into conflict with ninja from Hidden Cloud. With Cloud in pursuit, Danzou and his team of Akimichi Torifu and Uchiha Kagami along with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were faced with a fatal choice. One person was to remain behind to delay the Cloud while the others escaped. Facing inner turmoil and unable to get the words out to volunteer, Danzou was ashamed at himself when Hiruzen did so without flinching. All through his life Danzou had felt one step behind Hiruzen, never able to catch up or surpass him. Danzou tried to argue that he would sacrifice himself instead, just as his father and grandfather once did. The Nidaime Hokage told the two young men it was not their time, and declared that Hiruzen wouldbe the Sandaime Hokage the next day, as he himself would remain behind. Danzou would carry his grudge towards Hiruzen onwards in life, never feeling he had caught up to his old friend. Over time Danzou would form his own ninja force Root, which would act in Konoha's best interest from the shadows.



Some years later, Hidden Rain was experiencing internal strife. Danzou aligned himself with Rain leader Hanzou in an attempt to put down the Rain ninja seeking peace. Several years later, Danzou and the Leaf elders attempted to put down the Uchiha insurrection by directing Itachi to wipe out his clan. At some point around this time, Danzou had surgery performed on his body by Orochimaru, which granted him the mind controlling Sharingan of Uchiha Shisui in