Chapter 63: The Best Candidate for Hokage
Shimura Danzo's sudden outburst of pressure made Uchiha Shisui's heart skip a beat.
He hadn't spoken the truth just now to stir up trouble, intensify conflict, or cause unnecessary problems.
He had simply wanted to show his loyalty to the village, his willingness to put the bigger picture first in front of Danzo.
At the same time, he'd hoped his sincerity could help ease the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village.
But now, seeing Danzo's reaction, Shisui couldn't help but re-examine his earlier actions.
He was starting to regret telling the truth.
After a moment of hesitation, Shisui continued, "Lord Danzo, Dali-senpai's request is actually quite simple. He just wants to give the Uchiha clan an explanation."
"Because at that time, we all saw the difference in how the villagers treated other heroes compared to us…"
Shisui began explaining.
He was trying to help Danzo understand all the efforts he had made.
But Danzo remained cold and silent, his expression dark.
This made Shisui regret his actions once again.
He tried to salvage the situation, intending to explain further.
But Danzo had lost his patience.
"Just answer what I ask. A ninja must follow orders—especially one from the Anbu. Have you forgotten the rules of the Shinobi Code?"
Faced with Danzo's questioning, Shisui had no choice but to grit his teeth and nod. "Yes, Lord Danzo."
"Dali-senpai told me… if the village refuses to let him become Hokage, he has a way to make everyone submit without shedding a drop of blood…"
Shisui's voice grew quiet.
But after hearing those words, a sharp glint still flashed through Danzo's eyes.
What was unexpected, however, was that this time Danzo didn't get angry.
Instead, he asked coldly, "Anything else?"
"No, nothing."
"From now on, I want you to closely monitor Uchiha Dali, and even the entire Uchiha clan. If there's even the slightest disturbance, you must report to me immediately!"
As he spoke, Danzo slowly pulled out a document from his robes.
"Take this."
"This is our promise to you."
"Of course, as I've said before, if the Third Hokage returns and asks about this matter, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself!"
Shisui stepped forward and respectfully accepted the document.
He saw it was an administrative order about publicizing the Uchiha clan's accomplishments on the battlefield.
He immediately thanked him and turned to leave the Root headquarters.
After he left, a raspy voice suddenly echoed from the shadows. "Heh…"
"Looks like the old man doesn't see you as a candidate for the Fourth Hokage after all."
A figure slowly emerged from the dark corner, a wicked grin on his face.
Tall and slender, with long flowing black hair.
It was none other than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, who had just earned great merit on the battlefield by leading a Konoha unit to singlehandedly crush an attack force from Sunagakure.
True to form, Orochimaru struck a nerve.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi taking Minato Namikaze to the capital, it was a blatant signal to Danzo that he was out of the running for the Fourth Hokage.
This had left Danzo deeply frustrated.
It was also one of the key triggers for his actions against the Uchiha clan.
Even so, Danzo didn't lash out at Orochimaru. Instead, he looked at him calmly and said, "Among Hiruzen's three disciples, the one he values most is you."
"This time, taking Minato to the capital may just be to negotiate with the lords of the four great nations. As for the position of Fourth Hokage, I still believe in your potential, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru had long since formed his own opinion on the matter.
But hearing Danzo analyze it this way, he found it somewhat convincing.
No matter how powerful Minato Namikaze might be, he was still just a youngster in his early twenties—what did that really count for?
At that same age, Orochimaru had already made a name for himself in the Second Great Ninja War, earning the title of one of the "Legendary Three Ninja" of Konoha after defeating Hanzo the Salamander of Amegakure.
In terms of strength, Minato might not be superior.
In terms of reputation and seniority, he lagged far behind.
Besides, as Danzo said, Orochimaru was Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct disciple—and his most beloved one at that.
With all these factors in play, Orochimaru himself felt there was no reason for his mentor to pass over him and name Minato as the next Hokage.
A wicked smile curved at his lips.
Orochimaru said slowly, "That little brat called Uchiha Dali seems interesting."
"Not only did he foresee that our teacher might be forced to retire, but he also intends to personally fight for the title of Hokage. Heh…"
"Maybe I'll go meet him myself."
"He's strong—don't say I didn't warn you, Orochimaru. Watch your step."
Danzo's heart stirred, but he deliberately provoked Orochimaru.
"Heh…"
Orochimaru didn't respond, nor did he speak again.
His figure slowly melted into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.
...
When Uchiha Dali left the Naka Shrine, night had already fallen.
Under the bright moonlight, he walked home alone.
Suddenly, the bushes beside the road rustled.
"Shisui?"
Dali stopped in his tracks—and sure enough, the next second, Uchiha Shisui appeared before him.
"Dali-senpai."
"You didn't attend the meeting. Where did you go?"
Dali turned around and looked him in the eyes.
Shisui's expression turned a little awkward. "Sorry, Dali-senpai…"
"Hm?"
"I've joined Lord Danzo's Root organization… and I told him everything about your plan."
Shisui confessed directly.
In that instant, it was as if the world stopped spinning.
The air grew cold.
The atmosphere was so tense it felt like it could make your toes curl in embarrassment.
Dali stared at Shisui with a blank expression.
After a moment, he finally spoke in an eerily calm tone. "So, you've chosen to become my enemy."
"No, Dali-senpai."
"I just want to find a better way for our clan and the village to coexist—one that maintains peace across the whole village, so that no one has to…"
"Silence."
Dali had lost his patience.
His words made Shisui lower his head, his expression dim. "I'm sorry, Dali-senpai…"
After apologizing, he braced himself, expecting a harsh scolding—or even a beating.
But to his surprise, Dali didn't do anything of the sort.
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