Ryoma answered methodically.
"Is that so?"
"Moreover... according to the information I've obtained, when the two advisors visited the Hyuga Clan that day, there was no conflict. Instead, they smoothly obtained the consent of the Main Clan Elders, although it seems the Branch Family had some objections."
But the Branch Family has never been a part of the core power within the Hyuga Clan, so their views are irrelevant.
After the defection incident, governance over the Branch Family has become increasingly stringent.
"..."
Danzo was slightly surprised to hear that the Hyuga Main Family reacted this way.
He could foresee that Hiruzen would make amends for this matter. But for the Hyuga Main Family to make such a concession was unexpected, especially since if they had firmly refused the advisors' search operations, Hiruzen wouldn't have done anything. In this matter, Root would also consider the Hyuga Clan's position in the village and support them.
However…
Danzo couldn't predict whether this matter was good or bad for the future of the village.
But upon careful consideration, it also seemed to be a reasonable course of action.
The Main Clan Elders of the Hyuga were ninjas who had been retired for many years, at least twenty or even thirty years without participating in battles, living comfortably in the village and having long forgotten their drive. Compared to clashing with the upper echelons, they preferred to keep peace, which aligns with their usual accommodating style.
"For the village currently, this response from the Hyuga Clan is actually a good thing, isn't it?"
Ryoma hesitated for a moment and said.
"No, it's only beneficial during wartime. But there's a chance some people might secretly instigate this, and if someone is plotting this from the shadows, in the long run, Konoha has already lost."
Danzo gritted his teeth and squeezed out this sentence.
"Are you saying…"
"Hyuga Ayane."
"Isn't that a bit alarmist?"
"I've personally fought against all three of them, and they are by no means ordinary ninjas. Especially Uchiha Ruri, during the fight with Hiruzen, was only slightly at a disadvantage."
Although in that battle, Hokage Hiruzen was concerned about the safety of the Nine-tailed and didn't exert his full power, using only siege tactics. However, it can't be proven that Uchiha Ruri exerted her full power in that battle either.
Moreover, Hyuga Ayane's power is equally formidable, and from the strength displayed that day, it might require Might Duy, a Taijutsu ninja practicing the Eight Inner Gates, and the entire Root combat unit to barely take her down.
The strength of these two women is undoubtedly comparable to that of the 'Five Kage.'"
"Is there a spy on the Hyuga Branch Family side?"
"It's just a suspicion, but that's the problem. We can't pressure the Hyuga Clan too tightly nor can we leave them completely unattended. If Hyuga Ayane is doing this deliberately, the Hyuga Clan could become a time bomb within Konoha in the future. Possessing the 'caged bird' release technique, there's no way they would miss such a useful pawn."
A sharp glint flashed in Danzo's eyes.
If it were him, he would also employ such an open conspiracy.
Because the Hyuga Clan is different from the Uchiha Race, even knowing there's a high chance of internal traitors who might leak Konoha's situation, drastic measures can't be taken against the Hyuga Clan.
The Hyuga's Byakugan has always been Konoha's most important strategic weapon, far surpassing the convenience brought by the Sharingan.
Konoha's many surprise attacks and counter-strategies have run smoothly because of the Byakugan's role.
"So how do we guard against it?"
Faced with Ryoma's question, Danzo only shook his head, unable to think of a good way in the short term.
"For now, the Hyuga Clan must be left alone, since Hiruzen has barely stabilized the situation in the village; it's more urgent to quickly end the war with the Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock."
"Root's manpower is currently very lacking."
Ryoma pointed out the current predicament facing Root.
"No worries, I'll select six Jonin from the Shimura Clan to fill in Root as temporary members."
Acknowledging the acute shortage in Root's manpower, he had no choice but to reveal his clan's foundation to temporarily resolve the lack of combat strength in Root.
"With respect, at this rate, the Shimura Clan..."
Ryoma sensed the forthcoming tasks for Root would be very demanding and difficult.
"This is a ninja's destiny. It's also Root's destiny. As long as it's for Konoha, they die with honor. Next, we head to the Land of Rain."
Danzo's eyes were sharp as knives, as if certain that the country would experience the most horrific bloodshed in history.
"The Land of Rain?"
"The Hidden Rock is a tough bone to chew, especially their large-scale combined ninja techniques are their strong suit. Moreover, the manpower the Hidden Rock has deployed in the Land of Grass surpasses Konoha's, barely resisting in direct combat. I will place Duy here to bolster our strength, but Root's next battlefield is in the Land of Rain."
Danzo pressed the tip of his cane on the map where the Land of Rain was located, his expression bloodthirsty.
"To break the alliance between the Hidden Sand and Hidden Rock, we must start with the weakest link, the Hidden Sand."
"But…"
Ryoma hesitated.
The combat power of the Hidden Sand is indeed weaker than that of the Hidden Rock, but the Hidden Sand could attack Konoha with their full strength, having no worries to hold them back.
Orochimaru is fighting a defensive battle in the Land of Rain, and the extent of the fierce fighting, due to not sparing any expense, far exceeds that on the side of the Land of Grass.
"No worries, I've already formulated a countermeasure. In a week's time, I'll set out once my body has recovered. You go prepare and transfer the Jonin from the Shimura Clan here."