027 Warning Danzo, Orochimaru Left Behind

Hiruzen Sarutobi placed a hand on Shimura Danzō's shoulder.

The scorching Lightning Release Chakra on it

made Shimura Danzō, a veteran ninja, instinctively draw in his neck, his body subconsciously sensing danger.

Yet the unease in his body was nothing compared to the unease in his heart.

When had Hiruzen trained Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu to such an extent?

From Blue B's corpse being sent to the Analysis Division to the report being produced—even if the Hokage could get his hands on it early—it had been no more than ten days at most!

And you still had talent like this?

Shouldn't you have been drowning in Mountains of Documents and Seas of Meetings, crushed by the pressure of being the Hokage? Even if you used a secret technique to make yourself look like a man in his prime...

But in essence, balancing and winning over the Ninja Clans, devising all these systems—shouldn't that have taken even more effort and energy?

How did you still have time to train?!

Shimura Danzō's thoughts sank into unease and confusion. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he did not even respond to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, as though he had gone blank.

"Once, Konoha had many geniuses, but they all called me a genius."

Wasn't Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly referring to him with those words?

He, too, had been called a genius of the Shimura Clan since childhood. That was until he met Hiruzen Sarutobi—no matter how they sparred, he had never beaten him...

His thoughts gradually drifted away.

"Don't let appearances fool you. I'm confident that I'm the strongest among you. I'll stay behind to cover your retreat." The conversation from Senju Tobirama's death, buried deep in his memories, surfaced as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not press him. The lightning around his body slowly faded away.

With both hands resting on the back of Shimura Danzō's chair, he shook his head with a chuckle and said to everyone at the meeting, "Our advisor has been too exhausted. He should get some proper rest..."

"That trip to Kumogakure—he personally led the team to capture prisoners and plant spies. Sleeping rough and living off the elements wasn't easy!"

Everyone laughed in good-natured amusement.

And upon hearing that he was being told to rest, Shimura Danzō suddenly snapped awake. "No, I don't need rest!"

Forget resting—even the slightest bit more laziness would leave him farther and farther behind!

Was he supposed to reach the point where he could not even see Hiruzen's back?

That was even harder for Shimura Danzō to accept than being told outright that he would never become Hokage in this lifetime...

"You should rest when it's time to rest. Balance work and rest if you want to go far."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a genial smile, "I'm still counting on your Wind Style to temper my Nintaijutsu..."

"How about it? Let's find a day to have a long-overdue match between us old pals?"

Shimura Danzō gritted his back teeth. Temper your Nintaijutsu?

I'd love nothing more than to blow you to death with Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves!

On the surface, however, he still forced out a strained smile. "Heh heh, Hiruzen, you really were called a genius by many people back then. Even Lord Tobirama said so."

"But my Wind Style isn't bad either. You'd better be careful—maybe I'll win..." Shimura Danzō dryly tried to salvage some dignity for himself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not let the words fall flat and nodded. "Naturally. In my heart, you are the strongest Wind Style ninja in the Shinobi World. Those people from Sunagakure are far inferior to you."

The moment those words came out, even Shimura Danzō froze.

He was actually speaking up for me? Hiruzen, what exactly are you trying to do...

Setting aside how Hiruzen had used him to establish authority, perhaps he should not have plotted against him?

And honestly, he had been the one to provoke him first...

At that moment, Shimura Danzō was surprised to discover that a faint trace of regret had actually arisen in his heart.

"Danzō, during this mission, I saw your ability to coordinate and organize."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not return to his seat. With both hands braced against the back of Danzō's chair, his expression relaxed, he said, "You will be the Anbu Minister. Do a good job, and don't disappoint the village or me."

Shimura Danzō unconsciously straightened his back. "Yes, Third!"

Jiraiya chuckled and unconsciously rolled his eyes.

His grand-uncle's backbone was not all that hard, was it?

His teacher insulted him once, praised him once, and he could not hold out anymore?

He was even worse than him!

In the past, due to the existence of the so-called "Anbu training division"—namely, Root—

the positions of Anbu Minister and Deputy Minister had long remained vacant, with the Anbu mainly operating through Squad Captains.

After all, Root was nominally an Anbu division, yet its commander was the Hokage's advisor. That made things difficult...

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, Shimura Danzō possessed outstanding talent for Anbu work.

There was no problem with him serving as department head; the problem was that his desires and ambitions had grown rather inflated.

Therefore, what he needed to do as Hokage was firmly keep control over the personnel decisions for the four Squad Captain candidates and every squad's Squad Leaders.

"Hizashi, I've seen your recent performance. Do you have the confidence to take on a heavier burden?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

Lord Hokage had naturally noticed Hizashi Hyuga's attempt to play along with him just now.

The young man had the ability, the right attitude, and a valuable status. There was no reason not to use someone like that.

As for experience...

He could just have Sakumo mentor him more.

"Lord Hokage! Your will is the direction in which Hizashi advances. I would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!" Hizashi Hyuga shot to his feet, his voice firm and resounding.

"Not my will, but for the village," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a light cough, correcting Hizashi Hyuga's phrasing.

"By order, Hizashi Hyuga is appointed Captain of the Anbu Second Squad."

"Koharu, Homura, Danzō, do you have any thoughts?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked very democratically.

All three indicated that they had no objections.

On any other day, they could have discussed Hizashi Hyuga's abilities as a newcomer to the Anbu.

After all, though he worked hard, his seniority was still lacking.

But given today's situation and atmosphere, it was truly unsuitable for anyone to voice objections.

Seated below, Orochimaru watched Hiruzen Sarutobi handle the matter with effortless ease, his long tongue unconsciously licking the corner of his mouth.

As casually as if chatting about household matters, he had completely seized the Anbu in his grasp.

And judging from Shimura Danzō's expression, was there even the slightest hint of gratitude?

"Must be an illusion, right? How could that man possibly have such an expression..."

"But one thing is certain: Teacher's words are carrying more and more weight." Orochimaru thought this to himself as he studied Hiruzen Sarutobi's methods.

When he became the Fourth Hokage in the future, these would all be practical methods!

"During this period, pay special attention to the village's security. Kumogakure will certainly send a large number of spies to investigate the source of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki incident."

"We must crush them all outside the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Hatake Sakumo and asked, "How is the Patrol Force coming along?"

Sakumo, who had not participated in the Kumogakure operation and had silently listened throughout the meeting, rose and replied, "It has already begun trial operations. The ninja of the Inuzuka Clan, Aburame, and Uchiha have all participated enthusiastically."

"Following your instructions, I selected a group of experienced ninja who either have old injuries or can no longer handle the high-intensity demands of the front lines due to age. They are all deeply grateful for this stable work."

"With the Inuzuka Clan's sense of smell, the Aburame's insects, the Uchiha's perception, and Hizashi's Byakugan support..."

"I am confident we can raise the village's security to a new level!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly and teased Hizashi Hyuga with a smile. "Hizashi, you really are a busy man..."

Hizashi Hyuga smiled as well. The feeling of being needed by the village was wonderful!

Moreover, he had caught the unspoken meaning in Hatake Sakumo's words.

—One pair of Byakugan was not enough.

And in the Anbu, Hizashi, who was practically Sakumo's disciple, also knew that several positions in the Patrol Force remained vacant.

Who they had been reserved for was self-evident.

"My brothers of the Branch Family, wait for me!" This thought flashed through Hizashi Hyuga's mind.

After the meeting ended...

Orochimaru remained behind and sought out Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He took out a small piece of Eight-Tails Gyuki tissue. "Teacher, look at this!"