While Uchiha Hikaru was enjoying laughter and good company, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just returned to the Hokage Office—head throbbing.
Inside the Ninja Academy, an impulsive spark of the Will of Fire had inspired him greatly.
He had been planning to return and organize those thoughts into future lesson plans for the academy.
But the moment he stepped into the office, he saw Danzo already waiting for him.
Hiruzen had long since worn himself out worrying over this old friend.
Danzo's political skills couldn't be described as lacking—because they simply didn't exist.
The various clans of Konoha, big and small, disliked him. Some outright hated him.
Danzo's strength wasn't particularly outstanding either. Even at his peak, he barely scraped the lower end of Kage-level.
And yet, he had a habit of stirring up trouble wherever he went—his title as the Scapegoat of the Shinobi World wasn't just for show.
If it hadn't been for Hiruzen's constant protection and indulgence, Danzo would've long since died with a kunai in his back.
Now, this so-called Shadow of the Shinobi had clearly been waiting for Hiruzen for quite a while. His eyes lit up the moment Hiruzen walked in.
"Hiruzen, the wind in the village is changing—we can't just sit around and wait anymore."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. He expertly picked up his pipe and took a long drag, exhaling smoke in slow plumes.
He knew exactly what Danzo was getting at.
He still vividly remembered the warning Mito Uzumaki had given him that day.
He had been hesitating, debating whether to change his stance and try reconciling with the Uchiha Clan.
And yet, in just three days—only three—
After Mito Uzumaki publicly announced her adoption of Uchiha Hikaru and shared his battle achievements—
Konoha had undergone a dramatic shift.
The people still didn't trust the Uchiha… but they did trust Mito Uzumaki's judgment.
They believed that she could guide Uchiha Hikaru onto the right path.
And once that belief took root, many in Konoha began to change.
Most visibly, their attitude toward the Uchiha Clan.
Once hated like dogs in the street, the Uchiha had suddenly become hot commodities.
This in turn caused the Dove Faction within the Uchiha to grow rapidly in influence and voice.
Peaceful coexistence became the talk of the village—between Konoha and the Uchiha.
But Hiruzen's old policies were still in effect, and that created conflict.
The truth was plain—Hiruzen's authority wasn't as great as he liked to believe.
His policies were being quietly ignored.
And since he hadn't explicitly ordered any action against the Uchiha, everyone below him simply treated that policy as if it didn't exist.
Hiruzen's rise to Hokage was inseparable from the support of the Senju, particularly Mito Uzumaki.
But now that Mito seemed to be favoring someone else, Hiruzen's prestige had taken a noticeable hit.
He hadn't been Hokage for long, and his control over the village paled in comparison to what Naruto Uzumaki would achieve in the future.
So everything that had happened in the last three days had struck a heavy blow to his standing.
Which is why, upon hearing Danzo's suggestion, Hiruzen fell into deep thought.
Danzo was useless at many things—but not at reading Hiruzen.
The moment he saw that hesitation, he knew his plan was already halfway there.
"Hiruzen, I know we can't touch Uchiha Hikaru right now. But just because he's off-limits doesn't mean everyone else is."
"The clans in this village are nothing but fence-sitters. When you're strong, they bow to your every word. When you're weak, they kick you while you're down."
"My Root division is short on manpower. Give me an official order. I'll recruit from the smaller clans and remind them who's really in charge."
"Let everyone know you're still the Hokage—and strengthen your own forces while you're at it. What do you say?"
Hiruzen had expected Danzo to give some grand speech, but this was just the same tired routine. In fact, Danzo was even trying to extend his reach into the shinobi clans now.
But his final sentence struck a nerve.
'That's right. I'm the Hokage.'
With that thought, Hiruzen made his decision. He pulled out a mission order bearing the Hokage's authority and signed it.
Then tossed it to Danzo, who had been waiting with barely concealed excitement.
"Just this once. There won't be a next time."
Danzo had achieved his goal—but the moment he heard that warning, he couldn't help but reflexively talk back.
"Hiruzen, you're too soft. Sometimes you need to show force to uphold the dignity of the Hokage."
The words were barely out of his mouth before he realized he'd overstepped.
Sure enough, Hiruzen's expression darkened immediately. He was clearly pissed off.
Danzo knew he was in the wrong. Who asks someone for a favor and then criticizes them?
(Ming Lou, kneel. Big Sis is asking you for a favor.)
Worried that Hiruzen might take back the order, Danzo pretended like nothing had happened and hurried out of the office.
Once he was gone, Hiruzen's expression returned to normal.
After so many years, just as Danzo understood him, he understood Danzo too.
Those comments just now hadn't actually angered him.
But as Danzo had said, some people did need to be properly put in their place—Danzo himself being one of them.
So Hiruzen had darkened his face and pretended to be angry—just to let Danzo know there were some lines he shouldn't cross.
Of course, Hiruzen knew full well that Danzo's actions would tarnish his own reputation.
But he was running out of options.
When it came down to it, the only factions Hiruzen could count on were the Sarutobi Clan and the Shimura Clan behind Danzo.
Even the Ino-Shika-Cho trio couldn't be trusted to side with him.
As long as Mito Uzumaki remained alive, and the Senju and Uzumaki Clans hadn't faded away, Hiruzen would remain constrained on every side.
So now, he needed to assert the authority of the Hokage and raise his own influence.
And if he was going to show strength, what better way than to use the opposing shinobi clans as examples—killing the chicken to warn the monkey.
In essence, Hiruzen's move was a reenactment of the White Fang incident.
Once again, the goal was to send a message: I am the Hokage.
Last time, the sacrificial chicken was White Fang. This time, it would be a few ninja clans.
And just like White Fang had chosen suicide in protest—
If you're going to start killing chickens, you can't be afraid of blood splashing on your robe.
Whether or not Hiruzen could endure the consequences… was another matter entirely.
Sometimes, the more you do, the more mistakes you make.
Do nothing—and you won't make a mistake at all.
In the blink of an eye, the day had passed, and the Ninja Academy was letting out.
After saying his goodbyes to Tsunade and the others, Uchiha Hikaru casually strolled home.
So much had happened in one day—it all felt like a dream.
Jiraiya being his usual carefree self was one thing, but even someone like Orochimaru had proactively sought him out as a friend?
And the unexpected bonuses: Nonō Yakushi the walking shrine maiden, and Uchiha Chiri with his Mangekyō Sharingan.
If cultivated properly, these people might not sweep across the Five Great Nations—but they could definitely stand toe to toe with them.
In other words, 90% of his goals for the Ninja Academy had already been achieved. The only one left was Might Duy.
Thinking of Duy, Hikaru shook his head and decided not to disturb him.
Might Duy's talent was famously terrible—even opening the Eight Gates didn't make him comparable to Might Guy.
His success came from unwavering dedication over decades.
If Hikaru interrupted him now, who knows—he might erase the future of Konoha's Red Beast.
Just then, Uchiha Hikaru sensed someone following him.
Without revealing anything, he casually checked behind him—and discovered it was none other than Orochimaru.