On a hill near the Akatsuki base, Uchiha Obito, wearing his mask, stood alongside Zetsu, watching as Kanzō left the Akatsuki headquarters and disappeared into the darkness.
"Based on intelligence gathered by the White Zetsu, it appears that Hanzo of the Salamander has reached some kind of agreement with Shimura Danzō targeting Akatsuki."
"That man, Kanzō, came to lure Nagato and the others into a trap."
Black Zetsu spoke, calmly summarizing the intelligence and his analysis.
"Danzō…"
Obito murmured with a tone of disdain.
"He really is someone who loves stirring up trouble everywhere."
When Obito had still been alive in Konoha, he barely knew anything about Shimura Danzō—he had hardly even heard the name.
But after his "death," once he began coming into contact with the dark underbelly of the shinobi world, the name Shimura Danzō became impossible to ignore.
Framing others, manipulating public opinion, provoking wars, carrying out assassinations and decapitation strikes…
Danzō handled nearly every kind of dirty work imaginable, and his methods were ruthless and unscrupulous.
Compared to Danzō, Obito sometimes felt like a pure white flower.
(At this stage, Obito had not yet committed the extreme acts he would later become known for.)
"Still… this time he actually did something useful."
Previously, when Hanzo invited Yahiko's group to meet him, Obito had secretly hoped that Hanzo would notice Nagato's Rinnegan, attack them, and push Nagato down the path of darkness.
But Hanzo had apparently failed to notice the Rinnegan, and not only did he avoid conflict, he even had a pleasant conversation with the trio.
That outcome had left Obito slightly disappointed.
He had already given up expecting anything to come from it—
Yet suddenly, Shimura Danzō appeared, turning the situation around.
Now the opportunity had returned.
"Have the White Zetsu keep a close watch," Obito said.
"If the moment is right, we can step in and give them a little push."
"Understood."
Black Zetsu nodded, though he hesitated slightly, as if something were on his mind.
Obito noticed.
"What is it? Is there something else?"
Black Zetsu pondered for a moment before replying uncertainly.
"For some reason… I have a feeling that something about this situation isn't right."
He hadn't discovered anything concrete.
It was simply an instinct—a vague premonition suggesting that things might not be as straightforward as they appeared.
"Not right?"
Obito frowned and thought for a moment, but he couldn't identify any problems.
"What exactly seems wrong?"
"I don't know," Black Zetsu admitted.
"It's just a feeling…"
A feeling?
Obito glanced at Black Zetsu's pitch-black figure with suspicion.
Had this guy been spending so much time with White Zetsu that he'd started thinking like him?
"What kind of look is that?"
Black Zetsu immediately sensed the skepticism in Obito's gaze and felt mildly offended.
"Nothing," Obito said quickly, averting his eyes and changing the subject.
"Don't overthink it. This matter doesn't really involve us anyway."
"Even if it fails, it doesn't matter."
"Just keep watching carefully. If nothing happens this time, we'll wait for another opportunity."
Black Zetsu nodded and said nothing further.
After all, Nagato was merely a tool in their plans.
Obito simply had the personal amusement of wanting to drag him into darkness.
Whether it succeeded or failed wouldn't affect the larger plan.
Several hours later.
Inside a cave somewhere within the Land of Rain.
Shimura Danzō sat deep inside the cave, resting with his eyes closed. Around him, numerous Root shinobi were also taking a brief rest.
"Tap, tap, tap…"
Suddenly, hurried footsteps shattered the silence of the cave.
Everyone inside opened their eyes instantly, yet none of them moved.
The sentries outside had not sounded an alarm.
And the approaching person had intentionally made noise to signal their presence.
That meant only one thing.
It was one of their own.
"Lord Danzō!"
A masked Root operative hurried forward and dropped to one knee before him.
Danzō spoke calmly.
"Report."
The Root shinobi said,
"There are no abnormalities on Hanzo's side. He has arranged a meeting with the leader of Akatsuki."
"And just moments ago, his men captured the woman among the three Akatsuki leaders."
A sharp glint flashed through Danzō's eyes.
"Have the Amegakure ninja made any unusual movements?" he asked.
"No."
The Root shinobi answered confidently.
"All Rain shinobi are under surveillance. There are no irregularities."
"Excellent."
After confirming that Hanzo had taken the bait, Danzō finally relaxed slightly.
This time, Nagato's Rinnegan would be his.
And perhaps… he could accomplish even more.
If Hanzo of the Salamander were to suddenly die, a leaderless Amegakure would be utterly vulnerable.
With proper maneuvering, Danzō could seize the Land of Rain in a short time and gain tremendous advantages.
Closing his eyes again, Danzō began calculating every possible scenario—the benefits and risks.
Seize the Rain… advance against the Earth… suppress the Wind…
Sweep across the world… unify the shinobi realm… rule the world for generations…
"Danzō… I am the Hokage!"
Suddenly, Danzō's eyes snapped open, filled with hatred.
His grand ambitions had been interrupted by that nightmare-like voice.
Even if he captured the Land of Rain with the forces he currently possessed, he could not hold it.
He would become a target for everyone—a focal point for attacks from all sides.
More importantly…
Konoha would never support him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had long since lost his edge.
Obsessed with maintaining balance, Hiruzen would never approve of such aggressive expansion.
"Damn it…"
Danzō muttered bitterly.
Konoha had clearly been one of the victors of the war, yet it gained nothing, sacrificing countless shinobi for no reward.
Konoha had been the strongest force on the Land of Rain battlefield, yet its actions were timid and cautious—utterly lacking the dignity of the strongest shinobi village.
If he were Hokage, Konoha would never have become like this.
If he were Hokage, perhaps the shinobi world would already be united.
But he was not Hokage.
The resentment in Danzō's heart grew stronger, and his gaze became increasingly cold.
No… there's no need to rush.
He still had a chance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi would inevitably have to take responsibility for the losses in this war and step down as Hokage.
Orochimaru had leverage in Danzō's hands.
Minato Namikaze, on the other hand, lacked political experience.
Neither of them would be a match for him.
As long as the war continued—and as long as he could make a name for himself in it—his seniority alone might allow him to contend for the Hokage position.
Yes.
Danzō's actions in the Land of Rain were not only about securing benefits for Konoha.
They were also about creating an opportunity for himself.
Originally, with Hiruzen's support and Orochimaru's qualifications, Orochimaru becoming the Fourth Hokage had seemed inevitable.
But not long ago, Danzō discovered that Hiruzen had suddenly changed his mind, shifting his support to the rising star Minato Namikaze.
Danzō could guess part of Hiruzen's reasoning.
And that realization gave him hope.
If Hiruzen and Orochimaru stood united, he could never compete with them.
But once their power became divided—
His chance would come.
"Lord Danzō, the time has come."
A Root shinobi interrupted his thoughts.
Danzō looked up.
A faint ray of light pierced through the clouds and shone into the dim cave.
"Let's go."
He stood up slowly.
"It's time for me to step into the sunlight."
With that, Shimura Danzō walked out of the cave, taking the lead.
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