Reminiscing

After waiting for a while and seeing that Danzo still showed no intention of speaking, the group resumed discussing the intelligence on Kirigakure.

"From the looks of it, Kirigakure is preparing to pursue an elite-force strategy." After listening to and compiling the intelligence Hatake Sakumo had gathered, Mitokado Homura was the first to voice his opinion.

"But this policy has also created internal conflicts for them. If I were the Mizukage, the most effective way to eliminate those conflicts would be to start a war." As an old-school shinobi from the Second Hokage's era, Utatane Koharu's proposal was precisely the method most commonly used by the higher-ups of that time.

Danzo: "..."

"Hiruzen, we absolutely cannot let down our guard against Kirigakure." Fully aware of Konoha's favorable geography and knowing that Konoha would inevitably be attacked if war broke out, Utatane Koharu reminded Hiruzen.

"I know." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with his pipe in his mouth, then looked at Danzo again.

Now both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu sensed that something was wrong. The meeting had progressed this far, yet Danzo had not said a single word the entire time. He had neither preached about the Uchiha threat nor clamored about sending people to Kirigakure for further reconnaissance.

Was this really the Shadow of the Shinobi World they knew?

Though the atmosphere of the meeting was certainly much more harmonious this way, they still felt uncomfortable all over.

"Danzo, what do you think?" Utatane Koharu finally could not hold herself back and took the initiative to ask for Danzo's opinion.

"Indeed, we need to be wary of Kirigakure's movements." Seeing someone ask, Danzo nodded in agreement with their proposal.

That was it?

What happened to "You're too weak," "You'll regret this," and "I'm the real Hokage"?

"Speaking of which, Sakumo brought back a child during this operation." Unable to discern Danzo's true thoughts, Hiruzen decided to drop this bombshell.

At that, Danzo finally opened his eye, a cold sneer flashing through his heart.

Has Hiruzen finally lost his patience?

"A child? Does this child carry any important intelligence?" Mitokado Homura looked curiously at Sakumo, puzzled that Sakumo had not mentioned this information earlier.

"That child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai." Seeing Danzo react slightly, Hiruzen continued revealing what he knew.

"The Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? Hiruzen, where is this child now? We must protect him." Utatane Koharu, who knew the importance of Kekkei Genkai, could not hold herself back either and asked after the child's whereabouts.

If all went smoothly, Konoha would gain a new Kekkei Genkai clan to serve it in the future.

"That child is named Kazashiro, Shimura Kazashiro." Hiruzen set down his pipe and smiled as he lifted his teacup.

"What?!" Utatane Koharu sprang to her feet upon hearing this. Realizing her loss of composure, she hurriedly sat back down. "His name is Shimura Kazashiro? Could it be..."

Utatane Koharu looked at Danzo with disbelief in her eyes.

"What is it, Koharu? Why are you acting like this? Wait, Shimura Kazashiro?" Mitokado Homura had been about to point out Koharu's lapse in composure, but then he realized something as well and turned the same look toward Danzo.

"Danzo, did you adopt that child?" Utatane Koharu asked tentatively.

"It is not adoption. That child is my biological son, who was stranded outside." Meeting Hiruzen's gaze, Danzo admitted before Konoha's higher-ups that Kazashiro was his biological son.

Seeing this, the smile at Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips deepened, while Hatake Sakumo also let out a breath of relief nearby.

"What..." Utatane Koharu looked as though she had been struck by lightning, frozen in place. Mitokado Homura's pig brain was overloaded as well, frantically mobilizing his brain cells to process this bombshell.

"Then I shall take my leave." Knowing there was nothing left for him to do, Hatake Sakumo prepared to depart.

"Mm, you've worked hard, Sakumo. Go wait in the rest area for a while. I still have something to discuss with you." Acknowledging Hatake Sakumo's achievements, Hiruzen looked at him with a smile.

"I understand." Hatake Sakumo nodded. Rather than using the Body Flicker Technique, he walked slowly to the door, opened it with the gentlest of movements, and left.

"Danzo, is this true? That fellow really is your..." Having recovered, Utatane Koharu continued questioning him unwillingly, making Mitokado Homura beside her feel somewhat slighted.

"Of course. Kazashiro is my son. This has already been confirmed through the Anbu's investigation." Danzo half-closed his single eye again, adopting an unruffled air.

Koharu had truly been worn down by time. Back when she was young, her courage and decisiveness had far surpassed those of the men of her generation, yet now she was—

Though he did not show it on his face, Danzo had long been filled with all manner of dissatisfaction toward his old friends from those days.

Hiruzen was too weak. Homura was too weak. And now Koharu looked exceptionally weak as well.

Sure enough, the position of Hokage would be better entrusted to him.

"This is a good thing, Danzo. You hid such major news so deeply; that is rather unfriendly of you." Now that the outsider Hatake Sakumo had left, Mitokado Homura felt at ease enough to tease Danzo.

Who would have thought? Danzo, who had once constantly declared that he would devote everything to the village, had quietly produced a son—and one of foreign stock at that.

No wonder this guy had not said a word during today's meeting.

"Hehe, Danzo, with something this big happening, shouldn't us old folks get together for the first time in ages?" Utatane Koharu had also recovered from her earlier daze, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"I'm busy, unlike you people, who have so much free time." Danzo flatly refused.

Well, Danzo was still Danzo, forever speaking in a way that could choke people to death without batting an eye.

The others, long accustomed to Danzo's manner, did not take offense. Instead, they took the opportunity to reminisce about old times.

Having spent so long steeped in the great dye vat of power, they had all lost the sharpness and original aspirations of their youth.

Using Danzo suddenly having a son as an excuse, they rarely managed to recapture a few traces of how they had felt when they were young.

"Speaking of which, Hiruzen, your son should be nearing school age too, shouldn't he?" Utatane Koharu suddenly remembered Hiruzen's younger son.

"Asuma? I suppose so." Hiruzen scratched his head helplessly. "You know how busy I usually am. Biwako handles these matters."

Having been rebuffed by Danzo, Mitokado Homura chose to tease Hiruzen instead. "Biwako really had terrible luck marrying you. I remember how you used to peep on—"

"Homura, that was all when we were children!" Hiruzen hurriedly cut Mitokado Homura off. If he let him continue, his dignity as Hokage would vanish entirely.

These people...

Danzo looked impatiently at the three animated men. By his usual habits, he would have long since flicked his sleeves and left, but for some reason, his legs showed absolutely no intention of moving.