Chapter 15: Seizing Power
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The Third Hokage was furious.
But he didn't know where to direct that fury.
Someone had gathered detailed intelligence on the Three Ninjas—knowing their weaknesses, dividing them, and defeating them without killing them. If this wasn't the work of a Konoha shinobi trying to disgust him, Hiruzen would have gladly cut off the culprit's head himself and kicked it like a ball.
He couldn't understand why, at such a crucial time, unity still eluded them. The four great nations were watching closely, yet someone within Konoha still dared to strike from the shadows—going so far as to manipulate the souls of former comrades. It filled him with unbearable rage.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen slammed the table in front of his four most trusted advisors with such force that the papers scattered.
"This is outrageous! Lawless! They're still doing this kind of thing at a time like this! Do they really think I'm that easy to trample on?"
"…"
Danzo, Koharu, Homura, and Aizen each wore different expressions but said nothing.
Danzo, with his bandaged face and perpetual scowl, glanced coldly at Koharu and Homura before tightening the wraps on his arm. He remained silent, his mind already working in the shadows.
The two elder advisors, Koharu and Homura, who usually stood at Hiruzen's side, seemed lost in thought—as though they hadn't even heard the Hokage's words. Whether it was pride, exhaustion, or simple indifference, it was hard to tell.
Finally, Aizen, who looked calm and scholarly as ever, picked up the report and studied it carefully.
Among everyone in the room, only Aizen was not part of the Second Hokage's original guard. His presence here was owed to his popularity, his intellect, and his position as a special consultant. In truth, he served as both a stabilizing figure and a buffer for Hiruzen's temper.
But this particular mess was a large one—too large to ignore. Even as a data specialist, Aizen found himself searching for plausible explanations and details that could help soothe the Hokage's anger.
Yet, it was clear that Sarutobi Hiruzen's rage would not be easily calmed.
"Kato Dan and Uchiha Kagami were both heroes of Konoha—our comrades! Kagami was a trusted friend. Do none of you have anything to say?"
"Don't take it out on us," Danzo said flatly. "Just because we haven't spoken doesn't mean we aren't angry, Hiruzen. But anger won't fix this. What matters now is rooting out the termites eating away at our foundation."
"…"
The two elders exchanged uncomfortable looks. Danzo's tone carried an authority they didn't dare contest.
Still, as they looked over the information on the report, both Koharu and Homura seemed bewildered.
As the heads of Konoha's political and internal affairs departments, they had always been able to keep their grip on the system. Yet someone powerful had managed to record and release data about the incident right under their noses. It didn't seem impossible—but it was terrifying.
Even Hiruzen's gaze turned toward his old teammates with something colder, sharper. Normally, their experience allowed them to evade scrutiny. But this time, it was different.
With the Three Ninjas involved, the looming Third Great Ninja War, the recent death of White Fang, unrest in the Sand Village, and growing aggression from both Cloud and Stone, the timing of this incident made it far too dangerous to overlook.
"…I have a different perspective, Danzo-sama, Sandaime-sama."
Aizen, ever calm and rational, adjusted his glasses and looked at the four leaders with a measured tone.
"The human mind is like a rolling stone," he began softly. "At first, it's only a small fragment. But as time and pressure increase, that fragment gathers mass, becoming a boulder that can destroy even the strongest dam."
"The tragedy is that when people destroy their own moral boundaries, they rarely realize what that means. They don't understand one thing—there is no absolute right or wrong in this world. Only facts that cannot be denied."
"This report already reveals a portion of that truth, my Lords."
"The ones responsible are likely not of Konoha—or, at the very least, no longer loyal to it. Judging from the evidence, we can reasonably rule out every clan within the village as suspects."
"…"
Homura and Koharu's eyes brightened at first, as if relieved, but the comfort quickly vanished from their faces.
They were the heads of Konoha's internal affairs. Having a younger consultant speak in their defense felt almost insulting. Still, just as they were about to snap back to assert their dignity, Danzo lifted a hand to silence them. His single visible eye turned toward Aizen with interest.
"You're saying they're not from Konoha? Why?"
"Because doing this at such a critical time serves no one's interest," Aizen replied smoothly.
He looked down at the scroll once more, then back up at the four leaders.
"No one can guarantee the Third Ninja War won't happen again. Any rational shinobi might betray the village's interest under certain pressures—but no one would place their hopes in the mercy of an enemy."
