Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 70: Danzo: Now, I Am Hokage!

"Advisor Danzo, it's been a while."

In the Hokage's office, Danzo sat in the chair he had dreamed of for years. As he looked at the visitor, he attempted to smile, but his years of maintaining a dark and somber expression turned it into more of a cold sneer.

This made Kazuma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, frown. "Do you have a problem with me?"

Danzo suppressed his awkward smile and cleared his throat. "Of course not. Thank you for bringing the Daimyo's appointment letter. Here is the promised payment."

He produced a sealing scroll and handed it to Kazuma.

Kazuma accepted it, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the words "Nine-Tails" written on the scroll. "When did you collect its chakra?"

"The previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki wasn't very skilled in sealing techniques. There were several incidents where its chakra leaked. Back then, some of my subordinates were monitoring her."

Danzo explained casually, watching Kazuma's subtle expression of satisfaction, and then warned him pointedly, "Don't use it against Konoha."

"If we continue to cooperate amicably, that won't happen."

Kazuma discreetly tucked away the scroll, then displayed the appointment letter without handing it over.

"The Daimyo plans to invite the Fourth Hokage to the capital to discuss the war's losses. This will take about half a month. You'll need that time, won't you?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes, realizing he needed to offer more. He spoke softly, "I will grant you access to some of Root's research findings."

"Much appreciated."

Kazuma's lips curved slightly as he handed over the appointment letter to Danzo. "From now on, the funds the Daimyo allocates to Konoha will be coordinated by the Hokage's assistant with the Daimyo's office."

Danzo received the letter with a steady hand, gripping it tightly as though holding his future.

Watching this, Kazuma took a step back. "I'll take my leave now. Once the Fourth Hokage returns, I'll invite him to the Daimyo's residence."

The internal divisions within Konoha—what a stroke of fortune.

Without the instigation of Konoha's clans and high-ranking officials like Danzo, it would've been nearly impossible for him and the Daimyo's court to undermine the Hokage's authority and redistribute some of that unique power to Danzo.

Now, with this appointment letter and Danzo's backers, Konoha would have two "jades" at its core. The political struggle would only grow fiercer.

In this way, their plan to abolish the Hokage's position entirely and centralize all power under the Daimyo would proceed more smoothly.

The Land of Fire only needed one "jade."

As Kazuma exited the room, Danzo sneered coldly.

This authority was now in his grasp. Once he became Hokage, it would belong to him alone.

A mere jonin, daring to use fragments of the Nine-Tails' chakra against Konoha and push for power to be centralized under the Daimyo—how naïve.

Without Konoha and the Hokage, how would the Daimyo maintain his position?

The Land of Fire may only need one "jade," but it didn't necessarily have to be the Daimyo.

Once I become Hokage, I will make both Konoha and the Land of Fire stronger!

With this thought, Danzo carefully stored the appointment letter and turned toward the corner of the room.

"Clan Head Hiashi did provide me with a good suggestion."

Hiashi Hyuga stepped out of the shadows, followed by Tokuma Hyuga.

"It's only because you had enough information, Lord Danzo, that you could leverage those Twelve Guardian Ninja to execute this plan," Hiashi said lightly, offering a word of praise.

"No need for modesty. Compared to most other clan heads who accomplish nothing, you are truly remarkable."

Danzo's tone carried a hint of approval. "With this appointment, I can make even more arrangements."

The authority of the Hokage's assistant derived from the Hokage. In the past, Danzo's power came from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and in practice, he only controlled Root.

His actual power wasn't as extensive as one might think.

Although he now had the support of some clans, if he were removed from the position of Hokage's assistant, any actions he took would lack legitimacy.

But this appointment letter represented real authority—authority that even the Hokage couldn't easily revoke.

"In the past, the Hokage was solely responsible for coordinating funding with the Daimyo's office. This funding is the lifeblood of the village and one of the Hokage's core powers. However, this authority technically belongs to the Daimyo, who can choose whomever he wishes to manage it."

Danzo looked at Hiashi Hyuga and remarked with some emotion, "The situation is different now. I can take this power for myself. If not for your reminder, I might have overlooked this."

Hiashi lowered his gaze slightly.

Yes, the situation was different now.

He had already seen the war reports at Danzo's place.

The conclusion he drew was simple—Konoha was too strong!

How long had it taken for Konoha to mobilize reinforcements and defeat Kirigakure?

Less than ten days!

Never before had a war ended so quickly. The strength Konoha displayed would unsettle neighboring nations and even the upper echelons of the Land of Fire.

"Kazuma, this member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, had long been plotting to transfer all power in the Land of Fire to the Daimyo. His actions were too obvious. Were he anyone more significant than a mere jonin, I might have paid him more attention. Luckily, I kept him around."

Danzo's voice carried a complicated undertone. "Not everyone is like the First Hokage. And no one believes the Fourth is another Hashirama!"

Those who sat in positions of power in the Land of Fire wouldn't entrust everything to blind faith.

Konoha's overwhelming strength, capable of standing alone against the other four great villages, made the external threats the Land of Fire once faced seem trivial. Wouldn't it make sense to limit the Hokage's power?

With Konoha's current might, if it continued to grow unchecked, who would be the true "jade" of the Land of Fire—the Hokage or the Daimyo?

People often assume the worst about others.

Those dissatisfied with the near-equal relationship between the Hokage and the Daimyo wouldn't focus on the benefits of Konoha's strength. They would only think about curbing the Hokage's power to prevent the Daimyo from becoming a powerless figurehead.

This time, with just a slight push from behind, he had seized this authority.

Hiashi Hyuga bowed slightly. "Congratulations, Lord Danzo."

"Hmm."

Danzo nodded, carefully storing the appointment letter. He murmured to himself, "The Hokage's two core powers—managing the village and coordinating with the Daimyo—are now in my hands."

"Even in name, you can't overpower me, Namikaze Minato. Not when I hold an appointment from the Daimyo. How will you fight me?"

"Hiruzen, I've already won. Now… I am Hokage!"

Danzo walked to the window, gazing at the Hokage Rock outside. A flood of emotions surged through him, and a sense of joy welled up within.

Over the past six months, the Fourth Hokage's face had gradually taken shape on the monument, standing alongside the previous Hokage for all to admire. But soon, a new face would be carved there as well.

The Fifth Hokage—Shimura Danzo!

Teacher, I will prove to you that only I am the best candidate for Hokage. I will lead Konoha to heights it has never seen before, surpassing Namikaze Minato, surpassing the village's founding days!

With his gaze lowered, Hiashi Hyuga maintained a calm expression, neither joyful nor sorrowful.

Beside him, Tokuma Hyuga also kept his head down, silent and expressionless.

(End of Chapter)

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