Danzo's Temper Grows Stranger

Konoha, Hokage Office.

Upon hearing this intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat upright at his desk, his expression incredibly grim.

His heart, which had finally settled after the smooth return of Jiraiya and Tsunade, was once again thrown into turmoil.

Yet the new information brought by Kakashi made him begin to tremble with fear...

"The Rinnegan? And Orochimaru?"

The Third Hokage knew that Uchiha Itachi was acting as a mole within the Akatsuki...

But he had never imagined that this organization actually possessed the legendary Rinnegan!

How could a bloodline limit that existed only in myths and legends truly appear in the Shinobi World?

"What exactly does the Akatsuki want to do?"

"Destroy the Shinobi World—what benefit does that bring them? What is the reason behind this 'feeling of pain' they speak of?"

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The Akatsuki lurking in Amegakure may be related to the history of the Great Shinobi Wars..."

This sentence sounded simple, yet it clearly depicted the Akatsuki's near-maniacal logic: to destroy everything and trade sorrow for so-called peace.

It struck a chord deep within Jiraiya's heart...

Jiraiya took a deep breath...

For a moment, his gaze...

Seemed to traverse the passage of time...

He saw the three children he had personally taught in Amegakure many years ago: Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko.

Their young, innocent faces flickered in his mind, alternating one after another...

In the blink of an eye, they seemed to twist into cold, pained expressions.

Yahiko, Nagato, Konan—they had actually walked down such a path...

Jiraiya was filled with guilt and self-reproach.

But soon, Jiraiya regained his composure, his eyes becoming clear once more.

"I must go to Amegakure and personally find out exactly what is going on."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned and quickly frowned: "Jiraiya, you..."

"Teacher, I am the only one suited to go there."

"The Rinnegan may be related to those children... I must take personal responsibility for this."

"Investigating the situation in Amegakure is best left to me."

After Jiraiya finished speaking, he forced a faint smile, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere: "As for Tsunade... I think it is more appropriate for her to stay and succeed as the Fifth Hokage."

"Hey! You guy, don't go deciding these things for me without asking, you idiot!"

Tsunade glared at Jiraiya with immediate dissatisfaction.

Despite her verbal protest, she knew clearly that the current situation in Konoha did not allow for further delay, and taking on the role of Hokage seemed to be a responsibility she could no longer avoid.

Looking at the stifling atmosphere in the room...

Kakashi fell into a deep internal struggle.

He should have completely confessed Obito's true identity at this moment...

But every time the words reached his lips, he hesitated and found himself unable to speak.

He truly could not understand why he was trying so hard to protect Obito, even going so far as to lie to everyone and shift all the blame onto the Akatsuki in Amegakure.

Himself...

"By the way, Old Man, on the way here, Kakashi also told us he wanted to become Hokage."

At this moment, a remark from Jiraiya interrupted Kakashi's thoughts...

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Kakashi, his eyes filled with gratification...

It seemed that ever since the Fourth died...

Kakashi, who had closed himself off, had finally let go...

Meeting the Third Hokage's gaze, Kakashi lowered his head in self-reproach.

He knew he was no longer pure...

That short essay had ignited his hope...

It had quietly taken root and sprouted deep within his heart, even making him feel an inseparable sympathy and understanding for his former comrade, Obito.

Kakashi lowered his eyelids, heavily contemplating the true and secret thought deep within his heart.

He did not believe that everything he was doing was right, but at this moment, he could not control his urge to protect Obito.

I just want to protect my comrade.

The mission and the village are important, but my partner is just as important...

"Those who cannot protect their companions are not worthy of being called ninja."

This contradiction and struggle were nearly tearing his heart in two.

Regardless, now was not the time to reveal the whole truth to the public.

On the other side, since Jiraiya had made up his mind to go to Amegakure, Hiruzen eventually gave his consent...

"You must be careful..."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya laughed heartily: "Don't worry, Old Man..."

After arranging this matter, Hiruzen looked at Kakashi and revealed a faint smile.

Kakashi was, after all, a direct descendant of the Hokage lineage.

If he could pull himself together as a backbone of the new generation, that would be for the best...

"Kakashi, from now on, you are to withdraw from Anbu duties and serve directly as my bodyguard alongside Tsunade, attending the Five Kage Summit."

Kakashi might not have fully grasped the significance of being a Hokage bodyguard, but Tsunade and Jiraiya knew exactly what it implied...

The old man was grooming Kakashi as a reserve for the Hokage position.

"Yes!"

The group gradually dispersed, and the office returned to silence, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi alone.

For a moment, he felt a sense of weariness...

The duties of the Hokage had never felt so arduous to him.

The date for the Five Kage Summit had been set for two days from now in the Land of Iron.

This time, he had to go in person to face the leaders of the other hidden villages and discuss the future direction of the Shinobi World.

Hiruzen repeatedly simulated various possible scenarios in his mind, ensuring every step was meticulously planned to guarantee that Konoha would remain as steady as a rock amidst the coming turmoil.

Just as he finished these arrangements, a familiar, chilling aura suddenly appeared in the room without warning.

"Hiruzen..."

A low, gloomy voice rang out, and Danzo slowly stepped out from the shadows, his face half-hidden beneath bandages, exuding an indescribable coldness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of impatience and wariness.

He did not turn to look at Danzo, asking with annoyance: "What are you here for again?"

Danzo smiled faintly, though the smile carried a bone-chilling coldness: "Tsunade is back?"

Upon hearing this, a surge of anger rose in Hiruzen's heart: "That has nothing to do with you, Danzo. Why go out of your way to ask about it?"

Danzo's gaze suddenly turned sharp...

He lifted his head slightly, his single exposed eye filled with scrutiny and dissatisfaction, his tone growing cold and rigid.

"Do you truly believe Tsunade is suitable for the position of Hokage?"

"Danzo, do not forget, I am the Hokage of Konoha. My decisions do not require your questioning."

"You?"

"Hiruzen, you are ultimately too naive. The current situation requires an iron fist and decisiveness, not the indecisive sentimentality you possess."

Hiruzen looked at Danzo with a mocking expression: "I have always been very clear about what I am doing."

"Danzo, if you still possess any shred of reason, you should reflect on whether your current image is compatible with a Hokage who bathes in the sunlight."

The one who bathes in the sunlight is the Hokage.

The subtext was...

And you, you are only fit to exist in the shadows...

If this had been said to the Danzo of the past, he would have been enraged, but now he merely stared at Hiruzen with cold indifference.

"Hiruzen, you will eventually regret the decision you made today."

The same dialogue, yet delivered with a different tone...

Watching Danzo's retreating figure, Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself: "Strange... I feel like Danzo's personality is becoming increasingly odd. Is it because of his age?"