Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the imprisonment of Danzō Shimura within the Konoha Military Police detention facility, unrest had quietly begun to spread among the village's upper ranks.
Two people, in particular, found the decision utterly unacceptable—
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
As Konoha Elders, they stood at the very peak of the village's power structure. For decades, they had advised the Hokage, influenced policy, and shaped the direction of the Hidden Leaf.
To them, Danzō's imprisonment was more than just punishment for a comrade.
It was a warning.
If someone like Danzō—one of the most powerful and influential figures in Konoha—could be locked away so easily…
Then what about them?
The thought alone was enough to unsettle them.
"We cannot allow this precedent to stand," Homura had said more than once.
Koharu, though quieter, shared the same fear.
They had pleaded repeatedly with Hiruzen, attempting to persuade him to release Danzō. They argued for leniency, for compromise, for understanding.
But every attempt had ended in failure.
Just days earlier, their latest appeal had been met with a furious reprimand from Hiruzen himself.
His stance was unwavering.
Danzō would remain imprisoned.
No exceptions.
Faced with such determination, the two Elders had no choice but to temporarily back down.
At least—
That's what they thought.
Unexpectedly, on this very day—
Danzō came to them.
"What is he planning now…?"
Homura frowned as he read the message.
Beside him, Koharu's expression was equally puzzled.
"He should be in prison," she said quietly. "Yet he dares to contact us directly?"
They exchanged glances.
Confusion.
Suspicion.
Curiosity.
All three emotions flickered in their eyes.
In the end, however—
They chose not to report the matter to Hiruzen.
Instead, they agreed to meet.
The location: the Root base.
After all, it had been a long time since the three of them last spoke in private.
Perhaps…
It was nothing more than an old comrade seeking familiar company.
Not long after, the two Elders left the Hokage Office and made their way to the hidden base beneath Konoha.
The Root headquarters was as silent and oppressive as ever.
Dark corridors.
Masked operatives.
An atmosphere thick with secrecy.
At the center of it all—
Danzō stood waiting.
Or rather—
Someone who looked like Danzō.
In truth, it was a disguise.
A transformation created by White Zetsu, acting under the will of Pain.
"Danzō," Homura spoke first, his voice low but firm. "How did you leave prison?"
"Aren't you afraid Hiruzen will discover this?"
Koharu said nothing.
But her sharp gaze remained fixed on him, searching for any sign of deceit.
The disguised Danzō merely chuckled softly.
"I've been locked away for over two years," he said calmly. "Am I not allowed a brief moment of freedom?"
He gestured for them to sit.
Tea had already been prepared.
Everything appeared normal.
Almost too normal.
Of course—
This was no casual reunion.
It was a trap.
But the two Elders had no way of knowing.
Koharu took a sip of tea before speaking again.
"Enough of this," she said bluntly. "Get to the point."
"You didn't summon us here just for tea."
Indeed, he had.
But that was only part of the plan.
If he admitted that, they would leave immediately.
So instead, the disguised Danzō let his expression darken.
"There is something important we must discuss…"
"The next Hokage."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a quick glance.
So that was it.
"I assume you've noticed," Danzō continued, "that Hiruzen intends to pass the position to Aomizu Hirakawa."
Before he could continue, Homura interrupted.
"Don't tell me you still harbor ambitions of becoming Hokage."
"If that's why you called us here, then this conversation is over."
Koharu nodded in agreement.
They both knew Danzō too well.
His obsession with the Hokage position was no secret.
And they would never support him.
Not now.
Not ever.
The disguised Danzō remained calm.
"I do wish to become Hokage," he admitted openly.
"But I am also aware that neither of you would support me."
He paused briefly.
"So let's set that aside."
His gaze sharpened.
"Aomizu Hirakawa is too young."
"Too impulsive."
"If he becomes Hokage… do you truly believe that will be good for Konoha?"
The two Elders remained silent.
They did not respond immediately.
Then—
Danzō delivered the final blow.
"And when he takes power…"
"Do you think he will allow the two of you to remain as Elders?"
That—
Got their attention.
Their expressions changed instantly.
For them, power was everything.
Status.
Influence.
Authority.
These were things they could never give up.
Koharu tried to maintain her composure.
"We are Elders of Konoha," she said sharply. "We have served the village our entire lives!"
"How dare he remove us?"
But her voice lacked conviction.
Deep down—
She knew it was possible.
Aomizu Hirakawa was not someone who tolerated obstacles.
Homura, more composed, narrowed his eyes.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Danzō?"
The disguised man smiled faintly.
"My intentions are simple."
"I do not want Aomizu Hirakawa to become Hokage."
He leaned slightly forward.
"And neither should you."
A heavy silence followed.
The two Elders fell into deep thought.
They understood the implication.
This was no longer a discussion.
It was a conspiracy.
Meanwhile—
Elsewhere in Konoha—
The true plan was already in motion.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, reviewing documents.
The room was quiet.
Peaceful.
For a brief moment—
Everything seemed normal.
He lifted his pipe, taking a slow breath.
Then—
His eyes sharpened.
Whoosh—!
The sound of objects slicing through the air reached his ears.
Shuriken.
Multiple.
From all directions.
Every escape route—
Blocked.
An assassination attempt.
In an instant, Hiruzen reacted.
By the time the shuriken struck—
His body had already disappeared.
Thud!
The figure hit by the weapons turned into mud.
A substitution.
At the same moment, Hiruzen reappeared beside the hidden Anbu guards.
"Lord Hokage!"
They rushed forward in alarm.
"I'm fine," Hiruzen said calmly.
But his gaze was already scanning the shadows.
"Who are you?" an Anbu shouted. "Daring to attack the Hokage!"
No answer came.
Instead—
Flames erupted.
A powerful Fire Release technique engulfed the room, turning the office into an inferno within seconds.
The heat was overwhelming.
The flames devoured everything.
There was no time to react.
But Hiruzen stepped forward.
"Follow me!"
With swift movements, he led the Anbu out of the burning office and onto the rooftop of the Hokage Tower.
The open space gave them room to fight.
But—
Something was wrong.
"It's a barrier!"
An Anbu's voice rang out in shock.
Everyone looked up.
Surrounding the entire Hokage Tower—
Was a massive, glowing purple barrier.
The Four Violet Flames Formation.
A high-level sealing technique.
Powerful.
Restrictive.
Absolute.
They were trapped.
No escape.
No reinforcements.
Hiruzen's expression grew serious.
This was no ordinary attack.
This was a carefully planned assassination.
"Whoever you are…"
He stepped forward, his aura rising.
"You've chosen the wrong opponent."
The flames flickered.
The barrier hummed.
And in the shadows—
The assassins prepared for the next phase.
The battle for the life of the Third Hokage—
Had begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)