Chapter 59: Distinguished Heavenly Gods

For most people living in Konoha, "becoming Hokage" is an unattainable dream, no more than a childhood fantasy or a slogan chanted with innocence.

But for someone at Danzo's level?

Becoming Hokage is merely a matter of arithmetic.

Exceptional personal strength.

A polished resume of achievements.

A narrative that resonates with the villagers.

And finally—control of public opinion.

With these pieces in place, any shinobi can be transformed into the perfect candidate for Hokage. It's not a dream. It's a calculation.

Logan took a slow sip of tea. "If it's that simple, why didn't you do it yourself?"

Danzo shook his head. "Because I'm not clean. If I were to take the position, half the village would resist. But you, Logan... you're different. You're untainted. No political baggage, no family ties, no public scandals. And you took down Orochimaru."

He leaned forward, voice low and certain. "If we work together, I can make you Hokage. Not in ten years. In three."

Logan raised a brow, swirling the tea in his cup. "And what do you gain from all this?"

Danzo spread his arms, voice reverent. "A stronger, more unified Konoha. My dream, my life's mission."

Logan studied him in silence. There was no deceit in Danzo's tone—he truly believed every word.

"Why me?" Logan pressed.

Danzo began listing off names, pouring more tea as he spoke. "The Third Hokage has grown old and passive. Jiraiya is wise but indecisive. Tsunade's missing, and even if she returns, is medical ninjutsu supposed to save us on the battlefield?"

He stabbed a cake with a toothpick and dipped it in sugar before continuing, "Among the younger generation, only Kakashi has any fame. But ever since the Fourth Hokage died, he's been a shell of himself—drifting through missions without ambition."

Danzo smirked. "To lead, you must lift your head and see the horizon. In my eyes, only two people in this world can shape the future—myself, and you. The rest are just ghosts with power."

He handed the sugar-dipped cake to Logan. "So, cooperate with me. Controlling Konoha is only the beginning. Let's unify the ninja world—complete the dream the First Hokage couldn't."

Konan stood nearby, visibly shaken.

She had spent her life resisting Konoha, and yet here Danzo was, discussing the role of Hokage like a vendor haggling over vegetables at the market. It felt surreal—absurd, even.

Nagato's grand plan—uniting the tailed beasts into a single, fearsome weapon to force the world into peace—seemed like a child's fantasy compared to the cold, calculated strategy Danzo presented.

Unification through power and politics.

Not fear.

Not war.

But domination through vision.

She turned to Logan.

Would he agree?

Danzo, however, had no doubts. He was certain Logan would say yes.

Because hidden beneath his bandages, the Sharingan of Shisui was spinning.

Distinguished Heavenly Gods.

The most powerful genjutsu in existence. It invades the target's subconscious, altering their will without them ever realizing it. It doesn't force control—it plants the seed of belief.

Danzo wasn't foolish enough to believe he could completely control Logan with just one use of the jutsu. But if Logan showed even a flicker of hesitation—just a moment of internal debate—then that was enough.

Once the idea took root, the genjutsu would take over. Logan would believe the thought was his own.

After all, think of what Logan had achieved in just six months. If the entire village learned to master his ripple and stand techniques... Konoha would become unstoppable.

So Danzo laid the bait.

The idea of peace. Of power. Of purpose.

If Logan hesitated for even a second, Distinguished Heavenly Gods would take hold.

Logan looked at the cake Danzo offered.

"And if I refuse?" he asked.

Danzo's smile faded. "Then you die."

He said it plainly, as if commenting on the weather.

"Konoha may not act, but Cloud will come after you. Mist won't forgive you. The Akatsuki will hunt you. Stone always wants a bite of something valuable."

Danzo leaned closer. "You're strong, Logan, but not invincible. You can't protect yourself and the people around you forever. Cooperating with me is your only way to survive."

He stared hard.

Say yes.

Nod.

All you need to do is accept the idea, even for a heartbeat.

Sasuke stepped forward, sensing something wrong. He tried to speak, but Logan didn't react. He simply took the cake.

"So, if I agree," Logan said softly, "no one has to die... and I become Hokage?"

Danzo grinned. "Exactly. That's my promise."

Logan smiled back.

"Sounds great."

He took the cake—

—and dropped it.

Sizzle!

A golden ripple flared along the toothpick. Logan flicked it, and the sharpened stick shot like a bullet, piercing the bandage over Danzo's right eye.

Danzo screamed.

But before he could retreat, a cold, pale hand slammed his face down onto the table. Logan turned to see the white snake beside him, expression smug.

Crack. Two discs popped out from its side.

"Little Danzo," the white snake hissed. "Take it."

It held out the disc toward Logan—but before he could grab it, the disc flickered and vanished.

Danzo vanished too.

Logan blinked. In the shadows at the edge of the room, the real Danzo stepped out.

He'd never left that spot.

"So," Danzo said grimly, "when did you realize it was Distinguished Heavenly Gods?"

Logan brushed sugar off his hands. "When the thought crossed my mind: 'Hey, maybe this old man has a point.' That's when I knew."

He tapped his temple.

"Your genjutsu is clever—it targets subconscious thoughts, doesn't it?"

The subconscious is always active, always whispering strange ideas. See a pretty girl—you feel attraction. See a truck full of money—you want to steal it. See a dog eating poop—some part of you wonders what it tastes like.

But those are just fleeting thoughts. Meaningless, unless someone amplifies them.

That's what Distinguished Heavenly Gods does. It finds the thought you're most likely to believe, strengthens it, and plants it deep.

And if the thought already aligns with your values?

Then you become a willing puppet.

Even Konan, who believed in peace and justice, could feel herself drawn to Danzo's plan.

Unification. Order. Stability.

But Logan?

Logan knew something they didn't.

His goals could never be achieved through domination or politics. If he followed Danzo, if he played the game of power... he would become just another part of the system he wanted to destroy.

He glanced up at Hokage Rock.

Maybe that's why the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, chose to divide the tailed beasts—because he knew unity through force would never last.

"Logan."

Danzo began unwrapping the bandage from his right arm.

"I told you before: if you return, you don't leave. I offered you a way to stay with honor. Since you refused..."

"Leave as a corpse."

From the shadows, nearly a hundred Root shinobi appeared in unison, surrounding Logan and the others.

Countless kunai and shuriken flew through the air, glittering in the dim light.

Logan didn't move.

He smiled faintly.

"Let's dance."

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)