Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-30804826-20170627073808/@comment-734582-20170701072658

Well i think that in the end, that's why it worked so well between him and Hiruzen. Hiruzen cared for the people, Danzo for the institution. I'm not trying to redeem him, but he was definitely meant to be a polarizing figure. Hiruzen is the longest sitting Hokage and Danzo even outlived him, so his methods were at least effective.

Plus it's not like the Sand, Cloud or Stone were all that moralistic before Naruto came along.