Chapter 162: Killing Three Birds with One Stone

The conspiracy lingering over the Village Hidden in the Leaves has not yet dissipated.

Once hidden in the darkness of the Konoha, Shimura Danzo, the mastermind behind many conspiracies, has become the center of an impending conspiracy.

As the planner of this conspiracy, Akihara Kagura naturally did not simply want to lure Shimura Danzo out of hiding, but rather took the opportunity to stir up the ninja world, to prevent it from becoming too peaceful.

Firstly,

If Shimura Danzo and the people from the Mist Village form a pursuit squad to chase after Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, the Akatsuki organization will definitely notice;

Even though the Akatsuki is powerful, they wouldn't dare to attack these pursuit squads rashly before their real plan is implemented, as this would immediately bring about retaliation from the two great ninja villages.

At this time, Akihara Kagura becomes useful, able to take on a mission from the Akatsuki's higher-ups to help them deal with the pursuit squads.

Secondly,

Taking advantage of Shimura Danzo's departure from the Konoha, Kagura creates accusations against Danzo of conducting illegal human experiments and stealing the Sharingan, using his informational advantage to cut off Danzo's communication with the Konoha's higher-ups, forcing Danzo to defect.

As a former advisor to the Hokage, positioned above tens of thousands, Shimura Danzo's defection would undoubtedly cause a great shock, bringing significant trouble to the Konoha.

This will definitely become a major concern for Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The greater the troubles of the superiors...

The more the subordinates' roles are appreciated.

Lastly,

Akihara Kagura can also use this opportunity to eliminate members from the Root who are not loyal to him, and then secretly whitewash the surviving Uchiha he saves, thereby further controlling the Root.

By doing so, Akihara might even be able to go further in the future, by establishing a training and placement model for the Root and the Anbu, quietly eroding the Anbu to see if he can control Konoha's strongest military organization during peacetime.

With one stone...

At least three birds are hit...

Why not throw this stone?

As for the price, it's just making Danzo a rogue ninja.

It's not like making Shimura Danzo commit suicide; turning Danzo into a rogue ninja only damages a bit of his reputation...

Shimura Danzo, this former superior, always liked to say that a ninja must sacrifice themselves, so letting him sacrifice a bit isn't a big deal, especially since Danzo is not a good person.

Besides, Shimura Danzo has enemies all over the ninja world, and in the eyes of the major ninja villages and powerhouses, he has long been infamous, with hardly any reputation left to lose.

This isn't exactly right.

Strictly speaking, this situation is actually very beneficial for Shimura Danzo initially.

Ever since the Uchiha clan incident was resolved and Danzo was dismissed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, he has always been thinking about returning to a position of power within the Konoha. Now, this provides him with a great opportunity!

Allowing Shimura Danzo to come out of retirement to participate in forming a joint pursuit squad with the Mist and Konoha benefits everyone, so this action should be taken, and the sooner, the better.

At the Root's headquarters.

After leaving the Hokage's building, Akihara sees Yakushi Kabuto still in the office earnestly helping with the budget and gives him a bit of guidance.

"Add a zero!"

"Add a... zero?"

Kabuto looks at Kagura with some confusion.

"That's right."

After Akihara Kagura finished speaking, he added an extra zero under the budget total for Yakushi Kabuto, causing Kabuto to immediately break out in a cold sweat.

It seemed like just an extra zero.

In reality, it overturned a morning's worth of Yakushi Kabuto's work.

After finishing the work under Akihara Kagura's guidance, the discussion turned to the issue discussed today at the Hokage Tower: "The Mist Village proposed to form a joint pursuit ninja force with Konoha to track and investigate the information about Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito. Shimura Danzo is likely to go..."

"Oh?"

Yakushi Kabuto frowned and said softly, "In that case, is Danzo going to regain control again? Will he threaten you?"

"Let him be."

Akihara Kagura shook his head and continued leisurely, "We don't need to worry at all. Shimura Danzo will soon get this news... Although he is no longer in the Hokage Tower, both Hokage advisors are his friends, and he will definitely be able to probe some information."

The most important thing is...

This time, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was also interested.

Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that Shimura Danzo was more suitable to be a member of the Mist pursuit ninja force than Hatake Kakashi, mainly because Shimura Danzo knew of Uchiha Itachi's spy identity.

Of course.

Hatake Kakashi was not without merit.

