Argument

"Understood. I will be on standby at all times."

Looking at the tired old man before him, Aburame Keiichi replied solemnly.

"Although I am no longer serving in the Anbu, whenever you call, I am still your subordinate, your junior."

"Good... good child, Keiichi. You are so much stronger than my two unreliable disciples."

The old man's eyes twitched, and his tone was grave.

"You flatter me. How can I be compared to the Konoha Sannin?" Aburame Keiichi quickly waved his hands.

"Alright, alright, I was just saying. Look how scared you are." The old man chuckled helplessly.

"There's nothing else. Go back and rest. Raising children is no easy task~"

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became a little strange, as if recalling some past event.

"Then I will take my leave, Lord Hiruzen."

With that, Aburame Keiichi bowed slightly, then turned and walked out.

"Creeeak—" The office door was suddenly pushed open, emitting a creaking sound.

Aburame Keiichi frowned and looked over, wanting to see who was so rude as to push open the Hokage's office door without even announcing themselves.

The door opened, revealing the figure of the person.

Half his face wrapped in bandages, messy short black hair, and a face full of sharp arrogance. The person was unmistakable.

The leader of Root, the Pot Kage, the most suspicious person in the Ninja World—Shimura Danzō.

Upon seeing the newcomer clearly, Aburame Keiichi's already displeased expression turned completely grim.

Then, in the next second, the man walked straight out of the Hokage's office as if passing through air, without even glancing at Shimura Danzō.

"..."

Facing Aburame Keiichi's undisguised malice, Shimura Danzō remained silent, his pupils merely contracting, his gaze chilling as he watched him leave.

The door was gently closed, obscuring Danzō's displeased expression.

"Hmph! This is getting more and more unruly..."

Shimura Danzō said sinisterly.

"Hiruzen, is this how you teach your subordinates?"

"If my subordinates dared to be so disrespectful, I would definitely give them an unforgettable experience for life..."

Shimura Danzō said with a dark face, his tone full of dissatisfaction with Aburame Keiichi.

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze instantly sharpened as he looked at his former close friend.

"Danzō, mind your words." Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly.

"Keiichi is an elite of the village, a member who silently protects Konoha, and a Jonin!"

"He is not a vassal or servant of some person or department! Don't make me say anything too harsh." He paused.

"Do you understand?"

"Tch..." Shimura Danzō's face turned ashen, but he dared not retort.

"Besides, why does Keiichi treat you like this?"

"You know very well yourself." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a warning.

"Going behind my back to demand children from the Aburame Clan, you are becoming more and more presumptuous... If it weren't for the fact that 'Root' has achieved quite a bit over the years." Hiruzen Sarutobi crossed his arms over his chest.

"Those dissatisfied voices would have torn you to shreds long ago!"

Hiruzen tapped the table, the warning evident in his words.

"Hmph! Everything I do is for the village. How can those short-sighted clan supremacists understand?"

Shimura Danzō retorted nonchalantly, showing no sign of admitting fault.

"I hope so..." Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Shimura Danzō and said softly.

"Alright, let's hear it. What kind of trouble are you going to stir up this time?"

Before he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his office chair, rubbing his temples.

"My affairs always concern the development of the village. How can there be any trouble?" Shimura Danzō retorted with a cold snort.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored him, remaining silent.

"Tch... It's nothing else, just—" Danzō's tone shifted, and he leaned his hands on the desk, staring intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Kakashi Hatake, why was he nominated for Jonin so quickly? This doesn't follow the rules!"

Danzō asked sternly, clearly very displeased.

"Rules? What rules? Konoha has always rewarded merit based on achievements. Kakashi has outstanding war merits and has perfectly executed many missions. He deserves the rank of Jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and glanced at Danzō.

"Or do you want to play the game of seniority?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became subtle.

Danzō's face darkened, and he quickly retorted.

"Hiruzen! You know what I mean."

"An Upper Ninja this young, it's too soon for him to be exposed to Konoha's core!"

Listening to Danzō's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi replied expressionlessly.

"Too soon? I don't think so. The position of Upper Ninja is for the capable, the strong rise and the weak fall. Succession is natural..."

The old man drew out his words, speaking each syllable distinctly.

"You!" Danzō was speechless for a moment.

"Are you trying to create another White Fang!" Danzō shouted urgently.

"Watch your words! Shimura Danzō!" Hiruzen Sarutobi glared, his tone unfriendly.

"Sakumo was a hero of the village, think before you speak!"

"What happened back then is in the past. My not pursuing the truth of the matter was the greatest tolerance I could offer you!"

As he spoke, the old man's aura surged. The man sitting before the Hokage desk was no longer a man growing old.

But the one who had suppressed the Ninja World for years, who had carried Konoha for an era—

The "Ninja Hero."

"Don't force me..."

A terrifying wave of Chakra swept out. Danzō's eyes twitched wildly. Feeling his old friend's still formidable aura, even he, known as the "Darkness of the Ninja World," felt a pang of fear.

"Monkey... you're still the same, not admitting your age..." Danzō's tone softened.

"Hmph! It's all because you lot don't let me rest." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, saying with a hint of annoyance.

"Every single one of you, you, Homura, and Koharu..."

"In any case, I've made my decision on this matter. If you came here for this, you can go back. The outcome will not change."

The old man's words sealed the matter, his tone revealing an undeniable dominance.

"Heh heh... If that's the case, I have nothing more to say." Danzō shook his head.

"I have one more thing, and you can't obstruct it this time."

The next second, Danzō said with a relaxed tone.

"Oh? Speak."

"I want a person."

"Want a person? Who? You just took a promising talent from the Aburame Clan, and now you want someone else?" Hiruzen said gravely.

"You know, it's wartime now, and manpower is tight. Losses are inevitable in skirmishes. Recently, my 'Root' has lost many good operatives, so..."

Danzō was interrupted mid-sentence by Hiruzen tapping the desk.

"Watch your wording... What do you mean 'my' Root? Don't forget its purpose. Root is merely a training department of the Anbu!"

"Yes... yes, Lord Hokage." Danzō turned his head and replied through gritted teeth.

"The person I want isn't anyone important, just a freshly graduated Genin." Danzō's tone was casual.

"Uchiha Kai, that's his name, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head and stared intently at Danzō.

"Are you joking, Danzō?"

"Of course not. That brat just colluded with members of the Guard Unit to falsely accuse my subordinates and tortured them severely out of personal vendetta!" Danzō's tone was sinister.

"I merely want him to accept my command and change his ways. What's wrong with that?"

The ugly man in the shadows said.