The failure to pursue Orochimaru was not beyond Danzo's expectations.

As Orochimaru's collaborator, he knows Orochimaru's abilities and strength better than Hiruzen, who is the Hokage. He is a poisonous snake that cannot be killed. If he is pushed too hard, he might get bitten back.

From this point of view, even if he maintains a cooperative relationship with Orochimaru, Danzo is still somewhat wary.

The information from Kakashi basically matched his guess.

Even if the ANBU dispatched two ministers, there would still be no Sannin left.

Although those two are also outstanding Jonin of Konoha, their combined strength is only close to that of Orochimaru. If they can successfully capture Orochimaru, Danzo will look down upon them.

"But it's really strange."

In a room in the ANBU, Aburame Ryoma stood there and said in a doubtful tone.

"What's weird?"

"Why did Orochimaru use the villagers and ninjas in the village for human experiments? As long as he informed us, he could get countless human bodies from the roots. There was no need for him to take risks himself."

He and Orochimaru had been on official business before, and Aburame Ryoma knew how cautious Orochimaru was and would never leave such a big mistake.

Unless he did it on purpose.

Just like a child's prank full of loopholes.

But this prank turned out to be too big.

Even the Third Hokage couldn't cover it up and could only suppress the impact later.

But Orochimaru has defected, and even if the subsequent impact is suppressed, the loss cannot be recovered.

This method of handling, just like the large-scale defection incident five years ago, controlled the public opinion in the village, but it could not change the cruel fact of Konoha's declining strength, it was just a fig leaf to cover itself.

"Because of this, this incident will hit Hiruzen hard."

Danzo did not directly answer Aburame Ryoma's question, but said this and sighed softly.

Orochimaru would defect, which was also beyond his expectation.

The way of defecting was also done deliberately for everyone to see.

If it were a normal defection, it would not be such a big blow to Hiruzen. On the contrary, it is precisely because of this prank-like defection that it is truly fatal to Hiruzen.

Because Orochimaru denied not only the village, but also everything about Hiruzen, his mentor.

Compared with Orochimaru's defection, the denial brought about by Orochimaru's defection was a sharp blade that directly penetrated Hiruzen's heart.

This kind of betrayal is no less than a father and son killing each other.

Ryoma Aburame nodded in understanding.

Immediately, he remembered something and said to Danzo: "By the way, although Orochimaru has defected, he has sent people to deliver the things we need in advance and are now storing them in the laboratory. Lord Danzo, plan

When will the transplant be performed?”

A flash of ambition flashed in Danzo's eyes, and he suppressed the excitement in his heart and said: "There is no rush for now. Once we have the things, there will be no problem in transplanting them anytime. How is Uchiha Itachi?"

"Having officially enrolled in school, how far he can grow depends on his own destiny. However, will such a person really join the root?"

Aburame Ryoma doubted this.

"Of course. The will in his eyes is darker than that of any Uchiha clansman. He is a clansman who perfectly matches his roots. He is simply the opposite of the mirror back then."

Danzo gave this evaluation.

"Since Lord Danzo said so, I'll look forward to it a little bit."

Aburame Ryoma never doubted Danzo's vision of people.

Especially those who have darkness hidden in their eyes will be attracted by the darkness in Danzo, and then join the roots.

The same is true for his deputy, and so are all the ninjas in the root.

Attracted by the darkness in Danzo, he volunteered to dedicate everything to Danzo and the village.

"Wait until he graduates from the ninja school before contacting him. Before that, there are still two things to deal with."

"Two things?"

One of the things Aburame Ryoma knew was that the battle with Kumogakure was now heating up, and his roots would become active as a result.

Therefore, a large number of manpower must be sent to the front line to assist the Konoha troops in fighting Kumogakure.

Just like in the previous battlefields between the Kingdom of Grass and the Kingdom of Rain, the roots will make Konoha win regardless of life, death and losses.

It doesn't matter what despicable and cruel methods were used. What matters is that Konoha can win all the victories, which is the result that Root really wants.

This is the meaning of root existence.

Therefore, it is appropriate to let go of the dispute with the Third Hokage.

As for the other thing Danzo said, Aburame Ryoma didn't know.

Maybe it was Danzo's temporary decision.

What could it be?

"Orochimaru defected. We can use the impact this incident has on Hiruzen. Moreover, I also want to give Hiruzen a chance to redeem everything. I hope he can be more decisive this time and not let me down again."

Danzo stood up from his seat, walked to the window, and sighed softly.

"Then what's to be done?"

"Spread the news in the village that Uzumaki Naruto is a nine-tailed demon fox."

Danzo turned his back to Aburame Ryoma and gave this order coldly.

"..."

Aburame Ryoma's body trembled and she nodded slightly.

"yes."

He knew what kind of life the fourth-generation son would have after spreading the news.

There is only one way to break the situation, and that is to expose his other identity - the son of the Fourth Hokage. Then he can change from a disgusting jinchuriki to a 'hero' who protects the village and is loved by the villagers.

So...how will the Third Hokage deal with it?

Do you choose to expose it or keep it secret?

Aburame Ryoma is looking forward to it.

◎

Orochimaru's defection eventually spread in the village.

The Third Hokage personally issued an order to list him as an S-class wanted criminal and notify all countries in the ninja world.

The major ninja villages had different reactions, but they must also be sneering secretly in their hearts.

Moreover, the troops of Kumogakure Village attacking the Country of Fire have become stronger, and the pressure on Konoha has become even greater.

All of this is too far away for Itachi, so the current goal is still to become stronger.

In a forest somewhere belonging to the Uchiha tribe, today was another day of training with Shisui.

"Itachi, how is the ninja school? Are you used to the life there?"

After Shisui finished his warm-up exercises, he smiled at Itachi and asked.

Itachi is six years old and entered school at the beginning of April this year. Counting now, it is almost a month ago.

Itachi glanced at Shisui who was not out of breath at all after doing the warm-up exercise. He felt a little dissatisfied, but still said:

"That's it. But I think being with you, Shisui, will make me stronger."

Itachi spoke out his thoughts frankly, expressing his recognition and respect for Shisui.

"Really? In school, aren't there any opponents worthy of your attention, Itachi?"

Shisui became slightly curious.

You know, there are still quite a lot of freshmen enrolling this year. Not to mention the major ninja clans, Uchiha and Hinata also have many freshmen enrolling. Shisui found that there are a few talented ones among them who can definitely become the backbone of Konoha in the future.

"I'm not paying attention to them."

Itachi picked up the shuriken and shot it at the target ten meters away in a standard posture.

His movement standard, speed and strength are also very good, far beyond the level of his peers.

"Why?"

"Because it's meaningless. Judging from their usual performance in practical classes, I don't think they are powerful people and they don't deserve my attention."

Is there still no one else in his eyes? Shisui thought with a slight headache.

"You now are very much like me in the past."

Zhisui sighed.

"Oh? Shisui, do you think so too?"

Itachi seemed to have found a topic worthy of resonance.
To be continued...