Storm Over Amegakure: Danzo's Ruthless Strategy

Inside Amegakure, under the perpetual curtain of rain, Danzo and a group of his Root shinobi advanced covertly up a hill, cloaked in darkness.

Their mission was crucial. It was part of a longstanding arrangement with Hanzo to help solidify his control over the village by eliminating all opposing factions.

This consolidation of power was essential for Hanzo to fully commit to an alliance with Konoha, something he had hesitated to do despite Danzo's efforts thus far.

Danzo's Root had been effective in dispatching the majority of these factions, yet one formidable group remained—a thorn in their side: Akatsuki.

This organization, elusive and ideologically driven, continued to replenish its ranks despite repeated losses.

As long as its charismatic leaders were active, Akatsuki seemed nearly indomitable, continually inspiring new adherents to join their cause.

Their ideology, one of peace and neutrality for Amegakure, was dangerously appealing to the masses, threatening to undermine Hanzo's and, consequently, Danzo's plans.

Danzo's deep-seated disdain for Akatsuki is evident. He despised their vision of ending all wars and their efforts to position Amegakure as a neutral entity in the ninja world.

Such ideals were antithetical to his own, where his power and influence thrived on the chaos and opportunities bred by continual conflict.

Although Danzo recognized the strategic necessity of backing Hanzo to unify Amegakure under a strong leadership, he harbored reservations about a completely stabilized village.

His preference leaned towards maintaining a level of internal division within Amegakure, as had been the case at the outset of the current world war. Such fragmentation allowed Konoha to manipulate and exploit the village's weaknesses more readily.

However, idealistic as it was, Danzo understood the pragmatic shift needed in their approach.

There was no assurance that Hanzo wouldn't eventually seek the support of another major village to consolidate his power, potentially turning Amegakure into a formidable, unified force that could pose a significant threat to Konoha's interests either way.

This risk made it imperative for Konoha to secure Hanzo's allegiance first, ensuring he remained a controllable ally rather than an unpredictable variable.

Therefore, despite his recent typically packed schedule, Danzo had made it a point to personally oversee the final move against the Akatsuki leaders.

Officially, his presence was to ensure the smooth execution of this critical operation, but his motives extended beyond merely eliminating these ideological pacifists.

Danzo was well aware that the Akatsuki's leaders, despite their lofty ideals, were not equipped for a direct confrontation and would likely crumble once their trap was sprung.

Yet, Danzo's true aim in being present was to exert direct pressure on Hanzo. It was crucial, especially now as Amegakure was on the brink of unification, to assert his influence and display the extent of his newly acquired powers.

This show of strength was meant to reinforce Hanzo's loyalty and cement him for a subordinate role in their alliance from now on, unlike before.

With Konoha gaining the upper hand in the broader geopolitical landscape and with Iwagakure and Kumogakure as the remaining threats, it was more critical than ever to ensure that Amegakure did not shift allegiances and give them any renewed vigor once again.

Danzo's strategic maneuvering in Amegakure was a calculated effort to maintain a balance of power that favored Konoha, securing its position as a dominant force in the ninja world.

As Danzo navigated the complexities of the situation in Amegakure, his thoughts often drifted back to Konoha, where Minato Namikaze's rising influence and autonomy were becoming increasingly concerning for him. Minato's growing power and respect within the village caused Danzo to be sleepless many times.

Fortunately, Danzo had recently achieved a significant breakthrough that bolstered his strategic capabilities and confidence: the complete mastery of the improved 'new' Edo Tensei.

This achievement was largely thanks to the combined efforts of Orochimaru's ingenuity, Hiruzen's unwitting financial support, and the tireless work of a select group of young geniuses within Root.

These individuals were compelled to dedicate their intellect and skills to refining this forbidden jutsu, working relentlessly under Danzo's strict supervision.

Among these young talents, one teen stood out sharply. Known only by the codename "Zero," this individual demonstrated exceptional intelligence and aptitude, contributing significantly to the breakthroughs in Edo Tensei.

His contributions were so invaluable that Danzo elevated him to the position of his first assistant and second-in-command of Root—the first time such a position had been granted in the organization's history.

Zero's role didn't just stop at research and development. Back in Konoha, he was tasked with overseeing Root's operations and finalizing preparations for a top-secret operation targeting a major clan within the village—a clan particularly despised by Danzo.

This operation, shrouded in secrecy, was poised to further Danzo's agenda and secure his position within the village's power dynamics once he came back from here.

Yet, Danzo's current satisfaction stemmed from a confluence of strategic advancements, but what truly underpinned his smug demeanor was the significant boost to his personal power.

While the impending suffering of a despised clan within Konoha was a factor in his contentment, the real prize was the unprecedented access Hiruzen had begrudgingly granted him to the genetic material of some of the most formidable shinobi in Konoha's history.

This material was intended for use in Danzo's mastery of Edo Tensei, specifically for the top-secret operation they were orchestrating.

The irony of the situation was not lost on Danzo. By providing these resources, Hiruzen had unwittingly fortified his greatest rival within the village. Danzo had no intention of returning these invaluable assets ever again.

With the DNA of Konoha's legendary shinobi at his disposal, he had the means to summon a small squad of legendary powerful figures, each capable of altering the dynamics of any battle or political landscape.

