Shimura Danzō had been removed from his position as Root's leader, and Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for Orochimaru—who had previously been sent to Root as Danzō's second-in-command to divide his authority—to take over. Root was also Konoha's most important external intelligence agency, so Orochimaru could not possibly skip this meeting. "I propose that Orochimaru serve as commander and lead the village's remaining elite forces to the Land of Hot Water to hold back Kumogakure." Shimura Danzō was the first to speak.