Despite their prolonged discussions, the group was unable to devise a plan to lure Shimura Danzo into their trap.
With no clear solution in sight, they had no choice but to disperse, agreeing to reconvene once someone came up with a viable strategy.
The Next Day
While Chiba was deep in thought, trying to formulate a way to manipulate Shimura Danzo, he suddenly heard a knock at his door.
Confused about who could be visiting him, he quickly got up and answered.
To his surprise, standing outside was Uchiha Izumi, the one suspected to be Uchiha Madara in disguise.
"Izumi, what brings you here?" Chiba asked, still taken aback.
Madara smiled slightly and replied, "It's nothing major. You helped me out in a big way yesterday, so I wanted to express my gratitude. How about we grab a meal together?"
Chiba was surprised by the sudden invitation but agreed after a brief moment of consideration.
At the Barbecue Restaurant
After the two settled into their seats, Madara noticed that Chiba's expression remained serious, as if his mind was preoccupied with something.
Curious, he asked, "Chiba, what's on your mind? You don't seem like yourself today."
Chiba was slightly startled by the observation. Was his concern that obvious?
But then, an idea struck him—perhaps the perfect bait he had been searching for was sitting right in front of him.
"Nothing much," Chiba replied, then quickly followed up, "Actually, Izumi, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead," Madara responded.
"If you had an enemy, but for certain reasons, you couldn't kill them directly or in public, how would you deal with them?" Chiba asked.
Madara furrowed his brows slightly at the question—it was an unfamiliar dilemma for him.
After all, with his overwhelming strength and decisive nature, he always eliminated threats swiftly and without hesitation.
"I've never been in that situation," he admitted. "But tell me who your enemy is, and I'll see if I can help."
Hearing this, an idea sparked in Chiba's mind.
"Kill with a borrowed knife."
Yes, he could take inspiration from how Konoha had once dealt with Hatake Sakumo.
While personally killing Shimura Danzo would be satisfying, discrediting him and branding him a traitor would be far more devastating.
If Danzo's reputation was utterly destroyed, he would no longer be able to vie for the position of Hokage. The mere thought of his downfall sent a thrill through Chiba.
When the time came, he could join Orochimaru and others in hunting down Danzo, revealing everything to him just as he was about to die.
It would be a poetic form of vengeance—an execution of both body and spirit.
Chiba suddenly realized he was beginning to think like a true villain.
But wasn't he supposed to be the hero in this story?
Nevertheless, the plan was perfect—except for one missing piece.
How could he ensure that Danzo would not only lose his reputation but also be declared a traitor?
Unlike Hatake Sakumo, who was destroyed by public slander, Danzo was already a figure of darkness. Mere rumors wouldn't shake his resolve.
It seemed that the key to the plan lay in manipulating Sarutobi Hiruzen.
And for that, he would need Tsunade's help.
The realization lifted Chiba's spirits, erasing the frustration that had plagued him all day.
"No, never mind," he said dismissively.
Madara was left speechless but could tell that Chiba had found the answer he was looking for.
That Afternoon
Chiba made his way directly to the Senju clan's residence.
At Tsunade's home, she was already waiting, having received his message earlier.
"Chiba, are you saying you've figured out a way to deal with Danzo?" she asked eagerly.
"That's right," Chiba nodded, "but this plan will take time to execute. It won't be an immediate solution."
Tsunade was intrigued. "How is it different from what we discussed before?"
"Our original plan was to use bait to lure Danzo out of the village and then kill him," Chiba explained. "But since finding suitable bait is proving difficult, I've thought of another approach."
He then proceeded to outline his new strategy.
When Chiba finished, Tsunade stared at him in astonishment.
She had never expected a boy—one the same age as her late younger brother—to devise such a ruthless plan.
Ruining Danzo's reputation and forcing him to become a rogue ninja?
"That's an interesting idea," she admitted. "But Danzo is still backed by the Hokage. Given the old man's long-standing friendship with him, as long as Danzo doesn't do anything too outrageous, Hiruzen will protect him."
Chiba smirked.
It was true that Hiruzen had always been willing to forgive Danzo—even once overlooking an assassination attempt against himself.
But in Danzo's heart, their friendship had ended the moment Tobirama Senju named Hiruzen as Hokage.
And that was something Chiba and his allies could exploit.
They just needed to push Danzo into making another attempt on Hiruzen's life.
Once could be forgiven.
Twice, maybe.
But three times?
Even the most loyal friend would run out of patience.
At that point, Danzo's Wood Release experimentations—conducted in secret with Orochimaru—would be exposed to the entire village.
Turning to Tsunade, Chiba said with confidence, "Sister Tsunade, this plan may take time, but it ensures we win in the long run."
"So here's how we do it…"
As he laid out his full strategy, Tsunade listened carefully.
"You're saying we need to make Danzo attempt to assassinate the Third Hokage?" she asked.
"Exactly," Chiba confirmed.
"But this is Konoha," she argued. "No matter how reckless Danzo is, he wouldn't try to kill the Hokage within the village."
Chiba grinned.
"Who said it has to happen in the village? We just need to find a way to lure the Third Hokage outside the village… and then make Danzo believe that, if he eliminates him, he can take over as Hokage."
Tsunade's eyes widened as realization dawned on her.
It was a dangerous game.
But if executed properly, it would be the perfect downfall for Shimura Danzo.