The appearance of Mianma left the audience completely astonished.
No one could have predicted that Uzumaki Heiming had already begun maneuvering in Sunagakure before fully initiating his plan to take control of Konoha.
Wait a moment!
The realization struck the audience like a bolt of lightning.
Uzumaki Heiming had deliberately tasked Temari and Kankuro with bringing him to Sunagakure for a mission spanning three days. The implications were staggering.
What Does It Mean?
Ōnoki: "Could it be that Heiming is using this opportunity to drag Sunagakure into the water?"
Rasa: "I can't believe it. I thought Heiming had forgotten about Temari and Kankuro."
Terumi Mei: "Is this a setup for an alibi?"
An alibi?
Everyone started piecing the puzzle together.
According to Heiming's earlier discussions with the Nine-Tails, he intended to utilize his Wood Clones for covert operations. One version of himself would remain the "light," while the other would operate in the "dark."
If this plan was correct, Mianma would start his actions in Konoha while Heiming was conveniently "absent."
The Realization
Fourth Raikage: "Yes! Heiming has Sunagakure's ninjas escort him away from Konoha under the pretense of a mission. Meanwhile, Mianma steps onto the stage, creating the perfect excuse for Heiming to prove his innocence."
Kankuro: "This… means Heiming's been preparing for this since the Konoha Crush Plan?"
Temari: "That's impossible! During the Konoha Crush Plan, he saved Gaara. Killing us back then wouldn't have benefitted him at all."
Senju Tobirama: "So, he spared your lives back then, only to use you later. Typical of someone like him."
Shimura Danzo: "Curse Heiming and his endless schemes! I've spent my entire life crafting plans and never thought of manipulating others so efficiently."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Danzo, the way you talk, one might think your schemes were ever effective."
A Calculated Move
The audience grew tense.
Baiming's allies in Konoha—including Kakashi, Kurenai, and even Baiming himself—were utterly stunned. Uzumaki Heiming's intellect seemed to operate on an entirely different plane.
Namikaze Minato: "If Heiming truly plans to control the ninja world after Konoha, Sunagakure might be his next target. This mission is merely a prelude."
The Fourth Hokage's words shocked everyone further.
Terumi Mei: "You're saying… after establishing his alibi, he'll use this situation to accuse Sunagakure and justify an attack?"
Ōnoki: "Precisely. By involving Sunagakure, he lays the groundwork to bring them under his control."
Temari: "Are we… just pawns in his plan?"
Kankuro: "Damn it! We've been dancing in the palm of his hand!"
---
Late Night in Konoha
[The old root headquarters beneath Konoha.]
Shimura Danzo walked through the dim corridors, his cane tapping against the stone floor.
"It's over," he muttered to himself.
For a year and a half, Konoha had risen from the ruins left by Orochimaru's attack during the Chūnin Exams. Danzo couldn't believe how effectively Tsunade had led the village's recovery.
"Damn woman," he growled, clenching his fist. "I didn't think she had it in her."
With the village flourishing under Tsunade's leadership, Danzo's chances of becoming Hokage had dwindled to nothing. His advancing age only added to his desperation.
And then there was Uzumaki Naruto.
Danzo seethed as he recalled Koyuki Kazahana's frequent visits to Konoha.
She spent outrageous amounts of money, all to stroll the streets with Heiming or assign him trivial tasks. It was baffling.
"What's so special about him?" Danzo muttered bitterly.
But just as his thoughts consumed him, a voice interrupted his musings.
"Danzo-sama, looking troubled, are we?"
"Who's there?!"
The sudden voice sent chills down Danzo's spine. This was the old root base—no one should be here without his knowledge.
Unless…
Danzo turned toward the speaker, his eyes narrowing at the shadowy figure lounging casually on a windowsill.
It was him.
"Who are you?" Danzo demanded. "Do you think I wouldn't recognize you with that mask and altered voice?"
The figure remained silent, tilting his head slightly as if intrigued.
Danzo's lips curled into a sneer. "You think I don't know? We haven't met since the night of the Uchiha massacre, have we… Madara?"
---
The Revelation
The audience erupted in shock.
Ōnoki: "Wait, didn't Obito act during the Uchiha massacre? Why is Danzo mentioning Madara?"
Fourth Raikage: "Was Danzo involved with Obito during that night?"
Orochimaru: "Pay attention! Danzo claimed something similar during his fight with Sasuke in the white world."
Terumi Mei: "Yes, I remember now! Danzo did mention this when he unsealed his arm."
---
In the face of Danzo's accusation, Mianma remained silent.
Danzo's words puzzled him. Did this old man somehow know his true identity? Impossible. Even the Nine-Tails had failed to decipher his chakra signature.
The truth dawned on him. Danzo had mistaken him for someone else.
And it played perfectly into Mianma's plans.
Danzo smirked. "You've hidden well, I'll admit. But I've known for a long time who you truly are, Uchiha Madara."
Mianma froze but quickly adjusted his posture to maintain the façade.
Danzo continued, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Let's make a deal. Konoha is in chaos, and Tsunade is unfit to lead. Join forces with me, and together we can restore order. What do you say?"
Mianma resisted the urge to laugh. He had anticipated this—Danzo's desperation to seize power was as predictable as ever.
The stage was set, and Mianma was ready to exploit every word Danzo spoke.
The Puppet Master's Game
Little did Danzo know, his supposed ally was already pulling the strings from the shadows.
As the audience watched the exchange unfold, one thing became clear: Uzumaki Heiming's plans extended far beyond Konoha. His web of manipulation was vast, and not even a seasoned schemer like Danzo could see the full scope of it.
Konoha, Sunagakure, and the entire ninja world stood unwittingly on the brink of change.
The question was no longer if Uzumaki Heiming would succeed—it was how far he intended to go.
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