Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

After hearing Sarutobi's harsh punishment against him, 

Danzo's face nearly turned green with rage. 

A man consumed by ambition, he'd always dreamed of becoming Hokage— 

the last thing he could accept was losing his grip on power! 

That was his lifeline! 

But, as the saying goes, 

as long as Sarutobi remained, he could only stay on the defensive. 

Trying to overthrow Sarutobi and take his place? Absolutely impossible. 

What you are is what you are— 

it simply cannot be changed! 

But expecting him to willingly accept this punishment and just hand over all authority? Also impossible! 

He wasn't even Hokage yet, let alone got revenge on that little punk, Shimoku! 

How could he possibly back down now? 

Looking at how things stood today, Hiruzen seemed determined to come after him. 

Relying solely on words probably wouldn't work anymore. 

He needed to take some real action! 

Finally, Danzo gritted his teeth and made his decision. 

"I know who attacked the village last night!" 

The moment Danzo spoke, he immediately caught Sarutobi's attention. 

From the village's perspective, calming down the angry villagers was indeed important— 

but identifying last night's attackers and preventing another assault on the village was even more critical! 

After all, 

one could cause chaos… 

the other could wipe the entire village off the map. 

That much was obvious. 

Therefore, as Hokage, Sarutobi wanted to uncover the attacker's true identity more than anyone else. 

"It was [Iwagakure Village]!" 

"[Iwagakure Village]? Do you have evidence?" 

Sarutobi gasped in surprise, frowning with doubt. 

Without proof, he wouldn't easily believe it. 

Danzo shifted slightly in his wheelchair and pulled out a scroll from beneath him, handing it to Sarutobi. 

Sarutobi instantly recognized it. 

Such a small encrypted scroll could only be one used by Root for passing highly classified messages. 

It bore complex Ninjutsu encryption seals—only someone knowing the decoding method could safely interpret its contents. 

Trying to force it open would destroy both the scroll and its top-secret contents. 

It was regarded as one of the most effective and reliable methods for transmitting secret intelligence in the Ninja World. 

This particular Secret Scroll had already been opened once—it didn't need any further decoding. 

Sarutobi simply pulled open the scroll and began reading. 

Soon enough, as soon as he understood its message, his expression abruptly changed—he couldn't help but feel shocked. 

"What is this…?" 

"This was information sent back at the cost of life by a spy I placed inside [Iwagakure Village]." 

"Recorded here is intel regarding [Iwagakure Village]'s planned sudden attack against our village." 

"This Secret Scroll reached my hands early this morning and arrived intact. No one else knows the decryption method. The possibility of a forged message has practically been eliminated." 

Danzo said coolly. 

In truth, this Secret Scroll had actually been prepared by 'Kabuto.' 

Back then, upon discovering [Iwagakure Village]'s plot, he had promptly sealed the scroll, preparing to send it off to Konoha. 

Unfortunately, he was saved by Shimoku before he could send it. 

So, naturally, that unopened Secret Scroll also ended up in Shimoku's hands.

Just two days ago, Shimoku had quietly passed the secret scroll back to Danzo—using Orochimaru as his pawn.

Therefore, from Danzo's perspective,

this clearly meant Orochimaru had fulfilled their agreement—eliminating both Kabuto and Nonou on his behalf while bringing back the scroll.

Thus, when he received this intelligence,

It nearly drove Danzo into a blind fury.

Because in his eyes,

it was those damned Iwa ninja who had ruined everything for him!

Otherwise, last night he would have already ambushed those Uchiha Rogue Ninjas and wiped them all out!

Now he'd gained nothing—just a mouthful of shit,

with over half his Root forces lost!

How could he not be furious?

...

After hearing the explanation, Sarutobi also fell silent.

He turned toward Danzo, his expression serious, eyes locked onto him intently.

After a long while, he finally looked away.

He admitted Danzo did have his share of quirks...

But when it came to matters concerning the village's safety, he had never lied before.

Just like himself, Danzo truly loved the village.

Otherwise, throughout all these years,

Sarutobi wouldn't have allowed Danzo to serve as the Hokage Advisor and granted him such great authority, simply because they were old acquaintances.

Moreover, unless Danzo had somehow lost his mind,

he wouldn't risk sacrificing more than fifty elite members of Root just to fabricate a false report.

That wouldn't be worth it!

Nor would it make any sense at all!

Therefore, this intelligence must be genuine.

Combined with what happened during last night's attack, the information contained within the scroll

now pointed to about 90% certainty—the true culprit was indeed Iwagakure Village!

Plus, there were rumors that Iwagakure maintained a mutually exploitative relationship with the Akatsuki organization.

Though this hadn't been confirmed yet.

But considering all these details together,

the identity of the real perpetrator was practically undeniable.

Thinking thus,

Sarutobi furrowed his brow even deeper, anger rising within him.

Eight years ago, during the Third Great Ninja War at Kannabi Bridge,

Konoha had already sworn a bitter feud against Iwagakure. His great-granddisciple Obito also perished in that battle.

Never had he expected that so many years later,

Konoha still hadn't sought revenge against Iwa, yet now they'd dared strike first against Konoha!

How utterly despicable!

Sarutobi truly wished to immediately rally his troops and march straight to Iwagakure Village to settle the score once and for all!

However, peace had barely been achieved after such a long struggle.

Deep down, he truly didn't want to drag the village back into the quagmire of war again!

Nobody understood better than him the brutality and bloodshed of war.

Yet just as Sarutobi hesitated,

Danzo suddenly bellowed loudly:

"Hiruzen! Will you continue to hold back this time too? Will you remain cowardly?"

"They've already struck our doorstep!

Next time, perhaps that Tailed Beast Ball will explode right inside our village!"

"What exactly are you still hesitating over?!!!"

"Will you just watch Konoha fall into ruin?!!!" 

Clearly, Danzo was provoking and pushing Sarutobi forward.

It was for the sake of the village—but also for the sake of his own power.

After all, once a great war began,

His control over Root would certainly have a chance to prove its worth, and he himself wouldn't lose power.

Not to mention, rising to the position of Hokage during such a great war was no longer out of reach!

...

Danzo's reprimand indeed gave Sarutobi that extra push,

forcing him to finally make this decision.

It was the first time in his life he'd made such a decisive and daring move!

Of course, the main reason was still because Iwagakure had gone too far.

They had even brought a Tailed Beast right to Konoha's doorstep.

If he continued to endure like this, Konoha itself might fall.

Even the most patient man couldn't take being walked all over like doormats forever.

For the sake of pride, for the village's honor, and for long-lasting peace ahead,

he had to strike first—deliver a crushing blow!

Otherwise, the rising fury among the villagers wouldn't subside either!

...

"Send people out immediately to spread the word and recall Jiraiya!"

"Tomorrow, I will personally visit Sunagakure Village to discuss an alliance."

"The moment I return, we launch our attack on Iwagakure Village!"

"If they want war..."

"Then let's have another Great Ninja World War!"

Sarutobi clenched his teeth and spoke with iron resolve.

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