Outside the Hidden Sound headquarters—
Danzo moved slowly toward the gate, flanked by his men. He stopped just before reaching it, standing perfectly still. Behind him, the masked Root members swiftly dispersed into the surrounding darkness, and shortly after, the sounds of battle broke out nearby.
A moment later, two masked ANBU operatives—direct subordinates of Hiruzen Sarutobi—collapsed behind Danzo, their bodies lifeless.
Of the scattered Root operatives, only Yamanaka Fu and Hyuga returned to his side.
"Lord Danzo, the ANBU tails have been eliminated," Yamanaka Fu reported quietly, stepping forward with a respectful bow.
Danzo knew Hiruzen couldn't use the Telescope Technique to monitor him directly, but that meant the Third Hokage would inevitably send operatives to follow. Unfortunately for them, anyone who dared track him ended up dead.
"Stay here and guard the perimeter. Don't let anyone disturb me," Danzo ordered.
"Yes, sir!" Hyuga and Fu took up positions on either side of the entrance.
As Danzo pushed the gate open, a massive figure emerged from the shadows—Jirobo, fist raised and aimed directly at Danzo's vitals. Danzo didn't even flinch but stared calmly into the compound's depths.
"Orochimaru," he said coolly. "Is this how you greet an old acquaintance?"
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru's mocking laughter drifted from within. "Do as he says, Jirobo. Don't be rude."
Jirobo lowered his fist and stepped aside.
"Kabuto, show our guest in."
Kabuto emerged from the house, forcing a smile. "Lord Danzo. It's been a while."
"I didn't expect you to be working with Orochimaru," Danzo replied, his voice dripping with disdain. "It seems the roots of the Hidden Leaf have rotted through."
Kabuto's eyes turned icy cold, though the fake smile remained plastered on his face. "If the roots have decayed, I hope they sprout again—rather than turn to ash like your bases did two months ago."
He stepped aside. "Follow me. Lord Orochimaru doesn't like to wait."
The corridor led to an underground space Orochimaru had constructed—a temporary base hidden beneath the earth. As Danzo entered, he saw Orochimaru tinkering with test tubes filled with an unknown liquid. Behind him stood four wooden coffins, each human-sized.
Danzo's previously calm expression flickered, and his Sharingan eye contracted slightly.
Orochimaru noticed the reaction from the corner of his eye and smiled. He set down a test tube. "Danzo. Didn't you say you wanted to avoid any suspicion before the plan succeeded? Changed your mind?"
"You're coming here so openly—are you trying to expose my connection to the Sound Village?"
Danzo tore his gaze from the coffins, his tone dripping with disdain. "Just some expendable pawns. You're not feeling sorry for them, are you?"
"As for avoiding suspicion, there's no need now. Since Hiruzen dared to reveal the location of my base and got my men killed, it's only right I return to the village to handle things personally."
"You're joining the operation?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, amused.
"Of course," Danzo sneered. "But not against Hiruzen's men—against your pawns, and the Hidden Sand ninja. I intend to show the Daimyo just how incompetent Hiruzen is, how weak Konoha has become under his rule. Only my iron-fisted leadership can save the village."
Orochimaru showed no anger. After all, as Danzo said, they were all just tools for his goal. But the change of heart was intriguing.
"Before, you said you wanted to destroy Konoha and rebuild a new one from the ruins. Now you're talking about driving out the enemy and getting the Daimyo to support you as the next Hokage?" Orochimaru smirked. "Oh, wait—I remember. You lost three bases and half your men. You're short-handed, aren't you?"
"In just over three months, your men have almost halved," Orochimaru added cruelly. "That's why you suddenly want to play hero?"
Danzo's expression remained unchanged. "My men can be replenished—as long as I become Hokage. But seeing that you've completed that technique puts me at ease. What do you know about the Four-Star Village?"
Orochimaru froze. "You think your base was destroyed by them?"
The Snake Sannin frowned, recalling yesterday's near-death experience. His expression turned serious. "Be careful. That being who grants others the power of Tailed Beasts is dangerous. Their threat level rivals the Akatsuki."
"Comparable to the Akatsuki?" Danzo already knew about the Akatsuki from Orochimaru—S-rank criminals and missing-nin of immense power. To be compared to them... Danzo immediately lost interest in lingering.
As he turned to leave, Orochimaru called out one last thing. "By the way, the plan's been moved up. Assuming nothing unexpected happens, it'll be in the next few days. Be ready."
Danzo paused but didn't look back. "Understood. I'll find a way to bring the Daimyo to watch the battle early."