Chapter 12 Appeasing the Uchiha
"Danzo does things without considering the consequences."
After pondering for a while, the Third Hokage spoke up: "The Uchiha clan is a very special case.
Orochimaru, you are also aware of the situation regarding their Sharingan, this eye technique.
If we provoke them without considering the consequences, it might bring great trouble to the village, or even lead to its annihilation."
"It is precisely because of this potential threat that Danzo felt it was even more necessary to eliminate him."
Orochimaru said it was 'Danzo's feeling,' but there was a deeper meaning in his words.
The Third Hokage certainly understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi, to some extent, also harbored the desire to eliminate the Uchiha clan.
He simply disliked acting recklessly without considering the consequences, unless an exceptional opportunity arose to eliminate the Uchiha clan.
However, the Third Hokage now felt that such an opportunity was unlikely to arise.
Although the Third Hokage disliked recklessness, he still allowed Danzo to target the Uchiha clan.
This move has left the current third generation somewhat confused.
Why are you so indecisive?
Since you know that acting recklessly without considering the consequences will most likely result in a terrible situation, and could even bring about the destruction of Konoha.
So, let's just appease the Uchiha and avoid such a terrible situation from happening.
But instead of appeasing them, they let Danzo provoke the Uchiha clan, and they have no way to actually eliminate the Uchiha clan.
What were they thinking, going through all this limbo?
Either don't do it at all, or do it thoroughly.
Could we possibly expect to find a good opportunity to eliminate the Uchiha clan under these circumstances?
Normally, to find such an opportunity, we should make the Uchiha clan lower their guard.
Throughout history, countless rulers have operated in this manner.
To eliminate rebellious subordinates, one must first appease them, lower their guard, and then eradicate them in one fell swoop.
If you can eliminate something by constantly provoking it instead of offering comfort, then you're mistaken.
Unless God is kind enough to feed you personally and arrange all the unbelievable conditions perfectly.
The Third Hokage couldn't possibly just wait for God to arrange things for him, could he?
Of course not. He absorbed the Third Hokage's memories and knew that the Third Hokage was really just indecisive.
He wanted to deal with the Uchiha but didn't dare to act rashly, so he let Danzo target him, leaving the situation in a limbo.
That's a really stupid choice.
Since eliminating the Uchiha clan is difficult, regardless of whether they should be eliminated or not, the Third Hokage believes that appeasement is a necessary step.
Because the Uchiha clan truly poses a threat, it is even more important to appease them.
"Danzo was too stupid," the Third Hokage remarked.
Orochimaru looked at him in surprise.
"The Uchiha clan is difficult to control. Regardless of whether they can be eradicated, they need to be appeased first."
Hearing this, Orochimaru nodded. He didn't voice his inner slander: Danzo is so stupid because you, Sensei, indulge him.
However, Orochimaru also understood that Danzo was not truly stupid.
Danzo targeted the Uchiha clan to maintain his political stance. Since, after the Nine-Tails' attack, many in Konoha genuinely began to see the Uchiha as a potential threat to the village, this was understandable.
The more Danzo targeted the Uchiha clan, the more support he gained from hardliners who cared about Konoha.
What may seem like a foolish act is actually for one's own political interests.
Did Danzo really not realize that his targeting of the Uchiha clan might not actually help to eliminate them?
Of course he knew that, but it was beneficial to his political stance.
The reason he was willing to target them in this way was not only because of the political tradition passed down from the Second Hokage, but also because the Third Hokage himself wanted this to happen.
In other words, Danzo's stupidity stemmed from the stupidity of the Third Hokage.
Or rather, it was the indecisiveness of three generations.
Orochimaru understood this perfectly well, though of course he wouldn't say it.
"So, we need to appease the Uchiha?" Orochimaru asked, seeking confirmation.
"right."
Orochimaru breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The teacher finally stopped making a foolish mistake.
Sure enough, after the teacher changed, she became more open-minded about many things.
Perhaps the tragedy of the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage befalling the teacher wasn't such a bad thing after all.
"Then, what about Danzo?" Orochimaru asked again.
When Danzo was mentioned, the Third Hokage frowned.
He also realized that Danzo was actually somewhat out of control, and the Third Hokage had not handled the sword well.
In fact, the Third Hokage had also noticed this, since Danzo had not been of much help during the Nine-Tails' rampage.
However, the indecisive Third Hokage hesitated when it came to Danzo.
Or rather, guilt.
Yes, the Third Hokage felt some guilt towards Danzo.
He always felt that he was partly responsible for Danzo's dark and twisted state.
The third generation is really nostalgic.
However, if you're in the position of Hokage, being nostalgic in this kind of matter isn't a good thing.
"Remove Danzo from his root position."
Orochimaru nodded.
The Root is a secret intelligence agency, and it could even be said that it is not a legitimate department of Konoha.
If it's a legitimate department, there must be a valid reason to remove the department head.
But in a non-legitimate department, removing the head of the department is as simple as a word from the Hokage.
Of course, this was only a nominal removal; Danzo had a very strong control over the Root organization.
"Do we need to withdraw funds?"
"No."
The third generation shook his head.
"Given the channels Danzo has cultivated over the years, if I withdraw the funds, he can find other ways to make up for it.
This will only increase the independence of Root."
Orochimaru felt a little regretful. In handling the affairs of the Hokage, he truly realized how tight Konoha's finances were, which is why he came up with the idea of diverting funds from Root...
He even wanted to keep some of these funds to prepare for his future laboratory.
However, he also admitted that his teacher was right; for the sake of Konoha, the funds for the Root should not be withdrawn.
"Here's what we'll do: from now on, if Root wants to receive funding, they must provide a detailed report on how the funds are used.
If there are any unclear points about how the funds are used, we must clarify them.
Only when there are no doubts will the funding be approved. Orochimaru, you can set up a special audit team to handle this kind of matter, so that the use of finances can be more standardized."
Orochimaru nodded, finding this to be very reasonable.
He said, "I will arrange for a special audit team to oversee Root's financial situation and send people to monitor the use of the funds they apply for.
Furthermore, we need to be involved in Root's future recruitment."
The Third Hokage glanced at Orochimaru, knowing that Orochimaru intended to plant people to gradually erode the Root.
Make the Root organization truly the Hokage's Root, and not just Danzo's private domain.
"Then let's do it this way."
The three generations nodded in agreement.
Given his position as Hokage, Danzo simply couldn't refuse such a request.
"In addition, we also need to find out the channels through which Danzo obtains funds."
Orochimaru then added.
Subconsciously, it stuck out its tongue and began to lick greedily.
End of this chapter..