The wind in the forest seemed to stop. The smile on Yunchuan Hyuga's face faded bit by bit.
His Byakugan remained clear, but something settled deep in his eyes and turned calm. He admitted he had underestimated Danzo Shimura and asked him to guess what he wanted to do.
Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes. He suppressed the thrill of a fish biting the hook and spoke with practiced indifference, saying it was nothing more than wanting more and climbing higher.
He said that Yunchuan Hyuga wanted to become Hokage.
He stared at Yunchuan Hyuga's face as if trying to pierce the gentle mask. The brief surprise that appeared there made Danzo Shimura even more certain of his guess.
Yunchuan Hyuga denied it at once, saying he had no interest in the position of Hokage. The surprise vanished as he calmly explained that Third Hokage suspected Itachi Uchiha's massacre of the Uchiha Clan was connected to Danzo Shimura.
He said Third Hokage believed there were still ties with Itachi Uchiha and that something even more dangerous was being planned, which was why he had been sent to observe. He added that the mission could not be completed.
He acted flawlessly, like a loyal subordinate blocked in duty and a restrained junior who was misunderstood. Danzo Shimura did not believe a word and only sneered.
Over this time, Danzo Shimura had fully grasped Yunchuan Hyuga's nature. He knew Yunchuan Hyuga must have gained benefits from Orochimaru, which explained his explosive growth in talent.
The later punishment of Hyuga Branch Family members and the resistance against Hyuga Aoi showed he had endured for a long time. Not long ago, he led the Branch Family in open resistance to the Main Family with methods close to mutual destruction rather than peaceful appeals.
He stirred and carried the resentment of the Branch Family, then used the fear of the Main Family to tear open their bluff with near rebellion. Such cold methods proved that Yunchuan Hyuga was not the gentle youth others compared to Minato Namikaze.
From the moment he could draw the blade called Greed, it was clear he had ambition and darkness. His ambition was even greater than most associated with Zetsu.
"You do not not want to become Hokage. You just cannot become Hokage," Danzo Shimura said hoarsely and with certainty.
He said that no matter how strong Yunchuan Hyuga had become, he still could not escape the cage of the Main Family. That pain and resentment must be unbearable.
He added that without the cursed Caged Bird and the restraints of the Main Family, with his talent, power, and achievements, he would be the one most likely to become the next Hokage. But all of that was gone.
At that, Yunchuan Hyuga's pupils contracted slightly, and Danzo Shimura caught the flaw at once. He stepped closer, lowering his voice into a tempting whisper and said he could help.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves and cast mottled shadows between them, like an unseen divide. Yunchuan Hyuga fell silent, his Byakugan flickering as he weighed things in his mind.
After a long while, he finally asked why.
Danzo Shimura snorted and said he disliked the smile but understood it was necessary disguise. He said he hated sincere naivety even more.
He spoke of Hiruzen, and of Jiraiya and Tsunade he had taught, saying they had power but blindly believed in bonds and peace. Now with the appearance of Void Realm and the arrival of Espada, the entire Ninja World would fall into chaos filled with danger and opportunity.
He said their hesitation would only harm Konoha. It would make Konoha miss its chance and be swallowed by forces that seized the moment.
He looked back at Yunchuan Hyuga and said that his darkness, ruthlessness, and methods were what he valued. To survive in a world where the strong prey on the weak, Konoha needed someone like him.
Yunchuan Hyuga narrowed his eyes and asked why Danzo Shimura did not choose to become Hokage himself.
Danzo Shimura let his face darken and spoke with open resentment. He said Hiruzen and the others would never allow it, and the rest of Konoha would not accept him.
He said that if Jiraiya or Tsunade, or even someone like Kakashi Hatake, took the position, their naivety would lead to Root being suppressed, weakened, or abolished. So it was better to support Yunchuan Hyuga and keep Root as a blade hidden in the shadows to clear obstacles for Konoha.
He stared hard and said only Yunchuan Hyuga understood the importance of Root. Konoha could not stand only in the sunlight.
Its Root had to sink into the ground to draw enough nourishment.
This was, of course, a lie.
From beginning to end, Danzo Shimura's goal was to become Hokage. He believed his actions were for Konoha, and he also believed only he could improve it by taking that seat.
In his heart, whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, or even Yunchuan Hyuga, he looked down on them all. Supporting Yunchuan Hyuga was only to use him to clear rivals and then take the position himself.
He knew he had no real chance and could only rely on unconventional means. He was certain Yunchuan Hyuga would accept the deal.
Even if Yunchuan Hyuga guessed his aim went beyond keeping Root, it did not matter. Anyone who wanted to become Hokage would need his help.
At worst, after all enemies were gone, they would see who picked the fruit in the end. It was an open scheme.
Silence spread along the forest path, leaving only wordless probing between them. At last, Yunchuan Hyuga broke it and asked what he wanted to do.
Although certain of agreement, Danzo Shimura still felt relief, followed by surging joy. He lowered his voice and said that Yunchuan Hyuga's greatest obstacle was the Hyuga Main Family.
Yunchuan Hyuga's expression changed as he asked what he intended.
Danzo Shimura said he would help remove that obstacle and lightly patted his shoulder. He asked if there was any reason to pity those who oppressed him.
He added that he would need cooperation in the process.
When Yunchuan Hyuga fell silent again, the smile on Danzo Shimura's face grew deeper. The more dirty work Yunchuan Hyuga did, the more leverage he would have.
As for killing the Hyuga Main Family and the consequences, he did not care. Those people had no value to Konoha.
Danzo Shimura had killed the Uchiha Clan to grow stronger and even dared to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi for the position of Hokage. If the plan went smoothly, he even intended to obtain Caged Bird Seal, whether by planting or triggering the Curse Seal.
By then, Yunchuan Hyuga would be his dog, and the Hyuga Branch Family would be his dog as well.
"Wait for my message," Danzo Shimura said.
He lifted his hand from Yunchuan Hyuga's shoulder and walked away with his cane without looking back. Yunchuan Hyuga remained standing until the figure disappeared.
If Danzo Shimura had looked back then, he would have seen Yunchuan Hyuga's body slowly fade from sight. The real Yunchuan Hyuga had been standing on the tree the whole time without moving.
His black hair stirred in the breeze, his face hidden in mottled shadows, unreadable. Only his Byakugan watched the distance, gleaming in the dark like deep cold pools reflecting Danzo Shimura's retreating back.
Even Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan had been deceived, so how could the so called restraints and Sealing Technique stop Yunchuan Hyuga's layered illusions. Everything was precise and natural.
"Danzo Shimura," he murmured. He called him an easy and useful piece, no wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi had kept him around.