Old Times

After waiting for a while and seeing that Danzo didn't seem ready to speak, the others resumed their discussion about intelligence on Kirigakure.

"It seems Kirigakure is planning to adopt a strategy of elite soldiers," Mitokado Homura stated his opinion first after Hatake Sakumo summarized the collected intelligence.

"But this policy has also created internal conflict for them. If I were the Mizukage, the most effective way to eliminate these contradictions would be to start a war." As an old-school ninja from the Second Hokage's era, Utatane Koharu's proposed solution was a common tactic among the higher-ups at the time.

Danzo: "..."

"Hiruzen, we absolutely cannot let our guard down against Kirigakure." Utatane Koharu, well aware of Konohagakure's advantageous geographical location and the certainty of it being attacked if war broke out, reminded Hiruzen.

"I know." Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing on his pipe, nodded and then looked back at Danzo.

At this point, both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu sensed something was off. Danzo had remained completely silent throughout the meeting, neither promoting the Uchiha threat theory nor clamoring to send people to investigate Kirigakure further.

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

Although the meeting atmosphere was very harmonious this way, they still felt uneasy.

"Danzo, what do you think?" Utatane Koharu finally couldn't hold back and directly asked for Danzo's opinion.

"Indeed, we need to be wary of Kirigakure's actions." Seeing that someone had asked, Danzo nodded in agreement with their proposal.

That's it?

What about "You're too soft, you'll regret it, I'm the Hokage"?

"Speaking of which, Sakumo also brought back a child this time." Hiruzen, unsure of Danzo's true intentions, decided to drop this bombshell.

Hearing this, Danzo finally opened his eyes, a cold sneer flashing through his mind.

So Hiruzen finally couldn't hold back.

"A child? Is there any important information about this child?" Mitokado Homura asked Sakumo curiously upon hearing this, also puzzled as to why Sakumo hadn't mentioned this intelligence earlier.

"That child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai." Seeing Danzo's slight reaction, Hiruzen continued to reveal the information he knew.

"The Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? Hiruzen, where is this child now? We must protect him." Utatane Koharu, deeply aware of the importance of Kekkei Genkai, also couldn't contain herself and inquired about the child's whereabouts.

If things go smoothly, Konohagakure will have a new Kekkei Genkai family to serve it in the future.

"The child's name is Kazashiro, Shimura Kazashiro." Hiruzen put down his pipe and picked up his teacup with a smile.

"What?!" Utatane Koharu stood up abruptly upon hearing this news. Realizing her loss of composure, she quickly sat back down. "He's called Shimura Kazashiro? Could it be..."

Utatane Koharu looked at Danzo with disbelief.

"What's wrong, Koharu, why are you so... wait, Shimura Kazashiro?" Mitokado Homura was about to remind Utatane Koharu of her loss of composure, but then he also realized something and turned the same disbelieving gaze towards Danzo.

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

"Not adopted. That child is my own biological son who was living out in the world." Looking at Hiruzen, Danzo admitted to the elders of Konoha that Kazashiro was his biological son.

Seeing this, a wider smile spread across Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips, and Hatake Sakumo also breathed a sigh of relief.

"What..." Utatane Koharu was struck as if by lightning, completely stunned. Mitokado Homura's brain also overloaded, frantically trying to process this heavy news.

"Then, I'll take my leave now." Hatake Sakumo, knowing there was nothing more for him, prepared to depart.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Sakumo. Please wait in the resting area for a moment; I have something else to discuss with you." Hiruzen affirmed Sakumo's achievements and smiled at him.

"Understood." Hatake Sakumo nodded. Instead of using Shunshin, he walked slowly to the door, opened it with a very light touch, and left.

"Danzo, is this true? Is that guy really your..." Utatane Koharu, having regained her senses, continued to question him somewhat stubbornly, which made Mitokado Homura feel a bit jealous.

"Of course. Kazashiro is my son. This has been confirmed by the Anbu's investigation." Danzo closed his visible eye slightly again, adopting a composed demeanor.

That Koharu, time has truly worn down her sharp edges. When she was young, she had far more spirit than the men of her generation, but now...

Although he didn't show it on his face, Danzo had harbored various dissatisfactions towards his old friends over the years.

Hiruzen is too soft, Homura is too soft, and now Koharu is acting incredibly soft.

As expected, the position of Hokage would be better suited for me.

"This is a good thing, Danzo. You've kept this news hidden so deeply; it's quite unfair of you." Now that Hatake Sakumo, an outsider, had left, Mitokado Homura felt comfortable enough to tease Danzo.

Who would have thought that Danzo, who always proclaimed he would dedicate everything to the village, had quietly fathered a son, and a foreign one at that.

No wonder he was so silent in today's meeting.

"Heh heh, Danzo, such a big event, shouldn't we old folks get together for a long-overdue reunion?" Utatane Koharu also recovered from her initial shock, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"I'm busy. I'm not as idle as you all." Danzo flatly refused.

Alright, Danzo is still Danzo, always saying things that are infuriatingly blunt.

The others, long accustomed to Danzo's ways, didn't mind and took the opportunity to reminisce.

Having been immersed in the corrupting influence of power for so long, they had all lost the sharpness and original intentions of their youth.

Using Danzo's sudden son as an excuse, they uncharacteristically found a sense of their younger days.

"Speaking of which, Hiruzen, your son is also nearing school age, isn't he?" Utatane Koharu suddenly remembered Hiruzen's younger son.

"Asuma, that guy... it should be around that time." Hiruzen rubbed his head helplessly. "You know, I'm usually too busy, so Biwako handles these matters."

Mitokado Homura, having been rebuffed by Danzo, chose to tease Hiruzen. "Biwako marrying you was truly terrible luck. I remember when you were little, you used to sneak peeks—"

"Homura, that was all when we were kids!" Hiruzen quickly interrupted him, fearing that his dignity as Hokage would be completely lost if he continued.

These guys...

Danzo looked impatiently at the three who were becoming increasingly animated. If he had acted according to his usual behavior, he would have already stormed out by now, but for some reason, his legs seemed incapable of moving.