"I didn't do it!"
Shimura Danzo resolutely refused to admit it, even presenting his compelling evidence: "You've destroyed all the Sharingan in Root. I assure you, there's absolutely no Sharingan. Only Sarutobi Hiruzen has access to the Sharingan in Konoha, and only his Dark Department can collect Sharingan from the Uchiha's domain!"
"But..."
Akihara Kagura looked at Shimura Danzo, reminding him once again: "The people in the Dark Department have always claimed that they were ordered to destroy the Sharingan long ago..."
This false accusation!
Shimura Danzo had to accept it, even if he didn't acknowledge it!
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen had already sealed the path!
However, Akihara Kagura was a considerate person, proactively offering Shimura Danzo a way out: "Even if they did secretly keep the Sharingan, for what purpose? The Sharingan isn't strong enough, is it?"
"Perhaps the Sharingan isn't strong enough!"
Shimura Danzo immediately felt he had grasped the truth, and he stared intently at Akihara Kagura: "But, you are strong enough, the Wood Release Ninja is powerful enough!"
Shimura Danzo probed the truth, searching for reasons for Sarutobi Hiruzen: "It must be because of your success, because your Wood Release is powerful, that monkey bastard revived the idea of using the First Hokage's cells. Coincidentally, he acquired a batch of Sharingan materials on the night of the massacre, and by a twist of fate, the experiment succeeded..."
"But..."
"The monkey doesn't want this matter to be discovered..."
"All along, anything inconvenient to be done was done by me, but the monkey never dared let me wield the power of Wood Release. Initially, he snatched you and Tianzang from my Root!"
"However, this matter was accidentally discovered..."
"That monkey bastard made me take the blame in the world of Genjutsu, and it's still the same in the real world!"
"..."
Akihara Kagura admired Shimura Danzo's meticulous logic.
He could uncover such a truth...
However, when Shimura Danzo started suspecting people from Konoha, his thinking became extraordinarily expansive, and he even found another possibility.
"Perhaps..."
"The monkey was silently controlled by Uchiha Obito..."
"Uchiha Obito took the Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo Sharingan that I snatched from Shisui, secretly controlling the monkey. Hadn't he already controlled the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village?"
"..."
Akihara Kagura felt this line of thought wasn't wrong either. If this false accusation were dumped on Uchiha Obito, it would be an excellent choice for him.
"Lord Danzo."
Akihara Kagura acknowledged that the two theories proposed by Shimura Danzo were quite reasonable, but they must be clear about one fact: "No matter how much evidence you have, even if the Third Hokage was indeed controlled by Uchiha Obito or conducted secret experiments, everyone would still blame you, because at this time, the Hokage laid out all his evidence before everyone..."
"Unless..."
"In front of everyone..."
"You confront the Hokage, expose what's been done by the Hokage, and let everyone know you are innocent, that the Hokage is the one who did wrong. Only then will you have a chance to return to Konoha and counter the Hokage's warrant."
"Alright!"
Shimura Danzo clenched his teeth.
Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed the dark deeds he'd done, even using them as evidence for the warrant against him. Why couldn't he retaliate against Sarutobi Hiruzen!
Moreover...
Once this defection incident was exposed...
Once these pieces of evidence were out, how could he possibly become the Hokage?
"Anyway, let's evade the Hokage's pursuit first!"
Akihara Kagura persuaded Shimura Danzo to consider the bigger picture, and in the volcano, he poured a bucket of oil: "The Hokage announced at the meeting that the ninja in the village should prioritize hunting you..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo's heart was immediately filled with hatred!
Almost every traitorous ninja who had escaped from Konoha would develop hatred towards their bonded companions, and Shimura Danzo's resentment was even fiercer than Uchiha Madara's!
Yet...
After his hatred, Shimura Danzo had to face a grim reality: "I don't want to betray Konoha, but at this moment, where can I go?"
Shimura Danzo glanced at Akihara Kagura, asking: "You brought me to the Land of Rice Fields, are you suggesting I turn to Orochimaru?"
