The Third Hokage is a politician in the Ninja World.
From the moment the Third Hokage received intelligence about a Wood Release Ninja, to how to maximize the use of this intelligence, it took no more than twenty minutes.
Firstly.
Uchiha Itachi is taking the Chunin Exams alone.
In every respect, the appearance of such a young genius is a blessing for Konoha.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Itachi comes from the Uchiha Clan, which is currently Konoha's greatest source of instability, and has always had a rift with the village.
If this ten-year-old genius ninja passes the exam alone, it will undoubtedly make the already arrogant Uchiha Clan even more insolent, looking down on other ninjas in Konoha, further escalating conflicts between the Uchiha Clan and the village.
However, at this time, a Wood Release Bloodline Ninja has appeared in Konoha Village. Regardless of this Wood Release Bloodline Ninja's current strength, it is bound to make the Uchiha Clan behave for a while.
After all, during the Warring States Era, Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, subdued the Uchiha Clan's most powerful leader, Uchiha Madara, with the Wood Release Bloodline, completely blocking the Uchiha Clan's quest for dominance in the Ninja World.
The cleverest part is...
This Wood Release Bloodline Ninja happens to be under Shimura Danzo.
The Uchiha Clan's leader, Uchiha Fugaku, has always known that Shimura Danzo is the most antagonistic figure among Konoha's high-ranking members, constantly suppressing the Uchiha's development.
Six years ago, during the Nine-tails' attack, most of Konoha was destroyed, and Shimura Danzo reallocated the Uchiha Clan's residence to the village's outskirts, in front of many Konoha ninja clan leaders.
Now, Shimura Danzo suddenly has a new Wood Release Bloodline Ninja capable of suppressing the Uchiha Clan, which will undoubtedly make Uchiha Fugaku feel pressured.
As the highest leader, the Hokage gains room to mediate in the middle.
The Third Hokage, who has governed Konoha for the longest time, is adept in his actions, appearing somewhat gentle and maximizing benefits without any sharp tactics.
Just the choice of personnel to deliver the exam application form by the Third Hokage carries a strong warning signal, as Tianzang was the previous Wood Release Bloodline Ninja from the Root Organization, and Kakashi Hatake is the one who guided Tianzang out of the Root Organization, even causing a commotion to rescue Tianzang.
There is no doubt.
Shimura Danzo utterly detests these two people.
However, the last incident where the Anbu surrounded the Root Organization has not been long past; currently, Shimura Danzo does not dare to take action against the Hokage's emissary and can only accept the warning from the Third Hokage, being forced to comply with the Third Hokage's orders.
"You may go."
The Third Hokage arranged everything and waved Kakashi and Tianzang off to deliver things to the Root Organization, intending to relax and pick up his pipe again.
The Third Hokage glanced at the crystal ball on the desk, as if sensing something in a split second, and suddenly raised his head to scan his surroundings!
In the next moment.
The old man could not help but chuckle to himself.
"It seems I truly am getting old, feeling a bit useless... Suddenly feeling like Danzo is watching me..."
"..."
Inside the Root training camp.
[System Notification]: [New task: As per Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's requirements, participate in Konoha's Chunin Exams for the latter half of the year.]
This labor system can even accept tasks remotely!
Indeed.
Nominally, any ninja within the Konoha system is under the Third Hokage, yet the Hokage still doesn't know who I am and can already instruct me with tasks!
However...
The Hokage's intuition is awfully sharp!
No wonder he is considered a voyeur!
No, no...
It should be said, no wonder he's a veteran ninja!
Inside the Root training camp.
Young Akihara Kagura was somewhat amazed by the Third Hokage's sharpness and somewhat admired the practicality of the [Dark Side of the Ninja World] trait provided by the system.
This trait is extremely useful.
It allows for intelligence gathering without exposing oneself.
Even if someone actually senses being spied upon, they would merely feel it is Shimura Danzo watching them...
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but glance at Danzo beside him, feeling somewhat guilty, knowing that he would have to let his supervisor bear lots of blame in the future...
Nevertheless...
This is how it should be.
If a supervisor can't take the blame for his subordinates, who would want to work for him?
Looking at Danzo-sama beside him, Danzo-sama has borne so many blames throughout his life; surely, he doesn't mind taking the blame for his subordinates, right, Danzo-sama?
Shimura Danzo isn't aware of his subordinate's thoughts; he's contemplating how to keep Akihara Kagura's existence a secret, intending to train Akihara Kagura well and give Sarutobi Hiruzen a big surprise someday...
"Tomorrow, I'll teach you a new ninjutsu."
Shimura Danzo is immersed in the joy of gaining a powerful henchman. He's already planning Akihara Kagura's life, trying to ensure this child's eternal loyalty to him...
"Yes, Danzo-sama!"
Akihara Kagura quickly nodded.
Hoping Danzo-sama will still be in a good mood later.
This moment didn't last long.
Inside the Root Organization's base.
When Shimura Danzo returned with Akihara Kagura, they encountered two Anbu Ninjas blocked at the base entrance, two very familiar faces...
"Kakashi Hatake!"
Upon seeing one of the white-haired Anbu Ninjas, Shimura Danzo's expression turned exceptionally cold: "You dare come here..."
However, upon seeing the other Anbu Ninja, his whole demeanor turned gloomy: "Hmph, you dare come here as well..."
"Danzo-sama..."
This Anbu Ninja is evidently an honest person, appearing somewhat ashamed as he lowered his head when encountering Shimura Danzo: "I..."
"Tianzang, we are here to deliver the Hokage-sama's orders."
Kakashi Hatake, already aware of his teammate's difficulty facing Shimura Danzo, quickly blocked his teammate's path and spoke coldly: "Hokage-sama's orders are for the child with the Wood Release Bloodline to participate in the latter half's Chunin Exams."
After Kakashi Hatake finished speaking, his gaze swiftly shifted to the young man beside Shimura Danzo: "I believe Hokage-sama was referring to this child, right? There was quite a commotion at Training Ground No. 9 just now..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo couldn't refute.
The elder felt a sense of unease in his heart.
Could it be that Sarutobi Hiruzen, that bastard, wants to take Akihara Kagura away again? This child's talent is far more terrifying than the traitor beside him, who has renamed himself Tianzang!
How could he possibly have a chance to turn the tables!
Shimura Danzo wanted to kill Kakashi Hatake and Tianzang on the spot and lead the Root Organization to the Hokage Tower to eliminate Sarutobi Hiruzen in anger!
However...
Rebelling is a bit tricky.
The last time Sarutobi Hiruzen led a group of Anbu to surround the entire Root Organization's base is still vivid, and a single order could clean up Shimura Danzo and the Root Organization...
Kakashi Hatake took out a long-prepared application form, reached out, and handed it to the young man's front, saying softly: "This is your Chunin Exam application form."
"..."
Akihara Kagura stared silently at Kakashi Hatake.
"Take it."
Kakashi Hatake urged, speaking with some indifference: "You are a ninja of Konoha and must obey the Hokage-sama's orders."
"I will only obey Danzo-sama's orders."
Akihara Kagura suddenly turned to Shimura Danzo and asked, "Danzo-sama, do they make you unhappy? Can I kill them?"