In the deepening dusk, Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe and took a contented puff. Leaning back in his chair, he listened to Genma Shiranui's report on Senba and the others.
Out of respect for Lord Hokage, Genma Shiranui hadn't tucked a senbon between his teeth this time. He now calmly recounted what he'd learned that day.
"Based on today's preliminary test, I believe Aoki Senba has the ability to become a Chunin. Uchiha Yue has also reached the threshold of Chunin. Their biggest problem is their lack of combat experience and missions."
Though Genma Shiranui had only mentioned Senba and Yue, and not Iruka, Hiruzen Sarutobi already understood what he meant, so he gestured for him to continue.
"Uchiha Yue and Iruka were exactly as described in the intelligence, but Aoki Senba was very different from what the intelligence suggested."
As Genma Shiranui said this, he failed to notice the grave look that flashed across Lord Hokage's eyes. But his next words put Lord Hokage considerably at ease.
"In the later tests, Aoki Senba's core abilities proved to be Super Strength Fist and Summoning Technique. He also used Wind Release and Earth Release with great skill, and his use of Ninja Tools was impressive. If he weren't lacking in Illusion Technique, the breadth of his combat abilities would already rival that of a Special Jonin."
Genma Shiranui paused briefly, then continued. "Personally, I don't think he belongs in the Genin class anymore. He and Uchiha Yue need new teammates. Iruka can no longer keep up with them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer at once. He knew the other man wasn't looking down on Iruka's abilities. He was actually trying to help him. Spending day after day with gifted teammates and watching the gap between their abilities grow wider could cause serious emotional harm.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's three students had once faced the same situation, so he very much agreed with Genma Shiranui's suggestion. The problem was that there weren't any suitable candidates right now, and he couldn't let the Uchiha and Senju form a team by themselves. That would draw far too much attention.
"Genma, in that case, I'll ask you to lead them for now. Start with a C-rank mission to assess their combat experience, then we'll make adjustments."
Genma Shiranui had no objection to Lord Hokage's suggestion. He had nothing to do at the moment, and a chance to leave the village sounded nice. After politely taking his leave, he was just about to open the door when someone pushed it open from the other side.
Danzō? Genma Shiranui's brow furrowed as he brushed past the bandaged man. Having served as the Fourth Hokage's bodyguard, he knew this adviser was always causing trouble for the Fourth Hokage. The man was no good.
But once he stepped out of the Hokage Building and felt the evening sun on his face, Genma Shiranui gave a self-deprecating smile. I'm just an ordinary Special Jonin now. Why should I get involved in all that?
"Teacher Genma?" At the familiar voice, Genma Shiranui turned around, his brow twitching. Senba stood nearby with Uchiha Yue and Iruka, carrying a large pile of food. A little girl who looked a lot like Uchiha Yue stood beside her, gazing at him timidly.
"Are you having a feast?" Genma Shiranui asked, a little puzzled as he watched Senba stuff a dumpling into his mouth.
"Mhm!" Senba nodded and handed little Uchiha Izumi a skewer of three-color dango. Then she smiled at Genma Shiranui as he walked over. "Teacher Genma, we were just going to have sukiyaki. This weather's perfect for it. Come with us!"
"I see." Looking at the bright, youthful smiles before him, Genma Shiranui felt his spirits lift. Remembering that he was about to become their team leader, he swept a hand through the air and said:
"Dinner's on me tonight. I've just been officially appointed your team leader, after all. I'll treat you to barbecue at the Akimichi Clan's place for our welcome dinner. Eat until you're stuffed!"
"Barbecue? Stuffed?" Catching the tempting words, Senba's eyes lit up and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. Eating his fill of barbecue was something he'd recently hardly dared to dream about. He nodded at once and led the way.
At the very back of the group, Iruka wore a look of concern. He knew a bit about what was going on behind the scenes. But when he thought of Senba's obsession with food over the past two days, his friendship with Senba ultimately made him keep quiet. I hope Teacher Genma can keep his composure later.
In the Hokage's Office, shrouded in darkness, only the pipe in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand gave off a faint glow. Its soft crackling sounded especially clear in the still room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and stared at Danzō, who stood opposite him. He was confident that when it came to patience, he could wear down his old friend.
Sure enough, after a moment, Danzō was the first to speak. "Hand Aoki Senba over to me. Under my training, he'll become the perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire. Given that he's earned Slug's recognition, his future potential will be at least that of an Elite Jonin. What do you say?"
"Hmph!" Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a derisive laugh. Danzō's hands tightened around his cane, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.
"Danzō, is that really what you think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi had faced many opponents in his life, but only Shimura Danzō had given him such a lasting sense of satisfaction. He was the only one Hiruzen Sarutobi could see through at a glance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a leisurely puff on his pipe and slowly exhaled a few smoke rings before continuing. "Aoki Senba has the Senju Clan behind him. Their connections reach throughout Konoha—even you and I are part of them."
"And his teacher is Tsunade. I don't need to explain that, do I? Tsunade has hemophobia, but Jiraiya and Orochimaru are both at the height of their power. Are you sure Root could handle them?"
"And as for connections, I'm Aoki Senba's grand-teacher. You're saying this to my face? After all these years, Danzō, you haven't grown at all. You talk them up to put them down, but what you really want is Uchiha Shisui!"
As Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, a powerful killing intent surged toward Danzō. In that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer the kindly old man he usually seemed to be. He stared at Danzō like a furious lion.
"Hiruzen, you would actually..." For the first time in his life, Danzō faced Hiruzen Sarutobi like this and didn't know what to say. He had done so many dark things for the other man, and yet he...
"Danzō, the village is unsettled, Kumogakure is confronting us at the border, and Iwagakure is watching us from the sidelines. I'm already exhausted from dealing with all of this. If you make trouble for me now, don't expect me to show you any mercy!"
"I know you've always had your eye on my position. As long as you don't harm Konoha, I'll allow you to make a few small moves. But not now!"
Danzō stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who seemed to have returned to his younger self, his left eye bloodshot. In the end, he flung his sleeve and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Watching the Anbu calmly take out tools to repair the door, Hiruzen Sarutobi's imposing aura vanished in an instant.
Weary, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over to the window and looked at the clean, round moon above the horizon. A sense of worry rose in his heart. The village's strength was at its lowest point, and if Konoha suffered another calamity in the next few years, it might truly cease to exist.
"First, Second Lord, if we meet in the Pure Land someday, will you approve of what I've done?"
His uneasy voice drifted through the night along with the smoke.
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