Upon hearing the word "Hokage,"
Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and for a moment, it was as though he saw Tobirama Senju standing before him again.
Back then, their Teacher had been the Hokage.
He had led the few of them out of the coup in Kumogakure.
When the situation had become so dire that someone had to stay behind and buy time for the survivors.
That was what Teacher had done back then.
He had willingly stayed behind for them, ultimately sacrificing himself to ensure their survival.
And now, Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped forward.
He wanted to be that bait!
What about himself?
He had still been obsessing over the position of Hokage.
A sense of shame unlike anything he had ever felt surged through him.
Twice!
Twice, such opportunities had been placed before him!
And he had failed to seize either one...
Why had he been so useless?
No wonder Teacher had chosen Hiruzen to become the Third Hokage back then...
That explains it!
Danzo's clenched fist slowly loosened, and the gloom in his eyes gradually gave way to complicated emotions.
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo's voice was hoarse and low, as though it had been forced out of his throat.
"You always do this... always walk ahead of me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback.
As he looked at Danzo, he realized that there was a trace of wavering in his old friend's eyes—something he had not seen in a long time.
He patted Danzo on the shoulder.
He thought Danzo was still troubled by what had happened earlier.
His tone was calm yet firm.
"Danzo, Konoha needs all of us."
Chiyo's gaze swept between the two men, the corner of the mouth lifting slightly.
No wonder they were such good buddies.
"As the Hokage in the open, how could