Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand-Chapter 235: Kazekage Ninja- - 24: You’re Not the Hokage

In the end, Danzo compromised. After all, obtaining the weakening agents was the critical objective. Ultimately, Konoha managed to purchase 500 vials of chakra weakening agents at a price of 100,000 ryō per vial, along with the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Soul Binding Jutsu scrolls as part of the deal.

However, Jinghang had cleverly set a trap for Danzo. The agents delivered to Konoha were the first-generation products, the same as those sold to the Third Raikage. The difference was that the Raikage received agents with antidotes, while Danzo’s batch came without them.

Even if Konoha’s medical experts could reverse-engineer the toxic components of the agents, developing an antidote would take a considerable amount of time. To put it into perspective, Tsunade, Chiyo, and Bai Fei—the three leading researchers behind the weakening agents—had spent three full years perfecting the formula. By the time Konoha figures it out, the Third Great Ninja War might already be over.

Although the outcome was less than ideal, Danzo had accomplished his mission by securing the agents.

Following the meeting, Jinghang invited Danzo for dinner. It wasn’t a lavish feast but a simple work meal consisting of four dishes and a soup. The modest reception left Danzo slightly displeased.

"Minister Danzo, are you dissatisfied with the meal? Unfortunately, after the anti-corruption campaign, the standards for official meals in Sunagakure have been strictly regulated. As the head of Konoha’s Anbu and overseer of ninja discipline, you should understand this better than anyone. If the culture of indulgence in food and drink isn’t curbed, it could lead to serious problems."

Jinghang warmly served Danzo some food, his demeanor completely transformed.

"Not at all. This is perfectly fine," Danzo replied, his expression softening slightly. As an old-school ninja, he had always maintained a frugal and simple lifestyle. His usual meals consisted of a fish, a small dish of pickles, a bowl of rice, and a bowl of miso soup. His displeasure stemmed more from feeling slighted than from the quality of the food.

"Haha, don’t be so narrow-minded! Public affairs are public affairs, and private matters are private matters. When it comes to the village’s interests, every penny counts, and that’s perfectly reasonable. But that doesn’t affect our personal friendship."

Jinghang laughed heartily, pouring Danzo a cup of sake.

Danzo found himself agreeing with this perspective. Wasn’t he also bending over backward for the sake of Konoha’s interests?

With that, Danzo’s mood eased significantly, and he downed the sake in one gulp.

"Good," Jinghang nodded approvingly, and the two began exchanging drinks.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, both men were slightly tipsy. Suddenly, Jinghang spoke up.

"This is only because you’re here, Danzo. If it were someone else, hmph! Forget weakening agents—I wouldn’t even sell them a single soldier pill!"

"Why is that?" Danzo asked, his brow furrowing again.

"Let me say this privately, and I swear I’m not trying to sow discord among Konoha’s leadership. But your village’s foreign policy—it’s like a cat one moment and a dog the next. Its stance changes so often, it’s baffling."

"What do you mean by that?"

Danzo asked.

"Our villages are supposed to be allies, right? During the Suna-Iwa war, I didn’t provoke Iwagakure, but Ōnoki sent people to kill and plunder. Shouldn’t we fight back? And what did Konoha do? Not only did you fail to help, but you also stationed troops in Kumogakure! Is that how allies behave?"

Danzo was about to explain, but Jinghang interrupted him.

"Alright, let’s not dwell on the past. Now, Iwagakure has openly withdrawn from the Ninja Alliance. What’s their game? They’re cutting off our financial lifeline! From now on, whether it’s the World Ninja Tournament or the Chūnin and Jōnin Exams, it’s just going to be the three of us—Sunagakure, Konoha, and Kumogakure (since Kirigakure has its own league). The Alliance’s credibility will plummet, and we’ll lose so much revenue! Konoha is the Alliance’s rotating chairman this year, and not only did you say nothing, but you also stationed troops in Kumogakure again. What are you doing? Is Iwagakure your dad or something?"

Jinghang’s drunken eyes were hazy, and he seemed to be speaking without restraint. While he claimed not to be stirring up trouble, every word was designed to sow discord.

"I... I... actually... don’t support..."

"Your opinion doesn’t matter! You’re not the Hokage!"

Danzo’s face turned as red as a pig’s liver. He had always harbored reservations about Konoha’s foreign policy, but the advisors were in charge of diplomacy, and Sarutobi Hiruzen made the final decisions. Danzo had no say in the matter.

Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had elevated Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru into Konoha’s upper echelons, the village’s political landscape had undergone a significant shift. Among the six "standing committee members," there were two from the advisor faction, three from the Hokage faction, and Danzo, who stood alone. Sarutobi Hiruzen had firmly consolidated his power, leaving Danzo as little more than a glorified errand boy.

His ideas couldn’t be voiced, his ambitions couldn’t be realized, and he was relegated to "blue-collar" tasks like intelligence gathering.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen’s policies were correct, Danzo might have been able to accept his position. But look at the current state of affairs: Sunagakure, once an ally, was gradually drifting away; Kumogakure, a competitor, was constantly defiant; and Kirigakure and Iwagakure neither submitted nor declared their stance. This was hardly the behavior of a dominant force in the ninja world.

By now, Jinghang had passed out, slumped over the table in a drunken stupor. But his last words continued to echo in Danzo’s mind.

"You’re not the Hokage!"

"You’re not the Hokage!"

"You’re not the Hokage!"

That’s right. I’m not the Hokage, so no one listens to me, no one acknowledges my efforts—even when they’re right.

No! As Tobirama-sama’s disciple, I can’t stand by and watch the village deteriorate day by day. I need to set things back on the right path!

"I must become Hokage!"

Fueled by his drunken resolve, Danzo actually blurted out the words aloud.

The sudden outburst startled even himself.

He glanced at Jinghang, who was still asleep.

It seemed there was no reaction.

Relieved, Danzo finally calmed down.

Then he began to calculate in his mind. Orochimaru, though Sarutobi Hiruzen’s disciple, clearly wasn’t on the same page as his teacher. Capable and ambitious, Orochimaru could be a valuable ally if recruited. With this shift in the balance of power, the advisor faction, the Hokage faction, and his intelligence faction would each hold equal weight.

Mito Homura was indecisive, and Koharu Utatane was just a woman of limited influence. The two from the advisor faction were hardly threats.

The real obstacle was Sakumo Hatake from the Hokage faction. Strong in combat, mentally resilient, and both courageous and resourceful, he was Sarutobi Hiruzen’s staunch loyalist—someone who couldn’t be bribed or swayed.

It seemed the only solution was to eliminate him.

That shouldn’t be too difficult.

With that, Danzo envisioned himself as the sole dominant force in Konoha’s leadership. If, someday, something were to happen to Sarutobi Hiruzen...

The Hokage’s hat would naturally fall to him.

The thought made Danzo spring to his feet.

"I can’t waste time here. I need to return to the village immediately and start taking action!"

With that, he strode out of the dining hall.

As Danzo left, Jinghang slowly opened his eyes.

"That’s right, take action. You will become Hokage."

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