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  The dimly lit corridors beh the Hokage Tower were eerily silent as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tobirama Senju made their way to Danzo's cell.

  'This is a necessary risk.' Hiruzen thought, gng at Tobirama. 'Danzo's worked with Orochimaru on multiple occasions. If he help us now….'

  'We need every piece of information we get. If it meaing Tsunade back, then I suppose this must be done.' Tobirama had a grim expression.

  They reached the heavy iron duarded by two ANBU members. With a nod from Hiruzen, one of them unlocked it, and the door creaked open.

  Inside, Danzo sat on a simple wooden bench with his limbs in s. There ecial sealing tag on his bare chest that stopped him from molding chakra. The most eye-catg item was the metal traption around his neck.

  Despite the dire situation he was in, Danzo looked calm as if he was meditating. When the door opened his single eye watched them ily as they entered his cell.

  "Hiruzen. Lord Sed," he greeted, his tone measured. There was her anger nor fear on his face or in his voice.

  "Danzo. I see yetting fortable in your new quarters." Hiruzen spoke with a calm expression as he looked at his old rival.

  "I adapt. I always have. You should know that about me Hiruzen." Danzo replied with half lidded eyes.

  "Hmm…" The third Hokage crossed his arms and looked at the prisoner.

  "So what brings you two here?" The former Root ander didn't waste time and asked.

  "Danzo," Tobirama replied evenly. "We have some questions for you."

  Danzo leaned forward slightly. "Questions for me? And you two personally came here... This must be serious… Alright. What do you want to know?"

  Tobirama crossed his arms. "What you tell us about the current situation in the Land of Earth, specifically regarding their royal court—the ministers and high-ranking officials?"

  Danzo leaned back slightly. "The Land of Earth's royal court huh… Well to begin with, that court is a web of politid power pys. The ministers wield signifit influence, sometimes more than the Daimyo himself."

  Hiruzen nodded. "Any particur figures of note?"

  Danzo's eye narrowed thoughtfully. "The royal court is dominated by four key ministers: Minister of War, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Intelligehere are others in important positions of course but these four are the most iial. They each trol signifit assets and wield siderable power."

  Hiruzen nodded. "What you tell us about them individually?"

  Danzo closed his eye for a moment as he recalled the details. "The Minister of War is a seasoned general. He oversees the Daimyo's military, formutes deferategies, and the prote of the kingdom. That man is fiercely loyal to the Earth Daimyo but he is also ambitious. Now, the Minister of Agriculture trols the nation's food supply. Because of the rocky terrain of their try, farming is difficult. So he trols major food imports and exports from all over the world. And that makes him indispensable."

  Hiruzen and Tobirama quickly absorbed the information. The third Hokage wasn't surprised at the intel Danzo had on their rival nation. 'I know he would have intelligen the Hidden Stone vilge but I didn't expect he'd keep his eyes on their Daimyo as well.'

  Danzo tinued unaware of Hiruzen's thoughts. "The Minister of Intelligence is a ing man. He manages an espioeam, gathers intelligen rival nations like ours and monitors both internal aernal threats. He always tries to be ahead of his enemies, and he keeps tabs on everyone—including his fellow ministers."

  "And the Minister of Finance?" Hiruzen prompted.

  Danzo kept a calm face but inwardly he smiled. 'So that's who you're really after.'

  "The finance minister is particurly ambitious," Danzo tinued. "He's known for his... flexible ethics. He's amassed great wealth, some of which 't be ated for through official els."

  'He's holding back.' Tobirama thought as he analyzed Danzo's expression. 'He knows more than he's saying.'

  "Go on," Hiruzen spoke, wanting Danzo to eborate. .

  But Danzo's gaze sharpened and he answered with a question of his own. "Why the sudden i in the Land of Earth's internal affairs?"

  Hiruzen exged a brief look with Tobirama. "We've received intelligence suggesting unusual as involving some of their officials."

  "Who?" Danzo asked.

  "The Minister of Finance. He may be involved in unauthorized activities," Hiruzen replied.

  Danzo raised an eyebrow. "Unauthorized activities? Such as?"

