In the Hokage's office, the Konoha leadership are discussing the situation in Amegakure, the Village Hidden in the Rain Country.
In recent years, the Land of Rain has rapidly expanded its power, and has vaguely come to threaten the status of the Five Great Nations.Of course, it is merely a threat, not enough to shake the status of the Five Great Nations.
Under the leadership of Hanzo the Salamander, the Hidden Rain Village in the Land of Rain has become increasingly aggressive in its actions.With its strength constantly growing, the Hidden Rain Village will certainly not be content with the current state of the Land of Rain; expansion will undoubtedly be its only option.
Waging wars against foreign powers, plundering people, seizing land, and continuing to grow stronger—this is the only path for all militarisms to remain powerful.
The Rain Village of the Land of Rain is located at the crossroads of the three great nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth.Hanzo of the Salamander's target for launching an external war must be either the Land of Rivers between Fire and Wind or the Land of Grass between Fire and Earth.
Konoha's leadership judged that Hanzo of the Salamander would prioritize targeting the notorious fence-sitter of the ninja world—the Land of Grass.
There needs to be a balance of power among major powers, acting as a buffer.No single power should become too dominant among the major powers; this is an unspoken understanding among the five major powers.
The rise of Amegakure in the Land of Rain quietly broke this tacit agreement.Naturally, it was not allowed by the Five Great Nations.
The Third Hokage said, "Danzo, I will assign you another team of ANBU ninja to work with your subordinates.They must keep a close eye on the movements in the Land of Rain.If there is any disturbance, they must relay the information back immediately."
Danzo said coldly, "Don't worry, Hiruzen.I'll keep a close eye on intelligence from the Land of Rain.However, I'm short-handed; I need to expand my manpower.And I need to establish."
Just then, a rapid knocking came from outside the door, abruptly interrupting Danzo's thoughts before he could even voice them.
The Third Hokage frowned deeply.He thought to himself, "I clearly instructed them not to disturb me for the time being.But now." His thoughts were quickly pulled back to reality, realizing that something very urgent must have happened.
The next moment, a masked ninja walked into the Hokage's office.The Third Hokage immediately recognized him as the ANBU ninja codenamed "Ox," who was on duty near the Senju ancestral home.
The Third Hokage asked anxiously, "Why are you here?Is something wrong with Lady Mito?" Hearing the Third Hokage's question, the other three's hearts also raced, afraid of hearing something bad.
The visitor knelt on one knee and answered in a deep voice, "Third Hokage, it's not Mito's fault.It's Tsunade's.Tsunade delivered the Second Hokage's ninjutsu notes to the Hatake residence for Hatake Kaede to read."
Upon hearing this, Koharu Utatane, who already disliked Tsunade, immediately slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Tsunade, how dare she?How dare she give the -sensei's ninjutsu notes to Hatake Kaede?"
"Hiruzen, look at your good disciple!He dared to give away his master's things without informing us."
Danzo glared at his one eye and said fiercely to the Third Hokage, "Damn it.We must stop this.Tsunade is one thing, but how dare that brat from the Hatake clan be so audacious as to lay his hands on things that don't belong to them?"
"Hiruzen, we must take the necessary measures."
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, took a puff, and said, "Oh, Danzo, what do you think we should do?"
Danzo said urgently, "First, enter the Senju clan's ancestral home and hand over all of Master's scrolls to us.Second, imprison Hatake Kaede on the pretext of stealing important village secrets.Finally, use Hatake Kaede to threaten Hatake Sakumo, forcing him to guard the border indefinitely."
After saying this, Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with hopeful eyes, hoping that the Third Hokage would agree immediately.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo Shimura and then said, "Who will do these things!Who will go to the Senju ancestral home to retrieve Master's things?"
Without a second thought, Danzo replied, "Of course the ANBU will do it.Besides, it's not that I won't help; I can take my men to capture Hatake Kaede."
