Chapter 513: Danzo: You’re a bit too dark.

Konoha.

Hokage Building.

High-Level Conference Room.

“Given the current development trend of the Shinobi Sect, they will be a Amegakure stronger than the one in the last Shinobi World War. Coupled with the existing Amegakure, the Land of Rain will truly develop a terrifying force capable of threatening the Five Great Ninja Villages.” Danzo Shimura emphasized the danger of the Land of Rain with a serious expression.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha had a war with the Amegakure.

Konoha’s Ninja forces crushed the Amegakure’s Ninja forces like a hot knife through butter, but under Hanzo’s leadership, the Amegakure still caused considerable trouble for Konoha, and a large number of Konoha Ninja fell at Hanzo’s hands.

If the opponent were a fully developed Shinobi Sect, plus the Amegakure led by Hanzo, Danzo Shimura couldn’t even estimate how much power would be needed to secure a steady victory.

“But the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure are mortal enemies, aren’t they? How could they unite?” Homura Mitokado said, adjusting his glasses.

Excluding the now famous Sōsuke, the Shinobi Sect was previously considered by other Ninja to be just a Ninja Organization of about a hundred people. Therefore, no one present, except Danzo Shimura, who had been closely following the situation in the Land of Rain, knew that the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure had already signed a peace treaty.

After all, as high-ranking officials of the Five Great Ninja Villages, and currently in a state of war, they would naturally pay more attention to the latest intelligence from the other Five Great Ninja Villages than to a small, unrelated Ninja Organization.

“According to Root’s latest intelligence, the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure have reconciled, and both sides have signed a friendly cooperation treaty,” Danzo Shimura immediately presented Root’s information.

“There are quite a few Ninja wearing Amegakure headbands in Sōsuke’s classes. If the two sides hadn’t reconciled, such a thing would be impossible.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked thoughtful after reading the information.

Utatane Koharu frowned and said, “Could this series of events be the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure putting on a show? How could such a deep-seated enmity be resolved so easily?”

Utatane Koharu felt that ever since Sōsuke became famous, it might have been a double act with Hanzo. How long had it been since Hanzo ambushed the Shinobi Sect? This level of hatred would take at least a decade or more to resolve.

“It’s not impossible. This Sōsuke appeared too suddenly. Perhaps the Shinobi Sect originated from the Amegakure, and everything is for the sake of strengthening the Land of Rain’s power,” Homura Mitokado said after some thought.

He reviewed all of Sōsuke’s deeds since his appearance and came to a surprising conclusion: the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure were originally one entity.

First, Hanzo and Sōsuke put on a show to help Sōsuke and the Shinobi Sect gain fame. Then, Sōsuke took the opportunity to heavily promote himself and the Shinobi Sect to attract Ninja from various places and develop the Shinobi Sect.

Danzo Shimura, who had been a strong observer on the scene, found it hard to keep a straight face. Sōsuke and Hanzo were going insane during their battle, with one Fire Release burning to death dozens of Rain Ninja elites. Is that how you put on a show?

Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu’s conspiracy theories made Danzo Shimura feel like these two were impersonating Konoha’s high-ranking officials.

Yet, Danzo Shimura couldn’t speak out because he couldn’t reveal what he knew. He had violated Konoha’s regulations during that incident in the Amegakure.

“It shouldn’t be like that. How could Hanzo sacrifice his reputation so much to fulfill Sōsuke?” Danzo Shimura thought for a moment and retorted.

Previously, when Hanzo was mentioned, Ninja’s impression was the title of ‘Demigod,’ a top-tier strong person with a broad mind.

Now, when Hanzo is mentioned, people generally think of Sōsuke, the man who defeated Hanzo with a Fire Release, a counter-attribute Ninjutsu.

Moreover, as more combat intelligence leaked, everyone learned that the Ninjutsu that defeated Hanzo was a super-high-level Fire Release called Fire Dragon Dance, and Hanzo even became a backdrop for the Ninjutsu.

“Why not? Perhaps Sōsuke is Hanzo’s successor, the future leader of the Amegakure, just waiting for the Shinobi Sect to grow strong before merging the two forces,” Utatane Koharu felt that her idea had touched upon the truth of the matter.

Danzo Shimura’s mouth twitched. At that time, Hanzo wished he could stab Sōsuke to death. Successor, indeed.

“According to intelligence personnel from Root, Sōsuke seems to have killed quite a few Rain Ninja,” Danzo Shimura continued.

To prevent exposure, Danzo Shimura deliberately spoke ambiguously.

“It should be Hanzo and Sōsuke eliminating dissidents. Those killed Rain Ninja were all people who opposed Hanzo,” Utatane Koharu felt more and more that this line of thought could perfectly explain everything happening in the Land of Rain.

Danzo Shimura:…

At this moment, he really wanted to tell Utatane Koharu that her thoughts were a bit too dark.

