Suppressing the joy in his heart, Danzo stepped up beside Shawn. He brought his hands together in seals, then inhaled deeply before exhaling sharply.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Bullets of compressed air shot explosively from Danzo's mouth.
Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Wood chips flew everywhere as the bullets slammed into the Wood Locking Wall, blasting deep craters into it—yet failing to completely pierce through.
But then Shawn saw Danzo continue forming seals. After drawing in a long breath, Danzo expelled a far more violent torrent of air.
The airflow gathered in front of him, rapidly condensing into a massive air sphere over a meter in diameter.
Shawn's eyelid twitched.
Vacuum Bullets' enhanced version… Vacuum Great Bullet!
After being fired, the sphere expanded again mid-flight.
BOOM!
A wooden wall over three meters tall and four meters wide exploded apart, splinters scattering violently with the raging wind.
Shawn raised an arm to shield his face.
"So strong… no wonder they call him the Shadow Hokage."
At this age, Danzo Shimura was in his absolute prime—
peak stamina, peak experience, peak combat power.
That Wind Release prowess alone ranked among the top five in the entire shinobi world.
The only people Shawn could think of with comparable Wind Release mastery were Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Kazekage, and Kakuzu.
As the wind dispersed, Danzo stood calmly.
"Though it can't compare to the First Hokage's Wood Release, it's already very respectable."
Wood Release was powerful—but still within his control.
Turning to the respectful Shawn, Danzo produced a scroll.
"These are Wood Release techniques left behind by the First Hokage. You must train diligently."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Shawn accepted the scroll with visible excitement and deep respect.
Then Danzo suddenly asked,
"Am I truly more suited to be Hokage than Hiruzen?"
Cold sweat instantly soaked Shawn's back.
Damn it.
Seeing Wood Release awakened really made his ambition swell…
The problem was—
He couldn't lie.
And he couldn't refuse to answer.
His thoughts raced. Taking a silent breath, Shawn replied,
"To me, Lord Danzo, you are naturally the most suitable candidate for Hokage."
That was the truth.
Position determined perspective.
If Shawn weren't a Root shinobi under Danzo, that statement would be false.
After all, the current Hiruzen Sarutobi was nothing like the indecisive old man from Shawn's memories.
Appointed under crisis, becoming Hokage at a young age, suppressing powerful clans like the Uchiha and Hyūga—
In terms of strength, methods, and prestige, Danzo truly could not compare to Hiruzen.
Danzo's expression remained unchanged.
Shawn continued,
"If the Third Hokage were to pass away, Lord Danzo, you would indeed be one of the most qualified candidates to become the Fourth Hokage."
Danzo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
"Who else?"
Shawn answered calmly,
"Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru."
Danzo was surprised.
He had expected names like Homura Mitokado—or even Akimichi Torifu.
At worst, perhaps Sakumo Hatake.
He hadn't expected three juniors.
After a moment, Danzo said,
"Tsunade can indeed threaten me. As for Jiraiya and Orochimaru—while talented, their prestige is insufficient."
"That is true now," Shawn replied,
"but in ten years, their prestige could reach its peak."
"We need at least ten years to accumulate strength—
for Root to rival ANBU, and for your authority to become unassailable."
"At that point, Homura Mitokado and Akimichi Torifu wouldn't even be qualified to compete with you."
"But the Third Hokage will not pass the position to you as the First Hokage passed it to the Second."
"He will inevitably choose one of his disciples."
"That is one of their greatest advantages."
"Secondly," Shawn continued cautiously, glancing at Danzo,
"in ten years, their strength will be at its peak… and your age—"
He clenched his teeth and forced himself onward.
"Please forgive my bluntness, Lord Danzo—
but your age will become a disadvantage."
Danzo was currently in his prime.
But ten years later, he would be well past fifty—entering decline.
By any reasonable assessment, Shawn was not lying.
Danzo did not grow angry. Instead, he pondered Shawn's words.
From the earlier test, Shawn's Wood Release was far from the First Hokage's level.
Becoming an elite jōnin posed no issue—but killing the current Hiruzen?
Impossible.
Even Danzo himself was confident he could suppress Shawn—
let alone Hiruzen.
Ten years later, though?
That might change.
And ten years later, he would indeed have to face those three grown disciples.
Still—
Without Hiruzen, did he really need to fear three juniors?
Danzo was confident.
Yet with the intention of testing Shawn, he asked,
"What do you suggest we do?"
Shawn's spirit lifted instantly.
This was his moment.
"Lord Danzo," he said with full focus, assuming the role of strategist,
"we must prepare at all times and secure absolute superiority on every front."
"While expanding Root, we must also create favorable external conditions—
maximize allies, minimize competitors."
"For example, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Akimichi Torifu should be brought into your camp."
"As for the White Fang, Sakumo Hatake—you should at least ensure he does not become an obstacle."
"And regarding Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—the greatest future threats—we can attempt to divide or win them over."
"If one day, after the Third Hokage is gone, you have no remaining rivals, then no one will be able to stop you from becoming Hokage."
Danzo nodded deeply, clearly pleased.
"Very good."
At that moment, he realized something.
What Shawn brought him was not merely Wood Release—
It was a mind.
"Homura and Koharu are easy to bring over.
Torifu is an Akimichi—he cannot be won."
"The White Fang won't submit either. His samurai code and Will of Fire are too strong."
"As for Tsunade and the others… it's too early to interfere."
Shawn had ideas of his own—but he stopped himself.
Some things shouldn't be said all at once.
Draining one's value too quickly only shortened usefulness.
So he simply flattered sincerely,
"You're absolutely right, Lord Danzo."
Which was, in fact, the truth.
As for Minato Namikaze, he was still in the Academy.
It would take years before he even entered the picture.
So Shawn didn't consider him a factor—yet.
After seeing Danzo off, Shawn quietly exhaled and smiled faintly.
From that conversation, he confirmed something important:
"Speak as You Think" didn't mean saying everything on his mind.
He couldn't lie—but he could withhold.
That made the status far less dangerous.
Turning his gaze back, Shawn looked down at the scroll in his hands.
Wood Release Secret Techniques.
This—
Was the fastest path for him to reach jōnin,
and even elite jōnin.