Danzo Has Changed

The Third Hokage approached Danzo with a cold expression, harboring some resentment. He believed their current predicament was due to Danzo needing to stand with him, leading to their differing approaches to handling situations. This ultimately allowed Minato to return to the Hidden Leaf Village successfully.

He never intended to eliminate Minato; he merely wanted to present him with a half-sleeve Hokage robe.

Yet, their usual understanding failed to hold. He felt Danzo had pulled the rug out from under him at a critical moment, all for the sake of the Hokage position.

"I've told you many times!"

"I was going to pass the position of Hokage to you!"

"But now, Minato might very well become the new Hokage!"

"If we don't handle this properly, neither of us may continue as Hokage!"

"Don't you understand?"

The Third Hokage's words were laced with anger, a pretext he had repeatedly used because he knew Danzo's ambition to become Hokage.

As long as Danzo wanted the title, the Third Hokage could continue using this excuse to make Danzo work for him.

Now, with his position as Hokage threatened, he could use this to bind Danzo to him, ensuring that neither could Danzo be if he was not Hokage.

After all, if Minato were to take over, the title would pass on to the next generation, making it impossible for it to revert to Danzo.

This reasoning allowed him to control Danzo tightly, ensuring continued service.

This also gave him the grounds to confront Danzo.

"Are you done?"

Danzo's voice was calm. He was not his usual self but a manifestation created by Rinnegan— Deva Path manifestation.

Because of this, his voice maintained Danzo's tone, though the cold indifference was all Aoba, showing his disregard for the Third Hokage.

"What do you mean?"

The Third Hokage was taken aback. He didn't expect that Danzo, instead of explaining to him, questioned him.

"You sent Root ninjas to attack Minato, and I didn't object or stop you, but your actions have failed and only exposed yourself. Shouldn't you be taking measures to remedy this?"

The Third Hokage's dissatisfaction was apparent. He felt Danzo should only be successful or not act at all.

If Danzo hadn't sent Root ninjas, perhaps Minato would not returned late, allowing him to present the robe in front of everyone, potentially securing a successful outcome rather than facing Minato's disinterest upon his return.

This completely disrupted his plans.

Because he knew Minato had seen the Root ninjas, it likely led Minato to suspect his involvement, influencing his refusal of the robe and strengthening his resolve to become Hokage.

"Of course, I'm not here to argue or blame you but to think of a solution together. We need to act now, or the position of Hokage might end up in Minato's hands."

The Third Hokage tried to calm the situation, needing Danzo's cooperation to stand any chance against Minato's popularity.

"What's wrong with that?"

Danzo's cold question seemed more like an accusation, disregarding the Third Hokage's concerns and speaking only for himself.

"Hmm?"

The Third Hokage was stunned, unable to comprehend Danzo's words and his apparent change in stance. Looking intently into Danzo's face, his face turned uglier by the moment.

"What do you mean by that? Don't you want to be Hokage?"

"I'm telling you, once I step down, you won't have a chance to be Hokage."

"This simple truth, I'm sure you understand well!"

"We need to face this crisis together, not waste time with pointless defiance!"

The Third Hokage made his case, holding Danzo tightly in his grasp, believing that only by threatening him could he ensure loyalty. But he didn't realize that the person before him was no longer Danzo but Aoba, controlling Danzo's corpse to act out his scheme.

"Hahaha..."

Danzo suddenly burst into laughter, though his face did not show joy, making the scene eerily dissonant.

"Hiruzen, are you too naive to believe I'd trust you?"

"You won't be Hokage for long!"

"I no longer plan to be Hokage!"

"Have you ever considered the result of continually making empty promises to me..."

"If I can't be Hokage, I don't want you to continue either!"

Using Danzo's tone, Aoba spoke coldly. These were not mere fabrications but based on Danzo's memories, filled with Hiruzen's empty promises over the years.

Danzo might have lacked the forcefulness to overturn the table because he genuinely wanted to be Hokage.

But after seeing these memories, Aoba decided to act on Danzo's crumbling resolve, pulling Hiruzen down with him.

"So, let's end this charade."

"I'm done playing."

"I no longer wish to be Hokage."

"Because I've realized as long as you live, I will never become Hokage. You'll cling to your position until your dying day."

"Since I will never be Hokage anyway, why should I support you?"

"After all..."

"I hate you the most!"

Aoba's cold declaration echoed, remembering the scenes of Hiruzen's hypocrisy. If Hiruzen had not intervened, perhaps the current Hokage might have been different. This was likely part of the Second Hokage Tobirama's design, but regardless, the past had already sealed a disadvantageous fate for Danzo.

"You should leave."

"Do what you can to salvage your position as Hokage."

"But don't expect my help!"

"Because I will stand against you!"

Aoba's voice remained icy as he stared down the Third Hokage. His plans unfolded smoothly, and he relished the chaos it would bring, feeling utterly comfortable with the developments.

"..."

As Konoha descended into turmoil.

Within the Fire Country.

On the road leading to Konoha.

A group of individuals cloaked in black robes adorned with red clouds moved swiftly through the forest.

It was the migrating members of the Akatsuki Organization!