How did it get to ‘eliminating dissidents’? A small Ninja Village like the Amegakure rarely produced a strong person like Hanzo. How could anyone resist Hanzo?

“We cannot underestimate Sōsuke’s strength because of this. Even if he cooperates with Hanzo, instantly killing Pakura is a fact. Pakura has no reason to put on a show with Sōsuke and damage her reputation,” Homura Mitokado stated his opinion.

Although he thought Utatane Koharu’s idea was good, he felt that Utatane Koharu’s words underestimated Sōsuke too much.

As a Sunagakure hero, Pakura had no reason to deliberately let Sōsuke instantly kill her. That would be too humiliating and would also disgrace the Ninja Village.

“In short, Sōsuke and the Shinobi Sect pose a huge threat to Konoha. We must find a way to deal with them,” Danzo Shimura said, going along with their conspiracy theory.

Danzo Shimura’s essential goal was to mobilize Konoha’s power to target the Shinobi Sect.

Since he couldn’t explain it clearly, Danzo Shimura simply joined in. Anyway, the only outcome he wanted was the decline of the Shinobi Sect, and the Rinnegan and sage art inheritance to belong to Root.

“Iwagakure is avoiding battle anyway. Let Jiraiya lead a portion of the troops into the Land of Rain and nip the danger in the bud,” Danzo Shimura had already planned the script.

With Sōsuke’s strength, plus Kakuzu and Nagato, as long as Jiraiya didn’t bring all of the Ninja forces, the Shinobi Sect wouldn’t be easily defeated.

At this time, his Root would seize the Rinnegan and sage art inheritance amidst the chaos, and the Shinobi Sect’s crisis would be perfectly resolved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took off his pipe, exhaled white smoke, and showed a helpless expression, “The Shinobi Sect has not provoked Konoha. What reason does Konoha have to attack the Shinobi Sect?”

Konoha had just managed to catch its breath during the war, and Danzo Shimura wanted to find a new opponent for Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless.

“There are inhumane, high-power destructive Ninjutsu hidden within the Shinobi Sect,” Danzo Shimura replied instantly.

“If you truly feel the Shinobi Sect is a threat, then have your Root keep a close eye on them. Konoha cannot needlessly make enemies now,” Hiruzen Sarutobi did not agree with Danzo Shimura’s reason.

He couldn’t really send troops against the Shinobi Sect just because Danzo Shimura thought they were a threat. Sōsuke wasn’t made of mud, and attacking the Shinobi Sect would bring no benefit to Konoha, only damage its reputation.

“We cannot allow the Shinobi Sect to develop like this. With the educational ability Sōsuke has demonstrated, the Shinobi Sect will not only have high-level combatants in the future, but their mid- and low-level Ninja won’t be too bad either,” Danzo Shimura reiterated the Shinobi Sect threat theory.

“I actually think Muzuki is better at teaching people than Sōsuke,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle.

Although Sōsuke’s unlimited lecture reputation was very good, and Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt that Sōsuke was indeed extraordinary after reading the intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt that Muzuki’s teaching ability was stronger than Sōsuke’s.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had witnessed many of Muzuki’s teaching miracles: the classes Muzuki led, the holiday training and Anbu training Muzuki organized, and Asuma after being taught by Muzuki.

There were too many incidents that could prove Muzuki’s teaching ability, from large-scale special training for hundreds of people to teaching disciples, Muzuki had demonstrated extraordinary teaching ability.

These all happened right before Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes, so of course he would think that Muzuki was the teacher with the strongest teaching ability.

“This isn’t a question of whose teaching ability is stronger. We can both have Muzuki and ensure that the Land of Rain doesn’t have Sōsuke,” Danzo Shimura didn’t refute Hiruzen Sarutobi but approached it from another angle.

Because Danzo Shimura also felt that Muzuki’s teaching ability was unparalleled; otherwise, he wouldn’t have entrusted Yamato to Muzuki.

“Compared to your overly aggressive idea, I think it’s better to discuss the Youth Martial Arts Tournament that Sōsuke is going to hold. This matter has recently caused quite a stir in the Ninja World,” Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained his stance of rejection.

It was unwise to provoke a top-tier strong person for no reason. Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually interested in Sōsuke’s competition and its rewards.

Konoha did not lack powerful Ninjutsu, but Hiruzen Sarutobi specialized in Fire Release. He was very curious about what kind of Ninjutsu the rumored miraculous Fire Dragon Dance truly was.

“Everything now is based on speculation. Konoha already has many enemies, and it is indeed not advisable to make too many new ones,” Homura Mitokado chose to side with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Utatane Koharu also did not choose to support Danzo Shimura, who had refuted her, and also began to speak for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo Shimura felt extremely vexed. He dedicated himself to Konoha, yet he was still being constrained by two Ninja he felt were impersonating Konoha’s high-ranking officials.

However, the angry Danzo Shimura did not lose his head. Even without support, he would still accomplish it with his own power.

As long as he cooperated with Hanzo, he still had a chance to suppress the Shinobi Sect.

