Yamanaka Kaze could be considered Danzō's right-hand man.
Back during the Five Kage Summit, it was he and Aburame Torune who had accompanied Danzō to attend the meeting.
As a member of the Yamanaka clan, he not only mastered the Mind Transfer Jutsu and the Mind Puppet Cursing Seal Jutsu, but his sensory abilities were exceptional. It was said this was a unique trait of the Yamanaka bloodline — the ability to perceive everything within their surroundings.
If Haruto brought him along for this mission, it could also serve to weaken Danzō's position.
After all, at most Haruto was planning to leave behind a Wood Release clone to assist Uchiha Itachi.
This was purely out of caution.
No matter what, Haruto didn't completely trust Uchiha Itachi.
If Itachi truly went all out, using Susanoo and every other ability at his disposal, then fine.
But if he held back — whether because of personal hesitations or some other reason — and avoided using Susanoo or Amaterasu, then taking down Danzō, who could use Izanagi, would become far trickier.
And if Yamanaka Kaze were assisting Danzō from the sidelines, it would be even worse.
So after careful thought, Haruto decided it would be best to persuade Yamanaka Kaze to join the trip.
"Yamanaka Kaze…"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, looked at the relaxed expression on Senju Haruto's face, recalling the man's background.
He was born into the Yamanaka clan, close friends with Aburame Torune, and had joined the Root division Danzō founded when he was still a child.
"Kaze's sensory abilities are indeed remarkable… but how do you even know about him?" Hiruzen probed.
After all, Haruto had never even truly attended the Ninja Academy — just one day — and he'd never been in the ANBU.
Moreover, in the two previous attempts Danzō had made on Haruto's life, he hadn't sent Yamanaka Kaze at all.
By all logic, Haruto shouldn't even know this man existed.
Not just his chakra and Wood Release — even Haruto's intelligence network was a mystery.
Especially that night he rushed to the border forest to save Hinata.
Konoha might be in peacetime now, but as a hidden village, it could never lower its guard. A barrier was constantly maintained around the village.
Only a handful of people even knew about it — and fewer still could slip in and out without triggering the alarm.
Yet that night, Haruto had entered without tripping the barrier at all.
"It was Tenzo who told me," Haruto replied without hesitation.
In truth, he had already anticipated that Hiruzen would ask this and had prepared his answer in advance.
"Tenzo?" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"Yes." Haruto nodded, letting out a sigh on purpose.
"This was partly my fault. When Azami mouthed off to me, I lost my temper. I'm still too young… I couldn't control my emotions.
"When I acted, I didn't hold back enough."
"Before Tenzo lost consciousness, he told me that back when he was in Root, he had met a ninja with extraordinarily strong sensory abilities.
"He recommended this person to me."
Haruto's tone was calm, his expression unshaken. Back in his previous life, he'd heard that when lying, people tended to touch their nose, avoid eye contact, or show other tells.
So, as long as he avoided those, no one would suspect him.
For a moment, he and Hiruzen locked eyes, silence thick in the air.
Morino Ibiki stared at Haruto as well, searching for a crack in his façade.
He didn't believe for a second that Tenzo could have spoken in that condition.
And yet… there wasn't a single trace of falsehood in Haruto's expression.
His mood was steady — even his heartbeat didn't waver.
Either he was telling the complete truth…
Or he was an absolute genius at deception.
This man should be working in our Interrogation Division, Ibiki thought, leaning toward the latter possibility.
"…I understand," Hiruzen finally exhaled, breaking the stalemate.
"I'll give this some thought," he said.
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
Haruto answered crisply and turned to leave. But when he reached the doorway, he deliberately stopped.
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, Lord Hokage — I have little personal interaction with shinobi from Kumogakure, but based on past events, I don't believe they're entirely honorable.
"I've even heard that more than a decade ago, they tried to kidnap a young girl from the Uzumaki clan right here in our village.
"So while this may be a joint summit between two Kage, the other side could very well use it as a trap.
"Kumogakure has no real intention of forming an alliance. Their location is surrounded on three sides by the sea, and they even have perfect Jinchūriki within their ranks.
"If I were their Raikage, I'd set up an ambush ahead of time, strike down the opposing Kage, and then launch a full-scale war in one decisive move."
Haruto paused briefly before continuing.
"For a summit of this level, there must be a sensory-type ninja among the guards — that's the reasoning behind my suggestion.
"And in terms of sensory skill, no one surpasses Yamanaka Kaze. Even Tenzo acknowledges his strength."
His words rolled forward like a relentless tide, crashing directly against Hiruzen's mind.
Haruto wasn't certain how much of this the Hokage would believe — or whether he'd believe it at all — but he knew one thing for sure:
Until Danzō was dead, Hiruzen would have no way to verify anything with Tenzo.
Right now, Tenzo was trapped in a genjutsu Haruto had woven, alongside Kakashi.
With that, Haruto gave Hiruzen one last glance, then left without another word.
Click.
The Hokage's office door shut behind him.
"…What a rare talent. If he ever joined the ANBU's Interrogation Division, he'd become the greatest captain we've ever had," Ibiki said without thinking. He even felt tempted to borrow Haruto's own phrasing.
"In deception and genjutsu, no one surpasses him."
"Genjutsu…"
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly at the word.
A new suspicion formed in his mind.
Azami had only just joined the ANBU, but there was no question she was an excellent kunoichi.
Even if Haruto had been placed above her as captain, she wasn't the type to openly defy orders — she was famous for treating newcomers with warmth and respect.
Could it be… that Haruto had used genjutsu on her from the very start, making her deliberately antagonize him, sparking a conflict, and using that as a pretext to replace Tenzo?
Hiruzen muttered inwardly… but quickly shook his head. That kind of theory was a stretch.
After all, what would Haruto gain from replacing Tenzo?
Still…
"What Haruto said isn't without merit," he admitted aloud.
"What was that?" Ibiki hadn't caught it.
"Nothing. I was just reminded of Lord Tobirama," Hiruzen murmured, furrowing his brow. "Alright, Ibiki, you're dismissed. Oh, and…
"Send Yamanaka Kaze to me."