Because Sarutobi Hiruzen knew very well about the ninjas from Konoha, even if they became rogue ninjas, they might not be willing to completely sever their past ties. If Hatake Kakashi went to track Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Obito was Hatake Kakashi's former teammate, and Uchiha Itachi was a hidden spy of Konoha, and also a former subordinate of Hatake Kakashi...

These two candidates...

Sarutobi Hiruzen would definitely consider them carefully.

At Shimura Danzo's home.

Shimura Danzo, the elder striving to return to power, had no choice but to stay at home, tending to his garden and drinking tea, even though there were some ninjas still loyal to him, but limited by the new leader's dominance, they dared not visit him.

Fortunately.

Shimura Danzo still had some friends.

With more free time, Shimura Danzo would occasionally invite Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, two influential Hokage advisors, to contact him, and through them, get a bit of news and seek an opportunity for his comeback.

Just then.

Homura Mitokado brought some good news.

"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, after being controlled by Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan again, chose to commit suicide upon returning to the village..."

"The Mist Village hopes to form a joint pursuit ninja force with Konoha to jointly investigate the information about Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito. I recommended you to Hiruzen..."

"Oh?"

Shimura Danzo's eyes flashed, and he quickly lowered his head, pretending to be indifferent: "The monkey surely didn't agree. He's still holding a grudge against me for acting independently in the matter of the Uchiha clan, even though I was also considering Konoha and didn't want him to make a tough decision..."

"Yes..."

After nodding, Homura Mitokado continued, "Akihara Kagura, that young guy, also strongly supports your comeback, even planning to hand over some of the ninjas who are still loyal to you within the Root. Danzo, it seems your influence is still significant..."

"Hmph, that brat..."

Shimura Danzo still disdained Akihara Kagura, coldly saying, "That brat has always been eyeing my position, eager to reform the Root, but completely misunderstanding the significance of the Root's existence within Konoha. Now he's come running back to me after hitting a wall?"

That is the Root that was built over decades of hard work!

How could the Root's ninjas truly be loyal to him!

Shimura Danzo was very familiar with some underhanded tactics and did not hesitate to maliciously speculate about Akihara Kagura, certain that the kid still wanted to use the opportunity to kick out members of the Root, after all, behind him was the Konoha Orphanage, capable of selecting reserve forces from the orphanage!

However...

This matter was beneficial for Danzo!

Because this time would be an opportunity for his comeback!

As long as he could make a comeback, he might have the chance to regain power in the future!

"Unfortunately..."

After taking a sip of tea, Shimura Danzo slowly put it down and sighed, "This year, I am already over sixty years old. The dream of a ninja should be to die on the battlefield, not at home..."

"I understand what you mean."

Homura Mitokado looked at his old friend and said earnestly, "If you want to join the joint pursuit ninja force organized by Mist Village and Konoha, I can fully recommend you in front of Hiruzen, your experience and qualifications are enough to serve as the captain of this pursuit ninja force..."

"If it's the young Kakashi representing Konoha, and Mist Village sends someone with more qualifications, perhaps the captaincy of this pursuit ninja force might fall to a Mist Village ninja; if it's you, no one is more suitable than you to be the captain..."

This was also the reason Homura Mitokado was willing to recommend Shimura Danzo.

Although Sarutobi Hizuren considered Hatake Kakashi also suitable, in the eyes of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, Hatake Kakashi was ultimately too young.

If Mist Village sent a more qualified candidate, when the two villages discuss future leadership, this joint pursuit ninja force might be led by Mist Village...

In that case...

Mist Village ninja leading this pursuit ninja force would surely prioritize the interests of Mist Village, inevitably harming the interests of Konoha.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, as consulting elders, always prioritize the interests of Konoha and do not want to see such a scenario happen.

Just right.

They also have a suitable candidate.

They are old friends of Shimura Danzo, knowing well that their old friend is not content with obscurity, they simply took the opportunity to recommend him, also allowing Shimura Danzo the chance to return to the upper echelons.

During this time, Sarutobi Hizuren always thought that the ninja clans in the village would be dissatisfied with Shimura Danzo, allowing Shimura Danzo to take this opportunity to go out on missions and hide away.

In fact.

When the entire upper echelon of Konoha is united, things are still easy to accomplish, and Sarutobi Hizuren is somewhat moved by Homura Mitokado's persuasion, plus Akihara Kagura has no objections, even willing to provide support.

No matter how you look at it...

This matter is beneficial for Konoha.

