Chapter 126: Danzo, You Are Too Extreme

The silence inside the Hokage Office continued.

The oppressive atmosphere in the air grew heavier; all four people were calculating how to deal with Orochimaru, yet none of them were willing to break the silence.

In the past, this would have been impossible.

As long as the Third Hokage gave a hint, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura would scramble to offer ideas to share his burdens and solve his problems.

But under the pressure of Orochimaru's consecutive victories, the caution Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by was proven wrong, and his prestige was greatly diminished.

Konoha ninja began to look at him with strange eyes; even within the Konoha F4, the Hokage no longer held absolute authority.

After enduring for a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen helplessly broke the silence: "It is I who failed to teach Orochimaru well; his talent is peerless, but his excessive ambition has ultimately spiraled out of control."

His voice was full of exhaustion, helplessness, and vigilance, as if he were suppressing the agitation and guilt in his heart.

"I once placed high hopes on Orochimaru, wishing for him to become a pillar protecting Konoha, but he ultimately walked down the extreme path of pursuing power."

"Now, he and his disciple Yamanaka Chujiu have successfully occupied Kirigakure and completely taken control of the Land of Water; his reputation in Konohagakure has expanded rapidly, already surpassing me, the Hokage."

"Konohagakure already had many ninja who were his supporters, and now almost everyone acknowledges his victory; young Konoha ninja view him as an idol, shouting for him to succeed the position of Fifth Hokage."

Speaking to this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly scanned his three old classmates, a trace of killing intent appearing in his tone:

"Old classmates, Orochimaru is obsessed with Ninjutsu research and the pursuit of greater power, but he is not a child greedy for power; otherwise, it would not have been so easy for us to let the Fourth Hokage take office."

"That he is now so actively participating in war and pursuing power in the village is absolutely not his own idea."

"Yamanaka Chujiu!"

"Ever since he became Orochimaru's student, Orochimaru has become different."

"I have a crazy suspicion that Yamanaka Inoichi's younger brother is the key to Orochimaru's change, and he is pushing Orochimaru to destroy Konoha's traditions and bottom lines."

"I do not know why he wants to do this, but I know the result of doing so will inevitably trigger internal and external troubles for Konohagakure, with unimaginable consequences."

Shimura Danzo sneered: "Third, you are downplaying the issue."

"What is Yamanaka Chujiu? A Jonin who is good at commanding—can he influence Orochimaru's thoughts?"

"Admit it, you just want to make excuses for Orochimaru!"

"The crime Orochimaru committed was gathering Konoha ninja without receiving orders from the Hokage and launching a war against Kirigakure."

"This behavior touched Konoha's bottom line and must never be condoned."

"Even if he successfully defeated the Land of Water, it is still the act of a rogue ninja who disregards the Hokage's authority and destroys Konoha's order."

"Now that Orochimaru's reputation is soaring, he is no longer hiding his ambition and is constantly challenging our rule; if not curbed in time, it will surely endanger the survival of all of Konoha."

Shimura Danzo's tone became increasingly firm: "In my opinion, we should send people to the Land of Water to order Orochimaru to return to Konoha in the name of the Hokage."

"We must also find the Daimyo of Water and return the political power of the Land of Water to him, in exchange for the legitimate authority for our Konoha to take over Kirigakure."

"As long as the Daimyo of Water agrees, we can integrate Kirigakure, weaken Orochimaru's power and influence, and prevent the possibility of him vying for the position of Hokage."

Mitokado Homura asked: "Orochimaru can start a war without orders; he can also refuse to obey the Hokage's orders."

"If he doesn't come back, what will you do?"

Shimura Danzo grinned hideously: "If Orochimaru does not obey, we will expel him from Konohagakure on the charge of 'colluding with external enemies' and define him as a rogue ninja of Konohagakure."

"I have channels to unite Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure, Kusagakure, and other villages to assemble the elite of the Ninja World to encircle and suppress him, completely eliminating Orochimaru, this hidden danger!"

Utatane Koharu shook her head: "Shimura Danzo, you are too extreme!"

Her tone was full of concern: "Orochimaru's reputation is too high now, and the Konoha ninja under his command are devoted to him; his strength is extremely formidable."

"Moreover, Orochimaru is no longer obedient; if we simply order him to hand over power like this, the result will only be to completely enrage him."

"I have a major worry: if Orochimaru also unites with Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure to attack Konoha, which side will Onoki and A stand on?"

Mitokado Homura replied: "They will stand on the side of the weakest, inciting our Konoha ninja to kill each other, thereby reaping the benefits."

Mitokado Homura paused and continued: "I have a proposal: we acknowledge his war merits and grant him the highest honor and power, for example, letting him represent Konohagakure in controlling Kirigakure."

Shimura Danzo said angrily: "Homura, what kind of suggestion is this?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with glowing eyes: "Homura's is the best suggestion!"

"It makes so much sense: let Orochimaru manage Kirigakure and stay in the Land of Water unable to return, while recalling his disciple Yamanaka Chujiu and giving him a position leading Konoha ninja."

"Yamanaka Chujiu is only 14 years old, still a child whose character has not yet set; we can completely reform Yamanaka Chujiu and make him our person."

"Without Yamanaka Chujiu's help, Orochimaru is just a good commander, not an invincible war strategist."

"The number of ninja under his command is insufficient, and he can only supplement them with a large number of Mist Ninja; internal chaos is an inevitable result."

Shimura Danzo understood: "Heh, so that's it; you are indeed more insidious than I am."

"Very well, as long as Orochimaru lacks Yamanaka Chujiu's support, the civil war in Konoha will not break out, and we can calmly guide public opinion."

"Start emphasizing the authority of the Hokage and promoting the achievements of the Third Hokage."

"Then use rumors to slander Orochimaru, strike at his reputation, and let the villagers and ninja understand that Orochimaru is not a perfect leader."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at Danzo: "Danzo, your suggestion should not stop there; whatever else there is, say it all."

He understood Shimura Danzo very well, knowing that he had always been ruthless and acted without regard for consequences, and must surely have even more vicious countermeasures against Orochimaru.

Shimura Danzo sneered: "Orochimaru is too strong; destroying his reputation and making him lose the chance to vie for the Hokage position still cannot completely prevent him from threatening Konohagakure."

"The only way I can think of is to completely eliminate him, or completely strip him of his power!"

"In other words, at least one of Orochimaru or Yamanaka Chujiu must die!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately opposed: "Danzo, you are too extreme."

"I will never agree to such a cruel plan; if we follow your method, Konohagakure will inevitably erupt into civil war!"

"We cannot afford any civil war!"