"Kagura's ideas are too extreme."
After Akihara Kagura left, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the two Hokage advisors, immediately started to nag about Akihara Kagura's inappropriate ideas.
"If we follow Kagura's ideas, Konoha will inevitably clash with each of the major Ninja Villages, which will instead give Orochimaru and Danzo an opportunity to harm Konoha."
"Although Kagura's strength is indeed formidable, it might lead Konoha into even greater crisis. This young fellow is still not quite suited to be the successor..."
"I know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe, glanced at the group of Jonin present, and waved his hand saying, "The most important thing now is to ensure the smooth conduct of the Chunin Exams. Everyone needs to heighten vigilance and thoroughly screen the unfamiliar ninjas entering Konoha!"
Utatane Koharu glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and added, "Besides that, there needs to be a secret investigation in the village to check for any ninjas colluding with Orochimaru..."
Orochimaru once held power and status in Konoha, making it highly possible for ninjas like Mizuki to be inserted by Orochimaru as spies in Konoha.
"What about Kagura's side?"
Mitokado Homura raised a question and continued, "The Root Ninja around Kagura are all former subordinates of Shimura Danzo. Should we send the Dark Department to monitor the Root Base..."
Utatane Koharu also agreed with Mitokado Homura's opinion, continuing, "Initially, Akihara Kagura proposed eliminating those people, but to prevent indiscriminate killing and wasting this force, he had to place them under his Root. Are these people truly loyal..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt a headache.
Of course, if they mentioned this to Akihara Kagura, he would most likely propose simply killing off those Double Bloodline Ninjas in Root.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a while and decided to issue an order, "Strictly instruct all Double Bloodline Ninjas in Root not to act rashly, and during the Chunin Exams, do not leave the Root Base."
"Will Kagura have any objections?"
Kakashi Hatake wondered if the higher-ups might not be considering the Root Leader's thoughts, and proactively reminded, "After all, the Root Ninja are his subordinates..."
"Do you think he cares about his subordinates?"
Utatane Koharu raised a question that was hard to refute.
No one would expect that Akihara Kagura, the Root Leader who likes killing, would care about his subordinates. Moreover, few believe that Akihara Kagura particularly cares about anyone, except Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi Hatake, who know some inside information as friends.
"Let's decide it like this."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, indicating everyone to step down, "Everyone should still be on high alert. I trust you can protect the village."
"Yes!"
All Jonin immediately responded in agreement.
Neither the high-level officials of Konoha nor these ninjas had considered that Akihara Kagura's words were indeed truthful because Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo were genuinely colluding with other Ninja Villages.
Orochimaru arranged to meet Fourth Kazekage Rasa, hoping to discuss the plan for Konoha's collapse with Rasa, coincidentally leading his subordinates to ambush and kill Fourth Kazekage Rasa, then disguising himself as Rasa to arrange a meeting with The Hidden Mist Village's elder Genshi, cleanly assassinating Genshi.
Orochimaru had disguised himself as Rasa.
Shimura Danzo had disguised himself as Genshi.
Since other people from The Hidden Mist Village and The Hidden Sand Village had seen the First Hokage summoned by Orochimaru using Reanimation Jutsu, believing the First Hokage was enough to deal with Konoha's strongest combat power, Akihara Kagura, they also acknowledged the command of Rasa and Genshi to initiate the plan for Konoha's collapse.
The only person likely to discover any clues was Jonin Ao, who had the fortune to possess the Byakugan Bloodline in The Hidden Mist Village. Unfortunately, Genshi didn't bring Ao along, worried that Konoha might be unfavorable to Ao, leading to neither The Hidden Mist Village nor The Hidden Sand Village realizing their leaders had changed.
The plan was proceeding smoothly.
The ninjas of Konoha were still secretly investigating those colluding with Orochimaru, while the real colluders were discussing the final actions with Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo.
Orochimaru was dressed in the Kazekage's attire.
Shimura Danzo was wearing Genshi's clothes.
Akihara Kagura, dressed in the casual outfit of Konoha's Root Leader, observed their attire, "How does it feel to wield the power of a village?"
"The Hidden Sand Village is nothing much..."
Orochimaru merely chuckled at this.
Because The Hidden Sand Village's power is indeed nothing much, it has always advocated Elite Ninja education and is now considered to be the weakest in terms of power among the Five Great Countries' Hidden Villages.
Orochimaru, having just impersonated Kazekage Rasa, discovered several hidden crises in The Hidden Sand Village through documents given to him in ongoing exchanges. The economic troubles alone are unsolvable; they either need to attack Konoha to plunder resources or become subservient to Konoha completely.
"The Hidden Mist Village isn't much better..."
Shimura Danzo, this former Root Leader, was dismissive of The Hidden Mist Village, remaining loyal to Konoha, still fondly remembering the department he created.
Shimura Danzo snorted coldly, dissatisfied and said, "As long as we deal with the Monkey, we support you taking on the role of Fifth Hokage. You must let me reassume the position of Root Leader. After all, Root only guards Konoha in darkness..."
"Rest assured."
Akihara Kagura nodded, indifferently continued, "If when the time comes, Lord Danzo fails to defeat the Third Hokage, I will immediately send people to bring you back to Root. You can leisurely arrange the personnel for Root..."