Naruto was deeply moved and cried his heart out in Danzo Shimura's arms.
Danzo Shimura's attention, however, was focused on the black half of Naruto Uzumaki's body.
The reason he hugged Naruto was to see if the black thing would also attach itself to him.
If it attached itself to him, then he could take the opportunity to study and analyze it.
Anyway, he couldn't count on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Don't even mention that he wouldn't let him study his hand; even if he did, it would be Hiruzen doing it himself.
He wouldn't share his research findings with others, so Danzo Shimura had to rely on himself.
But after waiting for a long time, the black thing didn't attach itself to him.
Why was this happening?
"Could it be that I am truly inferior to Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Danzo Shimura was furious, but with Naruto Uzumaki in front of him, he couldn't vent his anger. Instead, he had to pretend to be happy.
While comforting Naruto, Danzo Shimura suddenly wondered why he had to follow Hiruzen Sarutobi's path.
As long as Naruto Uzumaki got close to him, wouldn't it be the same to just study him directly in the future?
Foolish!
He had been so confused!
Hiruzen, in the end, Danzo was still the better one and won over the Jinchuriki's heart.
Thinking about this, he not only didn't feel bad, but instead began to feel smug.
...
Two and a half days later.
Uchiha Shisui, who had traveled alone to Kumogakure, returned with an alliance agreement personally signed by the Fourth Raikage.
This incident greatly alarmed the four-person group led by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Having dealt with the Hidden Cloud Village for so long, they knew all too well what kind of people the Raikage of each generation were.
Known for their volatile tempers and unreasonable behavior, how could they possibly sign an alliance agreement so easily after so many of their people had died in Konoha?
"Shisui, I knew I hadn't misjudged you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"As expected of an excellent ninja who perfectly inherited the Will of Fire. Because of you, the village avoided a war and indirectly saved countless lives."
"Konoha is proud of you. The village will never forget your contributions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Shisui Uchiha highly, expressing great satisfaction with his performance.
To be honest, even if the Third Hokage himself went to talk to the Raikage, he wouldn't have achieved the same result.
"Hmph, how could the Fourth Raikage give up so easily? He must be plotting something," Danzo Shimura snorted coldly as soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Or perhaps, on behalf of the Uchiha, you've reached some secret agreement with the Hidden Cloud Village?"
Although Uchiha Shisui's mission to Kumogakure had a positive outcome, the Raikage's actions were completely unlike his usual style.
Unless he was under a genjutsu and manipulated by Uchiha Shisui into signing this alliance agreement.
However, the moment the thought arose in his mind, Danzo immediately dismissed it.
That was the leader of an entire village; during the negotiations, there would inevitably be other powerful members of the Cloud Village skilled in perception and illusion techniques present.
Was it possible to control the Fourth Raikage without anyone noticing and make him sign an alliance agreement?
That was absolutely impossible!
Even if Madara Uchiha were to be resurrected, he could not possibly do such a thing.
He might be able to kill the Raikage, but it would be difficult to get a brute like the Raikage to sign an alliance agreement.
"Lord Hokage, you are wise to know that I have no other intentions and would never secretly make any agreement with the Raikage," Shisui Uchiha said quickly, explaining to the Hokage in the face of Danzo Shimura's slander.
However, he did not go into details, but he was well aware of just how extraordinary his Mangekyo Sharingan ability was.
He wouldn't expose himself unless absolutely necessary.
"Danzo, shisui is a hero of the village and a descendant of Kagami. How can you make such malicious assumptions about him?" Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo and warned him.
They were so skilled at playing the good cop and the bad cop that they couldn't have been more adept at it.
"Hiruzen, Danzo's concerns are not without merit; this matter is indeed strange," said Koharu Utatane.
"That's not entirely true. Shisui's contributions cannot be denied, and his loyalty to the village is beyond question. As for Danzo's doubts, I believe Shisui will provide a reasonable explanation," added Homura Mitokado.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were not just for show; when Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura played good cop/bad cop, the two of them would smooth things over.
Although the moves were old-fashioned, they never failed to work.
"At first, the Raikage did disagree, but later I used genjutsu on him," Uchiha Shisui said after a slight hesitation, recounting what had happened during the negotiations. He was ultimately a simple-minded person; how could he possibly outsmart these four old foxes?
"Illusion?" Danzo Shimura shook his head; he didn't believe Uchiha Shisui's words at all. "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"Even if you Uchiha wanted to control a village's Kage and make them abandon their prejudices and obediently sign an agreement, it would be completely unrealistic. If that were possible, there would be no war."
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions also filled with suspicion.
The Uchiha clan's Sharingan genjutsu was indeed well-known throughout the ninja world.
The idea of being able to control the Kage of an entire village was just too outrageous.
If the Uchiha clan had this kind of strength, the Hokage wouldn't be Hiruzen Sarutobi anymore.
Uchiha Shisui opened his mouth, wondering if he should tell them about his awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan, the strongest genjutsu, and Kotoamatsukami.
"Ahem—alright, Danzo, I've already said that Shisui is a hero of the village. How can you interrogate him like a criminal?" Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with a smile just as Uchiha Shisui hesitated.
"Shisui, you should go back now!"
"You did a great job on this mission, and the village will give you the reward you deserve."
"No, how can we let him go back until he explains himself clearly?" Danzo Shimura said coldly.
"Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a soft shout, and although he didn't say those words, Danzo Shimura understood from his eyes.
Slam!
Danzo Shimura angrily stood up and stormed off.
Just before leaving, he turned back and gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a cold look.
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood what he meant.
Regret!
Bang!
After a loud bang, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two advisors, and Shisui Uchiha remained in the room.
"Lord Hokage, I..." Danzo's departure midway through the event, without giving Hiruzen Sarutobi any face, made Shisui Uchiha feel somewhat guilty.
To protect him, the Hokage didn't even give Danzo any face. How could he possibly accept such a favor?
He had been so careful, even afraid that the Hokage would do him a disservice.
He was such an idiot!
"Alright, Shisui, that's enough about the matter of Kumogakure. Go back and get some rest," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
"Don't take Danzo's words to heart; he was doing it for the village," he added with a smile, reassuring Shisui Uchiha.
...
If you're enjoying the ride, please drop a Powerstone and a quick Review!