"Well, let's discuss how we should repel Sunagakure's attack." Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed twice, then looked toward his old friend Danzo.
After catching his buddy's eye, Shimura Danzo slowly stepped forward. "Hiruzen, I'm willing to lead the troops and strike back at the invading forces from Sunagakure."
Who among those present wouldn't address Sarutobi Hiruzen respectfully as "Lord Hokage"? Only Danzo—Lord Hokage's teammate, his closest and most trusted companion.
Shimura Danzo was in his prime. His looks were at their peak, too: a resolute face, bangs evenly framing either side of his Forehead Protector, and an almost perfect, handsome face. Though he had a scar on his chin, it didn't detract from his looks; if anything, it gave him a colder air.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. Of the Hokage's aides, the one he favored most was his good brother Shimura Danzo: loyal to Konoha and a capable fighter.
The only flaw was that Danzo had inherited his teacher's prejudice against the Uchiha. In private, he had often said things like, "Those naturally evil Uchiha brats."
Now that the Uchiha had chosen a side, they were one of their own. He would have to find a way to change his old friend's mind. But for now, he needed to settle the matter of who would command the troops. Sunagakure had already mobilized, and war was imminent.
He simply couldn't appoint Danzo himself, so Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared to be deep in thought while actually signaling Uchiha Guangzhi and Uchiha Kō.
I just did you a favor. Now you can do one for me, right?
Uchiha Kō smiled faintly. "Lord Hokage, there's no one better suited than Lord Danzo to command this war. You need to remain at the rear and oversee the bigger picture."
"Lord Danzo was your teammate and a direct disciple of the Second Hokage. No one is better suited to command our defense against Sunagakure!" Although Uchiha Kō had some reservations about Danzo, he couldn't pretend not to see Lord Hokage's signal.
Uchiha Guangzhi nodded as well. "That's right. I agree with Kō."
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans followed, then the clans that had been close to the Uchiha and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans since the Warring States Period spoke up.
Among them were the Kurama Clan, the Aburame Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, the Yūhi Clan, the Gekkō Clan...
The Hyūga Clan and the ninja clans close to them saw that more than half of those present agreed, so they naturally decided not to remain silent.
And so, nearly every notable clan present voiced its support for Danzo leading the troops.
Shimura Danzo gave Uchiha Kō a long look, then turned and fixed his gaze on Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused briefly, then smiled. "Danzo, since everyone recommends you as commander, I'll appoint you. But are you confident you can do it?"
This was just a formality. Appointing him outright would make Hiruzen seem too eager, so he needed Danzo to declare his intentions before everyone.
"I'll lead Konoha's forces to crush Sunagakure's arrogance!" Shimura Danzo's lips curled into a smile, his confidence carrying the fervor of a young man in his prime.
Seeing that the moment was right, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. But a moment later, his expression turned stern.
He slapped the table and rose to his feet. "I hereby appoint Danzo as Konoha's supreme commander in the war against Sunagakure. I expect everyone to follow his orders and fight this battle well. Once it's over, I'll celebrate your victory with you all!"
"Anyone who disobeys orders or acts recklessly will be subject to military law. There will be no mercy!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was loud and resolute, making the ninja present shiver.
Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Kō couldn't help reflecting. In the anime, the elderly Hiruzen made one bad decision after another: timid toward outsiders, but heavy-handed with his own people.
But the Sarutobi Hiruzen before him was a true Shinobi Hero. He'd fight when he said he would. If you dared to attack, then Konoha would fight back! Unless they hit you hard enough, you'd never learn to back down.
What had changed Sarutobi Hiruzen so much? Uchiha Kō pondered, then a thought struck him: power and age.
Once a person had tasted the sweetness of power, they didn't want to step down. It rotted them from within. And when they got old, they feared death more and more, losing the drive they'd had when they were young.
How was that any different from Dong Zhuo of Xiliang? In his youth, he'd dominated Xiliang and made friends with heroes and great men. Then he entered the capital to quell a rebellion and tasted the benefits of power. Add old age to the mix, and hadn't he, too, made one bad decision after another and lost his drive?
Uchiha Kō shook his head, putting those thoughts aside. The most important thing now was the battle against Sunagakure.
If he remembered correctly, a lot was about to happen in this war: Nawaki would stumble into an Explosive Tag, Kato would be killed in camp, the White Fang would shine while Chiyo wept, and Chiyo would launch a nighttime raid on the medical camp...
He was still distracted when Sarutobi Hiruzen finished his many formal remarks and announced the meeting's end. Uchiha Kō stood to leave, but Tsunade grabbed his arm.
"Kō, why are you leaving already? The teacher just said that you, me, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Lord Danzo should stay behind to discuss something." Tsunade looked puzzled, but from Uchiha Kō's expression, she realized he'd been lost in thought.
Uchiha Kō came to his senses. "Oh... right." He had indeed been thinking about so many things that he'd been distracted the whole time.
Tsunade sighed at the sight. Uchiha Guangzhi chuckled and walked over, greeting her. "Lady Tsunade, I'll leave Kō in your hands. I'm heading back."
"Of course, Uncle Guangzhi. Don't worry!" Tsunade hadn't cared much for the Uchiha Clan before, but now Uchiha Kō was one of its elders.
And since she liked Kō, she might as well call Uchiha Guangzhi "Uncle." It wouldn't cost her anything.
Uchiha Guangzhi chuckled and gave Uchiha Kō a look that roughly meant, "I'll be waiting for you at the clan compound. Good luck!"
Uchiha Kō could only smile wryly. Orochimaru and Jiraiya were about his age, too, and they walked over to Tsunade and Uchiha Kō. After all, they were in the same year and had plenty to talk about.
Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly, while Orochimaru remained expressionless. By the time most of the people had left the conference room, the Anbu shut the doors again.
Sarutobi Hiruzen put an arm around Danzo's shoulders and smiled at the four of them. "My old friend, these four will be your aides."
Shimura Danzo frowned. "What, Sarutobi? You don't trust me? You're sending these brats to keep an eye on me?"
The three youngsters—Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya—looked displeased. Only Uchiha Kō remained unfazed, smiling faintly.
"Of course I trust you, old friend! You know how I've treated you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Shimura Danzo's shoulder, looking amused.
Shimura Danzo snorted. He was a bit of a tsundere, and he knew perfectly well how Sarutobi Hiruzen had treated him. He was just annoyed that he'd been saddled with a few snot-nosed brats.
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