Kakashi still suffers from nightmares of Rin's death and still sullen. He also ponders over Kinoe from Root who utilizes Wood Style, so later at night he infiltrates the archives office which Third Hokage becomes aware of his presence. As Kakashi reads about Hashirama Senju's power and origin and about to open a top secret note, Hiruzen arrives and tells Kakashi about a failed experiment on which Leaf ninjas are injected with Hashirama's cells and tried to harness Hashirama's Wood Style but ended up in their deaths. Still ambitious for the position of Hokage, Danzo orders his Root shinobi to quietly assassinate Hiruzen on his route to the Fire Daimyo. However, on the day of Hiruzen's appointment with the Daimyo, Root ninjas attack Hiruzen's convoy and Hiruzen confronts Kinoe who unleashes Wood Style attacks on him. But it is revealed as a decoy on which Kakashi is disguised as Hiruzen and manages to overpower Kinoe. Meanwhile, Danzo comfortably sits on the seat of Hokage but was cut short when Hiruzen arrives and told about Danzo's assassination attempt. At the Fire Daimyo's meeting, Hiruzen once again appointed as Third Hokage but the Fire Lord notices Danzo's absence. On the other hand, Danzo talks to Orochimaru and tells that they should not meet for the time being as Kakashi seemingly betrayed him.