Aoba is no saint. In Sakumo's memories, he indeed gained many benefits. Still, he also realized that Sakumo, a figure who once donned the short-sleeved Hokage robe, was a major obstacle on Minato's path to becoming the Fourth Hokage.

Even if Sakumo had allowed Minato to become the Fourth Hokage, having someone with a short-sleeved Hokage robe would still pose too many constraints on Minato.

It's an ancient adage: Merit often overshadows the master.

The history of the ninja world is relatively thin, tracing back to the Warring States period with Hashirama, the First Hokage.

Konoha itself is less than forty years old.

There is no reference sample to predict such occurrences, but Aoba, hailing from China with its 5,000 years of historical context, has numerous examples to draw from, including figures like the powerful and ambitious Wei Zhongxian.

Though the specific circumstances and Sakumo's potential to create such a climate differ from historical figures, Aoba would not allow such a situation to arise, especially since Minato is one of his few friends in the ninja world.

Of course.

Aoba orchestrated the entire process, whether it be the collusion between the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist or the near-frenzied collective assassination by Root.

Yet, he left no trace of his involvement.

To the public eye and history, it would appear as a collusion between Kirigakure and Danzo, a desperate assassination attempt on the village's future, and Danzo's final madness for the Third Hokage.

These actions are logical, well-evidenced, and leave no room for dispute.

As for Aoba

He is merely a minor interrogator within the Anbu.

Unrelated to this matter.After finishing his task, Aoba feels very good; he believes his recent efforts will soon pay off. Once this is done, he can let the ninja world continue in his desired direction and enjoy his peaceful life.

Fighting and killing indeed hold no allure for him.

But now.

There's one last step.

Completing this battle means securing decades of peace for the ninja world, after which no one will disturb him anymore.

"Now that you all understand your tasks go prepare!"

Danzo's voice, cold as a wind blade, stirred the hearts of the Root ninjas.

"Yes!" they responded immediately, preparing to leave.

But just as they were about to depart, Danzo spoke again.

"I don't care how you complete the mission or what means you use, but this is a group mission. You either succeed together or fail together. You should understand what failure means."

After Aoba's final intimidation, the Root ninjas took these words to heart and left the place, now understanding the grave seriousness of their mission.

They used to operate individually or in small teams of two to three. Now, they all shared the same mission: each faced a fate worse than death if they failed.

Just as the Root ninjas dispersed, a figure with long, black, straight hair and a meaningful smile entered the entrance of Root. His long tongue licked his lips, and his bright yellow snake-like eyes twinkled with mischief.

This man was Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Konoha Sannin.

"Danzo-sama, isn't your decision a bit hasty?"

Orochimaru's eyes meaningfully scanned Danzo, his expression rich, implying much without saying anything directly.

"Do you have something to say?" Danzo asked coldly while Aoba's clone subtly stepped back, still using the Rinnegan to observe Orochimaru.

"Nothing much."Orochimaru continued to smile and walk towards them.

"Just that..."

"I just came back from the Third Hokage."

"I didn't hear him say anything about assassinating Sakumo Hatake!"

"But you, Danzo-sama..."

"You've been quite preoccupied lately!"

Orochimaru approached Danzo fearlessly, his words straightforward but implying deeper meanings.

"Hiruzen told me privately. Do I need to report everything to you, too?" Danzo remained unflustered as Aoba controlled him from behind without fear of Orochimaru.

Especially here in Root.

This was his home ground.

"Hahaha, you still talk so fiercely. Do you think I can't see that this is all just for the show? I knew you were a corpse the last time I saw you; I just didn't know how you were being controlled."

Orochimaru confronted him directly, his snake eyes flicking towards Aoba's clone, curious but not overly aggressive.

"The person I'm talking to..."

"And the one controlling Danzo..."

"That's you, isn't it?""The little Uchiha!"

Orochimaru appeared confident, believing he had found an opportunity. Danzo was dead, and he was the only one who knew the secret, not considering the 'little Uchiha' a threat.

"You know too much."

Aoba stepped out from behind Danzo, and as he stamped his foot on the ground, a surge of dense chakra spread out.

"I can only kill you now!"