Danzo Refocuses

CONFIDENTIAL INTELLIGENCE BRIEF

Compiled by: Root Division – Sector 3 Surveillance

Clearance Level: B-Rank and above only

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LAND OF MISTVEIL

Geographical and Political Summary

Location: Minor island nation positioned between the Land of Water and the Land of Sea.

Climate & Terrain: Dominated by light, persistent fog year-round. Natural terrain consists of steep cliffs, narrow passes, subterranean cave networks, and hidden footpaths. Conditions favour guerrilla tactics and ambush warfare.

Shinobi Presence: No centralised hidden village system. Shinobi clans operate independently, with minimal records or standardised training.

Political Alignment:

Declared: Neutral.

Operational: Sells shinobi services to external clients.

Notable History:

During the Third Great Ninja War, multiple clans accepted contracts from both conflicting sides.

Resulted in significant casualties due to post-war retaliatory strikes from major nations.

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CLAN PROFILE: MOCHIZUKI

Status: Active (Low Visibility)

Threat Level: LOW (NO Growth Potential)

Current leader : HANZA MOCHIZUKI

Former Affiliation: Hidden Mist Village (Kirigakure), First Shinobi War period.

Incident Record:

Collaborated with Kiri during early engagements.

Betrayed by the Land of Water's Daimyō; forces ambushed and exterminated under political cover.

Current Status:

Surviving members relocated to Land of Mistveil.

Operating independently and in secret.

Disposition:

Holds known grudge against both Kiri administration and Kiri Hunter-nin corps.

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ACCESS RECORD

Subject: Orochimaru (Special Advisor)

Orochimaru reviewed the above intelligence scrolls.

No questions asked.

Departed within five minutes of reading.

No external copies were made or requested.

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Danzo's gloved fingers hovered over the scroll a moment longer before he closed it with a soft, deliberate snap. His lone, aged eye shifted toward the Root operative kneeling at attention—motionless, disciplined, disposable.

"Is this all the information Orochimaru accessed?"

"Yes, sir," the operative replied at once, eyes lowered to the ground. "He reviewed the Mistveil records and left shortly after."

Danzo remained silent.

The room was quiet save for the slow, rhythmic tapping of his fingers against the table.

Mistveil… why that backwater?

The clans in that region had been weakened for decades. Fragmented. Scattered. No Kekkei Genkai of significant renown. No military strength worth acquiring. Their strategic value had died with them during the First War.

It didn't make sense.

Unless… it's not Mistveil he's after.

Danzo's fingers stopped mid-tap.

A sliver of clarity sharpened in his mind.

Over the past few days, Orochimaru hadn't just reviewed Mistveil. He'd been combing through records from across the continent—nations, villages, missing-nin, long-erased clans. Quietly digging through decades of classified history stored deep in Root's archives.

He wasn't browsing. He was searching—for something specific.

Danzo didn't know what it was.

And frankly, he didn't care. So long as it didn't threaten his plans.

His eye shifted back toward the kneeling operative. "What of Jiraiya? Did Tsunade return with him?"

"No, sir. He returned alone. Then proceeded directly to the women's bathhouse," the Root ninja answered, voice perfectly neutral.

Danzo exhaled through his nose—half in contempt. "Hmph. Always proving he's Hiruzen's student."

The disgust in his tone was barely restrained. Jiraiya's behaviour was as predictable as it was pathetic.

Still… the news was good. Very good.

Tsunade's absence is a blessing, Danzo thought. If she were in the village, she'd overshadow Minato without effort. Her bloodline alone would tilt the council. And Hiruzen... Hiruzen could control Minato. He would never be able to rein in the Senju princess.

Danzo's eye narrowed.

But the momentary satisfaction twisted into bitter resentment.

Because no matter how perfect the pieces looked now—he still couldn't become Hokage.

Damn you, Sarutobi.

If it weren't for you…

It would've been me.

Danzo knew it. Everyone knew it.

But titles weren't given for knowledge. They were taken with power.

And political manoeuvring could only go so far. He'd played that game for decades.

What he lacked—was undeniable strength.

True strength.

The kind that settles arguments without words.

The kind that proves who's worthy… in a direct confrontation.

Unless he could defeat Hiruzen himself, one-on-one, he'd never claim the hat.

And for that… he had plans.

Looks like I'll need to involve Orochimaru soon, he thought grimly, turning away from the scrolls and heading toward his second-favourite topic.

"Uchiha status?" Danzo asked sharply, rising from his seat. The slow shuffle of his boots echoed down the corridor toward the lab.

The Root operative didn't hesitate. "Mikoto Uchiha is reported to be pregnant again, sir."

Danzo paused. Just for a moment.

Barely noticeable—but there.

"Tch." A scoff slipped past his lips. "So it's not the Evil Eye he's inherited… but the Lustful Eye."

The war had just ended, and Fugaku was already working on repopulating the clan.

No discipline. No restraint.

Still… it was a timely reminder.

The war was done.

It was time to focus again—on the threat that never vanished.

The Uchiha.

Danzo turned his gaze back to the operative. "Increase surveillance on Uchiha."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

"And assign someone to cross-reference the clans Orochimaru had checked so far."

"Understood."

He didn't trust Orochimaru.

But for now, he would continue feeding the snake… so long as the fangs pointed elsewhere.

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