The Calculations of All Sides

Inside the Hokage's Office, smoke still hung thick in the air.

The Cat-Faced Anbu Ninja who had led the way earlier knelt on one knee, reporting the situation inside the Storage Vault to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"So... in the end... he chose Water Release: Hard Vortex Water Blade."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's pipe paused slightly before reaching his lips. He lifted his eyes and looked at the Anbu below.

"Yes, Hokage."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly set down his pipe and leaned back in his chair.

"Hard Vortex Water Blade... he chose that."

That choice was both unexpected and understandable.

After all, Hard Vortex Water Blade was a Water Release secret technique left behind by the Second Hokage. Its power ranked among the very best of Water Release ninjutsu, enough to serve as one of any Water Release ninja's ultimate aspirations.

For a young man with exceptional talent in Water Release, at the peak of his youthful vigor, choosing such a legendary ninjutsu in the face of its temptation was only natural.

It seems he is still just a boy at heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought. When faced with power strong enough to decide everything in a single blow, he ultimately could not resist it.

Gold will shine sooner or later. What requires more attention now is...

Before his thoughts settled, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a hand and dismissed the Anbu.

The office returned to silence, but Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts did not rest.

Tejima Shinichi's choice was like a minor interlude, reminding him of another, more urgent issue—Danzo.

Danzo's actions today had crossed far too many lines. He had to be restrained, or else...

"It is time to tighten the oversight over Root further... Certain mission channels and funding need to be reviewed again."

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up a document, his gaze sharpening.

"In any case... I absolutely will not let you do as you please this time... Danzo!"

Meanwhile, deep within the dark Root base.

Bang!

A cane smashed viciously against the stone floor, producing a dull, chilling thud.

Shimura Danzō's chest rose and fell slightly. What had happened in the Hokage's Office had clearly been too much for the nearly seventy-year-old man to accept.

Tejima Shinichi's mocking face, along with Sarutobi Hiruzen's protection of him, flashed through his mind again and again.

How many years had it been since he had suffered such humiliation!!!

"What an evil little brat..."

Shimura Danzō cursed loudly!

"So defiant, so disrespectful of his elders, so sharp-tongued—he is... he is exactly like those innately evil Uchiha!"

"The Senju Clan was so glorious, the First Hokage so broad-minded! Mori Chie could be considered loyal and dutiful to the village... How could she have given birth to such a rebellious descendant?! Where is even a trace of the greater good that someone of Senju Bloodline should possess? He has clearly inherited the Uchiha's vile nature!"

The more Shimura Danzō spoke, the angrier he became, his voice echoing through the empty base.

"Hiruzen, that fool, still protects him so fiercely! A brat with such a disposition would be a threat to the village no matter how powerful he became. Root should be the one to discipline him thoroughly and grind away that rebellious nature!"

Only after that stream of curses did some of the pent-up fury in Shimura Danzō's chest finally ease. Yet the gloom in his single eye did not lessen in the slightest.

After a moment, a black shadow carefully slipped out from the darkness. Without a sound, he knelt on one knee behind Danzo and to his side, bowing his head deeply as he reported cautiously.

"Lord Danzo, please calm yourself. Regarding Tejima Shinichi... should we still follow the original plan and list him as the core alternate candidate for the Child of Promise Plan?"

"The Child of Promise Plan..."

Shimura Danzō repeated the codename, abruptly calming somewhat.

The so-called Child of Promise Plan was to find and control a superior Backup Container when they could not completely control the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto.

Once the time was right, they would find a way to make the Nine-Tails inside Naruto go berserk, stripping him of his qualifications as a container. They could then naturally seal the Nine-Tails into the chosen candidate, thereby gaining indirect control over that destructive power.

Tejima Shinichi possessed the Senju Clan's bloodline, along with enormous Chakra and a naturally strong physique. He was indeed an almost perfect candidate for carrying out this plan.

His potential far surpassed that unstable Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto.

Yet whenever he thought of Tejima Shinichi's defiant eyes and blade-sharp words, Shimura Danzō felt a surge of irritation.

With a personality like that, even if he became a Jinchuriki, it would be extremely difficult to brainwash and control him completely.

But...

Shimura Danzō narrowed his one eye.

Compared to the strategic value of controlling the Nine-Tails, personal likes and dislikes were not worth mentioning.

"The plan remains unchanged." Danzo's voice returned to its usual gloom. "Tejima Shinichi remains the highest-priority target of the Abandoned Child Plan. His bloodline and Chakra make him the best container for the Nine-Tails. Nothing can go wrong."

"Continue monitoring him closely and collect every bit of data on him. At the same time, begin preparing a Forced Control Plan. If necessary, capture and control him directly!" A vicious gleam flashed through Danzo's eyes. "Once the deed is done, even Sarutobi Hiruzen will be helpless!"

He paused, his tone revealing his hatred and disgust for Tejima Shinichi.

"When the time is right, I will personally plant the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal in him. Not only will he become a container, but his will shall forever submit to Root!"

"Yes."

The Root Ninja below raised no objections and accepted the order in a deep voice.

Leaning on his cane, Shimura Danzō turned to look toward the boundless darkness in the depths of the base. A cold, determined light flickered in his eyes.

Tejima Shinichi... you will not escape the palm of my hand.

Your future will ultimately become nourishment for Konoha's darkness, a cornerstone for me, Shimura Danzō, to become Hokage!