Chapter 26: Rolling Undercurrents (Ch 26)

The kneeling ninja’s body trembled imperceptibly, and he immediately reported in the same suppressed tone, clearly and quickly: “Report to Master Danzo. Ever since Hatake Kakashi brought back the news that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Naruto and the last Uchiha orphan Uchiha Sasuke had both defected from the Valley of the End, we have followed your instructions and spread the news throughout the village.”

He paused, as if choosing his words to ensure that the report was accurate. “We focused on the Fifth Hokage Tsunade’s negligence in teaching her disciples, and her responsibility for not preventing the two from defecting in time. At the same time, we used the people’s fear of the Nine-Tails’ power getting out of control, and their concerns about the possible threat posed by the remaining power of the Uchiha clan, to exaggerate the severity of the incident.”

“What’s the effect?” Danzo’s tone remained calm, but the gleam in his one eye showed his extreme concern about this issue.

“The effect is remarkable, sir.” The Root ninja spoke faster. “At first, although most villagers were shocked, they still trusted the Hokage. But as time went on and we continued to guide them… negative comments about Tsunade’s gambling addiction, lax management, failure to protect the village’s important combat forces, and even possible overindulgence in the Uchiha orphans have begun to spread in taverns, teahouses, and even ordinary people’s homes. Although most people have not yet publicly questioned it,… the seeds of dissatisfaction have been planted, and the shaking of Tsunade’s authority has begun to show signs. A small number of radicals have begun to publicly express their dissatisfaction with the current Hokage.”

After listening to the report, Danzo’s mouth, which was hidden in the shadows, twitched up almost imperceptibly, outlining a cold and satisfied arc. “Very good.” He commented in a low voice, with a sense of control over everything, “The temperature of public opinion is about right.”

He leaned forward slightly, and the candlelight pulled the shadow on his face even more distorted. “In that case,” he said slowly, every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with an unquestionable command tone, “Begin to implement the next plan.”

As he spoke, he took out a letter sealed with wax from his wide sleeves. The envelope was made of ordinary materials, but the wax mark on it was a special symbol that was difficult for outsiders to identify. He handed the letter to his kneeling subordinate.

“Here,” Danzo’s voice was as cold as iron, “Send this secret letter.” His single eye stared at the letter, as if he could see through the envelope and see the conspiracy hidden in it, “He… will know what I mean.”

The Root Ninja respectfully took the seemingly ordinary but heavy secret letter with both hands. When his fingertips touched the envelope, he could even feel a hint of chill from Danzo. He didn’t dare to ask more questions, nor did he need to ask more questions. As Danzo’s most loyal tool, he only needed to follow orders. “Yes! Master Danzo!” He promised in a deep voice and carefully put the letter into his arms.

“Go.” Danzo waved his hand, signaling him to retreat.

“Yes, sir!” The ninja stood up quickly and silently as if he had been pardoned, took a few steps back, and then turned around. His figure quickly blended into the thick darkness at the entrance of the passage, leaving only the sound of light footsteps that gradually faded away until it disappeared completely.

The secret room was dead silent again. Only the candle flames were still dancing tirelessly, casting the shadow of Danzo alone on the cold stone wall, elongated and twisted, like a huge shadow lurking in the darkness, about to bar its fangs. He slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his sharp single eye, as if he was resting, or as if he was deducing every next move in his mind.

The cold, calculating atmosphere in the air seemed to become even stronger. The sun could never shine here, just like the ambition deep in Danzo’s heart that would never see the light. Naruto and Sasuke’s defection was undoubtedly a huge disaster for Konoha and a heavy blow to Tsunade, but for Shimura Danzo, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

An opportunity that would allow him to seize the position of Hokage and drag the entire Konoha and even the entire Ninja World into the “order” he desired. This secret letter would ignite the fuse that had been buried long ago. The structure of the Ninja World would be violently shaken by his hand hidden behind the scenes.

Although the storm in the Valley of the End has subsided, a bigger and darker storm is quietly brewing in the underground of Konoha. The darkest moment for the ninja world may have just begun. And the source of all this is the ambitious man in this dark secret room who will do anything for power. The flickering candlelight reflects the bottomless coldness on his face.

The afternoon sun in Konoha Village lazily poured down with an almost sticky warmth, which was completely different from Danzo’s underground dark room.

The light and shadow on the street are distinct, and the shadows cast by the eaves are stretched thin and long, as if time has stopped.

However, this afternoon tranquility could not dispel the gloomy, almost suffocating atmosphere in front of Haruno Sakura’s house.

Yamanaka Ino leaned against the cold stone of the courtyard wall, her arms folded across her chest, her gaze fixed as if drawn by a magnet, firmly on the motionless wooden door.

The rough texture of the wall pricked her skin slightly through her thin shirt.

Nara Shikamaru, who was standing beside her, rarely found a corner to lie down and look at the sky. His brows were unconsciously knitted, and his hands were habitually stuffed in his trouser pockets.

His eyes moved slowly back and forth between the closed door and Ino’s tense, anxious profile.

There seemed to be a lingering smell of disinfectant brought from the hospital in the air, mixed with the dry smell of afternoon dust after being exposed to the sun.

They had just visited Shikamaru who was recovering from his injuries, and their steps turned here uncontrollably.

“It’s been a full half month.” Shikamaru spoke, his voice a little deeper than usual, mixed with a hint of worry that he himself might not be fully aware of, “Is she…really going to be okay?”

For those who stayed in the village, every moment of these fifteen days was like trudging through a quagmire, extremely heavy and long.

Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke – these two names seem like taboos now. Their “departure” was like a meteorite thrown into a stagnant pool. The huge waves it caused are still surging in everyone’s heart, and the aftermath has not yet subsided.