Naruto: Threads of Crimson

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at his desk, his gaze turned towards the map of the elemental continent as he puffed on his pipe. 

'Now that the Cloud has been laying off of our border with the Hot Spring Country we can redirect some of that extra manpower back to the Stone and Sand theaters. The only wild card here is the Mist.' He thought as he moved some pieces around the board trying to come up with possible situations.

Hiruzen puffed out another cloud of smoke and rubbed the bridge of his nose. 'They've been very quiet recently, too, but the rumors our spies have picked up is that the jinchuriki of the three tails is a perfect jinchuriki. If that's the case, they might just be waiting for any possible slip-up. 

Knock knock

A knock echoed from the door.

"Enter," Hiruzen called out, his voice calm yet commanding as he turned his attention to the thick wooden door.

The door creaked open, and Danzo Shimura stepped inside, his one visible eye cold and calculating, as always. The two old comrades exchanged a look that spoke of years of shared history. "Danzo," Hiruzen greeted, his tone measured. "What news do you bring?"

Danzo bowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "The Root agents stationed in the Land of Water have detected a significant amount of movement and buildup of troops," he said, his voice low but firm. "It seems the Mist Village is preparing for something—something big. It could be an invasion or another secretive operation. Either way, we can't afford to sit idly by."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh as his brows furrowed. "I was just thinking about them before you knocked on my door. They've been keeping to themselves for the most part during the late stage of the war. But if what you're saying is true, this could escalate things far beyond what we're currently dealing with on our western and northwestern borders against the Sand and Stone."

Danzo's gaze didn't waver. "That is why I'm suggesting a preemptive strike. We send a group of shinobi to back up the Root agents we already have stationed in Kirigakure and sabotage their efforts before they have a chance to launch anything against us. We cannot let them act first, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, the smoke swirling lazily in the dim light of his office. He was silent for a moment, considering Danzo's words. The Mist Village had earned a reputation for brutality, particularly under the reign of the Third Mizukage. Their methods were ruthless, their forces relentless, especially in combat. Hiruzen had no doubt that they wouldn't hold back if the Mist Village decided to strike.

"Danzo," Hiruzen began slowly, weighing his words. "Sabotage may prevent an attack, but it could just as easily trigger retaliation. The Mist Village is not to be underestimated. If we strike without provocation, the Land of Water would surely rally its entire village and the bloodlines against us. We'd be fighting a war on too many fronts."

Danzo's face remained impassive, but his voice carried the edge of impatience. "The longer we wait, the more advantage we give them. The Mist Village is already a threat, and with its bloody reputation, it would benefit us more to cut the fuse off before they can light it. You know as well as I do that the time for diplomacy has been over for a couple of years now. Action is the only language the other villages understand."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, but his tone remained calm. "And what of the consequences? If we act in haste, we may be playing directly into their hands, giving them the excuse they need to launch an all-out attack on us. The consequences could be disastrous—not just for Konoha, but for the entire Land of Fire."

"There will always be consequences, Hiruzen. But inaction is just as dangerous, if not more so. The Root is prepared to do what is necessary to protect this village, even if it means taking risks you are not willing to. You hesitate, and Konoha will pay the price."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his hand resting lightly on his pipe. He knew Danzo's methods well—ruthless, efficient, and often walking the line between right and wrong. While Hiruzen had always believed in the Will of Fire, the unity and strength of the village through compassion and wisdom, Danzo's path was one of shadows and calculated cruelty. It was a give-and-take relationship between them—security versus peace, strength versus trust.

"The safety of the village is my priority as well, Danzo, which is why I'm hesitant about this," Hiruzen said quietly, but firmly. "If we were to try and make an attempt to sabotage the Land of Water, it would need to be done in such a way that it can't be traced back to Konoha."

Hiruzen's words hung heavily in the air, the implications clear. "This can't be a job for the shinobi in the light. If this operation is discovered, it could spark an even larger conflict along our borders. We're already stretched too thin on the front lines."

Danzo's frown deepened, though it never truly left his face. "Leave the counterattack to me, Hiruzen. My Root will handle this in the shadows, as we always do."

Hiruzen took another long drag from his pipe, his eyes met Danzo's with a hard, steady gaze. "Danzo, I'll allow this mission," he said, his tone firm, "but I want the bloodshed kept to an absolute minimum. This also must remain completely in the dark."

Danzo gave a small nod, his voice as cold and controlled as ever. "Of course. I will ensure that the mission remains in the shadows, and the Mist Village will never know what hit them."

Hiruzen studied Danzo for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before giving a slow nod of acknowledgment. He trusted Danzo to operate in the shadows, but there was always a risk when the man was involved. He dismissed him with a wave of his hand, though the unease in his chest didn't dissipate.

As the door clicked shut behind Danzo, Hiruzen puffed out a final lungful of smoke and leaned back in his chair. Though Danzo's methods were efficient, they always carried a hidden cost—one that the village would eventually pay. 

'Unfortunately, he's a necessary evil in this equation,' Hiruzen thought with a tired sigh, rubbing his eyes.

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As Danzo stepped out of the Hokage's office and into the cool evening air, his thoughts immediately began to churn. A mission in the Land of Water presented the perfect opportunity to further his own ambitions. As his mind turned to the task ahead, another thought began to worm its way into his consciousness.

The Uchiha Clan.