Before he could speak, Mitokado En's lips twitched a few times, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
[Good heavens, Danzo, your scheme is backfiring on me.You're leaving the task of offending Mito-sama to the ANBU, while you go and capture Hatake Kaede yourself?Seriously, do you think everyone here is an idiot?]
Koharu Utatane's eyes widened, and she immediately launched into a tirade: "Danzo, how come I never realized you were so shameless?Sending the ANBU to the Senju ancestral home, are you afraid you won't know how you'll die?I ask you, how are you going to face Lady Mito ?And you want to capture Hatake Kaede.Aren't you afraid that Hatake Sakumo will kill you with a knife?"
Danzo Shimura raised his head proudly and said, "I am a high-ranking official of Konoha.Why would I be afraid of Lady Mito ?Furthermore, if Hatake Sakumo were to harm me, that would be an act of treason."
Koharu Utatane was speechless with anger, never expecting Danzo Shimura to be so shameless.
[You've arrested someone's child for no reason, and you still expect them to remain loyal to the village and continue serving you?How can you be so shameless?]
[And another thing, if you're not afraid of Lady Mito, then why are you trembling?]
The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette and said to Danzo, "Danzo, I'm leaving the affairs of Amegakure in the Land of Rain to you.You don't need to worry about anything else.Just focus on gathering intelligence.You can go back now!I might have to see Lady Mito later, and I'll find out his true intentions."
Danzo's little scheme was shattered.Without thinking, he angrily said, "Hiruzen, she's just an old woman!Why are you so timid?We're in charge of Konoha now.You.you're such a coward."
The Third Hokage shouted, "Shut up!Danzo, do you know what nonsense you're spouting?Now, in the name of the Hokage, I hereby dismiss Danzo from his position as Hokage!"In his capacity as an assistant and elder of Konoha, he will serve as an intelligence officer for the Land of Rain."Now, leave the village immediately and do not return without my orders."
Danzo immediately regretted his words after saying them.Although he harbored some resentment towards Mito Uzumaki, he only dared to vent in private.He never imagined that he would blurt out his true feelings in a moment of carelessness.
The Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were all surprised that Danzo was so brave as to dare to say such disrespectful words to the widow of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
Putting aside Mito Uzumaki's status and position, let's just talk about his strength.Even ten Danzo Shimuras combined wouldn't be able to cause much trouble in Mito Uzumaki's hands.
In order to eliminate Danzo's influence immediately, the Third Hokage immediately transferred Shimura Danzo to the border, letting him leave the village to avoid trouble.
Danzo Shimura knew his friend was protecting him, but he still stubbornly said, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
Even the Third Hokage was so angry he laughed.Why aren't you running away?You're still spouting threats here.
Just as the Third Hokage was about to retort, a Senju clan servant appeared at the office door.The servant bowed and said, "Third Hokage, elders, the old lady requests your presence."
The Third Hokage returned the greeting: "We will immediately proceed to the Senju ancestral home to pay our respects to Lady Mito and receive her teachings."
The servant bowed again: "I dare not urge you all, but I hope you will arrive quickly so as not to keep the old lady waiting." After saying this, he respectfully left the Hokage Building.
After the visitor left, the Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado all looked at Danzo Shimura with sympathetic eyes.
The Third Hokage retorted, "I don't know if I'll regret it or not, Danzo, but you'll regret it later." With that, the Third Hokage left the office first and headed towards the Senju family's ancestral home.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado followed in the footsteps of the Third Hokage, leaving Danzo Shimura behind with a guilty look on his face.
After a while, Shimura Danzo finally caught up with the three people ahead of him with heavy steps.
The four arrived at the Senju ancestral home one after another.What they discussed with Mito Uzumaki is unknown.All that is known is that on that day, barriers rose within the Senju ancestral home, and various soundproofing barriers enveloped the entire premises.
When the barrier was removed, the Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, suppressing their laughter, returned to their respective residences.Danzo Shimura, on the other hand, limped towards the border.
According to rumors, inside the Senju clan ancestral home that day, various golden chains flew around and lashed at a one-eyed man.
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