"Hiruzen!"
"Oh? Danzō," Hiruzen Sarutobi said without lifting his head, continuing to flip through documents. "You were listening from inside the whole time? Well—what do you think? Not a bad child, right? This Uchiha seems different from the others. His temperament is actually quite similar to Kagami's. Are you sure he isn't Kagami's descendant?"
"Hmph."
Shimura Danzo snorted coldly. "I had Root investigate him long ago. His parents were Fugaku's guards. Kagami's descendant is a child named Shisui—and that kid is still very young."
Without waiting for Hiruzen's response, Danzō grabbed a chair, glanced around the office, and sat down beside him.
"I see… what a pity. Kagami's bloodline being so young," Hiruzen sighed, finally setting down his papers. "But that's fine. Still, the Will of Fire is taking deeper root among the villagers. Even the Uchiha are being influenced by it now. That's a good thing. I truly hope the village can remain peaceful."
"Hiruzen," Danzō said grimly, slamming his cane hard against the floor, "Tobirama-sensei once said it clearly—the Uchiha are a clan born with evil in their blood. We can't rely on something as abstract as the Will of Fire to make them fight for the village! I still believe we should eliminate them."
"Let's stick to my plan for now," Hiruzen said firmly. "The borders have been unstable recently. We still need the Uchiha to contribute to the village."
"…Fine," Danzō replied reluctantly. Then his eyes narrowed. "But Hiruzen—hand Uchiha Ran over to Root. Even if he hasn't awakened the Sharingan and only graduated at thirteen, he understands your Will of Fire. Give him to Root, and I guarantee I'll cultivate the next Kagami."
In Danzō's mind, Hiruzen would rarely refuse him.
For years, he handled the filth in the shadows—
and Hiruzen compensated him elsewhere.
"That's impossible," Hiruzen rejected decisively. "The Uchiha have never entered Root. If the clan finds out you're trying to take one of theirs, who knows what those madmen will do."
In Hiruzen's view, as long as Yuhi Shinku reported regularly, he could judge whether Ran had the potential to become part of the Hokage's faction—just like Kagami once was. Just like how Kagami had been indispensable in that moment of life and death.
Hiruzen wanted to nurture Uchiha Ran.
To make him someone who would sacrifice for the village—just like Kagami.
Shinnosuke… grow quickly, Hiruzen thought as he drew deeply on his pipe.
This Uchiha Ran… may one day block a blade for you.
"I don't agree!" Danzō stood abruptly, voice harsh. "That Uchiha brat could be faking everything! Hand him to Root—only then can I determine whether he's worth cultivating!"
"Absolutely not, Danzō," Hiruzen's voice rose. "That would only intensify the conflict between the village and the Uchiha!"
"You're too soft, Hiruzen!" Danzō snapped. "If the Uchiha refuse to cooperate, brand them criminals and arrest them! Hand him to Root. Then, when conflict erupts, give ANBU to me. I'll combine ANBU and Root and wipe out the disobedient Uchiha!"
"I will never allow you to extend your hand into ANBU!" Hiruzen roared.
"Hiruzen, everything I do is for the village!"
"You'll regret this!" Danzō glared at him. "Ignore my plan, and those cursed Uchiha will cause a catastrophe sooner or later!"
Enough.
Hiruzen's anger finally boiled over.
"Danzō!" he slammed the desk with a thunderous bang. "I am the Hokage. I forbid this plan. Everything will proceed under my command! We will use the Will of Fire to guide the Uchiha!"
The deafening noise startled even the guards patrolling outside the office.
"Hmph!"
Bang—!
The door slammed shut as Danzō stormed out.
A head cautiously peeked in.
"Hokage-sama… is everything alright? Do you need assistance?"
"Oh—Minato," Hiruzen sighed. "It's nothing. Elder Danzō had another episode. Come in. Brief me on the recent border situation."
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."
Namikaze Minato stepped inside.
Meanwhile—Team Shinku.
After leaving the Hokage Tower, Shinku led them back to the training grounds, gave a bit more guidance on their future training paths, and dismissed them as dusk approached. All they needed to do was prepare equipment and supplies for tomorrow's escort mission.
Team Shinku parted ways, each carrying different thoughts.
Shinku pondered the Hokage's words—
Reports… after the mission, perhaps?
Tsubaki and Shinno wondered whether the newly joined Ran could truly adapt to a ninja's life.
And Ran—
Ran was thinking about the other chakra he had sensed inside the Hokage's office.
Danzō… so it really was you.
Appearing this early usually means you'll die early.
Shimura Danzō—
Suspicious to the extreme.
Cautious, ruthless, manipulative.
A man who trusted no one and tolerated no uncertainty.
Someone who demanded sacrifice from others—but never from himself.
A man who needed the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal to control his subordinates.
A conspirator who harbored deep hostility toward the Uchiha.
Schemes without strength were nothing more than the tricks of a petty man.
"The one who starts the fire… will leave no descendants."
Those who harm others through vile conspiracies, without the power to back them up, will inevitably be devoured by their own actions.
Danzō… perform well. Entertain me.
Just a slight performance should be enough to earn an invitation to Root, right?
A wonderful idea.
Walking home, Ran thought of Uchiha Mikoto—and the unborn child in her womb.
As if something had crystallized in his mind, Ran tightened his grip around the Zanpakutō at his side and let out a soft laugh.
"I think I've figured out exactly how to deal with you, Danzō."
"Don't disappoint me."
"Let me enjoy watching your clumsy little performance."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/MythArcStudio