"Although it may sound arrogant, I'll speak frankly. Konoha is the largest village—the one every nation seeks to emulate. Even if we faced the combined might of all four great villages, we would still prevail. That is the power of Konoha. Unless someone willingly abandons the spoils of victory, there is no reason for us to betray ourselves."
"They say it's all for ideals and will, but for many clans, such things are artificial moral constructs. Personally, I admire the Will of Fire because it transcends the narrow scope of clan loyalty and embraces the entire world. Unfortunately, I must admit that most Konoha clans still cling to a limited family mindset. Many are both victims and perpetrators of that very flaw."
"So, when the time comes to act in their own interest, they will never lend a hand to the inevitable losers—they will simply retreat and consume the spoils."
Aizen stood with the scroll in hand, his tone calm yet persuasive as he addressed the four before him.
Though only twenty years old, the gaze behind his glasses carried an undeniable authority—measured, confident, and dangerously convincing. His smooth, magnetic voice filled the chamber, and even the two elders, usually unshaken, now sat in silence, waiting for him to continue.
"As clan shinobi, they may not truly understand the meaning of the Will of Fire or the value of the village, but they do understand one thing—failure is fatal. Once they fall, they'll be at the mercy of others. No bloodline clan would ever allow that."
"If surrender were truly a path to peace, if they believed submission could bring happiness, then the Hyuga clan wouldn't live like caged birds. Our relationship with the four great nations is one of life and death. This tactic—fostering distrust within and turning us against one another—does not serve the interests of the clans."
"And whoever is behind this isn't working for any of the great villages either. Stirring chaos for its own sake, escalating conflict, gaining nothing—that isn't in their interest."
"On the contrary, it fits the pattern of someone without real power—someone resentful of their position and desperate to prove their worth. That leads me to two possibilities."
He raised two fingers and looked at the Hokage and elders before him—men over forty, seasoned veterans who nonetheless hung on his every word. His composed smile was flawless, his tone poised.
"The first possibility is that one of the smaller villages, unable to accept their decline, sent spies or traitors to develop new ninjutsu to disrupt our judgment."
"The second possibility is far more dangerous—someone within Konoha believes they can rebel and still maintain control of the situation."
"…"
Hearing this, Danzo's single eye gleamed.
He stared at Aizen, an excited and approving glint flickering beneath his stoic exterior—as though he had just found a kindred spirit.
(So it really does exist, Danzo thought, even if the Hokage denies it.)
The Uchiha clan.
Rationally, he knew they might not be directly involved. Despite his hatred for their arrogance and the bloodline that made his skin crawl, Danzo couldn't ignore the truth—the Uchiha weren't yet mad enough to destroy Konoha.
Yet in his heart, he held a belief: a dead Uchiha was a good Uchiha.
Even his late friend Uchiha Kagami—who had saved him more than once—was no exception. Kagami had been a rare man, one who tried to break from the Uchiha's pride and truly merge with the village. Danzo once believed that if Kagami had lived, Konoha would have been a different place.
But now Kagami was gone. Controlled, corrupted, and used.
Thinking of the Uchiha's current arrogance and his own long term plans, Danzo's thoughts clicked into place with cold precision.
(The spies must be eliminated. The Uchiha must be contained. That's what the Second Hokage wanted—and he was right.)
Danzo rose abruptly from his chair.
"That's enough, Aizen. Your insight is remarkable. Leave the rest to me."
He coughed lightly, looking around the table at the four others, who were taken aback by his sudden confidence.
"Whether it's spies within the village or internal dissenters, nothing escapes the eyes of the Root. Hiruzen, focus on the front lines. Leave the internal matters to me."
"…Very well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a long time before nodding slowly. His sharp eyes softened as he turned to Aizen.
"Thank you for your efforts, Sosuke. To avoid alerting the enemy, I'll assign several Anbu to assist you. Their presence should draw out whoever's behind this. I trust you understand."
"Of course," Aizen replied smoothly. "I'd be glad to. I've recently had new ideas for the Blut Vene's next phase. Working with Kakashi could help perfect it. If I can support the Hokage during this crisis, it would be my honor."
"Then it's settled," Hiruzen said. "Once this matter is resolved, Sosuke will oversee public education and information within the village."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
In an instant, the silent exchange of power was complete.
With a single conversation, Hiruzen and Danzo had quietly stripped Koharu and Homura of one of their long held privileges—the control of Konoha's education and information sectors.
Aizen stood gracefully and bowed toward the Hokage. Then, turning to the two stunned elders—whose authority had just been taken without a word—he smiled politely, the faintest glint of satisfaction behind his glasses.
"I look forward to your guidance, honorable elders."
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