NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

In Konoha, within the Root division, Danzo had been in high spirits lately. He felt the position of Hokage was getting closer with each passing day. He didn't have to invest as much in recruiting Orochimaru anymore. 

"Hmph, that fool Sarutobi, he can't even see through his own disciple, yet he thinks Orochimaru will be spying on me for him in Root. He's getting old!" 

Danzo had been aware of Orochimaru's ambitions for a long time. As one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru lacked the Will of Fire, something Danzo had recognized early on. With just a little manipulation, Danzo had convinced Orochimaru to research the Senju DNA, and in just a few months, results had already started showing. 

"Just wait, Sarutobi. Soon, even the Wood Release users will support me as Hokage. Let's see how you'll challenge me then." 

Danzo's mind raced with ways to seize the Hokage position, with the Wood Release users being the key. Wood Release was a symbol of immense power in Konoha. The First Hokage had used it to pacify the wars, capture the tailed beasts, and establish Konoha's dominance. To the older generations of Konoha's ninjas, Wood Release represented the strength of the Senju clan, a name revered in Konoha. 

Among the Sannin, no one could rival Tsunade's arrogance, and Jiraiya had been away for three years, returning only to take on numerous A- and S-rank missions as punishment. Tsunade could come and go as she pleased, and even Sarutobi didn't dare say much, only trying to persuade her gently. 

Her ability to do so came from her powerful medical ninjutsu and her lineage. Her grandfather was the First Hokage, her great-uncle the Second Hokage, and her grandmother the first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. With such a powerful background, Tsunade had the advantage over others. If she had run for Fourth Hokage, no one would have been able to beat her. 

"Danzo-sama, a battle report from the front lines has arrived." 

A Root member entered to deliver the news and left after handing over the report. 

"Already? The Sand Village is too arrogant!" Danzo muttered before even looking at the report. He was already aware of the situation. He knew the Sand ninjas had around a thousand men at Bōsha Town, and Orochimaru had just sent the first wave of reinforcements. The Sand's sudden attack had caught them off guard, but Danzo believed they would win. 

"Still, with Orochimaru there, the Sand ninjas will definitely be repelled. Well done, Orochimaru." 

After reading the report, Danzo nodded. If he had recommended Orochimaru for the task, this was the result he expected. In less than thirty casualties, about two hundred Sand ninjas had been killed, and more than half of their military supplies in Bōsha Town had been destroyed. Danzo thought even he couldn't have done better. 

Then, news came that Chiyo, the old woman, had joined the fray, and the Fourth Kazekage would soon lead reinforcements. This was crucial information for Konoha. 

"Sarutobi doesn't know this yet, but when he finds out…" Danzo sneered. He knew his old teammate too well. Before Sarutobi became Hokage, he had been a reliable and trustworthy ally, but since taking the position, his political strategies had become increasingly complicated. Even Danzo, with all his experience in the shadows, had found it difficult to keep up. 

A while later, another Root member arrived to report: "Danzo-sama, the Third Hokage has sent word for you to come to the Hokage office." 

"I understand," Danzo replied curtly and immediately made his way to the Hokage building. 

When Danzo arrived at the Hokage's office, he was the last to arrive. Homura and Koharu were already there. 

"Sarutobi, you called me here because of the situation in the Land of Wind, didn't you?" Danzo asked directly. 

Sarutobi gave him a deep look before slowly exhaling a puff of smoke. "I see you already know, Danzo. Since Homura and Koharu are also aware, we might as well discuss what to do about it." 

"What do we do about it?" Danzo frowned. "We need to send the second wave of reinforcements immediately, along with more military supplies. Orochimaru used nearly 80% of the explosive tags in his surprise attack on Bōsha Town. They need to be replenished immediately." 

"Sarutobi," Homura said, clearing his throat, "Orochimaru's unilateral initiation of war will surely prompt the Sand Village to send envoys to protest. This will put us in a very awkward position." 

"Aww, what's the big deal? Anyone can see the Sand's intentions. Orochimaru struck first and dealt a heavy blow. He's delayed their plans to start the war. Now, we just need to send reinforcements, and we'll be able to defeat the Sand ninjas on the main battlefield. We can force them to sign a subordinate treaty!" Danzo said excitedly, walking closer to Sarutobi. 

"Sarutobi, give the order. Send reinforcements while the borders with the Land of Earth and Land of Lightning are stable. We can break the Sand Village's forces apart. This will ease our defenses along the western border and allow us to focus on the situation with the other two countries." 

"Danzo!" Sarutobi slammed his cigarette into the table, shouting at Danzo. 

"Orochimaru may have gained impressive results, but he started this war on his own. That will make the reputation of the Land of Fire very difficult to maintain. The peace we have now was earned through the lives of every Konoha ninja." 

Danzo was unwavering. "Sarutobi, it's clear that the Sand Village was the first to act. They've already pinned the disappearance of the Third Kazekage on us." 

"But the Sand Village hasn't actually acted yet. According to intelligence from the ANBU, the Wind Daimyo has already sent an envoy to protest to the Fire Daimyo. This will put us in a difficult position," Sarutobi said. 

Tsunade, who had been silent until now, spoke up in agreement with Sarutobi. "If the Daimyo finds out we struck first, it could affect future funding. After all, war impacts not only the soldiers but also the merchants and nobles in the capital." 

Danzo's voice turned cold. "Then let's make sure the Wind Village's envoys can't protest." 

"Don't do anything foolish, Danzo. I forbid Root from acting against the envoys of the Wind Country," Sarutobi warned sternly. 

"Orochimaru may have achieved great results, but he started the war without permission. I won't credit him for this. We will send reinforcements, but I will assign a deputy commander to the frontlines to ensure that Orochimaru doesn't act recklessly again." 

Both Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement. "That's better. Having someone to persuade Orochimaru could ensure he remains cautious when facing the Sand Village next time. We don't want him to fall into enemy traps, especially when it comes to the lives of Konoha's ninjas." 

Sarutobi's words sparked a bitter smile from Danzo. "Reckless? When Orochimaru won the battle with the Sand ninjas in the Land of Rain, his tactics alone were responsible for at least 30% of the victory. That's nearly as impressive as Tsunade breaking all the Sand ninjas' poisons. Now, these two have almost forgotten Orochimaru's talents in the Second Shinobi World War, and they've become Sarutobi's lackeys!" 

"Hmph! Sarutobi, you will regret this!" 

With that, Danzo spun around and left the office. 

"Danzo, don't let Root cause trouble. I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi's voice rang out behind him as Danzo made his exit. 

(End of Chapter)