  "Missing shipments, unated for resources," Tobirama stated. "We believe these anomalies may be lier threats."

  Danzo tilted his head. "And by 'rger threats,' you mean Orochimaru."

  There was a brief silence.

  "Possibly," Tobirama admitted.

  "So you've e to the same clusion?" Hiruzen aowledged as he asked Danzo.

  "It wasn't difficult. You two wouldn't have e here at this time with questions if it wasn't reted to Orochimaru." Danzo replied. "His ambitions are , and the Land of Earth would provide ample cover for his experiments."

  "We have reports suggesting the minister is helping Orochimaru build a b of some sorts." Hiruzen spoke.

  Danzo leaned back. "If that's the case, you're dealing with a dangerous alliance. But there's more."

  "What is it?" Hiruzen frowned and asked.

  "The Hidden Stone Vilge. The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, is wary of the royal court's growing power," Danzo expined. "Onoki is a cautious man. He would never allow Orochimaru to operate within his try if he knew about it."

  "So you believe Onoki is unaware of Orochimaru's preseobirama asked.

  "Precisely," Danzo firmed. "The retionship between the Hidden Stone Vilge and the Royal court is delicate. They tolerate each other out of y, but there's underlying tension."

  Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. 'This plicates matters.'

  Tobirama crossed his arms and leaned on a nearby wall. "Sihe subject of our matter is the minister of a rival nation, our options to iigate are limited."

  Danzo's eye narrowed and he nodded his head. "Interrogating a minister of another nation could indeed spark iional flict."

  "Precisely," Hiruzen agreed. "We need another way to uncover Orochimaru's location."

  Tobirama and Hiruzen were keeping a close wat Danzo with impassive faces. They wao know if he would willingly give up information on the warlord in that region.

  Danzo was silent for a moment before speaking. "There is anroup, aside from the Daimyo's military and the Hidden Stone shinobi, that possesses secret intelligence—especially regarding destine routes and operations."

  "And who would that be?" Tobirama asked, his eyes narrowing a fra.

  "The criminal underworld," Danzo replied. "Specifically, a warlord who trols much of the illegal activities in that region. Nothing signifit happens without his knowledge."

  Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "A warlord?"

  Danzo nodded. "He's a man of siderable influence. He's bribed, bckmailed, and threatened key figures within the royal court and even the Hidden Stone Vilge. If anyone knows where Orochimaru's shipments went, it would be him."

  Tobirama sidered this. 'So a dangerous individual, but maybe a necessary ally in this time of crisis.'

  "You've had dealings with him before," Hiruzen stated rather than ask.

  "Yes. He's a very private individual. I've only met him once." Danzo admitted. "He's extremely secretive and values his own is above all else. But he be reasoned with—for the right price. Well, sometimes. He has a strong temperament."

  "Could he know for certain about Orochimaru's shipments and activities?" Tobirama asked.

  "It's highly likely. He would most likely know where that Snake is." Danzo replied.

  Hiruzen sidered this. "We 't approach the ministers directly without risking flict. Even our Daimyo won't allow that."

  "Yes." Danzo said. "But the warlord operates outside official els. I'm sure he provide the information you need—for a price."

  "And rice is that?" Tobirama asked.

  "Ten million ryo," Danzo stated pinly.

  Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly. "That's a substantial amount."

  Danzed slightly. "Information of this caliber doesn't e cheap. It's the cost of doing business in his world. And it's the only way to ensure he'll agree to a meeting a his cooperation."

  "And you believe we secure a meeting with him?" Hiruzen asked.

  "No. Absolutely not." Danzo smirked and shook his head. "He'd never agree to meet any of you. Especially not in such a short time frame."

  "And who will he agree to meet? You?" Tobirama scoffed at Danzo's pn.

  "Yes." Danzo affirmed. "But I o go to the Land of Earth to meet him personally."

  Tobirama's expression hardened. "You expect us to allow you, a prisoo leave the vilge aer another nation unsupervised?"

  "I wouldn't expect you to let me go unsupervised," Danzo replied calmly. "But time is of the essence. Orochimaru won't wait. It's the only way you'll learruth."

