Danzo closed the intelligence log, his gaze flickering.
Rather than support Minato Namikaze all the way to the top, Danzo would rather become Hokage himself.
But Danzo also knew very well that as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in office, he would have no chance. So... supporting someone else had become a choice born of necessity.
That person was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. This, too, was a choice born of necessity, because he certainly could not support Jiraiya.
The person he supported had to be someone who could cooperate with him and obey his commands.
Perhaps...
For an instant, Akira Sarutobi's figure flashed through Danzo's mind.
He was in the same class as Minato Namikaze, and from childhood to adulthood, he had remained unremarkable—or rather, his performance had been decent but ordinary.
Yet after the Second Shinobi World War ended, he had begun to rise like a new star.
The previous Jonin Exam mission in the Land of Whirlpools, and this Anbu assessment mission... the results of both missions had been startling.
It seemed to foreshadow something...
Was he simply a late bloomer?
Or had he... been concealing his strength all along, hiding himself extremely well?
But regardless.
"Akira Sarutobi... is a rare young talent..."
Danzo's heart burned as the thought of recruiting him arose.
He would bring Akira Sarutobi into Root, continuously instill his own ideals in him, and ultimately make him his spokesperson.
Even more gratifying was the fact that Akira Sarutobi was Hiruzen Sarutobi's son.
If he could turn Hiruzen Sarutobi's son into one of his own people, it would clearly be a delightful thing.
"Besides... unlike Hiruzen, darkness is hidden in that boy's eyes."
As the Shadow of Shinobi, Danzo had sensed a certain darkness within Akira Sarutobi through the words he had spoken while Danzo observed him at the entrance to the Anbu office.
Of course, Danzo had always maintained that Akira Sarutobi was an exceptionally pure person.
"So... the darkness in that boy's heart must also be exceptionally pure."
What kind of darkness Akira Sarutobi had hidden in his heart could be slowly observed in detail later.
Before long, Danzo returned the intelligence log.
Then he wrote orders for Nonō in another log.
"Approve Akira Sarutobi's request to remain stationed there for one week."
"Approve Akira Sarutobi's request to summon Ruri Hyuga to assist with the hunting operation against the Hidden Mist ninja they will meet in one week..."
"Nonō, you will assist Akira Sarutobi and clear the way for his plan. This old man wants to know every detail of the operation..."
Once he had finished writing the log, Danzo rose to his feet, preparing to make a trip to the Hokage's Office and inform Hiruzen Sarutobi of the assessment's specific details.
Ten minutes later.
Danzo arrived at the Hokage's Office.
In the late-night office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still working by lamplight, reviewing documents.
There were far too many matters to deal with after the war.
A period of temporary overtime was necessary.
"Danzo?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked somewhat surprised to see his old friend arrive so late at night.
"This old man came to discuss Akira Sarutobi's assessment with you..."
Danzo sat down and began to explain.
When Danzo had finished, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but smile. "Akira Sarutobi... that child truly puts one at ease..."
Unlike his mischievous younger son Asuma.
His eldest son, Akira Sarutobi, had been steady and mature since childhood. From childhood to adulthood, he and his wife had scarcely needed to worry about him.
He had advanced step by step, steadily and surely. Though he was not as dazzling as a meteor, he had at least always been decent and reliable.
"He may be a late bloomer."
Danzo corrected him and listed Akira Sarutobi's outstanding points from the two assessments.
"Just like... Minato Namikaze."
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze slightly.
Before the age of ten, Minato Namikaze had indeed not stood out much.
Yet after graduating from the Ninja Academy at ten, it was as though he had suddenly awakened, beginning to grow at a rapid pace.
No one had expected him to reach his current level.
"Danzo, are you saying... Akira Sarutobi, like Minato, is only now beginning to awaken?"
"Yes... this old man believes Akira Sarutobi's future is limitless. The Anbu... truly is where he ought to be..."
Danzo remained outwardly impassive.
Inside, he was planning how to win Akira Sarutobi over step by step and turn him into one of his own.
