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Thump! Thump! Thump!
After Hiruzen Sarutobi and the rest of Konoha's upper echelon finished listening to the Sannin's report, Danzo Shimura slammed his cane heavily against the floor. The dull, thunderous sound echoed through the Hokage Office, shaking the air.
"We cannot allow other Villages to obtain Spirit Bones or Bloodline Pills capable of awakening Wood Release," Danzo declared coldly. "That bloodline must remain exclusively within Konoha."
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu immediately nodded in agreement.
"Then what exactly do you propose?" Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped, knocking his pipe against the desk with a sharp clack. Smoke billowed as his brows knit together. "Buy out all Wood Release–related goods the moment they're listed?"
His tone was openly irritated.
Do I not understand the importance of Wood Release?
What I need is a solution, not slogans.
A sinister glint flickered through Danzo's eyes.
"That merchant carries Spirit Bones with him and was willing to trade one outright to Uzumaki Kushina," Danzo said slowly. "That means he must be carrying other rare goods."
His cane struck the floor again.
"He has no detectable Chakra fluctuations. His physique appears no different from an ordinary civilian. We can eliminate him en route back to the Land of Whirlpools."
The room fell silent.
Seeing no immediate response, Danzo continued, voice low and venomous.
"That merchant is profit-driven. If he forms deep ties with Konoha's clans, the Village's internal balance will collapse. Rather than allowing a foreign variable to destabilize us, it is better to remove him early."
"That's far too radical," Homura shook his head. "Even if he carries other goods, they are temporary advantages at best."
Danzo sneered.
"This is no longer about a few items. If we acquire the methods for refining Spirit Bones or Bloodline Pills, Konoha will be invincible in the Third Great Ninja War."
His voice rose with fervor.
"Unifying the Ninja World would no longer be a fantasy."
He leaned forward, eyes boring into Hiruzen.
"The sea is unpredictable. Merchant fleets disappear all the time. We can pin it on Kirigakure."
"No evidence will ever surface."
"And if we seize their sea charts—"
Utatane Koharu's eyes flickered.
Sea charts meant routes, trade, resources… and future expeditions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe, already regretting allowing Danzo into this meeting.
Cough—cough.
He deliberately coughed, cutting Danzo off, and turned to the Sannin.
"Tsunade," he said. "What do you think?"
"We sign an agreement," Tsunade replied calmly, her gaze unfocused as if her thoughts were elsewhere. "He's a merchant. Stability is his lifeline."
"We station elite Ninja in his camp for full protection."
"In return, the Sacrificial Shop supplies Wood Release–related products exclusively to Konoha."
Hiruzen's eyes brightened.
"Excellent. This avoids unnecessary conflict while securing Konoha's interests."
Danzo's expression darkened.
"Too weak," he scoffed. "That's surrendering initiative."
"Exclusive supply?" Danzo laughed coldly. "They can claim the buyers awakened Wood Release themselves."
"And even if the shop doesn't think of it, other Villages will."
"Merchants are untrustworthy."
Hiruzen hesitated, pipe smoke curling around his face.
"Orochimaru," he said slowly. "Your opinion?"
Orochimaru already knew what was coming.
His teacher—once decisive, once overwhelming—had begun wavering again.
Just like always.
"I can be stationed at the camp," Orochimaru said evenly. "With me there, I'm confident I can negotiate terms favorable to Konoha."
Hiruzen smiled.
Danzo exploded.
"Absurd! The war is imminent, and you want to assign a top-tier combatant as a merchant's guard?!"
His real fear burned beneath the surface.
If Orochimaru monopolized access to Spirit Bones…
If Minato gained Wood Release first…
Then my chance disappears.
Tsunade spoke again.
"Then let me go."
The room stilled.
"I can't fight on the frontlines anymore. I can't operate either. I'm the most suitable candidate."
"I'll teach Wood Release Ninjutsu in exchange for goodwill."
Danzo sneered internally.
Naive.
But Orochimaru countered calmly.
"If Konoha lacks funds after the war, the other Villages will fare worse."
Danzo turned sharply.
"And when compensation drains us dry? When they flood the market and force us to buy?"
"Which do we choose—villagers or Spirit Bones?"
Silence followed.
Finally, Danzo pointed to the Second Hokage's portrait.
"Our teacher entrusted the Village to us. We cannot gamble its safety on an overseas merchant."
Jiraiya frowned.
"If conflict breaks out, villagers will suffer. This is unnecessary."
Danzo ignored him.
"If the Uchiha and Hyuga gain Spirit Bones and earn battlefield glory, how will the Hokage Tower maintain authority?"
That question struck its mark.
Homura and Koharu moved to Danzo's side.
Hiruzen exhaled heavily.
"…What are you proposing?"
Danzo smiled thinly.
"A test."
"Root will act. Even if they fail, they will die without revealing information."
"Evidence will be prepared."
Tsunade turned away in disgust and walked out.
Minato hesitated, then knelt.
"…Minato obeys."
Orochimaru watched silently.
Ambition. Fear. Compromise.
The Will of Fire was nowhere to be found.
"…I'll be leaving," Orochimaru said calmly. "I need to prepare for tomorrow."
Without waiting for permission, he turned and walked out.
In his heart, he was already certain—
This plan would fail.
_____________________
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