Chapter 008: Sarutobi Hiruzen: "My Sword Can Control Its Weight!"
Late at night.
By this hour, most of Konoha's villagers are asleep. The streets are deserted. The entire village lies in silence—except for the Hokage's Office.
Tonight is different. The Hokage's Office building is neither dark nor shuttered. Outside, hidden sentries and guards stand watch. Especially on the exclusive Hokage floor, lights blaze.
Inside the most heavily guarded office, Konoha's four top leaders have—unusually—gathered together. The mood is solemn.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sits in his chair, bearing an air of grave authority. On his desk lie two zanpakutō. One already shows subtle changes in shape—its blade spirit has evidently awakened!
"Here's the situation," Hiruzen says, drawing on his pipe. "Our village now possesses three such zanpakutō. One is with Uzumaki Naruto; the other two are here with me. Though it seems one of them failed to awaken its spirit…"
Danzo Shimura and the two others exchange skeptical looks. Danzo rises, picks up one of the swords, and squints at it.
"You claim this sword can form a contract with its wielder?" he asks. "All I see is an ordinary katana."
Raikage's emissary Aoda chimed in, "Yes, Hiruzen—only summoned beasts can contract with people. A sword is an inanimate object. Did that brat Eitaro trick you?"
Konohamaru's teacher Konohamaru sits quietly, her gaze reflecting the same doubt.
Hiruzen merely nods. He inhales from his pipe, then stands. He takes the sword from Danzo's hand.
"A thing seen is believed," he says calmly. "I need say no more—I've already formed the contract, and the blade spirit has accepted me. Now, allow me to demonstrate."
With that, Hiruzen channels his chakra. "Raise your head, Danzo!"
Instantly, the blade in Hiruzen's hand bursts with a red aura. In the stunned eyes of Danzo and the others, the sword's plain samurai blade transforms before them into a strange weapon with a hooked tip.
Aoda blinks. "How did the blade change like that?"
Konohamaru's teacher whispers, "Incredible… Could Hiruzen's claims actually be true?"
Hiruzen waves the newly transformed zanpakutō—now called "Taketsu"—and smiles. "Well? I did not lie, did I?"
"Let me inspect it," Danzo demands. He leans in, but quickly shakes his head in disappointment.
"You just changed its shape! This weapon can't compare to the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure. Where's the miracle you described?"
Konohamaru's teacher and Aoda nod in agreement. Though Hiruzen's blade shape change was novel, it seemed no match for those famous swords—like the Executioner's Blade that regenerates from blood, or the Shark Skin Blade that steals enemy chakra.
Hiruzen only chuckles. He turns to Danzo:
"Danzo, be careful…"
"Wha—?!" Danzo starts, but before he can react, Hiruzen slashes downward. Swift as lightning, Danzo raises his cane to block.
"What are you doing, Hiruzen?!" Danzo shouts.
"Don't think you can bully me just because I'm once-Hokage," Danzo growls, his face dark.
But Hiruzen presses on. He strikes the cane again and again—faster each time, though never with full force. He's not aiming at Danzo, but at the cane itself, hammering it relentlessly.
Danzo watches, bewildered… until the cane grows unexpectedly heavy in his hand. It is supposed to be wood—so why does it feel like iron?
THUD!
At last, Danzo's cane crashes to the floor with such force it dents the specially reinforced office flooring.
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