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Konohagakure.
Danzō sat at a wooden desk, his eyes closed as if asleep.
A long time passed before a masked ninja suddenly materialized in the room.
"Lord Danzō!"
Only then did Danzō slowly open his eyes.
"What is the result?"
The ninja immediately replied, "Both Councilors have agreed."
A smile involuntarily spread across Danzō's face.
"Excellent! Excellent! You are dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
The ninja vanished.
Danzō stood up and opened the window that had been tightly shut until now. Sunlight streamed into the room.
"I... have returned."
Following the Uchiha Clan Massacre, the Third Hokage had ordered the dissolution of Danzō's Root organization. From that moment on, Danzō no longer had any manpower at his disposal. This was precisely why, despite his persistent desire to kill Kagaya over the past few years, Danzō had never dispatched ninja to pursue him—he simply lacked the personnel.
However, Danzō was not a man to wait idly. Over these years, he had been secretly preparing to restore the Foundation's structure. This matter could not be rushed. The Third Hokage had dissolved his Root; there was no way it could be reinstated within a year or two. So Danzō had waited patiently in the shadows, knowing that given enough time, the opportunity would arise.
Now, four years had passed. Danzō sensed the time was ripe. He had sent his trusted subordinates to secretly contact Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. As long as they supported the restoration of Root, it would be essentially guaranteed.
With four years gone by, no matter what, the Third's anger would have subsided. Furthermore, with three of the four top Konoha officials agreeing to restore Root, the Third Hokage would find it difficult to refuse.
The report from his subordinate just now confirmed that Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had consented to Danzō's request. That's why Danzō was so pleased. He understood clearly: the Third would not refuse. The Root would soon be reborn.
Of course, due to its previous dissolution, even if approval was granted, rebuilding would not be completed in a day, two days, or even a few months. Root was different from the ANBU. The ANBU didn't require extensive brainwashing; a certain degree of loyalty was sufficient for entry. But Root was different. Danzō's demands for Root were higher; members had to be brainwashed thoroughly, to the point of absolute, unwavering loyalty that precluded any possibility of betrayal.
Such requirements dictated that without a year or two, Root could not be fully and properly reestablished.
But as long as he could rebuild it, that was enough!
The Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage listened to Kakashi's report and couldn't help but sigh. "So that's how it is. You encountered Kagaya in the Land of Waves. He didn't attack you, but he rescued Zabuza twice. For what reason? Ah, you mentioned Zabuza was working for Gato. Since Kagaya saved Zabuza, could he also be serving Gato?"
Kakashi shook his head in response. "Lord Third, I don't believe so. I haven't yet reported the subsequent developments of the mission. Later on, although Zabuza didn't attack us again, Gato continued to send samurai to harass us persistently. In the end, he personally led a large group of samurai against us. I took action and killed Gato myself. At the time, I also thought Kagaya might appear to rescue Gato, but he did not. Gato died just like that."
The Third sighed once more.
"Then why did he rescue Zabuza? A rogue ninja from Konoha, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure... According to you, Zabuza wasn't wearing the same attire as Kagaya either. They likely aren't comrades from the same organization. Well, never mind that for now. Regardless, they are in the Land of Waves, not Konoha. For now, we must focus our attention on the upcoming Chūnin Exams. Kakashi, is there anything else you need to report? If not, you may take your leave."
Kakashi lowered his head. "I have a bad feeling about this."
The Third was taken aback. He looked at Kakashi, remaining silent for a moment.
A bad feeling? Concerning Kagaya?
Frowning, the Third chose to inquire cautiously. "Based on your account, Zabuza's strength is slightly inferior to yours, not a major concern. But what about Kagaya?"
Kakashi was silent for a while before speaking. "If I were to face Kagaya, relying solely on the Sharingan, my chances of winning are slim. Unless I use..."
Kakashi did not finish his sentence. Some matters were unknown to others, but the Third was aware of them.
The Third narrowed his eyes. "I see. I understand. Is there anything else?"
"No, sir. I take my leave."
"Mmm."
Kakashi departed.
The Third remained alone, pondering the matters Kakashi had mentioned a while longer before pushing them aside. Overthinking wouldn't help much now. Kakashi spoke of a bad feeling, but what exactly it entailed remained uncertain.
For the Third Hokage, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
He picked up a document file. On it was a portrait of an individual. From the back of the head, it appeared this person carried something on their back. They had short hair. As it was a document sketch, the color was indeterminable. However, the most striking feature was the individual's exceptionally dark, heavy eye circles.
Beside the portrait was written the name: Gaara.
And what concerned the Third most was a note below: One-Tails Jinchūriki!
This was a Sunagakure ninja scheduled to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Exams. While sending a Jinchūriki demonstrated significant trust, according to the Third's intelligence, this One-Tails Jinchūriki seemed prone to violent rampages.
If not for the fact that the Fourth Kazekage was personally accompanying the team, the Third would never have agreed to allow such an unstable Jinchūriki to participate in Konoha's Chūnin Exams.
"What a headache."
The Third sighed once again and returned to his mountain of work. With the Chūnin Exams approaching, far too many decisions required his attention.
The Land of Waves.
After arranging temporary lodging for Itachi and Kisame, Kagaya retreated to his room and began writing a letter.
He needed to write to Orochimaru.
The plan for invading Konoha had to be altered!
Why? Because of Itachi's arrival. Kagaya could be certain Itachi would not harm him directly. However, Itachi was very likely to leak information to Konoha, allowing the village to make thorough preparations. This could ultimately create a stalemate: a situation where Kagaya and Orochimaru could not overcome Konoha, and Konoha could not decisively defeat Kagaya and Orochimaru.
That was not what Kagaya wanted.
In fact...
Kagaya's pupils began to turn crimson. He had to consider the worst-case scenario: a direct confrontation with Itachi!
Itachi... how should one describe him? From Konoha's perspective, Itachi was undoubtedly a great man who devoted himself entirely to the village, striving until his last breath.
He single-handedly reversed a crisis that threatened Konoha's very existence. His contributions to the village were immense.
Yet, precisely because of this, Kagaya had no choice but to guard against Itachi.
Back in Konoha, Itachi and Kagaya had been on the same side. Both had wanted, to varying degrees, to protect the Uchiha clan.
But after the Uchiha massacre and their defection from Konoha, Itachi and Kagaya were no longer on the same path. Kagaya sought blood repayment from those in Konoha who had initiated the clan extermination plan! Itachi wanted to protect Sasuke and protect Konoha.
On this point, to be honest, Kagaya found it difficult to fully comprehend Itachi. During the clan massacre, when both were powerless, Kagaya could understand Itachi's position. But after experiencing such an event, to still want to protect Konoha... this was something Kagaya could not fathom.
Kagaya and Itachi were still close friends. Kagaya would not do anything to harm Itachi. But Itachi must absolutely not hinder Kagaya either!
Even if Itachi managed to protect Konoha, to protect the Third Hokage, no matter what, he would not be able to protect Danzō!
This was Kagaya's bottom line! An absolute line no one was permitted to cross. Whoever protected Danzō was an enemy. On this point, there could be no negotiation.