However, although Danzo could tolerate it, his brainwashed subordinates certainly could not.
Hearing Isamu insult Danzo, the two Root shinobi immediately stepped forward. Drawing their kunai, they pointed them at Isamu and shouted angrily,
"How dare you speak to Lord Danzo like that? Are you looking for death?"
Upon hearing this, Isamu shook his head helplessly.
"The Root shinobi of today are becoming more and more unruly. I really don't understand. Your leader, Danzo, hasn't even spoken yet, so why are the two of you jumping out? Who exactly gave you that courage?"
Karura glanced at Isamu.
"Can I kill them?"
"Heh, since Lord Danzo hasn't said anything, he clearly approves of their actions. Deal with them however you like."
Seeing that Isamu had given his permission, Karura immediately stood up.
Green-and-white chakra surged from her body, forming two gigantic chakra hands.
In an instant, the massive hands seized the two Root shinobi and lifted them into the air.
"Your master hasn't even spoken, yet you two dogs dare to bark? Didn't you notice I was quietly listening from the side? Do you even understand basic manners? If not, then I'll teach you today!"
"AAAAAH!!"
As the chakra hands tightened, the two Root shinobi screamed in agony.
Hearing their cries, Danzo finally could no longer remain silent.
"Enough, Uchiha Tensei!"
"If you want to demonstrate your abilities, there's no need for this. I've never doubted your strength."
"They're only ordinary shinobi. Let them go."
"Heh."
"Since Elder Danzo has spoken, I'll give you that much respect."
"Karura, release them."
"Hmph."
Karura dismissed the chakra hands, but before doing so, she glared coldly at the two Root shinobi.
"Behave yourselves."
"If either of you dares to provoke us again, no amount of begging will save you."
"Next time, I'll make sure your blood stains the ground."
The two shinobi collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.
Watching Karura retract her chakra, Danzo's emotions became complicated.
He hadn't expected that even the woman at Isamu's side possessed such terrifying strength.
If only she were one of my subordinates…
Becoming Hokage would be effortless.
What a shame.
"Uchiha Tensei."
"I don't want to waste any more words."
"Just answer me."
"Will you help me or not?"
"It's not that I won't help you."
"The timing simply isn't right."
"With both the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage still in power, what exactly do you think you can compete with?"
"I'm not looking down on you."
"Root is powerful."
"It has considerable influence."
"But do you honestly believe you can defeat the Hokage faction?"
"As long as you stand with me, none of those things matter."
Danzo leaned forward.
"I believe that even if both Hokage joined forces, they still wouldn't be your match."
"You could even bring your son over."
"With Root and the ANBU working together, taking the Hokage's seat would be easy."
"Once I become Hokage…"
"I'll give your family the highest privileges in Konoha."
"You'll stand second only to me."
"If you wish, we can even stand as equals."
"I've offered you everything."
"I don't believe you have any reason to refuse."
Isamu sighed.
"If you had said those words decades ago…"
"I would have launched a coup with you without hesitation."
"But now…"
"It's too late."
Back then, when he was in his twenties, he would certainly have chosen to work alongside Danzo.
Unfortunately…
At that time, Danzo lacked both the courage and the strength.
Now that Danzo had finally grown powerful enough, Isamu himself had changed.
His priorities were no longer ambition.
Now…
His family and grandchildren came first.
Compared to them, Danzo's dreams no longer mattered.
With his current strength as the strongest shinobi in the world, what more could he possibly want?
Everything had simply come too late.
Danzo gave a cold laugh.
"So you're refusing."
"I truly didn't expect that even after offering such generous terms, you'd still refuse."
"It seems you've really grown old."
"You're no longer the Uchiha Tensei I once knew."
Hearing those words, Isamu fell silent.
His thoughts drifted back to his younger days.
Back then, after attacking the Hidden Stone Village and being abandoned by the Third Hokage and Konoha's leadership…
It had been Danzo who approached him.
Danzo had given him authority.
Status.
Power.
Truthfully…
Danzo had treated him quite well.
To abandon him now left Isamu feeling somewhat guilty.
"I've never forgotten your kindness."
"And I never will."
"I'm not an ungrateful man."
"If someone gives me a drop of kindness, I'll repay it with a spring."
"How about this?"
"I'll personally ensure that you become Hokage."
"And in addition…"
"I'll eliminate one person for you."
"Anyone."
"No one will ever discover it."
"Not even Konoha's Hokage."
Danzo's anger instantly vanished.
He hadn't expected such a generous offer.
Those two promises carried enormous weight.
He had never doubted Isamu's ability.
Otherwise, he never would have tried so hard to recruit him.
"Can you truly eliminate anyone?"
Danzo asked cautiously.
"Of course."
"If I promise it…"
"I can do it."
"You don't need to doubt me."
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Does that include…"
"…your son, Uchiha Senba?"
"Hm?"
The moment he heard Senba's name, Isamu's expression changed.
His brows slowly furrowed.
Everything had happened exactly as he'd expected.
Senba's position as Commander of the ANBU had made him a major obstacle to men like Danzo.
Danzo observed Isamu quietly.
The greatest obstacle before him wasn't the Third Hokage.
Nor was it the Fourth Hokage.
It was Uchiha Senba.
As Commander of the ANBU, Senba stood firmly with the Hokage faction.
He was powerful.
Influential.
And backed by Isamu.
As long as Senba remained, Danzo's path would never be smooth.
"So…"
"Will you eliminate Senba for me?"
"Naturally."
"He has become the greatest obstacle in my way."
"Of course…"
"I know you could never bring yourself to kill your own son."
"So long as you convince him to stop interfering…"
"Or simply take him away from Konoha…"
"That will be enough."
"The choice is yours."
"So you've even left me another option."
"That could be considered a gesture of goodwill."
"However…"
"I won't choose either of those."
"Since Senba chose to board Konoha's ship…"
"He should already be prepared for what comes with it."
"If you're willing to board the ship…"
"You must also be prepared to fall overboard."
"Paying a price is only natural."
"So…"
"Do whatever you want."
"I won't interfere."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Isamu ultimately rejected Danzo's proposal.
Perhaps this would become an opportunity for Senba to learn that surviving in Konoha was never easy.
As for whether Senba would truly be in danger…
Isamu wasn't worried in the slightest.
Leaving aside whether anyone in Konoha was actually capable of defeating Senba…
Even if someone managed to kill him…
Isamu could simply bring him back from the Land of the Dead.
Since that was the case…
What was there to worry about?
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