Land of Fire — Daimyō's Palace
The Fire Daimyō listened to his officials' reports with a satisfied smile. This year's harvest across the Land of Fire had been exceptionally abundant—more than double previous years.
That meant tax revenue would double as well.
He was just about to order a celebratory banquet when urgent news arrived from Konoha.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Konoha is truly out of people," he cursed coldly. "How could they allow that traitor to inherit the Hokage position?!"
The First Civil Official went pale after reading the letter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had abdicated—and worse, he had chosen Danzo Shimura.
The same Danzo who, years ago, had threatened the daimyō with a kunai.
What was Hiruzen Sarutobi thinking?
Did he want to start a war?
Did he forget that Danzo had once humiliated the daimyō himself?
The First Civil Official steadied his breath.
"My lord, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't act so foolishly without reason. I believe a power struggle—perhaps even a coup—is brewing in Konoha."
"The old Hokage can no longer control the situation. That's why he's throwing this burning mess onto Danzo and fleeing responsibility."
"If even Hiruzen couldn't suppress this conflict, do you truly believe Danzo can?"
He lowered his voice.
"Why not agree to the appointment for now? Meanwhile, secretly investigate Konoha and contact the clan preparing the coup. Provide them with funds, weapons, armor, supplies—and have them kill Danzo Shimura."
"That way, we use others to do the dirty work. The rebels achieve their goal, and we eliminate Danzo."
Cold cruelty flashed in his eyes.
The Fire Daimyō's eyes lit up.
"Excellent. Truly worthy of my First Civil Official."
Using others as blades—and getting revenge at the same time.
What did it cost him? Some reputation and resources.
Worth it.
"I'm willing to pay two hundred million ryō to have Danzo Shimura killed."
In the past, Hiruzen Sarutobi had refused, citing Danzo's past contributions and shielding him at every turn.
Now that Hiruzen was fleeing the seat himself, the Fire Daimyō no longer needed his consent.
"Proceed as suggested," the daimyō said decisively.
"Approve Danzo Shimura's canonization as Hokage."
---
Root Headquarters
Danzo Shimura rested with his eyes closed when a peculiar knock echoed at the door.
He opened his eyes sharply.
"Hiruzen's people," he muttered. "What is he doing now?"
Fu Yamanaka nodded and went to open the door.
An ANBU knelt on one knee and presented a sealed letter.
Fu took it—but someone blocked him.
Aburame Torune stepped forward.
He removed his gloves, revealing purple palms, took the letter, opened it, and inspected it thoroughly. After confirming there was no trap, he handed it to Danzo.
Danzo nodded.
These two had protected him countless times.
Torune put his gloves back on and returned to his position. Fu stood silently on the opposite side.
Danzo read the letter.
Then—
He crushed it in his hand.
> "Danzo, for Konoha, for our teacher, and for the legacy of the Hokage, the position must never fall into Uchiha hands.
I am old and no longer capable. I intend to abdicate and appoint you as the Fifth Hokage.
Come to my office tomorrow. The succession will be carried out in secret.
—Hiruzen Sarutobi."
The official seal was unmistakable.
Danzo's breathing became heavy. His body trembled.
His ambition ignited completely.
He carefully smoothed the letter and handed it to Fu.
"Keep this safe," Danzo said sharply. "If it's damaged, I'll kill you."
Fu nodded and stored it away.
Danzo laughed aloud.
"Tomorrow morning, we go to see the Hokage. Prepare Root to take over ANBU authority."
He never explicitly said he would become Hokage.
But everyone understood.
Fu Yamanaka and Aburame Torune dropped to one knee.
"Congratulations, Fifth Hokage-sama. We swear our loyalty."
The title sent a thrill through Danzo.
"Good. Very good," he said. "From now on, one of you will control ANBU, the other Root. You will be my right and left hands."
He opened a bottle of champagne, convinced the outcome was already sealed.
---
Naruto Uzumaki's Apartment
Kakashi had gathered several ANBU.
They had intercepted the earlier letter—delaying its delivery—thanks to a former liaison now under Kakashi's command who knew Root's codes.
The ANBU dispatched by Hiruzen had already been detained.
Kakashi reported everything to Minato Namikaze.
Minato sneered.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura—snakes of the same pit."
"I thought Hiruzen had changed," he said coldly. "Turns out he's still the same—purging dissent and shifting blame without hesitation."
He was about to give further instructions when dizziness hit him.
His expression twisted.
Kakashi rushed forward. "Sensei! What's wrong?!"
After steadying himself, Minato shook his head.
"I'm fine. My soul power has been depleted too much these past few days. I didn't have much left within Naruto to begin with."
"I can probably last… at most one more week."
Kakashi's eyes reddened.
"Sensei…"
"Don't cry," Minato said gently, patting Kakashi's silver hair. "We need to finish this quickly—deal with Hiruzen and Danzo, hand the Hokage position to the Uchiha, avenge what must be avenged, and give the villagers a future worth living."
------
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