After everything that had been done to him, Senju Haruto had no intention of letting it go.
However, after Danzo's last humiliating failure—losing even the Kotoamatsukami he had worked so hard to obtain—Haruto doubted that the man would dare to show his face anytime soon.
In fact, it might be quite the opposite: out of fear of Haruto's strength, Danzo would probably avoid him entirely.
"Where's Danzo?"
When the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, didn't answer, Haruto simply repeated the question, pressing harder.
His meaning couldn't be clearer: Tell me where Danzo is hiding, and I'll take care of the rest.
Hiruzen gazed at the boy before him, feeling he could understand his emotions.
He also knew well why he had spared Danzo—because they had grown up together as comrades.
Danzo's methods were often extreme, but they were for the sake of the village.
Hiruzen was the sunlight of the Hidden Leaf; Danzo was the roots buried deep in the dark earth.
On a personal level, Hiruzen didn't want to sacrifice him so easily.
"When this matter is settled, I'll give you an answer," Hiruzen said, taking a deep breath.
It was a delaying tactic—one that would buy him time until after they returned from the Land of Iron, when they could revisit the subject.
"I understand," Haruto said with a nod.
This conflict between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud was the perfect stage for him to make a name for himself.
Back in the Third Great Ninja War, Namikaze Minato had earned the title of "Yellow Flash" in just such a way.
It was even rumored among the villages at the time: If you encounter Minato, abandon the mission and retreat immediately to avoid unnecessary casualties.
That legendary renown was what had paved the way for Minato to become the Fourth Hokage.
And now, Hiruzen had shown his stance—after this was over, he would give Haruto an "answer."
That answer could only mean one thing: Danzo would be handed over to him.
"There's one more thing," Haruto said, just as Hiruzen seemed relieved the conversation was over.
"Oh?"
"I have no issue with joining the Anbu—but I want the position of Anbu Captain."
Haruto said it lightly, but his face radiated absolute confidence.
Hiruzen was caught off guard.
The Anbu squad he'd arranged for Haruto was filled with elite shinobi, but… compared to Haruto's current level, there was still a gap.
"In terms of raw ability, analytical skills, and intelligence gathering, I'm no less than Kakashi.
To work under someone of his level is something I simply cannot accept," Haruto stated firmly, his voice carrying a weight that made it hard to argue.
This wasn't arrogance—it was certainty.
In the beginning, his only advantage from the sign-in system had been an enormous chakra reserve, which let him overwhelm opponents with raw output. But against someone of Hiruzen's caliber, there had been a real risk of failure.
Soon after, he'd gained the Wood Release kekkei genkai.
That upgrade had pushed him to the point where he could take on multiple Mangekyō Sharingan users at once.
But even then, he'd still been vulnerable to genjutsu.
He might have avoided Itachi Uchiha's eyes, sure—but in the shinobi world, illusions could also be triggered by touch or even sound.
Now, though, Haruto was completely immune to genjutsu.
With his steadily increasing power came unshakable confidence.
To put it plainly: The only person who can defeat me… is me.
More dramatically: Before me, there is no enemy.
And if he really wanted to exaggerate: Invincibility… is so very, very lonely. So very, very empty. Alone at the peak, with nothing but the cold wind for company—who could possibly understand my solitude?
Facing Hiruzen now, Haruto no longer needed to be deferential.
Still, he had a clear goal:
To become Hokage, strip the Daimyō of the Land of Fire of his political authority, and unify the shinobi villages and the nation's government into a single system.
From there, to expand outward using the Land of Fire as a foundation until the entire shinobi world was united.
Advance science and education, unite all ninja, and prepare for the ultimate enemy—
The Ōtsutsuki clan.
Haruto's eyes grew sharper.
The Ōtsutsuki were the same race as Kaguya, beings capable of traversing the stars.
In certain poorly written anime portrayals, they had been reduced to near-comedy…
But this was a real world, and there was no guarantee that among them wasn't a being of unimaginable power.
Perhaps his worries were like those of a certain man who liked to duel with the air itself—but Haruto believed the concern was valid.
The unknown always came with danger. What if?
And so, his immediate plan was clear: travel to the Land of Iron, crush the Raikage, provoke war between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud, and use the conflict to display his strength to the entire shinobi world.
That was his small goal for now.
"When I complete this goal and return to the village," Haruto thought, "it will be time to eliminate Danzo and create my own Root organization."
"This won't be easy," Hiruzen said, drawing in a sharp breath. "The Anbu are the most elite shinobi in the village. For someone to parachute in as their captain…"
"Don't worry, Lord Hokage. When it comes to getting along with people, I'm very skilled. It won't take long before I've won them over completely," Haruto replied with a sudden grin.
"There's nothing to discuss—just do as I say."
"Well then, Lord Hokage, if there's nothing else, allow me to take my leave. I can't wait to meet my adorable subordinates and… play."
"Uh…"
Hiruzen felt a strange unease.
Everything about Haruto—his words, his gaze—radiated an invisible pressure.
It was like standing before not a genin-aged boy, but the Second Hokage himself, Senju Tobirama.
It was enough to make refusing Haruto's demand feel… impossible.
"I understand," Hiruzen said at last, nodding reluctantly. "From this moment, I appoint you as Anbu Captain."
"My thanks for your trust, Lord Hokage."
Haruto smiled faintly, then turned and walked out of the Hokage's office without looking back.
Only after Haruto's figure vanished through the doorway did Hiruzen wipe the sweat from his brow.
When did Haruto become so forceful?