Bonds Are the Source of Power

Chapter 19: Bonds Are the True Driving Force [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

Back in the Hokage Office again.

Unlike before, they now knew Hiruzen Sarutobi had made his decision.

Although the two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, had offered objections, they could only offer suggestions. The final decision still rested with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite powerful and confident enough in himself that no one could oppose his decisions.

Of course, there was one exception.

Thump—

"Hiruzen, why didn't you let me speak just now?" Danzo tapped the ground lightly with his cane, looking directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi as he spoke word by word.

His hands rested on the desk, and the pipe in his mouth glowed faintly with his breaths.

"I know what you want to say, which is why I stopped you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly after a moment, putting down his pipe and meeting his old friend's gaze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi truly understood this old friend, just as Danzo understood him.

Danzo pressed on, striding to the desk and staring intently at Hiruzen. "Since that's the case, you should understand!

Keeping this Jinchūriki is a double-edged sword for us, but if utilized properly, the benefits will definitely outweigh the drawbacks. With your personality, you wouldn't be able to bear this kind of thing. So, you should have handed him over to me from the start! Let me bear all the sins and infamy.

Give that child to me! Three years! No, one year! And I'll return a war weapon you can completely control!

Furthermore, this Jinchūriki originally belonged to Root.

According to our agreement back then, you cannot interfere too much or inquire about Root's affairs!"

At this moment, only a few people were in the office. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were their friends and current Hokage advisors, already aware of the matter.

As for Shikashin Nara, the Hokage's strategist, he was certainly qualified to know about Root's existence.

Bang!!

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk, meeting Danzo's gaze without yielding. "Danzo! You need to remember, who is the Hokage!"

"You!"

That one sentence left Danzo speechless.

Yes, he was the Hokage!

He had the final say in all matters of Konoha, and even the special privileges held by Root were granted only after his approval.

His hand, hidden beneath his robes and gripping his cane, tightened its hold, his knuckles turning white.

The Hokage!!

"Danzo, don't be anxious. Since Hiruzen has said so, he must have his plans," Mitokado Homura said from the side. They always played their role when Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō clashed.

He slowly relaxed his grip on the cane.

"If that's the case, then tell us how you plan to handle that Jinchūriki? I believe that as Hokage advisors, we certainly have the right to know!

Moreover, the Jinchūriki is crucial, and I don't think we should make a hasty decision!" Danzo forcibly suppressed his anger.

He hadn't coveted the position of Hokage for just a day or two, and certainly not without reason.

Chug—chug—

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he kept puffing on his pipe, not noticing that the tobacco was nearly burnt out.

Only when he felt that sense of ethereal bliss did he put down the pipe.

"This little fellow isn't simple. Do you really think any child could leave the Land of Lightning so easily? Travel such a long distance to reach the Land of Fire?

Are Kumogakure's Anbu all idiots? Did they lose the Two-Tails without finding any trace?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated like thunder to everyone present!

It was only when they heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's words that they reacted.

Seeing Toneri's appearance, coupled with his innocent expression, they had subconsciously treated him as an ignorant child.

However, soon, a smile slowly appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's usually stern face.

"An interesting little fellow. Although I don't know how he did it, it seems he indeed has the potential to become a towering tree. If his views are corrected properly, especially his perception of Konoha due to Root, he could be a good seedling after all."

Hearing this, Danzo frowned. "Hiruzen, since you can see that the Jinchūriki has some hidden thoughts, why not hand him over to me directly?!

I am absolutely confident I can train him into a war weapon unaffected by emotions, one that can protect Konoha in the future!"

Hiruzen waved his hand, rejecting Danzo's proposal once again.

Although Danzo's proposal was not without merit as a one-time solution.

"No. How do you know how he communicated with the Two-Tails? What if the Two-Tails values him as a person, his thoughts!

If you forcibly control him, the Two-Tails might go berserk, and it would be more loss than gain.

Furthermore, what we need is a strong person, a true strong person with self-awareness and his own ideas, not a puppet!

Don't bring up this proposal again!

Since we've chosen to keep him, and he's a native of the Land of Fire, we cannot disregard his rights like this!"

The more people willing to burn themselves to become a flame, the stronger the new seedlings will grow in the future."

At this time, the Third Hokage, who was at his peak, spoke with great charisma.

In his opinion, he could at least suppress the Two-Tails, and it wouldn't be a difficult task.

Therefore, as long as Toneri was in Konoha, he wouldn't be able to cause much trouble.

Furthermore, this was right after the Second Shinobi World War had just ended. Even if another war were to occur in the future, it would take some time, giving them plenty of room to operate and observe first.

"Even so, Hiruzen, I don't think we can ignore this little guy. As you said, if we want him to become a towering tree, the prerequisite is his attitude towards Konoha.

Let alone Danzo's Root, we at least need someone to keep him in check and help him slowly accept Konoha. Not just him, but also the Two-Tails within him," Utatane Koharu also chimed in.

Since the Hokage had made a decision, as his advisor, her role was to refine it.

The Third Hokage nodded, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face as if he had thought of something good.

"Speaking of which, Orochimaru and the other two should be returning soon, right?

Even though Hanzo held back, earning the title of Sannin from him has significantly boosted Konoha's prestige!"

This was Hanzo of the Salamander, a demigod who could single-handedly protect a country. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't certain of victory against him. He was one of the rare, extremely strong individuals in the Shinobi World at the time!

Mentioning the newly titled Sannin – Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade – the atmosphere in the entire office eased considerably.

Of course, Danzo was still an exception.

The stronger Hiruzen's disciples became, the further the Hokage position would be from him.

"Hiruzen, are you suggesting that one or even multiple of these three should watch over this Two-Tails Jinchuriki and, at the same time, slowly change his attitude towards Konoha?" Mitokado Homura's eyes lit up.

Everyone else also found the suggestion agreeable.

After all, they were all the Hokage's disciples, people they had watched grow up, and were trustworthy.

"And what about before they return?" Danzo was still somewhat unwilling.

The meat that was practically in his mouth had been snatched away by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hearing this, Hiruzen pondered for a moment before looking at Shikashin Nara, who had been quietly observing the proceedings. His smile grew more satisfied.

"Before they return, he will stay at your house, Shikashin. I believe with your wisdom, you will be able to discern what kind of person this little guy is and his views on Konoha."

After speaking, Hiruzen couldn't help but praise his own cleverness.

With the Nara Clan's high intellect, dealing with a child would be like playing a game.

Shikashin Nara: "!!!"

Shikashin Nara was shocked. This was a Jinchuriki! The Nara Clan relied on their brains; they couldn't suppress a rampaging Two-Tails!

However, before he could speak, Hiruzen continued, "Oh right, even though he's a Jinchuriki, let him attend the Ninja Academy. This will help him integrate better into Konoha and make more friends.

Bonds are the true driving force!"

"Oh! And remember, no one is to know he's a Jinchuriki! You know the consequences if this gets out!

Alright, meeting adjourned."

"Hmph!!"

Seeing that Hiruzen had settled the matter, Danzo turned and left directly.

A mysterious glint flickered in his narrowed, downcast eyes.

The pace must quicken!

Otherwise, the Hokage position would slip further away from him. He now needed to focus not only on Hiruzen Sarutobi and his three disciples!

And... did they really think that the people Root sent out could be arranged or dismissed as they pleased?

Hiruzen, you still live in an ideal world; you're too soft-hearted!

Jin Mu is crying, you guys didn't give any votes, but you did when I stopped crying. Is this the distortion of human nature or the degeneration of morality?

Setting up a small bowl, it feels like you guys can't fill it up. Those who understand, type 1 or 2!

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