Shimura Danzo taking control of this joint pursuit ninja force is indeed more suitable than a Mist Village ninja serving as the captain of the pursuit ninja force, especially since among those they are pursuing includes a Konoha spy, at least Shimura Danzo serving as the captain of the pursuit ninja force would not cause harm by mistake.

"Then let Danzo represent Konoha!"

Sarutobi Hizuren finally made a decisive decision and turned to look at Akihara Kagura: "Kagura, draw a group of ninjas from the Root to serve as members of the joint pursuit ninja force."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura had no objections and continued to suggest the impossible: "If needed, I can also join the pursuit ninja force..."

"No."

Sarutobi Hizuren rejected Akihara Kagura's idea.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to send Shimura Danzo on a mission to prevent him from staying in the village, continuing to act under the guise of the founder of the Root and having further contact with Akihara Kagura.

Root Headquarters.

Akihara Kagura summoned his two personal guards.

During this time, Yamanaka Fu has been using the Root's machinery to help Akihara Kagura attempt to free the Root ninjas from Shimura Danzo's brainwashing control. However, besides the machinery, the ninjas of the Root are more accustomed to being loyal to Danzo.

Yamanaka Fu worried whether his work efficiency was not high enough, making Akihara Kagura, his superior, somewhat dissatisfied, or whether he doubted his loyalty to Shimura Danzo...

"I am pondering a question."

Akihara Kagura looked at Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune, quietly asking, "If Lord Danzo betrays the Root and the village to regain power, would you continue to be loyal to him?"

"Of course, Lord Kagura."

Aburame Torune kneeled on one knee on the ground.

The people of the Aburame clan have always been smart. Even though their presence is low-key, they never stray on important matters.

"..."

Yamanaka Fu quickly followed suit next to Aburame Torune.

Although Yamanaka Fu is older than Aburame Torune, he knows the wisdom of Torune. The Yamanaka clan has always made it a point to maintain good relations with intelligent people.

"I did not ask you whether you are loyal to me..."

Akihara Kagura clasped his hands together, deeply looked at Aburame Torune: "Torune, is there something wrong with your answer?"

"Loyalty to Lord Kagura is loyalty to the Root and the village."

Aburame Torune did not deny his mistake, nor did he admit it.

"What about Lord Danzo?"

Akihara Kagura pressed further.

"Loyalty to Lord Kagura is loyalty to Lord Danzo."

The words spoken by Aburame Torune did not seem to match his age at all, showing no signs of being uneducated.

"I feel the same way."

Yamanaka Fu quickly followed up.

"Smart people always do smart things together."

Akihara Kagura's mouth slightly smiled, complimenting his two subordinates, and spoke of serious matters: "The Mist Village and Konoha are about to form a joint pursuit ninja force to chase after Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito. Lord Danzo has been confirmed as Konoha's representative. He will draw a group of people from the Root..."

"That time..."

"There will be many ninjas loyal to Lord Danzo who will choose to follow him."

"..."

Aburame Torune, looking down and not at Akihara Kagura, took the initiative to say, "Lord Kagura, do we need to kill those people?"

"Torune, you are too extreme."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, feeling that his subordinate was too extreme: "In the future, you can be more gentle. At that time, you and Fu follow them, choosing to follow Lord Danzo. Help me monitor every move of Lord Danzo. With your strength, you will surely become close to Lord Danzo, even influence his decisions. Anyway, you have already learned how to undo the Curse of Tongue Binding, so make up some other false curse..."

"Yes."

Aburame Torune nodded in agreement.

As a smart person, Aburame Torune wouldn't ask why. It's normal for Akihara Kagura to have reservations about his old superior, Shimura Danzo, and to have him follow Danzo to monitor him.

"Yes!"

Yamanaka Fu quickly nodded in agreement.

Considering himself not smart enough, Yamanaka Fu thought it was best to follow the lead of smart people without asking questions.

"I will send someone to contact you."

Akihara Kagura gestured for them to leave.

"Awei, follow them from now on."

Akihara Kagura quietly summoned White Zetzu Awei, instructing, "If they show any signs of betrayal, tell me; if they don't, secretly protect their safety, conveniently monitor Shimura Danzo as well."

"I understand."

White Zetzu Awei nodded, continuing, "Should we inform Obito about the joint pursuit ninja force being formed by Konoha and the Mist Village, so he doesn't suspect us?"

"Of course, we should."

Akihara Kagura's eyes darkened slightly, sighing lightly, "Although Obito hasn't been very good to us, he is still our superior…"