At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not considering whether he should hand Veigar over to Danzo for training. He was considering whether Shimura Danzō's words were true.
Would Shimura Danzō really hand over the position of Root's leader?
Shimura Danzō was one of the people who understood Hiruzen Sarutobi best. Conversely, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi not understand him just as well?
From Root's establishment to its gradual loss of control, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he had lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot.
Back then, because he trusted Shimura Danzō, he had created the Anbu Training Department within the Anbu, which answered only to him—in other words, Konoha's "Root"—and placed it under Shimura Danzō's command.
But what about now?
Did the current Root still recognize him as Hokage?
After all, at this point, even he, the Village's Kage, could no longer investigate or learn about Root's internal situation. It answered only to Shimura Danzō.
The Anbu Training Department existed in name only. It was not that Shimura Danzō had never returned the ninja who entered Root for training, but those he returned had been the weakest in talent and strength, as though they were the ones who had been eliminated.
Shimura Danzō's influence was now too great. Although Root's power had yet to be fully revealed, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a feeling that if things continued this way, Root might eventually affect Konoha's stability.
For now, he was still sitting in the Hokage's seat and could suppress Shimura Danzō. But what about the Fourth Generation and Fifth Generation Hokage?
Did Hiruzen Sarutobi want Shimura Danzō to hand over the position of Root's leader?
He did.
But he could not let him.
First, there was still no one Hiruzen considered more suitable than Shimura Danzō to become Root's leader.
Second, there were many matters that could only be planned and carried out in secret, and Shimura Danzō was needed to handle them.
Therefore, Shimura Danzō could not yet hand over the position of Root's leader.
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe, then looked up at Shimura Danzō again. "I can hand him over to you."
"But not now."
Shimura Danzō's heart leaped at Hiruzen Sarutobi's first sentence, but the second was like a basin of cold water poured over it.
Then Shimura Danzō heard Hiruzen Sarutobi continue, "Although Root is independent, it still has to obey the Hokage."
"Since you believe that Veiga Koshima is the most suitable candidate to become Root's second leader, I agree in principle."
"But as the Village's Kage, I have to consider the next Hokage."
"Root represents Konoha's foundation, and it will also have to be handed over to the next Hokage."
"I'll first observe Veiga Koshima. When the time is right, I'll recruit him into the Anbu and then hand him over to you."
"As you said, we're both getting old."
Shimura Danzō also understood the warning in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words. It was already clear that Hiruzen was telling him that he was still the Hokage and that Root did not yet need a second leader. That was a force prepared for the next Hokage.
Furthermore, regarding the selection of Root's successor, Shimura Danzō had only the right to recommend someone. The final decision still rested with Hiruzen, the Hokage.
At that moment, Shimura Danzō understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already made his greatest concession by going this far.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength was still at its peak. The bearing of the Ninja Hero still remained, and he had yet to become the future Ninja Bear.
Root's power had also yet to completely permeate every corner of Konoha, so he could not pressure Hiruzen Sarutobi too aggressively into making further concessions.
Although he had not obtained the best possible outcome, at the very least, there was now a chance of obtaining Veiga Koshima.
Shimura Danzō knew exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi was planning. He merely wanted to drive a wedge into Root, perhaps even regain control of it.
But as long as Veigar joined Root, Shimura Danzō could make all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's previous efforts come to nothing.
Veigar Koshima would sooner or later become one of the sharpest blades in his hands.
Shimura Danzō met Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze and said, "If that's the case, I can afford to wait."
"There are still matters at Root that require my attention. I'll leave first, Hiruzen."
With that, Shimura Danzō turned and left. Hiruzen Sarutobi called after him, "Withdraw Root's people. He doesn't need to be watched."
Shimura Danzō did not stop walking. He merely nodded, soon disappearing from Hiruzen Sarutobi's sight.
The "he" here referred to Veigar Koshima.
If this had happened a few years later, when Shimura Danzō's forces had grown even stronger, he probably would not have agreed to Hiruzen Sarutobi so easily. Instead, he would have paid lip service while secretly taking Veigar to Root first.
The Root ninja Pigeon monitoring Veigar was highly capable. Not only could he avoid detection by Veigar, even many Jonin could not discover him. But in Hiruzen Sarutobi's perception, Pigeon was like a firefly in the darkness.
So distinct, so bright.
Only after Shimura Danzō left did Hiruzen Sarutobi say to Minato Namikaze, "Minato, forget what you just heard."
Minato Namikaze replied solemnly, "Yes, Third Lord."
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "In that case, Veigar Koshima is also entrusted to you, Minato."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's change in the way he addressed Minato reflected his attitude toward Minato Namikaze.
At that moment, Veigar, still lying at home, had no idea that a struggle over where he would go had just unfolded.
After receiving Shimura Danzō's new orders, Pigeon quickly withdrew with two subordinates, abandoning their surveillance of Veigar.
In the afternoon, Veigar woke up in bed. Seeing that the appointed time was approaching, he hurried toward the Hokage Tower.
"Click."
As the camera shutter was pressed, Veigar's photograph was taken, completing his ninja registration and officially making him a Genin of Konoha Village.
Ninja Registration Number: 009917.
Not long afterward, Veigar was once again led into the Hokage's Office, where he met the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Konoha Jonin Minato Namikaze.
After entering, Veigar respectfully addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Third Lord."
Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully examined Veigar, who was wearing a Konoha Ninja Headband, then said with a smile, "Veigar, you're now a Genin of the village. I hope you'll uphold the Will of Fire and contribute to protecting Konoha."
Veigar lowered his head and answered loudly, "Yes, Third Lord."
"I'll do everything in my power to protect the village conscientiously and fulfill my duty."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded inwardly before continuing, "Then, Genin Veigar, your team leader and teacher from now on will be the Jonin Minato beside me."
"I believe he'll teach you to become an outstanding ninja."
At that point, Minato Namikaze took over from Hiruzen Sarutobi. Turning to Veigar, he said, "I'm Minato Namikaze. From now on, I'll be your teacher."
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