Chapter 174: Response

Danzo was a man who could be categorized by many as being a devout war hawk.

The man was someone who would do whatever it took to protect Konoha, no matter who had to be harmed or face any issues due to said events. 

He was a Kenjutsu Master, a Fuinjutsu user of the highest order if the Uzumaki weren't counted, and his understanding of Wind Release may even surpass that of Hiruzen.

He led one of the three branches of ANBU in the Village, essentially giving him his own powerful army that he could call upon to defend the best interests of the Village.

Hailed as the Darkness of Shinobi, he was akin to the boogeyman of the Leaf, a monster that hid in the shadows to ensure that the tree stood.

Yet at the current moment, Danzo was gripped with an emotion he hadn't felt in years

Fear

The fact that someone not only realized his plan, but twisted it and utilized it in a way that went to extremes that even Danzo wouldn't go to made the one-eyed man feel great tension.

His plan had been to gradually lead the world to a revolution, one to change the status quo of the world and to lead to a new era of peace, so that children would not be forced to bear the same evil that he had to endure during the 1st Great Shinobi World War.

Danzo knew the dangers of being in the dark for too long, the dangers of becoming lost in it and losing sight of his original goal, yet he felt his presence would be necessary for the protection of the Hidden Leaf.

His loyalties lie only with his Village, and if anyone were to doubt that then he would view them as a complete and utter fool.

But this?

This newfound situation that had changed the landscape of the world would not be something that he would do on his most desperate day.

Not only would the death of the Daimyo place the Land of Fire on lockdown, essentially stopping all economic and military ventures outside, but it would also make the Nation, and by extension, the Village, look as if they were unable to protect their Lord, which may even call the need for Shinobi Villages into question.

But, if the situation could not get any worse, the Daimyo's of the both two leading members of the Five Great Nations also lost their Daimyo, changing the issue from a national crisis to one that had the concern of the entire world.

So Danzo was currently faced with an unparalleled crisis, and even worse, Hiruzen likely believes that he may be the one behind the chaos.

This made him lack his strongest ally, and one that he would need in a situation as terrifying as this one.

But Danzo was not known as the Darkness of Shinobi for no reason, as he immediately began thinking of ways to not only contain the situation but manipulate it to the benefit of the Village.

"What's our next move?" Homura asked, adjusting the glasses on his face, though he was still sweating at the words his friend had previously stated. 

"We will need to begin doing crowd control. We will dispatch a large amount of high leveled ninja to the Capital so that we may showcase strength while also displaying the amount of importance we place on this issue." Danzo said.

"Will we be able to send such a strong amount of manpower with the other Villages likely to be in volatile states as well? How do we know they won't take advantage of this situation?" Koharu asked.

"They'll be too busy dealing with their own issues to worry about us. I can safely say that whatever we are dealing with, the other Villages have it ten times worse than us. Therefore, we can place our main focus on dealing with our domestic issues." Danzo answered.

"Who are our allies in dealing with these issues?" Homura asked.

"We can be sure that us three, as well as the Hyuga and those Uchiha may assist us in tackling the problem with my proposed plan. Tsunade's plan to allow more civilians to expand further will also be a great idea as it may contribute greatly to the public perception that the Shinobi are doing whatever it takes to defend both the Lords and the people of the Land of Fire. This is a delicate situation. We must handle it as well as the coming meeting with utmost caution." Danzo said back to his two old friends, stressing the importance of it.

"You are correct Danzo. And we have much to discuss on the developing crisis." Said a voice that made all three elders assume battle positions.

However, they turned to the lone door in the room to see the Granddaughter of both their Sensei and his brother standing there, a serious expression on her face that showcased the severity of the issue.

Tsunade had held off from delving too deep into the politics of the Leaf, but now, the situation forced her to become the heavy hand that may both guide and protect the Village.