Just in time.
Mitokado Homura brought some good news.
"The Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura of The Hidden Mist Village, chose to commit suicide after being controlled by Uchiha Itachi with the Sharingan again..."
"The Hidden Mist Village hopes to form a United Pursuing Ninja Team with Konoha to jointly investigate information about Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito. I recommended you to Sarutobi..."
"Oh?"
Shimura Danzo's gaze flickered, then he quickly lowered his head, pretending to be indifferent: "The monkey surely did not agree, he still resents my taking matters into my own hands regarding the Uchiha Clan, although I did it for Konoha's benefit, sparing him from making difficult decisions..."
"Yes..."
Mitokado Homura nodded and continued: "That young Akihara Kagura also strongly supports your return, even planning to hand over some Root Ninja still loyal to you, Danzo, it seems your influence is still significant..."
"Hmph, that little brat..."
Shimura Danzo remained disdainful of Akihara Kagura, coldly stating: "That little brat has always been eyeing my position, dreaming of reforming the Root, yet he doesn't understand the significance of Root's existence in Konoha. Now that he's hit a wall, he remembers me?"
That Root took decades to build!
The Root Ninja could never truly be loyal to him!
Shimura Danzo was well-acquainted with shady tricks and did not hesitate to suspect Akihara Kagura of malice, sure that brat still wished to use the opportunity to kick out members of Root, especially since he had the Konoha Orphanage behind him, ready to select backup forces!
However...
This matter was beneficial to Danzo!
Because this was a chance for him to make a comeback!
As long as he could return, he might have another chance to seize power in the future!
"How unfortunate..."
Shimura Danzo took a sip of tea, slowly putting it down, and sighed: "This year I'm already over sixty, a ninja's dream should be to die on the battlefield, not in their home..."
"I understand what you mean."
Mitokado Homura looked at his old friend, seriously spoke: "If you want to join the United Pursuing Ninja Team formed by The Hidden Mist Village and Konoha, I can wholeheartedly recommend you to Sarutobi. Your experience and qualifications would make you suitable for the captain's role in this Pursuing Ninja Team..."
"If it's that young Kakashi representing Konoha, and The Hidden Mist Village sends someone more qualified, maybe the captain's role would fall to a Hidden Mist Ninja; if it's you, I doubt there's anyone more suited for the position..."
This was also Mitokado Homura's intention in recommending Shimura Danzo.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen considered Kakashi Hatake as quite suitable, in the eyes of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, Kakashi Hatake was ultimately too young.
If The Hidden Mist Village sent someone more experienced, when the two villages discussed leadership roles in the future, this United Pursuing Ninja Team might be led by The Hidden Mist Village...
In that case...
If The Hidden Mist's ninja led this Pursuing Ninja Team, they'd certainly prioritize The Hidden Mist's name and interests, inevitably harming Konoha's interests.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the two advisor elders, always prioritized Konoha's interests and didn't want to see such a situation arise.
Just in time.
They had a suitable candidate.
They were old friends with Shimura Danzo, well-aware that this old friend was restless, and decided to take the chance to push him forward, giving Shimura Danzo an opportunity to return to the upper echelons.
In recent times, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that the ninja clans in the village would be dissatisfied with Shimura Danzo, so Shimura Danzo might as well take this opportunity to go out on a mission and lay low.
Indeed.
When the entire Konoha leadership united, things were easy to accomplish. Sarutobi Hiruzen was swayed by Mitokado Homura's persuasion and also found Akihara Kagura had no objections, even willing to offer support.
No matter the case...
This matter was in Konoha's favor.
Having Shimura Danzo hold the power of this United Pursuing Ninja Team was indeed more fitting than a Hidden Mist Ninja being the team leader, especially since they're tracking someone who is a Konoha spy—Shimura Danzo leading this Pursuing Ninja Team would ensure no harm comes to that person.
"Let Danzo be Konoha's representative then!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally made a definitive decision, turning to Akihara Kagura: "Kagura, pull some ninja from the Root to be part of the United Pursuing Ninja Team."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura had no objections, continuing his suggestion without hesitation: "If needed, I can also join the Pursuing Ninja Team..."
"No."
Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected Akihara Kagura's idea.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to send Shimura Danzo out on a mission to prevent him from staying in the village, using the name of Root's founder to make contact with Akihara Kagura again.
Root Base.
Akihara Kagura summoned his two personal guards.
Recently, Yamanaka Fuu had been using Root's machinery to help Akihara Kagura try to free Root Ninja from Shimura Danzo's brainwashing, but beyond the machines, the Root Ninjas were more loyal out of habit to Danzo.
Yamanaka Fuu worried whether his work efficiency wasn't high enough, causing dissatisfaction with Akihara Kagura, or perhaps suspected he was still loyal to Shimura Danzo...