Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 - 36: Old Age, Young Heart

Konoha, Root Headquarters.

The dim candlelight illuminated the darkness, providing just enough light for Danzō to clearly read the intelligence report in his hands.

His twisted, emotionless face revealed his foul mood.

The paper was clenched tightly in his grasp, a clear sign of his frustration.

"The Daimyō... that damned Daimyō. I've already prepared to bow my head in submission, yet he still refuses to let me become Hokage. Does he really think I, Danzō, have no temper?!"

There was no need to guess—the report in his hands was the information sent back from Root's operatives stationed in the Daimyō's residence.

"Tsunade has arrived, yet the Daimyō refuses to meet her. Instead, he sends a message to me, telling me to come up with better terms. Does he think I'm his lapdog?!"

To Danzō, the title of Hokage was sacred.

What he sought was the same level of absolute authority the Second Hokage wielded—where his word was law, and no one dared to oppose him. Not the kind of half-puppet position Hiruzen had, which disgusted him to no end.

Unlike the Third Hokage, who mastered the art of political maneuvering, Danzō had no patience for superficial pleasantries. He ruled with an iron fist and refused to tolerate dissent.

He wanted to shape Konoha into an extension of Root.

In Danzō's ideal vision, every shinobi in Konoha would abandon their past, forsake their families, and dedicate themselves solely to the village.

At his command, they would rush to the frontlines without hesitation, sacrificing themselves without a second thought.

Emotions—those weak and unnecessary distractions—had no place in the heart of a shinobi.

"Am I really supposed to just give up like this?!"

This was the closest he had ever been to the Hokage's seat.

Danzō refused to let it go.

He was more than decade older than Tsunade. She possessed the Yin Seal, allowing her to maintain her youth indefinitely. Danzō, however, had no such luxury.

Even with Hashirama's cells in his right arm slowing his aging, the difference between him and Tsunade was vast.

At this rate, if nothing unexpected happened, Tsunade could remain Hokage for the next ten years.

Would he still be able to move by then?

Even if he could, how much of his strength would remain?

A Hokage without power was laughable.

"Summon Orochimaru. I want to see him."

There was no reply, yet Danzō remained seated patiently. Tonight, he needed to think carefully.

After a long time, a small white snake slithered through the gap under the door.

"Danzō, you called for me?"

The voice came from the small snake, but it belonged to Orochimaru.

Danzō locked eyes with the creature. "Orochimaru, I helped you infiltrate Konoha to kill Hiruzen. Now, it's time for you to return the favor."

The white snake slithered in a circle, flicking its tongue as if processing the information around it.

"The Hokage position? How foolish."

"All these years, and you're still fixated on something so trivial. Danzō, you're old."

Danzō's expression darkened.

"That's none of your concern. What matters now is that I must become Hokage. Do you have any solutions?"

"Solutions? The current Hokage is Tsunade. You already sought out the Daimyō, but it seems that old man has his own agenda. However, that has nothing to do with me. If you really want the seat, just have someone assassinate Tsunade. Once she's gone and Konoha is left without a strong leader, you can seize power. A perfect plan."

Danzō's expression turned even uglier.

Orochimaru: "The Daimyō, huh? If he's being this troublesome, why not replace him with a younger, more obedient one?" _{ƒгeewёbnovel.com}