"Not seeking refuge, just temporary shelter."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, continuing: "I had some unpleasant situations with Lord Orochimaru. He's always wanted to use Immortal Rebirth to take over my body. I'd like to ask Lord Danzo for a favor, to mediate this matter, ideally make Lord Orochimaru realize..."
"I am his equal ally..."
When Akihara Kagura mentioned this, he smiled at Shimura Danzo: "Just as I am now with Lord Danzo..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo knew this had already become the reality.
Because Akihara Kagura's status and strength surpassed his, and even in this alliance, he held a favorable position, but his heart still felt a bit uncomfortable...
"I brought you back to Konoha."
Shimura Danzo recalled his first meeting with Akihara Kagura.
"So..."
Akihara Kagura smiled warmly at the elder in front of him, extending his hand amicably: "I will definitely help Lord Danzo return to the village."
"..."
Shimura Danzo's heart suddenly felt a lot better, nodding in agreement to Akihara Kagura's request: "Then I shall talk to Orochimaru for you..."
"Please, Lord Danzo, stay in the Land of Rice Fields for now, monitor our alliance with Lord Orochimaru, to prevent him from causing us trouble."
Akihara Kagura found the world indeed fascinating.
Initially, Orochimaru had sent him to Konoha to monitor the alliance with Shimura Danzo, and now Akihara Kagura was letting Shimura Danzo monitor his alliance with Orochimaru...
Yet...
It was beneficial to Orochimaru in this matter.
After all, Orochimaru could personally monitor his alliance with Shimura Danzo from now on.
Of course.
It also posed some risks to Orochimaru.
Because many in the Ninja World wished to kill Danzo.
Land of Rain.
Akatsuki Hideout.
Upon learning that Shimura Danzo had defected from Konoha and become an S-Class Traitorous Ninja of Konoha, Nagato and Konan immediately recognized this as a great opportunity for revenge!
Uchiha Itachi...
Also thought it was an excellent opportunity!
Because directly killing Shimura Danzo for revenge on Shisui could also clear away one of the most dangerous S-Class traitorous ninjas for Konoha!
The most crucial aspect was...
Uchiha Itachi still believed Shimura Danzo possessed Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami Mangekyo Sharingan, let alone secretly experimenting with Sharingans obtained from the night of the massacre!
The money-loving Kakuzu, who always brought valuable news to the Akatsuki Organization: "The price for Shimura Danzo's corpse as an S-Class Traitorous Ninja of Konoha skyrocketed to 190 million Ryo within a few days, and rumors suggest that a living capture can double the amount. Can this person become my teammate?"
"..."
Is that to have Danzo as your teammate!
No members of the Akatsuki Organization wanted to expose Kakuzu's intention!
"Kakuzu, we've found a more suitable newcomer for you."
Deva Path Pain declined Kakuzu's request, gently saying: "That newcomer possesses the Undying ability, better suited to be your new teammate...as for Danzo, he's more suitable to become a body and be exchanged for money."
"Well, let's go with that!"
Only then did Kakuzu nod with satisfaction.
Deva Path Pain then added: "However, this matter is significant, so Konan and I will head there together with you."
"We can also..."
Uchiha Itachi spoke up voluntarily.
Due to the death of Biwa Juzo, Uchiha Itachi also gained a new teammate, Hoshigaki Kisame, an S-Class Traitorous Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village who grinned, revealing a mouth full of shark teeth: "Do you have any ideas for hunting Danzo, Mr. Itachi? Aren't you allies?"
"I and..."
Uchiha Itachi was about to speak but was interrupted directly.
"Let's go together."
Red Sand Sasori proposed.
However, Red Sand Sasori's new teammate, the ponytail-haired Deidara, opposed uncomfortably, saying: "Hey, hey, hey, Lord Scorpion, I'm not interested in Shimura Danzo. When can we set out to kill that Akihara Kagura bastard!"
"..."
Deva Path Pain felt a headache coming on.
If Deidara were to know in the future that Akihara Kagura was one of his own, wouldn't he blow the Akatsuki Hideout sky-high?
Moreover...
Has Deidara always been this confident as a newcomer?
Red Sand Sasori glanced at Deidara, good-heartedly advising: "If you wish to die now, don't drag the Akatsuki Organization down with you."