  Hiruzen frowned. "Allowing you to leave the vilge, especially into another nation, is a signifit risk."

  Danzo met his gaze steadily. "I uand your hesitation Hiruzen, but time is running out. If you hesitate, it could cost you their lives."

  Hiruzen g Tobirama. 'He's right about that. But we trust him?' He sighed.

  "What guarantees do we have that you won't use this opportunity for your own agenda?" Tobirama questioned.

  Danzo was silent for a few moments before he looked at Hiruzen. "I fought for what I believed in. I lost. I've accepted my fate."

  He then turned his gaze to his former teacher. "Aside from my words I don't have anything else to give. But we all know you two don't trust me. If I was in your position I wouldher. It's not the logical thing to do. But to rescue Tsunade and her apprentice, you have to."

  Danzo's gaze sharpened as he looked at the two Hokages. "And because Orochimaru is a threat to our vilge. Whatever differences we have, the safety of the Hidden Leaf vilge es above all else." The former leader of the root became silent and he leaned back against the wall.

  Hiruzen studied his old friend's fabsp;'Is he sincere?'

  "We'll o discuss this further," Hiruzen said finally.

  Danzo nodded and spoke only three words. "Every moment ts."

  As Hiruzen and Tobirama turo leave, Danzo spoke again. "Hiruzen."

  Hiruzen paused at the doorway. "Yes?"

  "Use my assets to fund this operation," Danzo offered. "sider it a gesture of goodwill. I want to see Orochimaru stopped as much as you do."

  Hiruzen regarded him silently for a moment. "How generous." A tinge of sarcasm appeared in his tone.

  Leaving the cell, the heavy ded shut behind them. Walking down the dim corridor, Tobirama voiced his s. "This could be a trap."

  "I'm aware," Hiruzen replied. "But we have very few optio."

  Tobirama spoke in a low voice. "He's a lot. Do you think he has an ulterior motive?"

  "Undoubtedly," Hiruzen replied. "But he may also be our best ce."

  "If he leaves and bees a headache, we'll have another enemy. Right now with our focus on saving them, if Danzo does anything, we will be at a disadvantage,"

  Hiruzen sighed. "I know sensei. I haven't fotten who he is, but if there's a ce to find Orochimaru and rescue Tsunade and Shizune, we have to take it."

  Ba his cell, Danzo sat alone, pting. 'They're desperate.' he mused. 'And desperation be useful.' He closed his eye, a faint smile pying on his lips. 'I go out on my own terms, Hiruzen. No one else's.'

  Outside in the dimly lit hallway, the two kages were still discussing the matter.

  "So we agree to his terms?" Tobirama asked.

  "Relutly," Hiruzen said. "But we'll have to put measures io monitor him closely."

  "I'll do it. I've already decided to infiltrate the Land of Earth. I'll keep Danzo in my sights at all times." Tobirama suggested.

  "I uand." Hiruzen agreed. "And I'll have Jiraiya apany you two as well."

  Tobirama nodded. "Yes. That's fine. You don't have any problems with this do you?" Tobirama suddenly asked as he looked into a shadowy er. A couple of seds ter Jiraiya's form emerged and he looked at the two with crossed arms.

  "You're trusting him? After everything that happened." Jiraiya was not happy with the decision that was made.

  "irely," Tobirama interjected. "But we have little choice."

  "Danzo has agreed to help," Hiruzen informed them. "He provided us with valuable insights into the Earth Royal court and the Hidden Stone Vilge."

  "He en million ryo to secure information from a warlord," Hiruzen tinued. "We'll use his seized assets."

  Jiraiya sighed. "Oh this just keeps gettier aer… Well, I suppose it's better than using vilge funds."

  "I need you to apany them," Hiruzen said to Jiraiya. "Your presence will ehat he doesn't stray from the mission."

  "Alright," Jiraiya agreed relutly. "But I still don't like it."

  "her do we," Tobirama admitted. "But finding Orochimaru and resg Tsunade is our priority."

  The choice was made. The order was given for Danzo's release and soon in the shadows of the vilge, the former leader of the Root forces was escorted under heavy guard to prepare for the journey. He g the ANBU surrounding him. 'They don't trust me. Wise. Time to find out who'll keep me pany on my journey.'

