Danzo's blunt statement sent shockwaves through the room. Not only did Fugaku Uchiha's expression darken, but the faces of everyone present also turned grim.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing the mess Danzo had stirred up, could only try to smooth things over. He turned to Fugaku with an apologetic look.
"Fugaku, what Danzo said is true. However, please rest assured that this was not done out of personal interest but for the sake of the village. Even the research into First Hokage-sama's cells was initiated by Tobirama-sensei. After numerous failures, I ordered a halt to the experiments. I never expected Danzo to..."
Seeing the anger and humiliation on Fugaku's face, Hiruzen knew that if this topic continued, it would lead to serious trouble. He decisively cut it short.
"Danzo, due to your unauthorized research into First Hokage's cells and the Sharingan, as well as your failure in the battle against Sunagakure, you are hereby stripped of all your authority within the village. You will also step down as the leader of Root."
Danzo did not argue. For him, this was already the best possible outcome.
"The village has suffered tremendous losses this time, and I take full responsibility. I am willing to bear the consequences. That said, I have a proposal that could alleviate the current crisis facing the village."
"???"
Everyone except Fugaku turned to Danzo with curiosity.
Danzo's eyes burned with hatred as he spoke.
"We can inform Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Kirigakure about the loss of my arm..."
As soon as Danzo finished speaking, the room erupted in murmurs of understanding. Only Fugaku's expression grew more humiliated. Unfortunately, Hiruzen did not give Fugaku a chance to speak further. He made the final decision.
"I will have the Anbu handle this matter. Danzo, you are dismissed. Your punishment takes effect immediately."
Afterward, he turned to Minato Namikaze.
"Minato, I'm counting on you to handle the frontlines. I've decided that, as I am now too old, you will take over as the supreme commander of the frontlines."
At this announcement, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. Everyone, except Danzo and Orochimaru, showed expressions of surprise and hidden joy. Even Fugaku's expression softened slightly.
Minato, however, remained calm and composed.
"Understood, Hokage-sama. I will drive Kumogakure and Iwagakure out of the Land of Fire!"
"Good. I'm counting on you, Minato."
Hiruzen sighed, his face showing exhaustion.
"The future of the village now rests on the shoulders of you young ones!!!"
---
Konohagakure.
In the dark forest where Root was headquartered, Danzo and Orochimaru walked slowly through the shadows.
Orochimaru's signature eerie voice broke the silence.
"Hehehe... I thought you would have shared all the information about the Fourth Kazekage with the Hokage, Danzo-sama."
Danzo continued walking through the grass, his expression cold and unyielding.
Danzo's voice was cold and calculated as he responded to Orochimaru's probing.
"What difference would it make if I told him? Even if I had concrete evidence, what does the outcome of this war have to do with me now? On the other hand, Orochimaru, it seems Hiruzen has already chosen Minato as his successor. He's cast aside his own student, you, and chosen Jiraiya's disciple instead. Are you truly content with that?"
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed, and he let out a chilling laugh.
"I don't share your particular obsession with the title of Hokage, Danzo-sama."
For a moment, the two fell into silence. After a long pause, as they approached the entrance to the Root base, both men stopped walking.
Danzo turned to Orochimaru, his expression icy.
"Root was built from the ground up by me. Hiruzen's words alone cannot strip me of my authority. Right now, Root's spies have infiltrated Sunagakure and are close to the Kazekage's wife. Once we confirm that the Kazekage truly possesses the ability to steal others' Bloodline Limit, we can make our move. But I can't do this alone, Orochimaru. I need your power."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with mock curiosity.
"Oh? So Danzo-sama hasn't given up yet?"
Danzo's gaze sharpened.
"It's not just me who hasn't given up, is it, Orochimaru? Aren't you curious about the Kazekage's strange abilities? Even Shodaime-sama's cells were suppressed by that power."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a strange smile, but he said nothing.
Danzo, seeing this, felt confident that he had Orochimaru's cooperation.
"I'll notify you when I have more information."
With that, Danzo turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the Root base.
Orochimaru stood still, watching him go.
After a while, a rustling sound in the forest caught his attention. A small white snake slithered out of the trees, climbing up Orochimaru's leg and coiling around his arm. It raised its head and spoke in a haughty, childlike voice.
"Orochimaru, how is the task assigned to you by the White Snake Sage progressing? Have you found the person the Sage asked you to locate? You've taken far too long."
Orochimaru's face lit up with a faint, excited smile.
"No... I haven't found them yet, but I believe I know who the White Snake Sage is looking for."
"Who?"
The small snake's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Before I answer, could you answer a question of mine?"
The snake's expression turned disdainful.
"Don't even think about it, Orochimaru. You cannot learn the senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave. You've tampered with your body too much. Otherwise, with your talent..."
Orochimaru's face showed a flicker of regret, but he quickly shook his head.
"No... I merely wish to know why you are searching for this person."
The small snake's vertical pupils dilated slightly as it pondered the question.
"I don't know the full reason. But the White Snake Sage said that the fate of this world has reached another turning point. The last time this happened, it was during the era of the Sage of Six Paths. Unfortunately, Mount Myōboku's filthy toads seized the opportunity then. This time, we cannot let them take the lead again."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest.
"The Sage of Six Paths? How intriguing~. But this time, you can rest assured. Those toads from Mount Myōboku won't get their hands on what they want."
The small snake widened its eyes.
"Why is that?"
"According to the information I've gathered, the person you're looking for is likely the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Right now, Sunagakure and Konohagakure are bitter enemies. And Jiraiya's disciple will soon inherit the title of Hokage."
The small snake's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Is that so? That's excellent news! The snakes of Ryūchi Cave may finally become true dragons!!! Orochimaru, you've done well. I'll return and inform the White Snake Sage immediately. Don't worry—the scales promised to you will be delivered soon."
With a puff of smoke, the small snake disappeared, leaving Orochimaru alone in the forest.
He stood there, savoring the words he had just heard.
"True dragons... How fascinating."
---
Meanwhile, in another direction, Minato and Jiraiya were making their way toward the battlefield.
Minato suddenly spoke up.
"Jiraiya-sensei, if we manage to achieve a temporary ceasefire this time, I'd like to take the opportunity to train in senjutsu at Mount Myōboku..."
Jiraiya was taken aback, but Minato calmly explained.
"Although Danzo-sama didn't go into detail, the surviving comrades confirmed that the Kazekage has grown even stronger. He defeated Danzo-sama so quickly. I can't afford to remain stagnant."
Jiraiya nodded in understanding, impressed by his student's growth and determination.
"I understand, Minato. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."