Reencountering Hiruzen Sarutobi

Tch, petty tricks?

Kazashiro disdained Danzo's superficiality.

As the second-in-command of the village, holding a position far above countless others, how could he not understand that the key to uniting people was through profit?

Just like the Uchiha clan. Why had they been causing trouble since the Second Hokage's era? Wasn't it all due to unequal distribution of benefits?

Based on Asuma's current performance, if one person were to be chosen as Hokage from their ranks, Kazashiro would definitely utter that famous line: "I choose Asuma, because he treated us to meals!"

They were all members of the Second Hokage's guard unit. The Sarutobi clan produced a Hokage, the Shimura clan produced a second-in-command, Utatane and Mitokado each had an advisor, and only their Uchiha clan had Kagami Uchiha, who died young. No one could accept this, right?

Never mind. The old man always favored a reign of terror. If he spoke up now, it would likely be seen as weakness. It was better to focus on solving the allowance problem first.

Danzo, sitting opposite him, was unaware that his son had already deemed him worthless in his heart. Instead, he was seriously contemplating the resources in Asuma's hands.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, though he never said it aloud, must have intended for one of his three disciples to inherit the position of Hokage.

Orochimaru, for some reason, was disfavored by Hiruzen.

Jiraiya claimed he wanted to tour the ninja world and was never around.

Tsunade...

No matter which of the Sannin became Hokage, they would surely give special consideration to their teacher's son. Perhaps one day, another so-called "rearguard action" test would be staged.

Asuma could not be allowed to continue his glory any longer.

Danzo closed his single eye. There would definitely be a transitional Hokage between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kazashiro. This person had to be close to him, so that Kazashiro could overshadow Asuma.

His own subordinates were all figures who operated in the shadows. Even he himself might not pass the Jonin vote.

Someone with more fame than the Sannin, and who had a good impression of Kazashiro...

Danzo's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Kazashiro, who was sitting obediently in his seat.

Seeing Danzo look at him, Kazashiro's spirits lifted. He thought his hint had been understood, and he became somewhat excited.

"You need to get along well with Kakashi."

"Huh? Oh." Kazashiro's face fell. Why was this stuffy guy suddenly brought up?

Danzo, meanwhile, was thinking that the only person in Konohagakure who could overshadow the Sannin, had a good impression of Kazashiro, and was relatively easy to win over, was none other than Konoha's White Fang.

Compared to Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo had greater prestige in the village and was extremely popular.

If he just had Kazashiro become his disciple and then recommend him as the next Hokage, Kazashiro, as the Hokage's disciple, would naturally be qualified to contend for that position.

Furthermore, Hatake Sakumo was a candidate Hiruzen Sarutobi could not refuse.

Compared to the three disciples who were constantly involved in gambling, drinking, and drugs, Hatake Sakumo was clearly the one who truly embodied the so-called "Will of Fire."

However, it was too early to approach Hatake Sakumo now. He would wait for the right time...

Kazashiro's face went from full of expectation to utterly bored. Unable to get Danzo to make a decision, he was about to leave his seat when he heard Danzo, who had been lost in thought for a long time, finally speak:

"You are my son, Danzo's son. It's not proper for you to be treated to meals by the Sarutobi family every day. Starting tomorrow, you are forbidden from accepting their invitations!"

Fine, fine, old man. Not only won't you give me money, but you won't even let me eat their food? You truly live up to your reputation!

Kazashiro's expression was one of utter defeat, but he forced himself to agree, "I understand, Father."

"Good. Go study," Danzo nodded expressionlessly upon receiving his reply.

Several months passed.

During these months, Kazashiro gradually progressed from being kicked against the wall by Ryoma while standing still, to being able to make Ryoma move a few steps.

And his old injuries healed, he also learned Medical Ninjutsu from Yakushi Nonō in his spare time, with some success.

But none of that was important. What was important was that after Kazashiro's repeated hints, Danzo finally remembered that he should give his son "a little" allowance to live on.

"Here's ten thousand ryo. Ask Ryoma for more when you've spent it." Danzo's imposing demeanor as he handed over the money made Kazashiro genuinely exclaim "Thank you, Father!" for the first time.

Ten thousand ryo! That was enough not only for dango, but even for a top-tier Ichiraku Ramen for everyone!

Clutching his stomach and limping to the meeting point, Asuma and the others were already accustomed to Kazashiro's unique entrance.

"Yo, got beaten up again, Kazashiro?" Anko slung an arm around Kazashiro as soon as he stood steady, saying with a grin.

"How can you slander me like that out of thin air..." Kazashiro protested vehemently, "Training isn't getting beaten up. Training, a ninja's business, can that be called getting beaten up?"

The group playfully chatted as they headed to the streets of Konoha, where they happened to see Hiruzen Sarutobi talking with a beautiful shop owner.

"Oh my, isn't this the young master? Hokage-sama, your son is here to see you." The shop owner, who was laughing at something Hiruzen Sarutobi had said, quickly alerted him.

"Hmm, oh, it's Asuma." Upon hearing this, Hiruzen turned around. His expression didn't show much emotion, just a calm nod.

Asuma also nodded in response.

But when Hiruzen looked at Kazashiro, his face instantly broke into a kind smile: "Kazashiro, how are you? How is life in the village?"

Seeing Hiruzen strike up a conversation with Kazashiro, Anko, who had been holding Kazashiro, quickly released her arm and moved to stand beside Kurenai, observing.

"It's good, Third Hokage-sama, uh, Lord Third." Looking at the wrinkles formed by his smile, Kazashiro almost slipped up and lowered his own father's generation.

However, it wasn't entirely Kazashiro's fault. Hiruzen Sarutobi himself looked quite old. Compared to Danzo, whose hair was still dark, silver strands were already visible at the temples of Hiruzen's hair.

"Hahaha, is that so? That's good. Where the leaves dance, a fire will also burn. You are all the leaves, beings that we, the older generation, must protect. Only when you grow strong will this village have a future." Looking at the children before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi took this opportunity to preach the Will of Fire.

"Lord Third, I will definitely uphold the Will of Fire and strive towards the goal of becoming Hokage!" A childish voice responded to Hiruzen's speech.

Surprised that this generation of children was so receptive, Hiruzen looked with a gratified gaze for the child who spoke, and then saw Obito, wearing goggles and a shirt with a ping-pong paddle emblem.

"Hmm, you are, uh..." Hiruzen, who was about to ask for the boy's name, then realized that this seemingly excited boy appeared to be from the Uchiha clan