Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally didn't believe Senju Haruto when he said he had been "terrified at the time."
He had heard similar words before — back at the Hyūga compound — yet the reality then had been that it was the Hyūga Clan who had been terrified.
This time, it was probably the same. After witnessing Haruto's terrifying Wood Release, even Danzō's heart had likely been gripped by fear.
However…
Where there is light, there is always shadow. The world cannot function properly without both.
Konoha needed a genius ninja like Haruto to inherit the Will of Fire. But it also needed someone like Danzō to bear the Will of Root.
If Danzō were to die at Haruto's hands, it would not be good news for him.
He needed Danzō — not only for the sake of the village, but because someone had to carry the burdens he could not bear himself.
"Kakashi."
Looking at the towering tree before him, Hiruzen understood this must have been the jutsu Haruto used during his battle with Danzō — the move that had brought Danzō down and made Haruto the true Root.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi stepped forward in response.
"See to Haruto's accommodations first," Hiruzen said, his tone without the slightest fluctuation.
Danzō was not only the one who bore Konoha's roots; he had also been Hiruzen's childhood friend and rival in youth.
His whole life, Danzō had sought to surpass him and become Hokage.
Even so, Hiruzen would not blame Haruto, nor hold him responsible for Danzō's fate.
After all, Hiruzen knew the truth — it was Danzō who had struck first, Danzō who had borne killing intent. Haruto had only defended himself.
And besides, Haruto's power far exceeded Danzō's.
Hiruzen needed him. Konoha needed him.
So after a brief pause in thought, Hiruzen simply instructed Kakashi to take Haruto away and arrange a new residence for him.
After all, the Senju compound had been completely destroyed by the advent of the Tree World.
Even if the forest were cleared, it couldn't be rebuilt in a short time.
Perhaps… it was time for the Senju Clan's compound to disappear from Konoha altogether.
"Yes." Kakashi responded crisply, then walked to Haruto's side, gesturing for him to follow.
Haruto glanced at the Third Hokage, then at Kakashi, and finally gave a small nod.
"I thought Sarutobi would question me endlessly. Seems like Danzō still holds quite a place in his heart," Haruto thought to himself with a faint sense of irony before following Kakashi away.
"Yamato."
Once Kakashi and Haruto's chakra signatures had faded into the distance, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Lord Hokage," Yamato answered, dropping to one knee.
"Detain all Root members. We'll decide what to do with them later," Hiruzen ordered.
Of all the ANBU, Yamato understood Root best. Entrusting the matter to him brought Hiruzen peace of mind.
"Yes."
Yamato gave a brisk reply, then looked at his former comrades. Unlike him, they seemed devoid of emotion.
"Perhaps… in their eyes, I was never a comrade to begin with," Yamato thought bitterly before leading the ANBU to escort all of Root away.
Before long, the Senju compound was silent save for Hiruzen himself.
He removed his Hokage hat, revealing his white hair, and stood before the massive tree.
But then—
Danzō, who had seemed ready to perish alongside Haruto, suddenly detached from the great tree and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
One arm was gone, and his chest wound was healing slowly. Gasping for breath, he managed to press his back to the trunk.
Lifting his head with effort, he saw not Haruto, but the Third Hokage standing before him.
"Sarutobi…"
Danzō's voice was hoarse, his condition utterly wretched.
"You don't seem… surprised…"
He swallowed painfully, forcing out each word.
This time, he had been completely defeated — Haruto had taken Shisui's eye, and Danzō had nearly lost his life.
Yet Hiruzen stood there like the victor.
Could it be… this was all part of his plan?
"I just didn't think you'd die so easily," Hiruzen said lightly.
No one in Konoha knew Danzō better than he did.
Haruto might be powerful, but killing Danzō was no easy feat.
If Danzō had truly died here, Hiruzen would have considered it a waste.
"So that's your secret weapon, then."
Hiruzen's eyes flicked to Danzō's ruined right arm, where the faint visage of Lord Hashirama could still be made out.
If he was correct, then after the success of Yamato's genetic experiments, Danzō had also transplanted Hashirama's cells into himself — keeping the arm hidden because such power could not see the light of day.
It was, Hiruzen thought, very much in Danzō's style.
"But a replica is still just a replica, Danzō. After this fight, you should understand — Haruto is the true inheritor of Lord Hashirama's power. So… I don't want you harboring any more thoughts of assassinating him."
Danzō raised his eyes to meet his old rival's.
After learning Haruto had inherited Hashirama's Wood Release, he had given up killing him outright.
He had only wanted to control him with Kotoamatsukami.
Just as Hiruzen had taken Yamato from his side, Danzō had intended to take Haruto from Hiruzen's.
But he had failed.
Haruto's overwhelming power had outstripped his preparations.
If not for discovering the greatest secret of the Sharingan when stealing Shisui's eye — and then implanting the ones he had collected during the Third Shinobi War — he would never have been able to use Izanagi at the last moment.
Without it, he would have died here.
"I'll keep the secret of your arm," Hiruzen continued when Danzō stayed silent.
"Where there is light, there is shadow. Without one, the world cannot function."
"I need you, Danzō, so I won't tell anyone what happened today. But in return—"
"You must relinquish your position as a Hokage Advisor and forfeit your right to attend Konoha's high council meetings."
Hiruzen's tone sank.
Though the battle between Haruto and Danzō had surprised him, the outcome served his purposes.
Most importantly, he now held Danzō's greatest weakness in his hands. From this point on, Danzō would have no power to defy him.
That was enough.
Danzō's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at the man who had beaten him in their political games time and again.
Haruto had forced him to the brink of death, and Hiruzen had appeared at the perfect moment.
"Sarutobi… was this all part of your calculation?"