Danzo had dispatched Root ninja to assassinate Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was leaving the village for the Daimyo's palace.
Two Anbu walked ahead and behind, with Sarutobi Hiruzen in the middle. Three more Anbu were hidden nearby, providing protection.
Root ninja were tracking them from a distance.
Chinya's Shadow Clone also discreetly shadowed both groups, observing their movements.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped into the forest, ten Root ninja made their move.
Five Root ninja dropped down from the sky, landing in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Anbu. Armed with kunai, they charged toward Hiruzen.
The two Anbu immediately threw shuriken and took out kunai for counterattack.
Three hidden Anbu tried to rush forward in support when four additional Root ninja appeared to block them.
Nine Root ninja and five Anbu engaged in fierce battle that gradually moved farther away.
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained standing in place, holding his Hokage hat as he calmly watched everything unfold.
Suddenly, a Root ninja appeared in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen — this ninja was Kinoto.
Kinoto clasped his hands together: [Wood Release!]
Numerous sharp wooden spikes erupted from the ground, piercing toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't seem surprised by Kinoto's Wood Release Ninjutsu at all. He directly used the Substitution Jutsu.
The sharp wooden spikes pierced through a log instead.
"Substitution?!"
Kinoto looked up and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen standing on a tree branch watching him. At that moment, smoke surrounded him as his disguise dissolved, revealing an Anbu wearing a mask glaring down at Kinoto.
Kinoto immediately realized the mission had failed — there was no Sarutobi Hiruzen here.
[Wood Release: Colossal Tree Jutsu!]
Vine-like wooden branches sprouted from Kinoto's arms, attacking the Anbu.
The Anbu quickly formed hand seals.
[Wind Release: Cutting Gale!]
The Anbu transformed wind into blades that instantly sliced through the vines.
Seeing this, Kinoto immediately retreated.
The Anbu did not pursue.
The remaining five Anbu soon regrouped with them.
"They were after the Third only — trying to lure us away from him."
"Everyone alright?"
"Yeah."
"Let's head back. The Third Hokage will take care of the rest."
The six Anbu vanished using the Shifting Body Technique.
After the Anbu left, Chinya's Shadow Clone automatically dispersed.
At his home in Konoha while cooking, Chinya paused mid-stir with his spatula in hand. Pouting slightly, he muttered, "Looks like Sarutobi Hiruzen indeed knew about Danzo's assassination plan in advance and made preparations. Plus, Sarutobi had already noticed that Wood Release brat long ago.
But it doesn't look like there'll be much Witness Points coming out of this… Well, every little bit helps. Watching doesn't cost me anything either way."
Chinya stepped outside and created another Shadow Clone.
His Shadow Clone used the Transformation Jutsu to become a snake, slithering toward Hokage Tower.
At this time inside the Hokage's office at Hokage Tower, where Sarutobi Hiruzen should have been seated, sat Danzo instead.
In Danzo's view, Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain to die.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had grown old and hadn't fought in a long time, his last combat experience dating back to the Nine-Tails incident.
Even during the Third Great Ninja War, Hiruzen didn't take part in many battles. After all, he was the Hokage; unless absolutely necessary, the Kage of a village would not engage in combat himself.
Except for the hotheaded fools from Kumo.
Hiruzen's strength had declined significantly.
The real reason Danzo was certain of Hiruzen's demise was none other than Kinoto.
When another Wood Release ninja appeared—only the second after Hashirama Senju—Hiruzen would surely be shocked and hesitate to use lethal force, leaving an opening.
Kinoto had always been highly regarded by him, personally trained by Hiruzen in ninjutsu.
Danzo had also specially obtained the First Hokage's scrolls on Wood Release techniques, allowing Kinoto to study [Wood Release Jutsu].
Despite being just ten years old, Kinoto was already a highly capable ninja.
Leaning back in his chair, Danzo turned it toward the window and closed his eyes.
From today onward, he would stand at the pinnacle of power in Konoha!
And next… Danzo's plan was to mobilize the entire village to deal with Chinya.
Just thinking about all those who had stood in his way finally dying made Danzo unable to suppress a smile.
Outside the window, a snake sticking out its tongue wore a strangely human-like mocking expression on its face.
This Danzo really seems cheerful now—so delighted he didn't even notice Hiruzen approaching behind him.
"Sorry, but I can't hand this seat over to someone else just yet."
Danzo's eyes snapped open in disbelief. He immediately spun the chair around and saw Hiruzen—who should have been dead—standing right in front of him, alive and well.
Hiruzen stared coldly at Danzo: "You seem surprised that I'm still alive."
Danzo's face twitched involuntarily as sweat streamed down his face. He tried to explain: "No, it's just that I heard you left for the Daimyo's palace this morning."
Hiruzen's gaze was piercing: "Danzo, do you truly think I know nothing about what happens in this village? Last night, ten ninja suddenly left Konoha. Tell me, where do you think they went? Identifying the mastermind behind it wouldn't be hard.
Once exposed, that person will certainly be executed without question!"
Danzo glared furiously at Hiruzen, racking his brain for a response.
Suddenly, Hiruzen changed tone: "However, my principles won't allow me to cause unnecessary bloodshed! If I meet him, I'd like to let him know that I'm willing to pardon everything related to this incident."
Danzo looked at Hiruzen in shock.
After everything—even trying to kill him—he was still willing to forgive?
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe before continuing: "In return, though, I hope he can serve Konoha wholeheartedly from now on!"
Danzo replied grimly: "Still holding to your pacifist ideals, huh? One day, your naivety will be the death of you, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen gazed out the window and simply replied, "Perhaps."
Just as Danzo rose to leave, Hiruzen's voice stopped him in his tracks: "Don't you have something to say?"
Danzo paused, frowning. "What is there to say? That it has always been this way—you are the light, and I am the shadow?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "Where there's light, there must also be darkness. Without both, balance cannot be maintained. But that's not what I meant."
Danzo's frown deepened. "Then what exactly are you trying to say?"
Hiruzen sighed again. "Danzo, I already made myself clear—I want him to devote himself completely to Konoha. The Wood Release Ninjutsu is extremely important to us. Don't you have something you'd like to tell me?
I've led Konoha for many years now. Although I've delegated a great deal of authority to you and allowed Root to become practically your own private force, that doesn't mean I know nothing."
Danzo was deeply shaken inside.
Could it be… there's someone within Root who reports directly to Hiruzen?
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