Chapter 97 ( Undercurrent surging)

As Ren was in his room, looking at the busy and beautiful nightlife of Konoha, in the Hokage's office Hiruzen and Danzo were currently having a conversation about Ren and the genin that came with him.

"They aren't that strong, most likely they won't survive this exam, but the other three even though they didn't make any big movements it's easy to see they are trained well." says Danzo.

"Mhm, I agree but it isn't surprising, the information the spies have passed on is very accurate, they are his students, it makes sense they are above the others." says Hiruzen as he stands staring out of the window of the office.

"The information received doesn't detail their abilities, are there any genin who you are sure about, to ensure the successful first stage of the plan?" Danzo questioned.

"Minato, should do well, he is the most promising right now, the first stage should be carried out without a problem, I'm worried about the success of the final stage, the boy doesn't seem to be as naive as we expected." says Hiruzen as his tone becomes serious and grim.

"So you saw it too, he hid it well, even I wasn't sure if he was playing along or really believed what you said, the boy is talented in body strength, and mind, leaving him to grow will be a big problem for the leaf."

"It doesn't matter he will be dealt with, and root will always have eyes on him while he is in the village." says Danzo.

Hearing his friend's response Hiruzen remained silent as his eyes shined bright as he looked at the village below.

"Peace would be nice don't you think so Danzo?" Hiruzen asked.

Hearing the question out of the blue a look of surprise flashed on Danzo's face.

'Hiruzen, it seems you have become soft even falling into such dream-like thoughts, war is the only thing that will lead to peace, true peace will only be achieved when the leaf destroys all the other villages and only I can lead the village to that point.' thinks Danzo.

"Peace like a number of other things would be nice, but like all things it must be taken by force, Hiruzen if you are thinking of backing out of this I'll warn you this will happen with or without your support." Danzo says as he stands from the chair he was in and begins to walk to the door.

"Hearing the response he received Hiruzen's voice sounded again.

"It seems old friend that you have forgotten who is the actual Hokage in this village, I will warn you to watch your tongue." Hiruzen says calmly without turning to face the leaving Danzo, but his voice was cold and filled with killing intent.

Hearing this Danzo stopped walking as laughter erupted.

"Hahahaha, Hiruzen let's not fall to the point of threatening the other with things that cannot be done, you have already given me too much power to get rid of me without damaging the village deeply, and before you kill me I'm sure I cant organize some information to reach the ears of the clans in the village." Danzo spoke calmly his voice the same as usual, no other indication of his treat than the words themselves.

Hiruzen was silent, but as he looked at the village regret flashed in his eyes before quickly disappearing.

"Remember I am the dark and you the light, I will do the dirty work you have become the weak to handle." Danzo says as he leaves the room, as Hiruzen is left standing alone.

Left alone in the office Hiruzen finally turned to look at the door, before sighing.

The truth of the matter was, very different than what Danzo said but the truth was worst in someways, Hiruzen currently was almost at his prime he had the strength to dominate the leaf village, and even if getting rid of Danzo would damage the village it wasn't anything that could be handled, and it surely wouldn't knock them down from being the strongest village.

And the clans even if angry won't leave the village or rebel as it would leave them open the be utterly destroyed by other villages.

So, why did Danzo still have so much power in the village?

It was simple, Hiruzen was too sentimental, he could bring himself to kill Danzo, and right now Danzo's methods even if dark were helping in some ways even if the village lost some ninjas as well.

"As long as the message is passed to the Tsuchikage it doesn't matter if the attack fails we will still be in the clear, and would even be able to get an alliance." says Hiruzen.

'Tobirama sensei was I really the best choice to carry on the will of fire?" Hiruzen questioned.

While all that was happening in the hidden leaf, in the hidden cloud something had happened that would be the spark for the second great ninja war, the bloodiest war to take place in the ninja world was soon approaching.

And one name will spread on every battlefield striking fear into every ninja's heart.