"Hmm? Oh, it's you Anko...how you doin?"

"You...do you know much I was scolded by the Third Hokage when you disappeared?"

"Uhm, sorry I guess?"

"Guess? Sigh, you really drive me crazy...by the way, are you sure that it was a mistake that you ended up in Ryuchi Cave? Back then I found it weird that you insisted on me teaching you the Snake Summoning Jutsu...isn't that kind of suspicious?"

"I think you are way too paranoid and read too much into things."

"Sigh, you still didn't learn to respect your superiors, Eiji?" - Tenten

"But even though she is my superior, we shared a tent for a ni-" - a fist from Anko interrupted him.

"Anyway, I didn't tell anyone about my suspicion, so if you want me to stay silent, pay for my meal!" - with that Anko left the Dango-shop with a smile.

"Uhh, my money..."

"Sigh, didn't I tell you?"

Time continued to pass peacefully on the surface, but something huge was brewing in the underground.

"Lord Danzo, I'm here to report that Jiraiya has successfully convinced Tsunade to accept the role of the Fith Hokage."

"Are you sure? Considering her personality I find it hard to believe..."

"I have confirmed it. They are currently on their way back to Konoha..."

Danzo's serious face looked even more serious when he heard that: 'I didn't do anything when it was decided that Jiraiya would be the next Hokage since I knew he would decline. I also thought that Tsunade would refuse when Jiraiya told that he would search for her, meaning I would have the perfect opportunity to propose that the next Hokage should be me...but looks like I was mistaken.'

Actually, Danzo was right.

Normally Tsunade would instantly decline, but he didn't know that an annoying orange boy, who has the ability to move people with his words, was the reason for her change of heart.

'This is unexpected...looks like the chances of me becoming the next Hokage became almost nonexistent...also this slug princess will be a kindhearted fool like Hiurzen...hmph! If this is the case, since I can't become the next Hokage, why don't I just get a loyal puppet to become the next one?'

He looked at his Root-subordinate and said: "We don't have much time, so take care of those two Anbu, who watched the fight with Orochimaru, and then replace them with two of ours. I will give them their orders after."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" - with that the Root-member vanished, leaving Danzo and the darkness alone.

Eiji's team was in an awkward position since their Sensei died.

But the village couldn't afford to assign someone knew at the moment since even though it appeared peaceful right now, the village was in a precarious situation and were militarily weak.

So without a sensei, they couldn't accept missions, meaning they didn't have anything to do now.

That's why Kotaru and Arina asked Eiji to spar with them, so they could get stronger.

He didn't mind and agreed to it, but he stopped their spar when he noticed 3 Anbu appearing and staring at him.

"Hey, why did you stop Eiji suddenly?" - Kotaru

"Looks like we have some fans..."

"Fans?" - Arina had a doubtful expression.

"Excuse us, are you Nakamura Eiji?" - one of the three Anbu

"Yeah, that's me, as I live and breathe...what do you want?"

"Our Lord has asked us to bring you to him."

"Your Lord? Would it be too impolite of me to ask who your "Lord" is?"

"Excuse us, but we aren't allowed to tell."

"And if I decline to come?"

"We are allowed to use force."

'Those guys...I have a bad feeling about this, but since they are Anbu it must be from the higher-ups and I can't refuse...'

He shrugged and said: "Whatever, looks like I have some big-shot as a fan, so bring me to him...at least I hope it's some rich and sexy lady..."

"..."

"What are you -" - Eiji fell suddenly unconscious because of a Genjutsu one of them used.

It hit him easily since he wasn't expecting them to do something like that.

Arina and Kotaru also fell unconscious and one of them quickly touched their heads to erase their memories.

When Eiji woke up, he found himself tied to a chair in a dark room.

But he wasn't alone.

Two Anbu were next to him, while someone he recognized looked at him with an emotionless face.

'Shit, I should have known that it was this fucker behind those shady Anbu...'

He recognized Danzo, but since it would be weird for him to know of him, he didn't show it on his face.

"Looks like you are awake. Let me first tell you that I'm really impressed by your courage to fight someone like Orochimaru and your talent to be able to use Sage Mode at this young age."

Hearing that Eiji made a fake smile and said: "Thanks, I'm always glad to have more fans...what do you want? Want me to sign something for you?"

"You will be the Fith Hokage."

"What?"