Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 18 Danzo, it's time to hunt in the darkness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed the summoning bell on the table.

"Hiruzen." Danzo Shimura's figure appeared in the office.

Since the Uchiha incident, Danzo has become increasingly silent and respectful in front of Hiruzen.

He witnessed firsthand how Hiruzen could turn the world upside down, and the resentment and jealousy in his heart were replaced by awe.

He now understood very well that his young opponent was not a gentle white dove at all, but a lurking tiger.

"Sit down, Danzo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed to the chair opposite him.

Danzo sat down as instructed, his back ramrod straight.

Without wasting any words, Hiruzen Sarutobi threw a piece of intelligence that had just been compiled by the Anbu in front of him.

"Take a look."

Danzo picked up the intelligence report and quickly began to scan it.

The intelligence concerns recent minor actions by Iwagakure and Sunagakure along the border. Although small in scale, they are all highly provocative.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure..."

Danzo frowned. "Are they testing us?"

"No, it's preparation for war."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm. "It's been so many years since the First Shinobi World War ended, and all the major ninja villages have healed their wounds. The new Kage have also secured their positions and are beginning to have new ambitions."

"The scarcity of resources in the Land of Wind and the warlike tradition of the Land of Earth mean that they will inevitably turn their attention to our most fertile land."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Danzo.

"I have eliminated the internal threat to the Uchiha clan."

Danzo's body jolted violently.

"Now, it's your turn, Danzo." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and looked at him intently.

"Your roots are not established to engage in infighting within the village, nor to monitor your fellow countrymen."

"Its duty is to go outward! To penetrate deep into the enemy's heart! To gnaw at the toughest bones!"

He walked up to Danzo and slapped another scroll into his hand.

On it was the budget approval for expanding Root, and a list of elite ninjas from various clans personally selected by Hiruzen.

"I'll give you money, I'll give you people, I'll give you the maximum authority."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was filled with undeniable power.

"I command you, using Root, to infiltrate all the surrounding countries at all costs! Especially Iwagakure and Sunagakure!"

"I need eyes, I need ears, I need to know what Onoki eats every night, I need to know when the Third Kazekage goes to the toilet!"

"Danzo, become the shadow of the village, become the sword hanging over the heads of all enemies!"

His words stirred Danzo's blood.

This is what he wanted! This is his original intention in establishing the Roots.

Venture deep into the darkness and eliminate all enemies that threaten Konoha.

Previously, he always felt that Hiruzen was too merciful and did not understand his ideals.

Now he understood that Hiruzen wasn't misunderstanding him, but rather that he felt Hiruzen's perspective had been too narrow before.

What Hiruzen wanted was a Root that could monitor the entire ninja world.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Danzo suddenly stood up and bowed deeply, his eyes burning with a pure flame of fighting for the village for the first time.

"I, Shimura Danzo, will not let the village down."

Watching Danzo leave full of energy, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips curled into a smile.

To deal with someone like Danzo, suppression alone won't work. You need to give him a grand enough goal that allows him to realize his own value, and then firmly tie him to that goal.

In this way, he will become the most obedient and sharpest sword.

At this point, he had completely united the Konoha leadership, including the advisory group, Danzo's "Root," and the Uchiha security forces.

The entire village of Konoha achieved an unprecedented level of unity.

After finishing all the official business, it was already getting dark.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stretched, feeling somewhat tired.

Although the immortal body gave him abundant energy, he still needed rest to replenish the mental exhaustion.