhaps even propose a temporary truce. Our enemy's enemy can be our ally, however briefly. If it succeeds then we might also be able to gain information on Tsunade and what that snake wants with her. But make no mistake, Orochimaru is a threat to us and the Leaf. We will have to deal with him in time."

The masked Root ninja nodded. "Understood. And what of the two advisors? Koharu and Homura. They could prove troublesome."

"Divide and conquer. I've been sowing seeds of mistrust among them for years. It's time to exploit those divisions. Send anonymous tips about a potential attack from within. Make them doubt each other. Keep them occupied."

"Yes Lord Danzo. I'll make the arrangements."

"To the outside world we shouldn't appear weak. Nor can we draw the village into a larger internal conflict. This confrontation between Hiruzen and I, we'll need to finish it as soon as possible. If the other villages get involved it will be disastrous. We can't afford to fight battles on multiple fronts at this moment."

"I understand. I will begin preparations immediately. The Root will be ready to move on your command."

"Remind everyone, our actions are for the greater good of Leaf village. Hiruzen's time has passed. This village needs a leader who can make the hard decisions, who can guide it through the darkness. That leader is me…"

Danzo looked at the map of Fire country and the map of the Hidden Leaf village in front of him. He made his choice and he wasn't going to back down.

He turned to his right hand man. "Ready our forces. The future of the Leaf is about to be rewritten."

As the second in command left the room to carry out Danzo's orders the chamber fell silent once more, save for the flicker of candlelight.

Danzo stared at the flickering flame atop the candle. 'The stage is set for our confrontation, Hiruzen. This will change the fate of the village forever.'

—-------------

Author's Note:

From the next chapter onwards Daichi, tobirama, danzo, jiraiya… All parties take action

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