The moment he heard Jin's words, Shimura Danzo's expression darkened completely.
So his suspicions had been right.
Jin observed him calmly and added,
"Judging by your reaction, Shimura Elder, you already know who those 'unfamiliar faces' are?"
The patrol units of the Konoha Police Force had indeed discovered those individuals by accident. Jin had his guesses—but not confirmation.
Danzo let out a cold snort.
"Who else could they be?"
"They're shinobi Hiruzen cultivated in secret—using village resources—to strengthen his own clan."
He paused, then shot Jin a sideways glance.
"Don't let your Uchiha arrogance blind you."
"You boast nearly a thousand shinobi and call yourselves Konoha's greatest clan—perhaps even the strongest in the entire shinobi world."
"But after decades of development, the Sarutobi clan's total number of ninja is no less than yours."
"The only difference is quality."
Jin's eyes flickered faintly.
Danzo continued.
"The Utatane and Mitokado clans may not have focused solely on military growth, but together their strength rivals the Hyūga."
"They've simply hidden most of their shinobi in administrative or minor roles to avoid drawing attention."
For a brief moment, even Jin was impressed.
At Konoha's founding, the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans had been modest families—fewer than a thousand members total, and barely a hundred ninja.
Now?
The Sarutobi clan alone nearly matched their original full population in shinobi numbers.
How many resources had been diverted over the years?
How deeply had village funds been siphoned into private growth?
Jin couldn't help thinking:
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had ruled another decade or two, by the time of the Fourth Shinobi War, the so-called "Three Thousand Sarutobi" might not have been a joke at all.
He shook the thought away.
This wasn't the time for historical irony.
He looked back at Danzo.
"On the surface alone, Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado already hold over a hundred jōnin."
"Add the hidden ones, and they surpass two hundred."
"That's nearly equal to the combined jōnin count of the Uchiha and Hyūga."
"You control Root."
"But ANBU still answers to Hiruzen's influence."
"In the mid-sized clans, the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance stands firmly with him."
"Among civilian ninja, you have Orochimaru pulling votes your way…"
"But Hiruzen has Jiraiya."
"And let's not forget—his reputation in the village far exceeds yours."
Jin paused deliberately.
"I've even heard… he's begun pulling support from your own Shimura clan."
With each sentence, Danzo's face grew darker.
By the time Jin finished, his expression resembled the bottom of a burnt pot.
Clearly—
He had already foreseen this possibility.
Which explained why he had come tonight.
Danzo narrowed his eye.
"The board is not yet decided."
"Victory and defeat are still uncertain."
"I came not only to confirm your loyalty…"
"But to secure insurance."
Jin's heart stirred.
Insurance?
Danzo had indeed secured early promises from various clans—but that was before Hiruzen stepped in personally.
Since then, many who had pledged support had begun wavering.
For a man like Danzo, that instability was intolerable.
Jin asked carefully,
"What kind of insurance?"
Danzo's eye flashed viciously.
"The former ANBU commander is dead."
"Hiruzen cannot exercise Hokage authority."
"ANBU is leaderless."
"Tomorrow, in my capacity as Konoha Elder, I will order Root to take over the covert security of the election venue."
Jin remained silent.
Danzo continued.
"Public security will be handled by the Uchiha Police Force."
"That means—inside and out—the venue will be ours."
"If I win?"
"Everything proceeds normally."
He paused.
His killing intent sharpened.
"But if I lose…"
The air grew heavy.
"Then we end it in one stroke."
"Kill Hiruzen."
"Imprison Minato."
"Execute Utatane and Mitokado."
Jin's pupils contracted.
For a moment—even he was genuinely stunned.
"You're talking about open rebellion."
Danzo's voice was calm.
"Failure is rebellion."
"Success is revolution."
"If Hiruzen dies, I have enough evidence to prove he deserved it."
"As for Minato…"
"He must not be killed."
"You only need to hold him down."
"Orochimaru can restrain Jiraiya."
"I will handle the rest."
His gaze burned with obsession.
"The Fourth Hokage seat is mine."
"Even if the Sage of Six Paths himself descends…"
"He will step aside."
The room fell silent.
Jin now understood.
Danzo had not come seeking reassurance.
He had come prepared for a coup.
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