Chapter 5: The Winds of Change 

In the Fire Country's Daimyo's estate, discussions were underway regarding the reconstruction of Konoha village.

A long table was set in the grand hall.

The Fire Country Daimyo, Akechi Mitsuhide, sat in the center.

On the eastern side, five advisors, each wearing dark, tall hats, sat as dignitaries.

On the western side, five representatives from Konoha were present: Konoha's advisor Mito Gate En, Tōnen Kōharu, a member of the secret division in a white cloak and an animal mask, the representative of Konoha's Jonin, Nara Shikaku, and the leader of the Root organization, Shimura Danzo.

Mito Gate En spoke first: "Our allied nations intend to continue our policy towards Akatsuki."

Opposite him, the head of the advisors, a well-dressed man wearing glasses, spoke: "The village has already been reduced to this state. The Fire Country will provide full support for the village's reconstruction. First, we must establish a budget, and after that, we must repair the strained relationships with other countries."

At this moment, Danzo interjected with a bold suggestion: "More pressing than that is determining the next Hokage!"

Nara Shikaku immediately became alert: "So it begins!"

Previously, as the representative of Konoha's Jonin, Shikaku had suggested that Kakashi should succeed as Hokage, but he knew there was another man, Shimura Danzo, who was also coveting the title!

For Kakashi to take the position, there was still resistance.

The Daimyo idly twirled a small fan: "Isn't Tsunade still recovering?"

Tōnen Kōharu answered: "Your Excellency, Tsunade is still in a coma. We don't know when she'll wake. Given the current state of the village, it will be difficult to implement any decisions. Furthermore, she holds some responsibility for the destruction of the village."

Kōharu referred to Tsunade's decision to hide Naruto away in the isolated Mount Myoboku, which led to Pain invading Konoha in order to extract information about Naruto's whereabouts.

The Daimyo remarked: "I had originally intended to choose Jiraiya, as I had great admiration for him. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. Are there any other candidates?"

At that moment, Danzo spoke: "If that's the case, I recommend Hatake Kakashi!"

Nara Shikaku interrupted sharply, ignoring the icy glare from Danzo.

"Isn't he the son of White Fang? Hmm, that works!" The Daimyo said with a smile, turning to the advisors, "What do you think, everyone?"

"His reputation, strength, and character are all exceptional!"

"But isn't he a little too young?"

"Wasn't the Fourth Hokage younger than that when he became Hokage?"

Several of the advisors voiced their support, and the situation began to tilt in Kakashi's favor.

At this moment, the head of the advisors, wearing glasses, asked: "Hatake Kakashi, who was his teacher?"

Mito Gate En responded: "He was a student of the Fourth Hokage!"

The Daimyo clapped his hands: "The Fourth Hokage was Jiraiya's disciple, and Jiraiya himself was the Third Hokage's student. It seems there's no issue. Very well."

Seeing the situation swing in his favor, Danzo suddenly coldly remarked: "The Third Hokage's teachings were no different from pushing the village toward destruction!"

The Daimyo was startled by Danzo's piercing gaze and quickly shielded half his face with the fan.

Taking advantage of the moment, Danzo continued: "The leader of Akatsuki, who destroyed the village, was once a student of Jiraiya as well. This is the tragic outcome of teaching techniques to a foreign nation, driven by misplaced sympathy! It was far too naive!"

"It is this naïveté, passed down through generations, that led to the betrayal of our allies and provided Orochimaru the opportunity to attack the village!"

"The younger generation within Akatsuki is even worse, led by the rogue Uchiha Sasuke, a deserter from the Uchiha clan."

Nara Shikaku's expression grew serious as he listened to Danzo's speech.

Suddenly, Danzo smiled cunningly and dropped a bombshell: "But the greatest failure of all is Jiraiya's other disciple, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto, who betrayed the village!!"

Hearing this, Nara Shikaku's expression changed instantly, and the entire meeting hall erupted in shock!

The head of the advisors spoke up: "Wait, that Naruto? He's the hero who defeated the leader of Akatsuki! He is now recuperating with honor!"

Danzo smirked coldly and glanced at Shikaku: "You'll have to ask the Jonin representative, Nara Shikaku, about that."

The Daimyo turned to Shikaku: "Shikaku, what is going on here?"

Beads of sweat formed on Shikaku's forehead.

So, Danzo's spies had already learned about this!

However, he quickly regained his composure: "Your Excellency, after the war, Naruto did not return to the village. However, we cannot confirm that he has betrayed us yet!"

Danzo replied with a sly grin: "We've received credible intelligence suggesting that Naruto is in contact with the second-in-command of Akatsuki, plotting against the village!"

Everyone furrowed their brows: "Is this intelligence reliable?"

Danzo added fuel to the fire: "It's mostly reliable. I even suspect that Nagato's attack on Konoha was part of a conspiracy involving Uzumaki Naruto!"

The Daimyo pondered: "That can't be right. He's just a pure-hearted boy. It's said that he is a role model for many ninjas, with exemplary conduct."

Danzo gravely responded: "It doesn't matter whether he's pure-hearted. He is the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, and the Nine-Tails is the embodiment of evil. Even the purest of boys, once tainted by that darkness, cannot meet a good end. Moreover, Jiraiya's failure as a teacher, Tsunade's protection of him as Hokage, and Kakashi's negligence as a Jonin, have all contributed to this situation."

The head advisor adjusted his glasses: "Your Excellency, even though Danzo's words have yet to be verified, Kakashi is, for the time being, not suitable to become Hokage."

Shikaku was about to retort, but with the mention of Naruto's betrayal, the situation had become difficult to reverse.

Bang! Danzo slammed his fist on the table, his voice firm: "What kind of Hokage does the village need right now? It should be someone who can steer the village in these worst times! Someone who will bring reform to the ninja world and reshape the laws of the shinobi! That Hokage can only be me!"

The Daimyo closed his eyes, deep in thought.

Shikaku quickly interjected: "Your Excellency, you can't trust Danzo's one-sided opinion. The Konoha Anbu are still investigating Naruto's whereabouts. I believe we will have answers soon."

The Daimyo opened his eyes and decisively declared: "Very well, it's decided. Danzo, you will be appointed as the Sixth Hokage!"

Danzo's lips curled into a victorious smile. He thought to himself: "I had planned to use the power of my right eye to control the Daimyo's decision when the situation turned unfavorable. But using Naruto's case to undermine Kakashi's chances of becoming Hokage has worked out far more smoothly than I expected. Shikaku, even you won't be able to stop this now."

After leaving the Daimyo's estate, Danzo, leaning on his cane, walked alongside a white-clad Anbu member.

"How did the task I assigned you go?"

"As you instructed, I've been spreading rumors among the lower-level villagers that Naruto and Akatsuki's leader, Pain, worked together in a staged act to gain the villagers' trust. But once Lord Danzo saw through the plan, Naruto fled the village overnight."

Danzo smiled: "Good."

The white-clad Anbu continued: "Lord Danzo, we still haven't confirmed whether Naruto betrayed the village. He is one of the few powerful ninjas in the village, comparable to Jiraiya. Is this not too risky?"

Danzo replied: "Whether or not Naruto has betrayed the village, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he remains an unstable element. This budding threat must be nipped in the bud."

"Furthermore, no matter how strong his power, if it cannot be used for my purposes, it is nothing but a liability. This is a necessary sacrifice for the village!"

Danzo raised his hand to cover his right eye, revealing his ambition: "Once Naruto is dealt with, I will control the Nine-Tails. Then, I, Shimura Danzo, will become the strongest Hokage in history!"