You Regret, I Am Hokage!

"I was merely educating him as an elder would. A Uchiha boy with considerable talent and deep cunning… if he isn't disciplined—"

Shimura Danzo's face was sinister, his tone filled with animosity.

"He will surely become a menace in the future! You know the temperament of that clan, Hiruzen…"

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

"Do you know what you're saying, Danzo…?"

"As one of the village leaders, can such words come from your mouth!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted angrily, the flames in his eyes no longer containable.

"Have you forgotten! Teacher Tobirama's instructions to us!"

"The clan you speak of so dismissively is also an indispensable part of our village. How many times did Kagami help us back then! How dare you speak like that!!"

The desk was slammed forcefully, emitting a creaking sound of being overloaded. The gust of wind stirred up by the impact sent papers flying everywhere on the surface.

"This matter is not to be mentioned again. This is my final warning…"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim, his tone growing increasingly dangerous.

"Hiruzen! I'm doing all this for the village!"

"You are too indecisive. How can you govern the village without an iron fist!" Danzo retorted, not showing any fear, his neck stiff.

"Moreover, that Uchiha brat colluded with his clansmen to frame my subordinate! His malicious intent is evident!"

As if recalling something, Danzo's expression turned as ugly as if he had eaten shit.

"Such a wolf cub must be controlled!" Shimura Danzo declared, slamming the table again.

"Enough, Danzo! You've been corrupted by power too deeply! Those things have blinded your eyes, making you unable to distinguish right from wrong like you are now!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, standing up from his Hokage seat. His white and red ceremonial robe trembled from the chakra stirred up by his movement.

"Do you think I'm too old to walk! Do you think I'm blind and foolish! What did your subordinate do back then?" The old man's tone shifted, carrying a hint of mockery.

"Do you really think I don't know!!"

"Kai… I watched that child grow up! He is by no means someone who would be swayed by his clan! Nor is he as you say!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was firm, filled with trust in Uchiha Kai.

"You've been deceived by his facade! That is his true terror!" Danzo retorted.

"Enough! Put away your narrow-mindedness!"

His anger broke through its confines, completely seizing Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. He couldn't help but curse out loud.

Shimura Danzo was stunned, seemingly completely taken aback that his old friend would say such a thing.

He paused, then stroked the half of his face tightly bound by bandages with his rough palm, and spoke in a low voice.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned away, no longer looking at his old friend, and casually tidied his papers.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared without looking back. Only a dull thud came from behind him.

"Bang!"

The Hokage's office door was slammed shut violently, and Shimura Danzo had already left the spot.

"..." Looking at the wilting, yellowing leaves outside the window, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into silence.

Outside the Hokage's office, a man in a high-collared robe leaned against the dim corridor.

"Yo~ Mr. Danzo… you don't seem to be in a good mood." Aburame Keiichi said mockingly.

Shimura Danzo, who had just slammed the door shut, lowered his head and looked at the arrogant man before him with a dark expression.

"Aburame Keiichi… you were waiting for me?" Danzo asked, confused.

Hearing this, Aburame Keiichi shook his head and actually started to laugh.

"Hahahaha…"

"What do you mean?!" Seeing the man laughing for no reason, Danzo's eyes turned sinister.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. How could I dare laugh at Lord Danzo, the Assistant-Hokage?" Aburame Keiichi drawled meaningfully.

"Hmph~ You're just a short-sighted, petty ninja. If that's all you have to say, you can get lost."

Danzo snorted coldly and strode away.

As he passed Aburame Keiichi, he suddenly heard a voice as cold as ice.

"If you dare lay a hand on my student again—" A black tide of insects surged and coiled around the man, as if a beast about to break free from its restraints.

"I will kill you…" The man's voice was not loud, but it echoed throughout the corridor.

His eyes, usually narrowed, were now fully open, revealing undisguised killing intent beneath them.

"You! Are you trying to rebel!?" Shimura Danzo questioned loudly, his expression one of shock.

"Rebel? You think you're worthy! I am loyal only to Lord Hokage!" Aburame Keiichi said with a cold sneer.

"You!"

"This is outrageous! Someone! Seize this madman!" Shimura Danzo's heart clenched. He patted his chest, nearly gasping for air and dying.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

A sound of rushing wind filled the air, and several figures in dark combat attire, wearing various animal masks, instantly appeared in the corridor.

"What's going on? Why are you making noise inside the Hokage Building?"

The leading Anbu member stepped forward, demanding an explanation.

"You all heard it just now! This madman publicly threatened a high-ranking official and spoke such treasonous words! Hurry and take him down!"

Danzō's tone was sinister as he pointed at Aburame Keiichi and spoke.

Hearing this, the leading Anbu member glanced at Danzō, then shifted his gaze to Aburame Keiichi, who was standing by the wall. Upon clearly seeing his face, the Anbu member's body stiffened.

He then spoke with a cold voice.

"Apologies, Lord Danzō, we are only responsible for guarding the Hokage Building and protecting the Third Hokage's safety. We did not hear anything you said." The man maintained a professional demeanor, brushing off the matter with a laugh.

"You! All of you!" Shimura Danzō was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting the Anbu in front of him to respond this way.

His sharp eyes, mixed with considerable cloudiness, flickered, pausing between the Anbu and Aburame Keiichi for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.

"Heh heh heh... Good, good, very good."

He then flicked his wide sleeves and walked out of the Hokage Building without looking back.

After Danzō left, the Anbu present immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The leading member took two steps forward and approached Aburame Keiichi.

"Thank you for your help this time..." the stern man said softly.

"It's nothing, Senior... We really didn't hear anything," the Anbu member waved his hand.

"I understand your feelings, but please be careful with your words. After all, that old man is still the decision-maker of the village..."

The Anbu member disparaged Danzō in his words but also gave Aburame Keiichi a serious reminder.

"I understand. Sorry to have disturbed you. I won't delay your work any further." With that, Aburame Keiichi turned and left, leaving behind a group of Anbu members who hesitated to speak.

Inside the secret base of the Root organization.

"Damn it! Damn it, damn it all!!"

Sharp curses echoed from the dark room, interspersed with the sounds of objects being smashed.

"These bastards! Every single one of them! They all treat me like this!" Shimura Danzō slammed his fist onto the table, his expression contorted in rage.

"I can understand that Hiruzen, that old guy, but for Aburame Keiichi, that brat, to dare? To dare threaten me!"

"Things are getting more and more out of hand. Konoha will fall into the hands of these people sooner or later!"

"Lord Danzō, please calm your anger," a Root member wearing a long robe and a mask spoke from the side.

"Investigate! Investigate them for me! These guys like to go against me, don't they? Then investigate them for me!" Danzō's eyes changed.

"Start with that Uchiha Kai! Investigate all his connections and information! Get it to me as quickly as possible!"

As he spoke, Danzō clenched his fists, his fingernails digging almost into his flesh.

"I don't believe I can't deal with them!"