Night fell, and the village lights began to illuminate the darkness.
With the arrival of night, filth and corruption always followed.
Root Headquarters.
Two elderly yet sharp-minded figures, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, walked briskly toward Danzo's office.
"Danzo, it's late. Why did you call the two of us here?" Mitokado Homura asked directly.
The three had been classmates for years—who didn't know each other well by now?
If Danzo summoned them at this hour, it was ridiculous to think it was for nothing.
Homura was too old for nonsense. He neither had the patience nor the desire to waste time.
Danzo's deeply wrinkled face revealed a smile as twisted as a blooming chrysanthemum upon seeing his old classmates.
"Koharu, Homura, it's been a long time since the three of us sat down for a chat, hasn't it?"
Utatane Koharu narrowed her eyes, returning Danzo's chrysanthemum-like smile with one of her own.
"It truly has been a while, but that's because you've been busy in Root. Unlike Homura and me, we're just powerless elders with nothing better to do."
At the mention of power, Homura fell silent, his gaze turning wary as he watched Danzo.
If his guess was right, this meeting was about the position of Hokage.
"Isn't this all due to Tsunade's filial piety?" Danzo said with a meaningful glance at Koharu.
Though Homura and Koharu appeared to be seasoned elders, it was Koharu who was always scheming, while Homura was simply aligned with her.
Old women…
They loved to scheme over the smallest details.
"Indeed, Tsunade is very popular. She'll likely secure her position as Hokage soon, and once that happens, she'll clean up ANBU." Koharu said with a chuckle.
Tch. Laugh all you want, old hag. Do you think you're still a young maiden?
Disgusting.
Danzo inwardly recoiled at Koharu's laughter, but he needed her and Homura's assistance.
Technically, Root was an extension of ANBU.
As Hokage, Tsunade had full authority over ANBU. If she was determined to purge it, then Root would inevitably be dismantled. In that case, Danzo's influence in Konoha would become even weaker than Homura and Koharu's.
Root had thrived under Danzo's ruthless leadership, recruiting many talented individuals from various clans. If he lost control of it, he could end up gravely injured or even mysteriously "choking on water" one day.
Danzo refused to die in such humiliation, nor did he wish to relinquish his power.
"Let's not beat around the bush. Tsunade holds absolute authority now, and since you two came here, it means you're not willing to accept this either."
Homura and Koharu remained silent. They neither confirmed nor denied it.
Having spent so many years at the top, how could they be willing to lose their positions of influence?
Two old foxes... If you won't speak up, don't blame me for forcing your hand.
Danzo's face wore a smile, but his heart was darker than coal.
"In the village, Tsunade's reputation is unparalleled. However, I've heard that the Daimyo is dissatisfied with her and is considering cutting Konoha's military budget. If that happens, do you think she can maintain her position as the Fifth Hokage?"
Upon hearing this, Homura's eyes lit up.
"Danzo, I knew you'd have a backup plan. So, you've made arrangements with the Daimyo?"
Danzo quickly denied it. "It wasn't me. Don't talk nonsense. I simply heard rumors."
This was the kind of thing that could be used as leverage against him. Even if he had indeed orchestrated it, he would never admit it.
Homura had merely tried to bait him into a confession.
Koharu also smiled, "Let's hope these old bones of ours still have some use. After being Hokage's advisors for so many years, stepping down so suddenly feels... unnatural."
"You two are my old classmates. I think you still have much to contribute as Hokage advisors, don't you?"—replied Danzo.
"Of course!" Homura and Koharu nodded before leaving.
There was no need to say too much. At this point, the implications were clear.
After all, this was essentially treason.
As Danzo watched them depart, his gaze darkened. His small eyes seemed to hold an abyss of unfathomable darkness.
The two old-timers slowly made their way home. Koharu Utatane followed Homura Mitokado into his house.
Rest assured, the two weren't up to anything inappropriate. They were here to draw a conclusion about today's events.
"Koharu, Danzo's grip on power is even tighter than Tsunade's. Do you really think we'll have any room to maneuver if he becomes the Fifth Hokage?"
Koharu chuckled. She was quite pleased with her companion's lack of foresight.
If not for Homura's sheer stupidity, their partnership wouldn't have lasted this long!
"Of course, Danzo won't relinquish control. With Root under his command, his consolidation of power will be even faster than Tsunade's. If he becomes Hokage, the village will be entirely under his rule. Every spy we've placed in ANBU and the Hokage's office will be exposed."
Homura felt his brain struggling to keep up.
"Then why did you support him?"
Koharu shook her head. "I never supported him. I just want him to compete... and allow someone else to benefit."
"You mean..."
"The Third Hokage's son. The mentor of the current Ino-Shika-Cho trio... Sarutobi Asuma!"
Homura frowned. "Just Asuma alone? That won't be enough to win over the village."
Koharu smirked. "That's where the Third Hokage's foresight comes into play. Asuma himself may not be enough, but he has something just as valuable—a good woman."
"You mean Yuhi Kurenai?"
Koharu nodded. "Exactly. Hyuga Hinata is Hiashi's daughter, Inuzuka Kiba is the heir of the Inuzuka Clan, and Aburame Shino is Shibi's son. With these three clans backing him, tell me—can Asuma become Hokage or not?"
Homura was stunned.
"So the old monkey planned this all along... No wonder he became Hokage while we remained mere advisors. His level of scheming is beyond impressive."
Koharu was satisfied with his reaction.
She had known about this for a long time.
Considering that Asuma becoming Hokage would still require their support, she hadn't revealed this earlier.
Unfortunately, the Third Hokage had been killed by Orochimaru, and his long-laid plans had been left unfinished.
But now, they would serve as Koharu's foundation for reclaiming influence.
She didn't need the Hokage title, but the power of a Hokage's advisor? That was non-negotiable.
They were the students of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. They had bled and sacrificed for Konoha's prosperity.
This was their rightful due.
And nothing would stand in her way.