Before, Nagato's use of the Rinnegan was not yet capable of using the Reincarnation Heavenly Life Technique to revive Madara, but now Nagato can do it, yet Obito feels that instead of reviving Madara, it's better to let Nagato continue leading the Akatsuki to collect the Tailed Beasts.
He can just become the Ten Tails Jinchuriki himself at the end and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi; why would he need to revive Madara?
What if Madara wasn't telling the truth? With Madara's powerful strength, he wouldn't be able to control him after reviving him.
He is not the easily deceived young man he was back then; instead of putting his fate in someone else's hands, it's better to hold it in his own. Anyway, as long as the Eye of the Moon Plan is ultimately successful, it can be considered fulfilling Madara's wish, right?
"Zetsu!"
Deva Path Pain called out, and Zetsu the pitcher plant immediately emerged from underground.
"Leader, do you have any orders?"
"Go monitor near Konoha. I want to know the records of all Ninja entering and leaving Konoha during this period."
Deva Path Pain instructed.
Zetsu nodded and sank back down beneath the high tower.
"You go notify the other members to put down all current missions and return to the Base first."
Deva Path Pain turned to look at Obito, who activated Kamui and disappeared from the spot.
In a room beneath the high tower, Konan looked at Nagato, who was as thin as a skeleton and had black rods stuck all over his back, frowning and saying with a worried tone:
"I always feel that this Uchiha Madara has other motives. It's better to be careful around him."
"Whether it's really Uchiha Madara or not is still unknown. For now, he still has some use. When the Tailed Beasts are all collected, if he dares to make any move, kill him immediately!"
Nagato coughed twice, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Regarding this man who claimed to be Uchiha Madara, he had never fully trusted him from beginning to end.
"His phasing ability can last for a maximum of five minutes. If he dares to betray you, I will help you kill him."
Konan gently tidied Nagato's hair and said softly.
...
"Sarutobi, why am I not on the list of candidates for the Fifth Hokage?"
Inside the Konoha Hokage Building, Danzo looked at the list of Fifth Hokage candidates in his hand, his face full of angry questioning.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Hinata Hizashi, Nara Shikaku; the Third Hokage had nominated five Hokage candidates, but the only one missing was Danzo, who had made countless contributions to Konoha and most wanted to be the Hokage.
"Shimura, don't be angry. I know you want to contribute to the Village, but you are about the same age as me. Even if you were to become Hokage, how many years could you still serve?
It's better to give the opportunity to these young people.
Besides, Root still needs you to oversee the overall situation. If you become Hokage, would Root be merged with the Anbu?"
The Third Hokage advised kindly.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were nearby, also nodded and joined in the persuasion.
They could not let Danzo become Hokage, not only because Danzo was a hawk and their philosophies clashed, but also because if Danzo became Hokage, Konoha's Anbu and Root would both be led by Danzo.
This would essentially make Konoha a one-man show under Danzo, and the two of them wouldn't have a good time either.
What they needed was for Konoha's two largest forces, Danzo and the Third Hokage, to oppose each other, so that they could gain power from the situation.
Just like now, if Danzo and the Third Hokage disagreed on any important decision for Konoha, they would both have to try to win over the two of them to their side before a decision could finally be made.
Seeing this, Danzo immediately understood that this list was actually something the Third Hokage and the two Advisors had discussed and decided upon in advance, leaving him out.
He knew the Third Hokage didn't want him to succeed as Hokage, but he didn't expect the other party to be so ruthless, not even allowing him on the candidate list. This was to completely extinguish his hope.
"It seems I can only cooperate with that Prince."
Danzo gritted his teeth, having already made up his mind.
He had been thinking about Li Chuan's words these past few days and always felt that things wouldn't be that simple, but after looking at the intelligence that had been investigated and returned, it seemed somewhat reasonable again.
He simply did not believe that a person could go from someone who couldn't use Ninjutsu to a powerful expert with his current strength in just over a year, because this wasn't a matter of whether one was a genius or not, but rather something impossible to achieve.
So, according to his line of thought, Li Chuan was a genius, but he must have been exposed to Ninjutsu from a very young age.
He just kept pretending not to know Ninjutsu and to be in poor health, staying in his Princes Residence year after year. The goal was probably very simple, which was to deceive people and relax the vigilance of the Daimyo and everyone else.
If he wasn't after power, if he wasn't after the Daimyo's position, then there would have been no need to pretend for so many years.
Under the current circumstances, since he was completely out of the running, he might as well bring in the scheming Li Chuan to stir things up. Anyway, the result couldn't get any worse.
"What you said makes sense. I am indeed a bit older and not very suitable to succeed as Hokage, and Root does indeed need me to manage it."
Danzo's face, which had been full of anger, suddenly changed, and his attitude became friendly.
This change in him also caused the Third Hokage and the two Advisors to show surprised expressions.
They thought that given Danzo's personality, he would definitely make a fuss for a while. To appease Danzo, the Third Hokage had even planned to give up some more power, such as approving Danzo's long-standing request to increase the number of Root members.
In the selection of the Hokage, he did indeed have the final say, but if things got too ugly, it wouldn't be good for Konoha as a whole.
As a Leader, he knew very well that he couldn't always have his own way.
"However, I have a suggestion, which is to add one more Hokage candidate."
Danzo tapped his cane.
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage suddenly realized that Danzo still had a plan, which was more in line with his style.
"Of course. Shimura, who else do you think is more suitable? I will add them to the list right now."
As long as it wasn't Danzo himself, the Third Hokage didn't care which Root Ninja he nominated.
Because the Third Hokage knew very well that with Danzo's qualifications, running for Hokage would definitely meet the standards. Danzo's contributions to Konoha were not small, and there were also many supporters and clans in the Village who agreed with his philosophy.
But the Root Ninja he recommended, no matter who it was, had no chance at all.
Many of the Root Ninja's missions were secret, top-secret missions not disclosed to the public. They had always silently contributed to the Village in the darkness.
Therefore, some of their contributions could not be brought into the open to be discussed, and naturally, they would not receive recognition from the normal Ninja and villagers in the Village.
And how could a Ninja who could not be recognized by the public become Hokage? Even if he didn't interfere in the end, this outcome would not change.
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Danzo narrowed his eyes, then said in a calm tone:
"I recommend your fourth disciple, Sarutobi, our esteemed Prince Enkawa. I believe he meets the criteria for a Hokage candidate in every respect!"
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