Danzo sent the Root shinobi to hunt down Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had left the village for the daimyo's palace.
Two Anbu walked in front, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in the middle, and three more Anbu remained hidden nearby for protection.
The Root shinobi followed them quietly.
Sora's Shadow Clone also kept hidden, tracking and observing these two groups.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen entered the forest, the ten Root shinobi made their move.
Five Root shinobi descended from above, landing in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Anbu. They rushed forward with kunai in hand.
The two Anbu immediately threw shuriken and drew their own kunai to fight back.
When the three hidden Anbu tried to provide support, the other four Root shinobi appeared to stop them.
The nine Root shinobi and five Anbu clashed fiercely, their battle carrying them farther and farther away.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood calmly, adjusting his Hokage hat as he watched the scene unfold.
Suddenly, a Root shinobi appeared before Sarutobi Hiruzen. This Root shinobi was 'A'.
'A' brought his hands together in a seal. "Wood Style Jutsu!"
Sharp wooden spikes erupted from the ground, aiming to impale Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't seem surprised by 'A's Wood Style jutsu and simply used the Substitution Technique.
'A's wooden spikes pierced a wooden log instead.
"A substitution?!"
'A' looked up and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen standing on a branch looking down at him. A cloud of smoke enveloped the Hokage, dispelling the disguise and revealing an Anbu with a mask.
'A' immediately realized the mission had failed. Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't there at all.
"Wood Style: Great Tree Technique!"
'A' extended multiple wooden vines from his arms and attacked the Anbu.
The Anbu quickly formed hand seals.
"Wind Style: Wind Blade Jutsu!"
The Anbu turned the air into sharp blades that instantly sliced through the wooden vines.
Seeing this, 'A' immediately retreated and fled.
The Anbu didn't pursue.
The other five Anbu returned as well.
"Their only target was Lord Third. Their plan was to lure us away from him."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes."
"Let's head back. Lord Third will handle the rest."
The six Anbu used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the area.
Sora's Shadow Clone automatically dispelled after the Anbu left.
Back in Konoha, the real Sora, who was cooking at home, paused with his spatula in hand. He pursed his lips and muttered, "So Sarutobi Hiruzen did know in advance about Danzo's assassination attempt and made preparations. It seems he's also been aware of that Wood Style user for some time."
"It doesn't look like I'll gain many witness points from this... Oh well, even small points count. It doesn't cost anything to watch, so why not?"
Sora stepped out of the kitchen and created another Shadow Clone.
This Shadow Clone used the Transformation Technique, turning into a snake and slithering toward the Hokage Building.
At that moment, in the Hokage's office, Danzo was sitting in Sarutobi Hiruzen's chair.
In Danzo's mind, Sarutobi Hiruzen was surely dead by now.
He believed Sarutobi Hiruzen had grown old and hadn't fought for a long time. His most recent battle had been during the Kyuubi attack.
Even during the Third Great Ninja War, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't fought much. After all, as Hokage—the shadow of the village—he wouldn't participate in battles unless absolutely necessary.
The incident with the Raikage didn't count.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength had declined significantly.
And Danzo was confident the real reason Sarutobi Hiruzen would fall was because of 'A'.
The appearance of a second Wood Style user since Senju Hashirama would surely surprise Sarutobi Hiruzen, making him hesitate to deliver a fatal blow and exposing his vulnerabilities.
'A' was so valuable that Danzo had personally guided his ninjutsu training.
Danzo had even obtained the First Hokage's Wood Style jutsu scrolls so that 'A' could learn the techniques.
Although 'A' was only ten years old, he was already a very capable shinobi.
Danzo leaned back in the chair, turning it to face the window, and closed his eyes.
From today onward, he would stand at the pinnacle of Konoha's power!
And next... Danzo planned to use the village's full might to deal with Sora.
Danzo couldn't help but smile at the thought that soon all those who had hindered him would be dead.
Outside the window, a snake observed with a humanized, mocking expression on its face.
Danzo looked genuinely happy, so happy that he didn't even notice Sarutobi Hiruzen walking up behind him.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give up this seat to anyone else yet."
Danzo's eyes flew open in disbelief. He immediately swiveled his chair around to see Sarutobi Hiruzen—who was supposed to be dead—standing before him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo with cold eyes. "You seem surprised to see me alive."
Danzo's face twitched uncontrollably as cold sweat ran down his skin. He tried to explain: "What do you mean? I simply heard you had left for the daimyo's palace this morning."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was piercing. "Danzo, do you really think I'm unaware of what happens in my village? Late last night, ten shinobi suddenly left Konoha. What do you suppose these ten shinobi were doing? This incident clearly shows who the mastermind is."
"In such a case, that person would be sentenced to death! There's no question about it!"
Danzo gritted his teeth and stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen, calculating his next move.
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly changed the subject. "However, my philosophy doesn't allow me to harm more people than necessary! If I were to meet this mastermind, I would tell him that this incident can be forgotten."
Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in shock.
He had tried to kill him, and this could be forgiven?
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and continued, "But in return, I would expect him to dedicate himself to Konoha's welfare in the future!"
Danzo said solemnly, "You still cling to your pacifism. Your naivety will destroy you one day, Hiruzen."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed out the window and replied, "Perhaps."
Danzo stood up and walked toward the door. Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped him. "Don't you have anything to say?"
Danzo stopped and frowned. "What is there to say? It's always been like this—you are the light, and I am the darkness."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Where there is light, there must be darkness. Neither can exist without the other for normal operations. But that's not what I'm talking about."
Danzo's frown deepened. "What exactly do you want me to say?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed again. "Danzo, I just said that I hope he can do his best for Konoha. Wood Style jutsu is very important to our village. Don't you have anything to tell me about that?"
"I have led Konoha for many years. Although I've given you considerable authority and allowed Root to become almost your private army, I don't know everything that happens."
Danzo was utterly shocked.
Could it be that... Sarutobi Hiruzen had someone inside Root?