The so-called balance of the Konoha f4 is completely built on the strength and prestige of the Third Hokage, which surpasses the other three by a large margin!
Otherwise, why is he touted as the "Strongest Hokage"?
Others may not know, but does Hiruzen Sarutobi not know how powerful the First Hokage was?
In the end, it's just to maintain his own position of power!
Because only with prestige and strength can he suppress Danzo's ambition!
But...............
Things are different now!
After receiving Lu Ming's gift, Danzo's strength has at least increased by a level, and he is not far from the level of a Kage.
The rapid increase in strength has made his ambitions even more inflated!
A small Root organization is no longer enough to satisfy Danzo's appetite!
To be honest, if it weren't for the remaining affection, and some of Danzo's own thoughts...
He hopes to let the Third Hokage, Mito Menma, and Koharu Utatane see firsthand how he will lead Konoha to dominate the world.
He could stage a coup d'état right now!
"Monkey!"
This familiar yet strange address made the Third Hokage pause slightly.
How long has it been?
Since becoming Hokage, Danzo has never called him that again.
The Third Hokage suddenly felt a little guilty, but more than that, he was dissatisfied.
I've given you a hundred ninja quotas, and you're still not satisfied?
You're being too greedy, Danzo!
"I've had enough of the darkness."
As if not noticing his friend's increasingly gloomy and warning gaze, Danzo paced around the office, muttering, "You are the Konoha in the sunshine, enjoying flowers and applause, enjoying the respect and love of Konoha ninjas and villagers."
"But I can only be the root of Konoha, struggling in the darkness, longing for the sunlight."
"I don't want to continue like this anymore, Monkey."
Perhaps because he was finally speaking his long-suppressed truth, and expressing his ambition without any pretense for the first time, Danzo suddenly felt much lighter.
He felt a huge weight lift off his chest.
His entire aura became completely different from before.
"Monkey, I want to be Hokage!"
Ignoring his three old friends, whether they were confused, shocked, or bewildered, Danzo continued, "I think I'm more qualified and capable of running Konoha than you!"
"I will lead Konoha to unprecedented prosperity! Surpass the prosperity and glory of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!"
"But I also know you won't easily give up your power, Monkey. So let's have a fair competition. I won't assassinate you anymore. Even if you fail, I will give you a Hokage advisor position, and the same goes for Koharu and Menma."
"I want you to witness firsthand how I achieve my dream!"
The words fell.
The room was deathly silent!
Danzo had expressed his ambition before, but it was the first time he directly challenged the Third Hokage!
"Danzo!"
The Third Hokage, whose power was threatened, could no longer suppress his inner rage.
A glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
"Do you know what you're doing? Are you trying to split Konoha?"
"Don't be impulsive, Monkey."
Danzo remained expressionless, not afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi's Kage aura, nor did he care about the powerful chakra he unleashed, he simply said calmly, "Trust me, you won't fight me."
"Because................."
He formed a hand seal, and the next second, chakra even surpassing that of the Third Hokage erupted suddenly!
The office desk inherited from the First Hokage shattered with a boom!
Then, Danzo's hoarse voice quietly echoed.
"I'm not the same as I was, Monkey................."
This is, Wood...............
Wood Style?!
Looking at the lush sapling growing from the broken edge of the desk, the Third Hokage and his two old comrades looked like they had just eaten a pile of shit.
Wood Style!
It's actually Wood Style!!!
How did Danzo manage this? Didn't all the experiments fail?
Root's little actions couldn't hide from the Third Hokage.
He knew Danzo was involved in some shady research, but so what?
Everything was under the Third Hokage's control.
If it failed, so be it. If it succeeded by chance, Danzo would just be helping him out.
After all, that was the Wood Style that the First Hokage used to pacify the world!
How could Hiruzen Sarutobi not want to have it?
But now, Danzo slapped him hard with harsh reality!
The Third Hokage suddenly raised his head, his eyes cold and fierce as he stared at Danzo.
He seemed to see Danzo saying to him, did you see?
Monkey!
Not only did I succeed, but I also secretly obtained the power of Wood Style!
What can you do to me?
"Is this your confidence, Danzo?"
His teeth clenched, the Third Hokage was almost unable to suppress his murderous intent.
"Heh."
But Danzo didn't answer, he just sneered.
In his opinion, the three old friends in front of him were nothing more than frogs at the bottom of a well who had never seen a true god.
How can fireflies know the brilliance of the sun?
In terms of vision, insight, and means.................
I, Danzo, am a hundred times better than the three of you!
"Be prepared to step aside, Monkey."
"I'll show you what true power is!"
He said, and opened the door.
Just as he was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly thought of something, turned back, and said with an unquestionable tone, "I've had Root ninjas take Kushina. If you don't want Konoha to split, be quiet, Monkey."
He finished speaking, and left without looking back.
Inside the office, a deathly silence descended.
Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane looked at each other, reading the meaning in each other's eyes.
This is a fight between Danzo and Monkey, it has nothing to do with us, don't get involved!
After all, no matter who wins, they are still Hokage advisors, it's all the same.
It's better to stay out of it and avoid being liquidated by the victor.
If it were before, they would have firmly stood by the Third Hokage.
But now, Danzo has Wood Style, it's really hard to say!
Let's get out of here quickly, and get out of this while we can!
The two old foxes found an excuse and left.
The Third Hokage remained silent, and after a long while, called for the Anbu ninjas guarding the Hokage's office.
"Go investigate what happened in Root over this period."
"Remember, don't miss any details, no matter how small!"
"I want the most detailed investigation report, understand?"
Hearing this, the Anbu ninjas immediately knelt on one knee, accepting the order, "Understood! Hokage-sama!"
"Go."
Standing up, the Third Hokage walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling Konoha Village, his heart filled with worry, but also a hint of curiosity.
Danzo, Danzo, what kind of opportunity did you get?
If I had gotten that opportunity.................
Witnessing his old friend's return of the Wood Style, the Third Hokage's heart also quietly harbored a hint of ambition.
No one knew that his greatest dream was not just to become Hokage!
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to become the true "Strongest Hokage"!
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