Danzo Shimura’s subordinates were sent to the Amegakure to find Hanzo according to his orders.

Upon learning of Danzo Shimura’s people visiting, Hanzo’s face instantly darkened.

He had fallen to his current state, and Danzo Shimura had to take most of the blame.

If Danzo Shimura hadn’t found him with Iwagakure’s corpses that day, then he wouldn’t have clashed with the Shinobi Sect, and he wouldn’t have been defeated by Sōsuke.

However, Hanzo did not drive away the Root Ninja, as Root was, after all, backed by Konoha.

But Hanzo also did not personally meet the Root Ninja, as this time it wasn’t Danzo Shimura himself who came.

Hanzo sent his subordinates to communicate with the Root Ninja and inquire about their purpose.

When Hanzo learned that Danzo Shimura wanted to continue cooperating with him to deal with Sōsuke, his blood pressure immediately shot up.

Originally, Hanzo wasn’t sure whether Iwagakure or Danzo Shimura had screwed him over more, but now he was certain: Danzo Shimura definitely had ill intentions.

With the current strength of the Shinobi Sect, even if the Amegakure and Danzo Shimura successfully cooperated to eliminate the Shinobi Sect, the Amegakure would be severely weakened.

Hanzo could even be certain that he would definitely not survive Sōsuke’s hands.

As long as he and the Rain Ninja entered the battlefield together, he would definitely be killed by Sōsuke.

But if he didn’t enter the battlefield with the Rain Ninja, then the Rain Ninja, without him, could not defeat the Shinobi Sect.

“Refuse him. Our internal affairs in the Land of Rain do not require Konoha’s concern,” Hanzo resolutely refused.

Although Konoha was a Great Ninja Village, if Danzo Shimura wanted to use this to force the Amegakure, there wasn’t only Konoha among the Great Ninja Villages in the Ninja World.

When Hanzo’s reply was sent back to Konoha, Danzo Shimura slammed the table in confusion.

He didn’t understand why Hanzo would refuse his proposal. Didn’t Hanzo worry about the Amegakure being replaced by the Shinobi Sect, given such a huge threat?

“Could the Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure really be one entity?” Danzo Shimura couldn’t help but think of Utatane Koharu’s conspiracy theory.

And it’s true, based on current appearances, this conspiracy theory really makes sense.

Of course, Danzo Shimura knew that this was just a facade. The Shinobi Sect and the Amegakure couldn’t be one entity. The plan to encircle and kill the Shinobi Sect was formulated by him. Could it be that he, Danzo Shimura, was also a Ninja from the Amegakure?

“How degenerate. He was defeated once and now fears Sōsuke like a tiger,” Danzo Shimura thought disdainfully.

Dismissing other possibilities, there was only one reason for Hanzo’s refusal: Hanzo had been beaten into submission by Sōsuke, and even if the Rain Ninja were to be destroyed by the Shinobi Sect later, he wouldn’t dare to make a final stand.

Danzo Shimura looked down on such a Hanzo. If it were him, even in a hopeless situation, for the continuation of the Village, he would act without fear of death.

“Since there’s no way to eliminate the Shinobi Sect for now, then let’s first investigate the sage art inheritance,” Danzo Shimura decided to temporarily change his strategy.

Although Danzo Shimura had always wanted to obtain the sage art inheritance in Sōsuke’s hands, no one in the Ninja World currently knew what the sage art inheritance in Sōsuke’s hands was, whether it was the Six Paths Sage’s Ninja tools, secret techniques left by the Shinobi Sect, or some other item.

“It’s a pity Yamato still needs a lot of time to grow. Otherwise, a mere Shinobi Sect wouldn’t require Ninja forces,” Danzo Shimura thought of the Wood Release Ninja on whom he had placed high hopes.

Unlike the Rinnegan and sage art inheritance, which were not yet in his possession, the Wood Release Ninja was a subordinate he personally trained, and given enough time, he could become an overwhelming trump card.

At the same time, Danzo Shimura’s future trump card was looking enviously at his disciples discussing the training of Nin-Beast.

“I think they need to engage in more combat. If they only train and never actually fight, problems might arise in real combat,” Obito enthusiastically proposed his training plan.

Kakashi nodded in agreement. This point was indeed correct; combat ability significantly impacted overall strength.

“We are much stronger than them, and if we don’t control ourselves, we might injure them. How about letting them fight each other? They might even increase their desire to train due to the desire to win or lose,” Obito revealed his true intention, stating his goal.

Although he himself couldn’t defeat Kakashi right now, if his Nin-Beast won against Kakashi’s Nin-Beast, Obito felt that, roughly speaking, it would count as him winning against Kakashi.

Currently, his Charmeleon was the only Nin-Beast that had evolved, making it the strongest during this period, just like when Might Guy first activated his Rock Breathing Chakra Mode. If he didn’t enjoy himself during this period, he might not get another chance in the future.

PS: This chapter is 4k, there will be another chapter later.