Chapter 10: Sarutobi Hiruzen — Am I Really That Easy to Fool?
At this moment inside the Hokage's office, Koharu Utatane was loudly scolding everyone present.
Remaining in the room were Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and the two elders — Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
But as soon as someone left, Koharu immediately began shouting again,
a scene that made Hiruzen roll his eyes in exasperation.
Honestly, even Hiruzen couldn't believe it —
had she gotten so used to throwing her weight around that she thought she could talk down to anyone?
Did she really think everyone would tolerate her just because she was an "Elder"?
If not for the old bonds of friendship,
Hiruzen wouldn't have bothered trying to restrain himself.
After all, Aoyama Ryūun wasn't even here,
so there was no need for Koharu to act cautious.
Would she dare complain like this if Ryūun were standing in front of her?
Of course not — she simply didn't have the courage.
That's why she only dared to act tough in front of Hiruzen.
But today, Hiruzen wasn't giving her any face.
"Is there a problem?"
he asked coldly, looking straight at the now-silent Koharu.
Hmph!
Did she really think he couldn't tell she was trying to use him as a weapon?
At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still in his prime —
his strength was at its peak,
and his spirit was far from the dull mediocrity it would later become.
When he needed to assert authority,
his presence was as imposing as any shinobi's.
"…"
Koharu fell silent.
She couldn't push any further,
but someone like her — so obsessed with appearances — couldn't just back down either.
Helplessly, she turned toward Shimura Danzō,
hoping for support from her old teammate.
Danzō, noticing her gaze, deliberately cleared his throat.
He hadn't spoken once since the meeting began,
but he had been carefully observing everything.
Koharu quickly nodded, thinking Danzō was about to back her up.
Her expression softened as she looked at him —
but Danzō just sneered inwardly.
"This idiot… did she really think I'd help her?"
"So, what exactly are you suggesting, Danzō?"
Hiruzen frowned, glancing at his former comrade — the one he still valued the most.
Every powerful ninja had their quirks,
and Hiruzen understood that better than anyone.
But not all strong shinobi were as loyal and obedient as Hatake Sakumo.
That reckless and stubborn streak —
it wasn't something unique to Aoyama Ryūun alone.
The Hidden Cloud Village was practically full of men like that.
"So that's why…"
Danzō paused deliberately before revealing his real intent.
"Why not leave Aoyama Ryūun to me?
I've just established my Root division,
and I have plenty of time to train him.
I guarantee I can turn him into one of Konoha's finest shinobi!"
"…"
Hiruzen didn't reply.
He just gave Danzō a strange look —
a look that practically said, 'Do you really take me for a fool?'
He didn't buy Danzō's act for a second.
It was obvious Danzō just wanted to pull Ryūun under his control.
Koharu opened her mouth to speak,
but Mitokado Homura stopped her, gently shaking his head.
He could see it clearly —
both Hiruzen and Danzō were not people to be provoked right now.
If she kept pushing, it would only make her look worse.
Though furious inside,
Koharu had no choice but to swallow her anger.
Root had only recently been founded —
and Danzō was desperate for capable fighters to fill its ranks.
Hiruzen didn't answer.
He simply gave Danzō a cold, almost pitying look —
as if telling him silently: "Get lost. Don't try to play me for a fool."
"No need. Aoyama Ryūun is already an excellent ninja,"
Hiruzen said flatly.
"He doesn't need your… education."
Danzō's face darkened.
When he saw Hiruzen stand up,
the aura radiating from the Hokage was so imposing
that even Danzō instinctively took half a step back.
"Hiruzen!"
Danzō's eyes narrowed — his tone heavy.
For a brief moment,
he actually felt a trace of fear.
That made him furious.
He had long dreamed of replacing Hiruzen as Hokage —
and yet, right now, Hiruzen's mere presence was overwhelming him.
"One day," Danzō muttered coldly,
"you'll regret this."
With that, he turned and strode out of the room,
leaving the Hokage's office in tense silence.