  —-

  Author's note:

  A small summary of this arc so far. Tsunade abdu arc.

  The First Act of this Arc.

  279-283: Orocimaru vs Tsuande

  (Tsunade and Shizune are defeated and takesu informs Madara and Pain of this i. Guren kills Anbu who was monit Kabuto and rescues him befoing after her sed Target: Daichi. Orochimaru brings Tsunade and Shizuo an unknown location. Begins his experiment. Daichi learns of the abdu the m. He gets a new quest to rescue her. 60 hr. Time limit. He informs the Hokage.)

  V

  284-293: Daichi Interrogates Mizuki.

  (Hiruzen was being briefed by Inoichi and Ibiki ouatiarding Mizuki, his aplices and the events that transpired st night. At that moment Daichi es in and informs them of the situation. Hiruzens assembles a Jonin team. In the meahey specute why Orochimaru did such a thing.)

  (Kakashi and a team of Jonin leave the vilge to iigate. Daichi proposes to interrogate Mizuki. Hiruzen allows it. Daichi talks to Mizuki. Fails to vince him. Starts his interrogation. Meanwhile, Hiruzes with Danzo and his advisives warning to Danzo. Daichi formuted a pn to attack Orochimaru and make the most of this situation. Uses points to increase his strength. Creates powerful jutsu with his Parallel processing skill. Daichi gets clues from Mizuki. vihe Hokage to leave the vilge to iigate.)

  V

  294-296: Daichi, Anko, Genma: Iigation

  (Daichi Genma and Anko head to a locatiohe Capital. Found Ko Yamanaka's booby trapped corpse. Daichi secretly creates two es. One heads to the capital to meet the 3rd Prihe other heads to Land of Sound. Target: orochimaru's base.

  In the Leaf Danzo prepares for war. Recalls his root ninjas. Danzo provides Hiruzen with information on Orochimaru's 7 fake bases.

  Hiruzen sends scouts to iigate the 7 bases. He already sent awo mao iigate the 8th base the day before.

  Kakashi and his team iigate but reach a dead end.

  Daichi, Genma and Anko iigate in Fire capital but find no leads. Returns. Meanwhile Akatsuki holds a meeting and begins targeting Daichi.

  V

  297-304: Ambush- Daichi vs Guren.

  Daichi's team and Guren csh in a forest. Daichi wins. Kakashi and his team appeared at the end and assist. They capture the prisoners. They return to the Leaf. Meanwhile Jiraiya is made aware of the situation.

  End of First Act. Beginning Sed Act.

  V

  305-308: Returning to the Leaf and preparations.

  All the Great nations notice heightened security and activity of the Hidden leaf ninjas and they raise their vigince. Orochimaru experiments with Tsunade's blood. Daichi's first shadow eets with the 3rd Prince. Gains valuable Ihe Shadow e theo the Land of Earth. The real daichi proposes a theory that Orochimaru might be in the Land of Earth. Tsunade's dition is getting worse.

  V

  309-313: Infiltration: Land of Sound.

  Night time: Daichi's sed Shadow e infiltrated Orochimaru's base in the Land of Sound. Begins raiding the pce. Knocks out Kimimmaro. Creates another e to practice Reanimation jutsu. Main e starts looting everything. Gets several medical equipments aic samples.

  Scouts teams begiing back about the 7 bases and their guards and defenses. Meanwhile, e Daichi gets his hands on 8 tails horn cultivated. Daichi pletes his infiltratio. That e poses as Kimimaro for the time being. Learns reanimation jutsu. Akatsuki holds a meeting and Pain sends Kakuzu and Hidan to the Land of Earth to find Orochimaru and Tsunade if possible.

  V

  314-319 : Interrogation and Battlepns.

  Hiruzen, Shikaku, and Ox create battle pns. They suddenly learn that Danzo recalled all his root ninjas from Hiruzen's spy in root. Shikaku figures out the 7 bases were meant to keep the Leaf occupied while Danzo started a coup.