More specifically, the two Uchiha prodigies that had recently made a name for themselves—Shiro and Shisui. 'They've both shown incredible promise, far more than any other Uchiha of their generation,' Danzo thought as he scratched his chin. 'Shisui's speed is already on par with a special jonin, and Shiro's mastery of genjutsu is far beyond his years. The reports from the outpost mission are even more telling—he's practically the perfect fit for my organization. He could thrive in the dark.'

Danzo's eye gleamed in the dim light as he moved through the underground corridors leading to his Root headquarters. He had long coveted the power of the Uchiha's Sharingan, knowing it was a tool that could tip the balance of power in Konoha—under his control, of course. And these two boys... they were young, impressionable, and brimming with potential. 'They could be used to further my goals. With the right push, they might even see my vision for this village.'

As he descended deeper into the labyrinthine tunnels, a rare upturn of his lips began to form. The Sharingan was the key to unlocking more power, the power he had always sought. And the potential in those two Uchiha boys… it was staggering. Even Danzo, despite his deep-rooted mistrust of the Uchiha, had to acknowledge their ability. They were special.

Danzo's expression quickly returned to its usual mask of stoicism as he arrived at the heart of his base. His mind, however, continued to plot and calculate. The village clans were already suspicious of his movements, and any overt action on the Uchiha could trigger their collective ire. But if he played his cards right, he could acquire the power he needed without drawing attention, just as he had done many times before.

A flicker of movement in the corner of his vision brought him back to the present. A Root agent appeared beside him, kneeling in deference.

"Lord Danzo," the agent greeted, his voice low and respectful.

Danzo barely spared him a glance. "Prepare our operatives for a mission in the Land of Water," he ordered, his tone clipped and precise. "And send me the full files on the Uchiha boys—Shiro and Shisui. I want everything we have on them. This mission may present… opportunities."

The Root agent nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Danzo alone with his thoughts once more. He allowed himself a brief moment to savor the plan forming in his mind. The Mist Village might be a concern for Konoha, but to Danzo, it was merely a stepping stone—a distraction to hide his true goals.

'The Hokage may have his ideals and his Will of Fire,' Danzo mused as he moved deeper into the base. 'But true power lies in the ability to make difficult choices in the shadows, to control what others cannot.'

Danzo turned to face another Root agent who had just appeared, kneeling silently beside him. His voice, cold and commanding, sliced through the stillness. "Go to the Uchiha compound and summon Kaito. I want him in my office within the hour."

Without a word, the Root agent nodded, vanishing in a flicker of movement.

As Danzo resumed his walk toward his personal chambers, his mind walked through the strategy he would employ. Kaito, the father of Shiro, was a seasoned shinobi and a respected figure within the Uchiha clan. His presence posed an obstacle to Danzo's ambitions, but it was one that could be removed. 'Kaito is strong-willed, but even he will fall if something insurmountable blocks the path,' Danzo mused. 'With Kaito out of the way, Shiro's emotions will consume him. The boy will crave more power, as all Uchiha do when they lose what's precious to them. That desire will make him easy to manipulate.'

Danzo smirked at the thought. He had seen it countless times—the Uchiha's curse of hatred, the way their strong emotions led them down a path of obsession. And with the Sharingan at the heart of their power, it became even more potent. 'Shiro will explore different avenues to power, and eventually, I'll make my move when the time is right.'

Upon reaching his private chamber, Danzo paused in front of the heavy wooden door. The faint shuffle of movement in the shadows announced the arrival of more Root agents, each one bowing before their master, awaiting orders.

"The A-Team," Danzo said, his voice low and sharp, filled with intent. "Assemble them in the mission chamber. I have a task for them."

The agents bowed again and disappeared into the shadows as silently as they had arrived. Danzo's elite squad of twelve would not fail him; they were trained for missions where discretion and precision were paramount. He had no doubt they would execute his will without hesitation.

Pushing open the door to his chamber, Danzo stepped inside. The dim lighting cast long, eerie shadows that danced along the walls, giving the room an almost ominous atmosphere. The cold, dreary environment suited his personality—a man who thrived in the absence of light, where his actions remained unseen.

As he walked to his desk, his mind continued to work out the finer details of the mission. He would send the first team to handle the Land of Water operation—an essential distraction to keep Hiruzen content and the village's focus outward. But Kaito's fate would require a more delicate touch. He needed the right timing, the right trigger, and the right team to ensure that Kaito's removal would push Shiro toward the darkness.

Sitting in his chair, Danzo steepled his fingers and leaned back, his single visible eye narrowing in thought. 'Kaito will disappear, then Shiro will fall into place after that. Once I push Shiro towards that path, I'll be able to focus on Shisui.'

Danzo frowned and drummed his fingers on the desk. 'In order for this to happen, though, I need to isolate the Uchiha clan more than they already are somehow. I need to make them a scapegoat for the rest of our village's clan that way, when I make my moves, I'm not held back by their standing and relationships within the village's families.

Danzo's thoughts were interrupted by another faint knock at the door. One of his senior agents entered, kneeling briefly. "Lord Danzo, Kaito has been summoned and is on his way."

Danzo nodded, dismissing the agent with a wave. The game had already begun, and every piece was slowly moving into position.

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(A/N: Here is some spooky behind-the-scenes stuff with Danzo. I will say right now that Danzo won't get any crazy plot armor, as I don't plan on having him be a huge factor in my story. He's going to be more of a way for both Shiro and Shisui to grow and mature a little more.)