"I was only educating him on behalf of his elders. That Uchiha brat is talented and shrewd, and if he isn't put in his place—"
Shimura Danzō's face was dark with malice, his tone laced with hostility.
"He'll become a menace in the future! You know what that clan is like, Hiruzen..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned at that.
"Do you know what you're saying, Danzō..."
"As one of the village's leaders, how can you say something like that!" Hiruzen shouted angrily, the flames in his eyes no longer held back.
"Have you forgotten what Teacher Tobirama entrusted to us!"
"That clan you speak of is an indispensable part of our village, too. How many times did Kagami help us back then! How dare you say that!!"
He slammed his hand on the desk. It groaned under the strain, and the gust of wind sent the papers scattered across it flying everywhere.
"Don't bring this up again. This is my final warning..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened, and his voice grew more threatening.
"Hiruzen! I'm doing this for the village!"
"You're too indecisive. How can you govern the village without an iron fist!" Danzō stood his ground, thrusting his chin out as he shot back.
"Besides, that Uchiha brat conspired with his clan to frame my subordinate! That shows just how vicious he is!"
As if remembering something, Danzō's face twisted as though he'd eaten shit.
"A wolf cub like that has to be brought under control!" Shimura Danzō declared, slamming his hand on the desk.
"Enough, Danzō! You've let power corrupt you! Those things have blinded you and made you incapable of telling right from wrong!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose furiously from the Hokage Position. The Chakra sweeping around him sent his red-and-white ceremonial robe fluttering.
"Do you think I'm too old to walk? Do you think I'm blind to the truth? What did your subordinate do back then?" The old man's tone turned faintly mocking.
"You really think I don't know?!"
"I've watched that boy Kai grow up! He would never let his clan control him, and he's nothing like you claim!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with conviction, his words brimming with trust in Uchiha Kai.
"You've been fooled by appearances! That's what makes him so terrifying!" Danzō shot back.
"Enough! Put aside that narrow-minded view of yours!"
His anger boiled over, taking hold of Hiruzen Sarutobi completely. He couldn't stop himself from cursing.
Shimura Danzō froze, apparently unable to believe his old friend had said such a thing.
He paused, then rubbed the half of his face tightly wrapped in bandages and spoke in a low voice.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned away, no longer looking at his old friend, and casually straightened the papers.
"Danzō, I'm the Hokage!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi roared without turning around. A muffled thud sounded behind him.
"Bang!"
The Hokage office door slammed shut. Shimura Danzō had already left.
"..." Gazing out the window at the yellowing branches, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
Outside the Hokage office, a man in a high-collared robe leaned against the dim hallway wall.
"Well, well, Mr. Danzō... You don't look too happy." Aburame Keiichi spoke mockingly.
Shimura Danzō had just stormed out, his face dark. He turned to look at the arrogant man before him.
"Aburame Keiichi... Were you waiting for me?" Danzō asked, puzzled.
At that, Aburame Keiichi shook his head, then burst out laughing.
"Heh... Hahahahaha..."
"What's so funny?!" Danzō's eyes turned menacing as he watched the man laugh for no reason.
"Not at all, not at all. How would I dare laugh at Lord Danzō, the Hokage's—deputy?" Aburame Keiichi drawled, his words pointed.
"Hmph. You're nothing but a short-sighted little clan ninja. If that's all you came to say, get lost."
Danzō snorted and started walking.
Just 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 swirled around the man, coiling like a beast about to break free from its restraints.
"Then I'll kill you..." The man's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried through the entire hallway.
His eyes, usually narrowed, were wide open now, and the murderous intent in them was undisguised.
"You! Are you plotting a rebellion?!" Shimura Danzō demanded, his expression shocked.
"Rebellion? You're not worth it! I'm loyal only to Lord Hokage!" Aburame Keiichi sneered coldly.
"You!"
"Outrageous! Someone, seize this madman!" Danzō's chest tightened. He patted it, nearly choking on his breath and dying on the spot.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
A rush of wind swept through the hallway, and several figures appeared at once, clad in dark combat uniforms and wearing animal masks of various designs.
"What happened? Why are you making a disturbance inside the Hokage Building?"
The Anbu member at the front stepped forward and demanded an explanation.
"You all heard him just now, didn't you?! This madman openly threatened a village leader and said something so treasonous! Hurry up and seize him!"
Danzō spoke viciously, pointing at Aburame Keiichi.
The lead Anbu member glanced at Danzō, then looked over at Aburame Keiichi, who stood leaning against the wall. The moment he recognized him, the Anbu member stiffened.
Then he spoke coldly.
"My apologies, Lord Danzō. We're only responsible for guarding the Hokage Building and protecting the Third Generation's safety. We didn't hear what you said." The man adopted an official tone and played dumb.
"You! You people!" Shimura Danzō froze for a moment, clearly not expecting the Anbu before him to answer that way.
His sharp eyes, clouded with age, shifted between the Anbu and Aburame Keiichi. After a brief pause, he let out a cold laugh.
"Heh heh heh... Good. Very good. Excellent."
Then he whipped his wide sleeves around and walked out of the Hokage Building without looking back.
After Danzō left, the Anbu present breathed a sigh of relief. The one at the front took a couple of steps toward Aburame Keiichi.
"Thanks for that..." The stern man spoke softly in gratitude.
"It's nothing, sir... We really didn't hear a thing." The Anbu member waved a hand.
"I understand how you feel, but please watch what you say. That old man is still one of the village's decision-makers..."
The Anbu member disparaged Danzō, but also gave Aburame Keiichi a serious warning.
"I understand. Sorry to bother you. I won't keep you from your work." Aburame Keiichi turned to leave, leaving the Anbu standing there, wanting to say more.
Inside a secret Root base.
"Damn it! Damn it, damn it!!"
A sharp string of curses rang through the dark room, interspersed with the sounds of things smashing.
"Those bastards! Every last one of them dares to treat me this way!" Shimura Danzō slammed a fist onto the desk, his face twisted with rage.
"That old Hiruzen is one thing, but that little brat Aburame Keiichi dares to threaten me too!"
"There's no respect for the rules anymore. Konoha will be ruined by these people sooner or later!"
"Lord Danzō, please calm down." A Root member in a robe and mask spoke up beside him.
"Investigate! I want you to investigate! These people like to go against me, do they? Then investigate them!" Danzō's expression shifted.
"Start with that Uchiha Kai! Find out all his connections and records, and bring them to me as fast as you can!"
As he spoke, Danzō clenched both fists, his nails almost digging into his flesh.
"I refuse to believe I can't deal with them!"
Before you continue