Chapter 127: Whether You Want To Doesn't Matter, Whether You Can Is The Key

Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen coldly.

His tone was firm and without the slightest wavering, and he said unquestioningly: "The risk certainly exists, but only when the risk is greater will the rewards be more bountiful."

"Nowadays, Orochimaru's prestige is overwhelming, and his momentum of growth is unstoppable."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you surely understand your own student and know what kind of genius he is; if we do not adopt ruthless methods, he will certainly be able to completely conquer Kirigakure and the Land of Water."

"Once he has stabilized the Land of Water and returns to Konohagakure carrying the might of a nation-destroyer, we will truly be unable to turn the tide."

"Everyone, I will not speak boastfully and say that Konohagakure is about to be destroyed, but the destruction of our power, status, and wealth is just around the corner."

Shimura Danzo's words were harsh and stinging, but they were very reasonable.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked, Utatane Koharu sighed, and Mitokado Homura lowered his eyes; they were all unable to refute and could only remain silent once more.

The corners of Shimura Danzo's mouth curled up slightly, and the pride in his heart reached an unprecedented height.

This was the first time he had used words, logic, and reason to make his old classmates silent, rather than using methods of coercion, pressure, and intimidation.

To tell the truth, this feeling of having one's intelligence occupy the high ground and looking down on others...

It felt amazing!!

Danzo enjoyed the cerebral climax fiercely for a while, reined in his emotions while the aftertaste remained, and continued: "As for the risk, as long as we make thorough preparations, it is controllable."

"First, Sarutobi Hiruzen, you must make up your mind to directly behead Orochimaru!"

"Do not design a plan that is too complex; you should simply issue an order for him to return to Konohagakure to report his merits, or even say it is to discuss the succession of the Fifth Hokage."

"Orochimaru will not suspect you for now; he will certainly return according to your request and report his itinerary to you according to the rules."

"If we can grasp his whereabouts at any time, we can surround and kill him at any time."

Amidst the silence of the other three, Shimura Danzo spoke eloquently:

"For the ambush, do not use ordinary Konoha ninja, nor use Anbu ninja; use Root ninja disguised as Iwagakure ninja and Sand Hidden Ninja—the corresponding attire and headbands are not difficult to prepare."

"After taking out Orochimaru, we can also fake the opponent's Ninjutsu, or even traces of Magnetic Release, leaving behind traces that belong to the enemy."

"Even if the ambush fails, the Root ninja will immediately commit suicide; they will never let Orochimaru find any clues, nor will they leave any room for other ninja villages to make excuses."

It must be said that although Shimura Danzo's plan was ruthless, it could truly curb Orochimaru's rise and protect the power of the Konoha F4.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were immediately tempted.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent and did not refute him immediately.

Shimura Danzo was ecstatic, and using the greatest acting skills of his life, he said sincerely: "Lord Third Hokage, this is the first time I have used your title in this office; I implore you to approve my plan."

"Please believe that everything I do is for Konohagakure!"

"Once we have killed Orochimaru, we will not need to worry about the threats from other ninja villages."

"I have already investigated clearly: the fundamental reason for Orochimaru's consecutive victories is the incredible command ability of his student, Yamanaka Chujiu, not how powerful Orochimaru himself is."

"Although Yamanaka Chujiu is Orochimaru's student, he has been an apprentice for less than two months."

"I believe that the 14-year-old child is not bad by nature, and he has won two wars but has always remained hidden in Orochimaru's shadow, without obtaining the prestige, status, and position he deserves."

"As long as the Third Hokage offers sufficient conditions, Yamanaka Chujiu will inevitably become one of our people."

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head, his fingers tapping on the Hokage's desk, making a light "tap-tap" sound.

He was undergoing an intense struggle:

On one side was the disciple he had personally cultivated and in whom he had placed high hopes; on the other side was the safety of Konohagakure and the lives and interests of countless Konoha ninja.

On one side was the bond between master and student, and on the other was the power of the Hokage.

More importantly, Sarutobi Hiruzen himself found it difficult to accept Danzo's plan.

It was too ruthless, too cruel, and too direct!

If this plan were implemented, it would be him personally pushing Orochimaru toward death.

Not to mention guilt, this did not fit his persona as the Third Hokage, nor did it fit his formal principle of "not knowing beforehand, and being forced to acquiesce afterward."

This would cause Sarutobi Hiruzen's inner persistence to collapse, stripping away the last layer of moral protection and completely degenerating into a despicable villain like Shimura Danzo.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen was also very clear that Danzo was right.

How could he not know whether Orochimaru's ambition was great?

He was just a homebody obsessed with Ninjutsu research who could stay quietly in a laboratory for a whole year.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had no shortage of headaches because of this.

But so what?

The problem was that Orochimaru now had the ability to rebel against Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he had already done many things that caused the Third Hokage's authority to be greatly discounted.

When it came to the power struggle in Konohagakure, it had nothing to do with whether Orochimaru wanted to or not; the key was whether he could do it!

If Orochimaru could do it, then he was guilty!

What's more, Orochimaru was indeed ruthless and acted without regard for the consequences; if he were not curbed in time, he would inevitably bring disaster to Konoha, and countless ninja and villagers would die in vain.

As for why it would be a disaster, don't worry about that for now.

And how those villagers and ninja died, don't worry about that either.

In short, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that as the Hokage of Konoha, his greatest responsibility was to protect the safety of Konohagakure.

Even if he had to sacrifice the bond between master and student, even if he had to bear the infamy, and even if his heart was filled with guilt, he could only harden his heart and make that terrible choice.

After a long time, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly raised his head, the exhaustion and helplessness in his eyes gradually replaced by firmness.

His voice was low and heavy, and every word was filled with pain as he said: "Danzo, I approve of your plan."

Shimura Danzo was overjoyed: "Good, worthy of being my old classmate, worthy of being the Third Hokage of Konohagakure; at the critical moment, you have the courage to take responsibility!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette: "But I have three conditions; if you cannot fulfill them, I will immediately terminate your plan."

"Even if I have to give up the position of Hokage and give up the interests of the Sarutobi clan, I will stop you from acting recklessly."

Shimura Danzo said: "Hiruzen, you speak; I will absolutely obey your orders."

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled smoke and said calmly: "First, you must minimize innocent casualties as much as possible; do not implicate ordinary Konoha villagers and ninja, and do not harm the people of the Land of Fire."

Shimura Danzo nodded: "No problem, as long as they do not appear within the encirclement, I will not create extra trouble for myself by causing complications."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Second, if Yamanaka Chujiu is unwilling to betray Orochimaru, do not force him, and certainly do not harm him."

"This child is still young and is only being influenced by Orochimaru; we must have patience and wait for him to turn back. He will surely change his mind and fight for Konoha."

Shimura Danzo agreed: "No problem, I also greatly admire the talent of Yamanaka Chujiu."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Third, once the plan fails, you must destroy the evidence at any cost; you must absolutely not let Konoha fall into greater danger."

Shimura Danzo nodded: "Rest assured, this is not the first time I have done such a thing."