Senju proposed to Danzo the establishment of a new department, one corresponding to the Konoha Military Police Force, through which they could continue targeting the Uchiha clan.
Danzo lowered his head slightly, pondering the feasibility of the matter.
Senju's proposal offered Danzo a new perspective.
If a new department could indeed be established, there was no way Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato would allow him to monopolize its authority.
However, this problem was actually quite easy to solve.
The Uchiha clan placed great importance on the Konoha Military Police Force, as in the eyes of the Uchiha clansmen, it was essentially a family department.
With a little maneuvering, if the Uchiha clansmen learned that the newly established department was specifically designed to target them, they would undoubtedly go to the Hokage Building to pressure Namikaze Minato.
By the time the new department was established, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato would have already decided to adopt a conciliatory policy toward the Uchiha clan.
Thus, if the Uchiha applied pressure, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato would likely compromise and agree to shut down the new department.
At that point, Danzo only needed to firmly oppose the decision and, taking advantage of the situation, split the department. The newly separated department would then fall under his control.
However, there was one issue.
Danzo inquired, "If a new department is established, what about the ninjas assigned to it? No one in Konoha wants to offend the Uchiha. If they find out we are specifically targeting the Uchiha, it's likely no one will join, and even if they do, they might choose to leave."
Senju replied, "That's not a problem at all. As long as the benefits are attractive enough, and some of Lord Danzo's Root ninjas are stationed there to mentor newcomers, once those new recruits experience firsthand arresting and targeting Uchiha clansmen, they'll realize the Uchiha clan isn't so fearsome. After that, no one will want to leave.
Moreover, the newcomers mentored by the Root ninjas can be absorbed as external members of the Root. Of course, this doesn't mean they'll officially join the Root—Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato would never agree to an expansion of the Root. It's more about giving them an honor, letting them know they were once part of the Root.
Doing this would indirectly strengthen the Root and make more people aware of Lord Danzo's name.
This way, in the future, when Lord Danzo wants to take action, he will have supporters backing him.
I believe Lord Danzo's biggest disadvantage is the lack of supporters.
Lord Danzo, I don't know why the Second Hokage chose Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Hokage, but in my opinion, you are clearly more suited for the position of Hokage. As the leader of a village, indecisiveness is truly unacceptable."
Senju's words struck a chord with Danzo.
For a Hokage, indecisiveness was a major taboo.
Back when the Five Great Nations were first established, Hashirama Senju, as the strongest shinobi in the world, could have made Konoha the most powerful shinobi village but chose to give up that opportunity.
For the sake of Hashirama's so-called peace, he hoped to distribute the tailed beasts and form an alliance among the Five Great Nations through the Five Kage Summit.
However, this alliance was merely a "false peace" maintained by Hashirama's own strength. The shinobi of other nations only feared Hashirama's power. Once Hashirama died, the nations no longer had any reservations, leading to the outbreak of the First Shinobi World War.
If all the tailed beasts had been concentrated in Konoha back then, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.
In contrast, Tobirama Senju's methods could be described as iron-fisted.
During his tenure, Tobirama dedicated all his efforts to building the village's foundation.
To address internal and external threats, Tobirama demonstrated exceptional political skill by establishing the Anbu, directly under the Hokage's command, to consolidate the authority of the leadership core.
He also founded the Konoha Military Police Force, with key positions held by members of the Uchiha clan. This was both an expression of trust in the Uchiha and a means to monitor their every move.
Externally, Tobirama established the Anbu, directly commanded by the Hokage, to strengthen centralization.
The members of the Anbu were all outstanding shinobi selected by Tobirama from the village. Their main duties included protecting the Hokage and preventing external enemies from invading Konoha. They were also responsible for reconnaissance and assassination missions. The members wore animal-like white masks during operations, and all mission details and other information were kept confidential. This was the first intelligence organization among the Five Great Nations.
To ensure the transmission of his will, Tobirama also founded the Konoha Ninja Academy. Many of today's outstanding shinobi graduated from this academy.
It could be said that while Hashirama founded Konoha, Tobirama was the one who nurtured the village from a seedling into a towering tree.
Danzo believed he was the one most like Tobirama Senju.
Yet, the position of Hokage was given to Sarutobi Hiruzen. Although he had hesitated during the initial test, he had truly intended to volunteer as bait at the time.
Because of this, the position of Hokage ended up in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands, a thorn that had remained in Danzo's heart ever since.
Danzo was confident that if he were Hokage, he would perform far better than Sarutobi Hiruzen—more than twice as well.
If he were Hokage, the Third Shinobi World War would never have occurred, giving other villages the opportunity to invade Konoha.
And Konoha would undoubtedly have become even more prosperous.
However, all these ambitions were cut short because he was not the Hokage.
After hearing Senju's response, Danzo understood what Senju meant.
Senju had also realized that Danzo wanted to become Hokage more than anyone else.
Moreover, it seemed Senju also hoped for Danzo to become Hokage.
The strategy Senju proposed was intended to gradually bring the Root out of the shadows and into the public eye, gaining the support of Konoha's villagers.
Danzo tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, thinking carefully.
After a while, Danzo said to Senju, "I will consider your proposal carefully. You may leave for now."
The matter was too significant for Danzo to make an immediate decision.
Senju nodded. "Yes, Lord Danzo."
Senju turned and left the Root base.
Stepping back into the sunlight, Senju took a deep breath.
He wasn't afraid Danzo would disagree, as long as Danzo wanted to become Hokage.
If Danzo didn't want to become Hokage… that was impossible.
As for the Uchiha clan, Senju intended to kick them while they were down.
The humiliation he suffered at the hands of the Uchiha clansmen and the incident involving his parents were things Senju would never forget.
His parents had done nothing wrong, yet they were forced out of Konoha, labeled as rogue ninjas, and hunted down. After returning to Konoha, Senju was treated as less than human, subjected to constant humiliation. These memories were still vivid in his mind.
Although the Uchiha clan would eventually face annihilation, before that day came, Senju intended to collect some interest.
And when the night of the Uchiha clan's massacre arrived, how could he possibly miss it?
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