I Am the Hokage!

Chapter 15: I Am the Hokage!

This child, Akihara Kagura, is a bit unusual.

Danzō Shimura had never imagined that raising a child would be so difficult.

After all, Danzō Shimura's usual method of raising children was to throw a group of mentally sound children together to be raised, let them grow up together, and then let them kill each other to transform into mentally unstable assassins…

Now that he'd encountered a child who was excessively abnormal, Danzō Shimura suddenly felt a bit troubled, fearing that this child would cause some kind of disaster.

But…

Danzō Shimura couldn't very well criticize him.

Because this child was defending him in every way.

"I'm going out."

Danzō Shimura pondered for a moment and decided to go to the Hokage's office himself to gauge Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions. He looked at Akihara Kagura and said, "Kano, you stay and rest at the base."

"Huh?"

The young boy seemed a little surprised and couldn't help but look up at the old man. "Lord Danzō, didn't you say I was to be your bodyguard? I can definitely protect your safety!"

"Obey orders."

Danzō Shimura greatly admired the boy's loyalty.

However, the old man still rejected the boy's suggestion with a single sentence.

Danzō Shimura knew in his heart that he would most likely argue with the Monkey at the Hokage's office. He was afraid that the boy might attack the Hokage on the spot at the Hokage's office.

Hokage's Office.

Danzō Shimura hurried there, mainly to find out Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions regarding Akihara Kagura, so he could prepare in advance.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi really intended to snatch Akihara Kagura during the Chunin Exams, Danzō Shimura would have no choice but to… endure it.

Of course!

He would definitely have a good argument with him!

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his old friend very well. When he saw Danzō Shimura enter the Hokage's office, he directly handed Danzō a list of participants for the Chunin Exams.

"What does this mean?"

Danzō Shimura took the list and glanced over it, his gaze falling on one name: "Uchiha Itachi? Participating in the Chunin Exams alone?"

This name…

had been on Danzō Shimura's radar for a long time.

After all, Uchiha Itachi had graduated from the Ninja Academy early, making him the most talented child since the era of peace, and undoubtedly someone who garnered much attention.

Especially since Uchiha Itachi had previously clashed with the Root Organization, easily defeating one of Root's members. This incident had left a deep impression on Danzō Shimura!

At that time…

Uchiha Itachi was only eight years old!

Now, at ten years old, Uchiha Itachi had undoubtedly become even more outstanding!

Danzō Shimura quickly calmed down and entered work mode. "I've heard of this child. It's not difficult for him to pass the exam alone with his strength…"

"But this child is an Uchiha. If he passes the Chunin Exams alone, it would be unprecedented in Konoha. Those Uchiha folks…"

"Danzō!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzō Shimura, leisurely puffing on his pipe. "We cannot harbor ill will towards others just because of their surname…"

"But…"

"Nor can we ignore the meaning behind that surname."

Hiruzen Sarutobi never spoke explicitly. He simply walked to the window, gazing deeply at Konoha. "The village is becoming more and more restless. Conflicts between the Uchiha and villagers are increasing, and relations with the village are becoming more strained…"

"Hmph, they should have been dealt with long ago."

Danzō Shimura snorted, showing disdain for his old friend's soft-heartedness. "What you should be doing is carrying out our teacher's will and thoroughly purging the evil Uchiha…"

"Danzō!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice immediately turned serious, and he sternly said, "The Uchiha are also members of Konoha, and there are ninjas among them who uphold the Will of Fire… Have you forgotten his name because Kagami passed away so long ago?"

Kagami Uchiha.

He was once their teammate, and even helped them escape danger multiple times during crises. Everyone believed him to be an excellent Konoha ninja.

Even the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, who was once very hostile towards the Uchiha clan, had to acknowledge Kagami Uchiha's excellence, believing he had transcended narrow clan-ism.

Unfortunately.

Kagami Uchiha died young.

Even though Kagami Uchiha had passed away many years ago, his will continued to influence the Uchiha clan, and his descendants were as loyal to the village as he was.

The current strongest Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, is Kagami's descendant. Like his ancestor, he strives to ease the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, and works to spread the Will of Fire within the Uchiha clan.

When Danzō Shimura heard Hiruzen Sarutobi mention his old friend's name, he fell silent. Even he could not forget the old friend who had saved him many times.

After a long while.

Danzō Shimura had still not chosen to change his stance.

"Kagami..."

"He was, after all, only one person."

"You should have understood one thing long ago..."

"The village cannot bear the risk of the Uchiha starting a rebellion."

"To ignore the danger of a wildfire breaking out just because a single spark can provide warmth – that's not a decision a Hokage should make. You've become weak..."

"Hiruzen, you will regret this."

"Danzō, I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head back coldly, looking at his old friend who appeared to be earnestly offering counsel, and calmly said, "We shouldn't give up even if there's a sliver of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict... What you need to do now is to follow orders."

"Hmph... What orders?"

"Doesn't Root still have a ninja with Wood Release bloodline?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened, fixing on his old friend, and he said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, he'll just participate in the Chunin Exams. I won't transfer him away from Root..."

"Hmph..."

Danzō Shimura grunted, but his expression relaxed.

Originally, Danzō Shimura had been somewhat angered by Hiruzen Sarutobi's soft stance towards the Uchiha. Now, learning that Hiruzen was also soft on his private possession of Wood Release...

Actually...

It wasn't bad when his old friend was being soft-hearted.

Danzō Shimura was certain he could continue to keep Akihara Kagura, the user of Wood Release, under his command. His mood instantly lifted, and he felt his future was once again filled with hope.

"I understand."

Danzō Shimura was very satisfied with this trip and proactively planned, "I will teach him well and let him participate in the Chunin Exams alone. I won't let that brat Uchiha Itachi steal the spotlight in the Chunin Exams, and it will also make those Uchiha a bit more obedient..."

"You can arrange it as you see fit."

Hiruzen Sarutobi neither nodded nor shook his head, nor did he say anything further, as if he hadn't said anything at all just now.

"Then I'll be going."

Danzō Shimura prepared to leave, leaning on his cane.

"Wait..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly called out to him and calmly asked, "When did that child with the Wood Release bloodline appear? Is someone still conducting illegal Hashirama Cell transplant experiments in the village, or is it that fellow Orochimaru..."

"That child was sent from the orphanage!"

Danzō Shimura's eyes widened involuntarily, but he forced himself to remain calm as he replied, "That child awakened Wood Release long ago. I've kept him at the Root base for training..."

"Oh."

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to believe this explanation and sighed softly, "Then teach that child well. Teach him to protect Konoha, and don't let that child go down the wrong path..."

First update, more to come later!

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