For most people living in Konoha, "becoming the Hokage" is a dream that is far away, a childish slogan for many kids.
But for people at Danzo's level.
Becoming Hokage is just a simple addition game -
Good personal strength.
A list of impressive achievements.
Make up a story that can move the villagers.
Finally, take control of public opinion.
Just spend some time, and you can turn a Konoha Ninja into an amazing Hokage.
"If becoming Hokage is so easy, why don't you do it?" Linto asked.
Danzo shook his head: "I'm not clean. If I go up there, many people in the village won't accept me. But Linto, you're different. You're clean.
You don't have complicated family connections, too much bad history, and you have the great strength to defeat Orochimaru.
As long as we work together, it doesn't take ten years, three years, and I can get you in power and become the new Hokage."
Linto picked up his teacup and took a sip: "What about you? What will you get?"
Danzo opened his arms, and the power of his belief came through in his deep voice:
"A more thriving and powerful Konoha."
Linto could hear the sincerity in Danzo's tone. This was indeed his lifelong dream, and the only one.
"Why me?" Linto asked again.
Danzo refilled Linto's tea: "Now in Konoha village, the Third Hokage is old and losing his ambition;
Jiraiya, has enough good character but not enough smarts, and is indecisive;
Tsunade, is missing, and besides, she studies medical Ninjutsu. If a strong enemy attacks, is she going to use medicine to move the enemy?"
He used a toothpick to pick up a piece of pastry, dipping it in white sugar: "The younger generation, except for Kakashi, no one has made a big enough name for themselves."
"But since the Fourth Hokage died, Kakashi has been living a wasted life, seeming to focus on tasks, but actually just burying himself in work like an old cow."
Danzo chuckled: "Someone in charge needs to look up and look into the distance."
"In my opinion, the heroes of today are only me and Linto. The others are just stupid people with strength."
"For many years, I have been looking for someone who can lead Konoha to greatness again.
Linto, you have that potential - not only your power, but also your desire to break the rules."
Danzo handed the sugar-covered pastry to Linto.
"Work with me."
"Taking control of Konoha is just the beginning. Let's unite the ninja world and complete the work that the First Hokage didn't finish."
Konan, listening to these words, felt like her whole world was shaken.
Konoha Village · Hokage.
This position, which used to be unreachable in their eyes, was now like a fish in the market, being taken out, slapped on the cutting board, looked over from left to right, and having its pros and cons explained.
Nagato's plan to collect the tailed beasts, to create peace in the world through the fear of absolute force, was simply too "naive" compared to Danzo's detailed plan.
The power of weapons can only last for a few years, maybe a decade.
If the world could really be united, there would indeed be no more disputes, or at least only small ones... and Linto would become the real person in charge.
She looked at Linto.
"Will you agree?"
Danzo knew that Linto would definitely agree.
Because he had already activated Shisui's Sharingan ability -
Kotoamatsukami.
Kotoamatsukami, known as the "strongest illusion," can silently invade the other person's brain, change their will, and control the target without them knowing, making them the caster's puppet.
Danzo was a careful person. He wasn't so naive as to think he could control Linto with just one Kotoamatsukami.
He really hoped that Linto could return to Konoha and overthrow Sarutobi's rule.
Think about Linto's achievements in the last six months. If everyone in Konoha could master his power to control lightning (ripple) and evil spirits (stands), how powerful would Konoha village be?
So, Danzo offered a tempting bait. As long as Linto had a moment of emotion, Kotoamatsukami would be the final boost, helping him make a decision that was completely beneficial to him.
It wasn't "completely" beneficial either. Linto would gain power and cooperate with Danzo, and he would inevitably have to compromise on some things.
But what was that little bit of compromise compared to what Linto would get?
Linto glanced at the pastry that Danzo handed over: "What if I refuse?"
"You will die."
Danzo said bluntly: "Even if Konoha doesn't move against you, Kumogakure will come to catch you, Kirigakure won't let you go, Akatsuki will chase you down, and Iwagakure has always like to take small advantages, so it will definitely move secretly.
Linto, I know you're strong, but facing endless enemies, you can't protect yourself, and you can't protect the people around you. Cooperating with me is your only way to survive."
Danzo stared at Linto.
Agree.
Agree quickly.
As long as you nod, the first "snowball" rolling down the hill will form in your heart, and you will never be able to stop becoming my puppet.
Sasuke felt that something was wrong and quietly reminded Linto, but Linto seemed not to hear him at all and took the pastry from Danzo's hand:
"As long as I agree, everyone won't have to die, and I can become Hokage, right?"
"Heh heh."
Danzo smiled in a sinister way: "That's right, I promise you."
"Sounds good."
Linto took the pastry and put it in his mouth: "But, I refuse."
Buzz!
A golden ripple appeared on the bamboo stick. Linto flicked his finger, the pastry fell off, and the bamboo stick flew out like a bullet, accurately piercing the bandages and going through the right eye that was using Kotoamatsukami.
Danzo screamed instantly and was about to retreat, but a cold hand pressed down on his head, holding it firmly on the table. He turned his head to look and met the empty eyes of White Snake.
White Snake slapped Danzo in the face.
"Buzz - click!"
Two discs popped out.
White Snake sneered darkly: "Little Danzo, got ya."
As it said this, it took out the discs and handed them to Linto.
But just then, the discs that were handed over became thinner, until...
They disappeared completely.
Danzo's body also disappeared.
Linto suddenly turned his head to look at a corner he had ignored before. Danzo seemed to have been there all along, walking out of the shadows. He stood about a dozen steps away from Linto, keeping a safe distance, his expression becoming more and more gloomy:
"When did you discover the Kotoamatsukami?"
Linto stood up and patted the white sugar grains off Clap:
"From the moment when 'Eh? This old guy's words make some sense' appeared in my mind."
Linto rubbed his forehead.
"Your illusion has some meaning. Is it aimed at a person's subconscious?"
A person's subconscious will constantly and uncontrollably produce various thoughts.
For example, you will feel moved when you see a pretty girl, you will want to take action when you see an armored truck, and you will even want to taste the saltiness when you see a dog eating shit... but all these thoughts are just passing thoughts and won't really stay in your mind.
Kotoamatsukami seems to select thoughts that match the caster's wishes from the many subconscious thoughts, amplify them, and strengthen them, and ultimately become the target's thoughts.
Because this thought originally comes from the target's subconscious, in most cases, it will not attract the target's attention, and control is achieved silently.
But the difference between Linto and Danzo's thinking was too great.
Danzo's theory of unifying the world, if it were someone else, even if they didn't agree immediately, they would have some hesitation in their hearts.
After all, who wouldn't want to stand on top of the world?
Even Konan, who yearned for peace and justice, could find resonance in the blueprint that Danzo described.
Once they wavered, they would fall into the control of Kotoamatsukami.
Linto was also a person, and he almost wavered just now.
Just a little bit.
And that little bit was that Linto knew -
The problem he wanted to solve couldn't be solved by "unification."
Cooperating with Danzo, and being controlled by various interest groups, would only make him one of "them" in the end.
Linto looked back at the Hokage Rock.
Perhaps... this was why the First Hokage · Senju Hashirama, who aimed to rule the world, chose to divide the tailed beasts and build villages separately?
"Linto."
Danzo unwrapped the bandages on his right arm little by little.
"I said, now that you're back, don't think about leaving. I originally wanted you to stay respectably, but you refuse to accept my kindness, so..."
"Just stay here as a corpse."
In an instant, nearly a hundred organization members hidden in the shadows poured out, and countless kunai and shuriken rained down on Linto.
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