First, he would use an ordinary Anbu identity to lull Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Then... he would have Akira Sarutobi promoted to Anbu Captain... perhaps even captain of Anbu Squad Six.
When that time came, it would be the moment to draw Akira Sarutobi fully under his command.
Finally, he would try to support both him and Orochimaru, placing bets on both sides and ensuring that one of them became Hokage.
"Hehe..."
Any parent would be happy to hear someone praise their child, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was no exception.
Smiling broadly, he looked at Danzo and said sincerely, "Danzo... it is truly wonderful that you think so highly of Akira Sarutobi..."
"It is nothing."
Danzo shook his head.
"This old man even believes that your son... Akira Sarutobi possesses talent equal to Minato Namikaze's. Perhaps... he is the one suited to become the next Hokage."
"..."
Those words made Hiruzen Sarutobi grin even more broadly.
The corners of Danzo's mouth also rose slightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was smiling.
Danzo was smiling too.
Everyone had a bright future ahead of them.
Danzo said, "Then next, let us discuss the Twelve Guardian Shinobi selling national assets and petitioning the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire..."
Akira Sarutobi's First Business
The next morning.
Having received the deployment order, Ruri Hyuga headed for the port town in the eastern Land of Fire.
At the same time.
Hatake Sakumo, who had been sitting in the living room since early morning, anxiously received the arrangements of the Konoha High Command.
"Mr. Sakumo."
A figure appeared in the courtyard beyond the open door.
His tousled blond hair and handsome, gentle features were especially striking.
"Jonin Minato Namikaze..."
Hatake Sakumo stood up and, together with his son Kakashi, greeted the rising new Jonin.
"Teacher Minato!"
Kakashi, who had just graduated, wore a gleaming Forehead Protector.
He had clearly been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his Jonin instructor.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while.
Minato Namikaze left with the excited Kakashi.
Hatake Sakumo watched their departing backs, his thoughts churning.
He had always kept to himself, but because he ultimately had a weakness to exploit, he had been forced onto the path of choosing a side.
"I hope... this is a good thing..."
Hatake Sakumo sighed and turned back into the house...
Time passed.
In the eastern Land of Fire, the port town where Akira Sarutobi was located underwent earth-shaking changes over just a few days.
Akira Sarutobi used swift and decisive methods to thoroughly purge the gang forces.
As more people with criminal records were killed, new leaders were promoted, and new members joined, the gang's rules and system underwent tremendous changes as well.
Originally, this gang had been a small dockside operation that oppressed ordinary people.
Later, after the intervention of that female ninja from the Twelve Guardian Shinobi, it had become her private enterprise.
Now, after Akira Sarutobi's consolidation, the local gang had become a legitimate transportation company.
—The kind that paid taxes to the Land of Fire authorities.
There were transportation companies in the world of Naruto. For example, Gato in the original work had become a famous wealthy man in the shinobi world through his shipping company, showing just how profitable maritime transport could be.
Jiraiya and Kakashi had both also displayed bank passbooks in the original work.
Some aspects of the economic structure actually had a considerable basis in reality.
Compared to a shabby little dock operation that could not be brought into the open, a transportation company was the future of the port town.
Akira Sarutobi's series of actions naturally caused certain rumors to spread without prompting.
For example: a man called the Black Reaper had become the new gang overlord.
Akira Sarutobi had actually not needed to expend much effort to accomplish this. After all, to ordinary people, a Jonin-level ninja was as terrifying as a monster.
In truth, Akira Sarutobi had merely reorganized the local gang. He had tossed most of the affairs to Ino Yamanaka.
The girl, who was deeply interested in operating in the underworld, had consolidated the local forces into a solid whole in just a few days.
As for the methods she had used, Akira Sarutobi could imagine them even with his toes.
Thus, Akira Sarutobi gained a tangible business of his own.
For a ninja, strength was important.
Making a living... was equally important.
Akira Sarutobi did not have that much time to worry about food, clothing, and daily expenses.
Money was like a man's wings.
Just as the saying went, money... was not omnipotent, but having no money was absolutely impossible too.
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