This access dramatically amplified his strength, placing him on par with—or even above—the capabilities of many smaller ninja nations combined, not to mention just single, increasingly frail Hiruzen himself or his Anbu.

Every time Danzo thought about the moment Hiruzen handed over the genetic materials, a sense of triumph surged through him.

The defeated look on Hiruzen's face was a clear symbol of Danzo's ascendancy in their long-standing rivalry.

For Danzo, this was not just a tactical victory but a deeply personal one. He saw it as a definitive turning point, where he not only gained the upper hand but also secured a path towards realizing his ultimate ambition: taking control of Konoha.

This newfound power left Danzo feeling euphoric, as if he were truly untouchable. With each step he took, each plan he set into motion, he felt increasingly invincible—a sentiment that fueled his aspirations and drove him to push his strategies further.

In his mind, the dream of ruling Konoha was no longer a distant possibility but an impending reality, a culmination of years of manipulation, patience, and ruthless calculation.

Yet, despite Danzo's significant gains in power and influence, a formidable obstacle stood in his path to seizing the title of Hokage right away: Minato Namikaze.

Minato's recent meteoric rise in strength and popularity within the village made any direct move against Hiruzen perilous.

Minato had reached Peak Kage level, enjoying widespread support not only from the entire civilian shinobi populace but also from the majority of Konoha's major shinobi clans.

His alliances were formidable—Kushina Uzumaki, his wife, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki acquired much-improved control over the beast during the ongoing conflict, further bolstering his position.

Alongside allies like his mentor Jiraiya, Tsunade, and numerous other elite shinobi, Minato's faction was already robust and deeply entrenched.

Danzo recognized that any attempt to overthrow Hiruzen would inevitably draw a swift and powerful counterattack from Minato and his supporters. Moreover, the political landscape within Konoha was even more delicately balanced than that.

The Anti-Hokage faction, primarily led by the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, also wielded significant influence and was ready to act once it sensed weakness among the rest of the village. 

Any internal conflict would also likely invite opportunistic actions from external enemies, and other shinobi villages, always eager to take advantage of Konoha's instability, especially after everything that transpired during this war.

So, Hiruzen was not that dumb to shoot himself in the foot by providing Danzo with ammunition.

He was probably fully aware of the precarious dynamics at play and had strategically provided Danzo with the genetic materials not as a concession of defeat but as a calculated move to create an opportunity to damage their shared joint biggest enemy this time around.

Hiruzen's role as Hokage was less about his own power or respect, if he still had any left, if, at this stage, and more about his ability to act as a stabilizer among the village's powerful factions liked or not.

By remaining in power, Hiruzen effectively prevented infighting that could tear the village apart. Selling cards as a leader was his greatest strength.

This unique position placed Hiruzen in a paradoxical situation: he was simultaneously powerful yet vulnerable, essential yet potentially expendable. He served as the keystone holding the arch of Konoha's power structure intact.

For Danzo, the path to becoming Hokage was thus fraught with complexities. It was not enough to wield power or command fear; he needed to navigate the intricate web of alliances and loyalties that held Konoha together.

Open rebellion was not an option—it would lead to immediate and disastrous consequences.

Instead, Danzo knew he must continue to operate from the shadows, weaving a network of schemes and manipulations that could gradually erode Minato's and Hiruzen's bases of support without sparking an outright conflict.

That was after he dealt with the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, which were always his priority.

Additionally, Danzo recalled that Hiruzen's decision to entrust Danzo with the genetic materials for the Edo Tensei operation instead of his own disciple, Orochimaru, who possessed an equivalent mastery of the jutsu, was influenced by a shift in perceived trustworthiness.

Orochimaru's recent changes and actions had raised alarms, even more so than Danzo's maneuvers, for some reason, in Hieruzen, which was indeed significant given Danzo's own controversial methods. Yet, Danzo thanked god for that and that Orochimaru was way more careless than him.

Danzo was aware of Orochimaru's actions firsthand as he was also assisting with some of Orochimaru's gruesome experiments in Kusagakure this entire time. The strategic delay in cleaning up Amegakure was partly due to that.

It was not like he also didn't participate; it was just that he predicted something like that into the future, knowing Hiruzen well, and acted way more reservedly, just to get those materials one day instead of Orochimaru.

Orochimaru still underestimated how self-righteous and hypocritical Hiruzen was. Yes, you could violate all the morals in the world around him, but you can't do it openly like that in a way that he couldn't pretend that he didn't see it. 

However, now that Orochimaru's experiments in Kusagakure were winding down and wrapping up, and they accomplished many things together already, Danzo saw an opportunity to pivot back to this agenda in the Amegakure.

Danzo was keen to showcase his newly acquired powers before Hanzo, a shinobi whose strength he had once only aspired to match.

With no reservations about the origins of these powers, Danzo fully embraced Edo Tensei as if it were his inherent ability. In his mind, it was not just a tool borrowed from Orochimaru's innovations but a natural extension of his own capabilities.

Moreover, now, even without relying on Edo Tensei, Danzo believed himself to be stronger than Hanzo, confident in his enhanced abilities and Hanzo's age getting up to him faster.

This moment was not just about fulfilling tactical objectives; it was also an opportunity for Danzo to assert his dominance over a formidable rival whom he had once considered beyond his reach.

It was the moment for his new self to appear inside of the high-level shinobi world for the first time, not just as some kind of low-level politician but as a real shinobi powerhouse.