  Jiraiya arrives and begins colleg Iarting with Land of Earth. Tobirama also arrives after iigating Madara's tomb. He learns that Madara's corpse is absent. Tobirama is angry after learning what happened.

  Ibiki interrogated Rinji. Inoichi mind walks Guren. Both of them die due to failsafes. Hiruzen learns of Orochimaru's immortality jutsu.

  He also begins taking a against Danzo. Hiruzen assembles a team of ninjas. They are sent to 7 bases. There are Root sleeper agents meant for elimination.

  Anbu Ox is moving towards the 8th base with Tobirama's special knife.

  Another Anbu is headed for the Sound Vilge. Danzo also prepares for a frontation with Hiruzen.

  V

  320-322 : End of Root Begins.

  Daichi has a heart to heart with his inner self. Obito gets greedy for Shisui's sharingan, Daichi and Naruto. Daichi gets a new quest to pluhe root. He increased his sealing skill and learn the basic teleportation jutsu. His e in Land of sound increases level of Reanimation jutsu. Uses it on root corpses he had as Intel from them. Daichi sends Shadow es to infiltrate Root.

  Hiruzens, His anbu and Jiriaya go in several mier. Obito also arrives in the leaf vilge at that time. 3:35 am.

  V

  323-327: Daichi vs Danzo.

  Daichi begins looting Root archives disguised as Monkey D Dragon. Daichi attacks Danzo and takes sharingan eye. Daichi learns true identity of Root 2nd in and. Kensei reanimated son. Daichi's wrath on Danzo. They battle. Daichi in disguise gives danzo false information about himself to create fusion. Daichi takes danzo's sharingan arm. It has 7 eyes usable left. Danzo flees. Hiruzen and his people ehe base. Daichi(in disguise as Dragos Obito. Daichi sensed a strong chakra ing and both of them leave the pound.

  V

  328-336 : Hiruzen vs Danzo. End.

  Obito is angry he didn't get Shisui's eyes. Just as he was about to go after Daichi, Itachi's crow show up, warming him. Obito leaves the vilge but tasks Zetsu to find Dragon. Daichi learns multiple new ninjutsu including hidden jutsu. Quest pleted with several level and skill increases.

  Hiruzen fronts Danzo. They battle. Anbu and Root ninjas csh. Tobirama appears and the fighting ends. Danzo surrenders. They talk about the new adversary. Dragon. Danzo makes a request to prolong his execution till Tsunade is rescued.

  V

  337-343: Leaf's military operation begins.

  Jiriaya meets Tobirama. clusion of Root arext m Tenzo meets Kakashi (who was outside Daichi's home keeping an eye on him) and updates him ouation with Root.

  Daichi begins studying the best ways to get into the Land Of Earth. Kakashi and Hiruzen talk about the possibility of a sacrificial py to rescue Tsunade and Shizune.

  Leaf ninja teams begin attag the 7 hideouts. Root sleeper agents are discreetly eliminated. Hiruzeiime updates ouation. Meanwhile Ox reaches the 8th hideout.

  Daichi and Kakashi iigates the movements in Land of earth and see some anomalies.

  V

  344-351 : Tobirama vs Hashirama.

  Ox summons Tobirama and Jiraiya(sage mode). They battle Blue B and Hashirama. Ox infiltrates the base but finds nothing. Tobirama and Jiraiya defeats their oppos. Hashirama's soul is freed and he points them to the Land of Earth. Orochimaru doesn't know Hashirama poihem to Land of earth. He is fident that they won't find him in time.

  Bck Zetsu appears at the battlefield and learns of the use of Reanimations ninjas.

  The real Daichi in the Leaf vilge sends his Shadow e on the Land of Earth towards the Home of the minister of Finance for interrogation. And to find the true motives of his alliah Orochimaru. Kakashi tells hiruzen of Daichi's findings and Hiruzen talks it out with Jiraiya, Tobirama and Ox. Ox tells them of a warlord who might be able to help get some information on Orochimaru's whereabouts. They go and talk to Danzo. Danzo wants to help.

  V

  End of Sed Act. Third Act Begins. The Final part of this Arc.

  Thank you for stig with me for so long.