Good Evening, Hokage-sama

"So you're planning to send Konoha money?"

Mitakado Homura mocked him without hesitation.

As a shinobi who had lived through Hashirama Senju's era, he was like an old Englishman after the Second World War: he had basked in the glory of the empire on which the sun never set, only to watch helplessly as a new empire rose over his corpse.

Konoha wasn't in quite such a dire state. It was still unquestionably the strongest shinobi village in the Shinobi World, but it was no longer the undisputed leader it had been when Hashirama was alive. The other villages no longer feared Konoha as they had back then, either.

The enormous decline was too much for old-timers like Homura and Koharu to accept. Their relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi, once so close, grew increasingly distant, while they drew closer to the Hawk Faction's Danzo.

Seeing a Sunagakure spy sitting brazenly in the Hokage's Office, drinking tea, was hardly going to improve their mood.

Only they knew whether their hostility was directed solely at Hoshino Maki.

"Of course!"

Hoshino Maki looked as if that was exactly what he meant, leaving Homura momentarily at a loss for words.

"If the cake isn't big enough, we'll make it bigger. After the Land of Fire, the richest country is the Land of Lightning. As long as we—"

"Enough!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silent until now, abruptly cut Hoshino Maki off. His gaze was like a blade as he stared at Maki, as if he could see right through him. In a somewhat hoarse, smoky voice, he said, "I know what you're up to. Konoha will never deliberately do anything that might damage relations between our two countries. Boy, I know you're clever, but don't mistake everyone else for fools—especially Konoha's shinobi."

Hoshino Maki lowered his gaze and spoke as if to himself. "I've always wondered: Kumogakure has spent years expanding its military strength, constantly plundering ninja tools and secret techniques from other villages. Who do they consider their enemy? Is it Kirigakure, trapped in the Blood Mist, or Sunagakure, out in the desert? Or perhaps Iwagakure, separated from them by a vast ocean?"

"If the Cloud Ninja invade the Land of Rice or the Land of Hot Springs, what will Konoha do? Help or not? If you don't, is Konoha ready to become neighbors with the Land of Lightning?"

"Honestly, I don't have much confidence in Konoha, especially after seeing its current state. Shinobi outside are fighting tooth and nail, while Konoha is like a paradise, without the slightest sense of danger. I'm genuinely afraid that after the Cloud Ninja destroy Konoha, they'll turn around and attack Sunagakure."

Whoosh!

A Kunai plunged into the tea table in front of Hoshino Maki, cutting him off.

The handle was still quivering slightly, but Maki could clearly make out the four characters carved into it: Sword of Ninja Love.

"Konoha will not fall."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was firm.

Hoshino Maki's pupils contracted. Just now, he hadn't seen the other man move. By the time he noticed, the man was standing with his arms folded across his chest, as if he hadn't done a thing.

So this was the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash?

Hoshino Maki lowered his eyes, a trace of coldness flashing in his gaze.

Minato's display had given Hiruzen a great deal of satisfaction. He laughed twice, then said, "This village has many outstanding shinobi willing to give everything for it. Bathed in the light of the Will of Fire, they can defeat any enemy who dares challenge Konoha. Konoha's history will endure. Do you understand, Hoshino Maki? That is Konoha's foundation."

Hoshino Maki didn't answer at once. Instead, he quietly pulled the Sword of Ninja Love from the table and examined it closely. After a long while, he said softly, "I don't deny that Konoha's shinobi are exceptional. But exceptional people usually need more room and resources. Tell me, Hokage-sama, how do you intend to distribute them so everyone is satisfied?"

"After all...the Hokage Position only has room for one person~"

At Hoshino Maki's words, the air seemed to freeze.

The Third Hokage was already advanced in years, and everyone in Konoha knew the Fourth would be chosen within the next few years.

But Jiraiya and Tsunade wanted nothing to do with the Hokage Position. Orochimaru was interested, but Hiruzen Sarutobi preferred his own student, Minato Namikaze.

Still, Hiruzen's preference alone couldn't guarantee Minato the succession. If they had the chance, who wouldn't want to compete for the Hokage's seat?

Apart from the Ino-Shika-Cho, who were closely tied to the Sarutobi Clan, the heads of the other clans and the powerful Elite Jonin all wanted to give it a try. If they succeeded, they'd rise to the top in a single bound!

Sarutobi's gaze passed over the silent Utatane Koharu and Mitakado Homura, then Danzo, whose expression remained impassive. He sighed to himself.

Even someone from Sunagakure knew?

Sarutobi composed himself. The village's internal affairs could be discussed later. First, he had to eliminate outside interference.

"Hoshino Maki, you've been in Konoha for a long time. Go back tomorrow."

"Of course, Hokage-sama. Thank you for your hospitality."

Hoshino Maki said no more. He rose unhurriedly, bowed to the Third Hokage, then opened the door. A shinobi from the Inuzuka Family was already waiting outside.

Once only the others remained in the room, Koharu suddenly spoke. "Sarutobi, I think we should hear him out."

"Koharu, I know what you want to say. But the land beneath our feet is the best of any shinobi village. Our shinobi produce one genius after another. The Great Clans may have their disagreements, but they know how to restrain themselves. Everything is moving in the right direction. We don't need to risk our lives like they do. As long as we hold on to this land, the children in the village can have a peaceful, bright future."

"Let those who think life isn't good enough travel around the neighboring villages and see for themselves. Then they'll understand what happiness is."

"Koharu, Homura, Danzo—we've all lived through two Ninja World Wars. Once war begins, anything can happen. We absolutely cannot let the village Lord Tobirama entrusted to us perish in our hands."

"Do you understand?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words came like a machine gun, leaving Koharu no room to respond. Her expression darkened, but she didn't say anything more. She simply rose and took her leave.

Watching the backs of the three companions who had once been inseparable, but now seemed like strangers—his trusted aides and pillars—Sarutobi sighed softly.

"Minato, why do you think they can't understand my good intentions?"

"I heard..." Minato Namikaze hesitated, then continued, "I heard Elder Koharu's grandson lost a lot of money gambling. And a shipment of important goods belonging to Elder Homura's family is being held in the Land of Lightning."

Sarutobi fell silent for a moment, but said nothing.

The moon was merciful. It didn't skimp on its light just because Sunagakure was poor, nor did it shine like daylight just because Konoha was rich.

Tonight, the sky was thick with clouds.

The Root base was lost in darkness, just as it was meant to be. As Konoha's shadow, it sank deep into the darkness.

Only one small room glowed with the faint light of a candle. There were no lavish decorations inside; it looked no different from an ordinary shinobi's home. Who would have guessed this was where Danzo, the leader of Root, worked?

Danzo was alone in the room, quietly watching the candle flame. He didn't move, like a stone Buddha.

"My lord, I've brought the man."

The door opened, and Hoshino Maki smiled as he bowed to Danzo.

"Good evening, Hokage-sama."