The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's character is somewhat indecisive.
Even before the battle began, although Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to kill Shimura Danzo just as the First Hokage Senju Hashirama killed Uchiha Madara, he couldn't help but stop the moment Shimura Danzo formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
The Seal of Reconciliation.
This hand seal also represents the cessation of their conflict.
"You..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, withdrew the Golden Cudgel in his hand, and extended his arm toward Shimura Danzo, wanting to pull him up from the ground, just like when their ninja duels ended many years ago.
"..."
Shimura Danzo hesitated for a moment, then grasped Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen grasped Danzo's hand with mixed emotions.
His ending with the First Hokage Senju Hashirama was ultimately different; he did not kill his friend like the First Hokage did.
"Behave yourself from now on."
Sarutobi Hiruzen firmly pulled Shimura Danzo to his feet and solemnly reprimanded him: "We're both so old, yet you still want to stir up so much trouble..."
"Humph..."
Shimura Danzo's lips showed a hint of dissatisfaction.
Although forming the Seal of Reconciliation with Sarutobi Hiruzen meant choosing to surrender and admitting defeat to him, however...
Shimura Danzo was well aware.
This Seal of Reconciliation was merely for the sake of temporarily staying alive, not the end of him losing to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but rather the beginning of him eventually winning this battle.
Ninja...
Must be ruthless!
If he wanted victory, he could completely use his trump card to perish with Sarutobi Hiruzen, but Shimura Danzo didn't want Akihara Kagura and Orochimaru to reap the benefits of his mutual destruction with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Why should he die here and let those two allies gain?
"We'll count this as your victory this time!"
Shimura Danzo had scheming thoughts, being slightly more polite to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"You still want another time?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen again sternly reprimanded Shimura Danzo, continuing: "After the Chunin exams end, you must clearly explain everything you've done in recent years, along with that fellow Orochimaru's deeds. From now on, stay obediently in the village without going out..."
"Humph..."
Shimura Danzo's heart was again dissatisfied.
Their battle concluded.
The barrier of the Red Sun Array slowly dissipated.
Akihara Kagura and Kakashi Hatake walked in.
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Akihara Kagura and took the initiative to hand over Shimura Danzo to his former subordinate for supervision: "Kagura, take Danzo back and keep a close watch."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura nodded in agreement.
"..."
Shimura Danzo squinted his eyes and glanced at Akihara Kagura.
Everything was going according to their plan; he had depleted Sarutobi Hiruzen's chakra and was brought back to the Root Base by Akihara Kagura. The remaining matters were left to Orochimaru to handle.
"Let's go, Lord Danzo."
Akihara Kagura stepped forward to Shimura Danzo.
At this exact moment, the final battle of the Chunin exams was about to begin, with Karin and Aburame Shino. Karin directly chose to forfeit.
Akihara Kagura withdrew his Wood Clone and returned to the Root Base with Karin and Shimura Danzo together, since the exam had ended.
"Has the third match of the Chunin exams also concluded?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward the Fourth Kazekage Rasa walking toward the high platform, waiting for the Kazekage to step up and prepare to deliver the closing speech for this joint exam.
Though the Chunin exams had some minor disturbances brought by Shimura Danzo and Hidden Mist Ninja, it could ultimately be considered a perfect end.
Konoha resolved the Hidden Mist Ninja's uprising with thunderous measures, displaying its current might to all allies present, ensuring none dared to covet Konoha in the future. All in all, the exam achieved its purpose.
The only imperfection...
Perhaps was that his image as Hokage suffered a bit.
Because many people knew about his minor indiscretions with Shimura Danzo, which inevitably impacted his Hokage reputation, but it didn't matter.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had considered retiring again after the Chunin exams concluded, letting Jiraiya assume the Hokage role.
Root Base.
When Akihara Kagura and Karin brought Shimura Danzo back, Yamanaka Fuu and Aburame Torune were already at the entrance of the Root Base to greet them, slightly easing Shimura Danzo's mood.
Evidently.
Everything inside the Root Base seemed alright.
"Our mission is over."
Shimura Danzo glanced at Akihara Kagura and continued: "Next, we just await that fellow Orochimaru to kill the monkey; our plan will be completely realized..."
As Shimura Danzo said this, he recalled Sarutobi Hiruzen's words on the platform: "However, the monkey mentioned that you are not allowed to succeed as Hokage..."
"Don't worry."
Akihara Kagura chuckled softly, turning back to Shimura Danzo: "Once the Third Hokage is killed by Orochimaru, I'll avenge the Third Hokage by killing Orochimaru, could I seamlessly succeed as Hokage?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Shimura Danzo, continuing to deceive him: "The reason I modified the order of the Konoha Collapse Plan was to separate you, Lord Danzo, from Orochimaru. Everyone will assume Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage, Lord Danzo was unaware. I've kindly saved you..."