The Deal

The Hokage Office was now empty save for Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi. At Danzo's request, the two advisors had temporarily left.

With no outsiders present, their conversation grew more direct and heated.

Hiruzen stood before Danzo, looking at that familiar face and the body that should have been his. Emotions churned within him.

At last, for the sake of the village and the greater good, Hiruzen seemed to reach a decision. He spoke up.

"Danzo, we absolutely cannot end the peace talks with Iwagakure. If you dare sabotage them, I'll make what happened between us public."

At that, a mocking smile appeared on Danzo's face. He knew the truth of their situation: Hiruzen was now wearing his identity. Who would believe such an absurd story if Hiruzen told it?

Hiruzen fixed Danzo with an intense stare. The air around them seemed to freeze as he continued, "I know the village's shinobi, as well as Koharu and Homura, might find this hard to believe.

"But if this matter gets out of hand, it'll cause chaos within our ranks.

"When that happens, how many people will still agree to keep fighting Iwagakure? And how much strength will you be able to muster to defeat them?"

Danzo stared hard at Hiruzen. The smile gradually vanished from his face, and his expression darkened. Then he threatened, "Hiruzen, think of your clan. Think of Asuma. Think of Biwako."

Those two names made rage flare up in Hiruzen's heart. He reached out and grabbed Danzo by the front of his shirt. "Danzo, I'm holding back for the sake of the village. Don't push me!"

Everyone had a line they wouldn't let others cross. By threatening Hiruzen with his son and wife, Danzo had crossed his.

Danzo laughed, madness gleaming in his eyes. He placed a hand on Hiruzen's outstretched right wrist and began to press down.

"Are you trying to rebel and attack the Hokage, Hiruzen?"

"You..."

Danzo's words had their effect. Hiruzen's outstretched hand slowly relaxed, and Danzo pushed it down.

"I told you, everything I do is for Konoha. I've contributed just as much to Konoha as you have," Danzo said slowly, a hint of sincerity entering his eyes.

That was what Danzo thought, and what he believed.

Things had reached this point, and Hiruzen couldn't trust Danzo. But with their positions now reversed, he had no choice but to stall for time.

"Danzo, let's make a deal."

"What deal?"

Hiruzen stared at Danzo. After a few seconds, he spoke with resolve. "Promise not to sabotage these peace talks, and to hand the Hokage Position over to Minato Namikaze within three years. In return, I'll help you gain access to all the intelligence and records that only the Hokage can access."

At Hiruzen's offer, Danzo laughed. It wasn't a triumphant laugh, but a mocking one.

"Hiruzen, still haven't you figured it out? I—" Danzo pointed at himself, stressing his words. "—am the Hokage now!"

"Is that so? Then how much of the intelligence and records that only the Hokage can access do you actually have? How much do you know about the Anbu?" Hiruzen countered.

"I'll figure it out. Without your help, it'll just take longer." Danzo knew he couldn't afford to back down now.

Hiruzen asked calmly, "If you sabotage the peace talks, we'll immediately be forced into a difficult multi-front war. How much time will you have then to figure all this out? Will Root, the group you rely on, still follow your orders?"

Danzo's expression shifted. Hiruzen's words had struck a nerve. He had gone to great lengths to become Hokage, even partnering with an unknown entity and giving up his own body.

Hadn't he done all that so that, as Hokage, he could lead Konoha to become the strongest power in the Shinobi World and prove that he was a better Hokage than Hiruzen Sarutobi?

"If I agree to your demands, the war will end all the same. What would that achieve for me?" Danzo countered.

Hiruzen had already thought of an answer. "Once we make peace with Iwagakure, we can concentrate our forces and defeat Hidden Cloud. We can find a way to recoup all our losses from them."

That answer genuinely surprised Danzo. He weighed the information he had on Hidden Cloud, considering whether the plan was feasible.

Seeing Danzo lost in thought, Hiruzen pressed his advantage. "Compared to Iwagakure, Hidden Cloud has suffered the least in this war. The Third Raikage may have died, but his sacrifice preserved most of Hidden Cloud's fighting strength.

"Compared to Iwagakure and the other shinobi villages, Hidden Cloud has retained the most strength. They're the greatest threat we'll face in the future."

At the mention of practical matters, Danzo temporarily set aside his personal grudge. He nodded slowly, showing that he agreed with Hiruzen's analysis.

Hiruzen continued, "So if we must keep fighting this war, Hidden Cloud is the opponent we should be most wary of. If we can deal them a heavy blow this time, Konoha will have at least ten years to recover."

"Besides, the Land of Lightning has the strongest economy among the great nations. Its only weakness is its small population. If we fight them, we can weaken them, then claim the spoils we're owed when we win."

After laying out his case, Hiruzen looked at Danzo calmly, with a hint of hope. This was the best course of action he could think of for Konoha.

Danzo replied, "You make a fair point. Hidden Cloud poses a greater threat to us than Iwagakure."

At that, hope rose in Hiruzen's heart. He saw a chance to persuade Danzo.

Danzo continued, "However, one part of our deal has to be removed. Minato Namikaze is too young to bear the burden of the Hokage Position. Handing it over to him in three years is out of the question."

"If three years won't work, then make it five." Hiruzen hadn't expected Danzo to agree to three years anyway. He had only proposed it to keep Danzo in check for the time being.

"No. I alone will decide who takes the Hokage Position and when," Danzo said firmly.

Hiruzen deliberately furrowed his brow and tried to persuade him. "Danzo, we're both getting old. The future belongs to the young."

"Hmph! I'm the Hokage. Only I can decide when to step down and who will take my place." Danzo's tone brooked no argument.

Hiruzen opened his mouth to continue, but Danzo cut him off. "Enough. This isn't up for discussion. Agreeing to peace talks with Iwagakure is already the biggest concession I'll make."

Seeing this, Hiruzen sighed and gave his final answer. "Fine, then. Promise not to sabotage the peace talks with Iwagakure and to keep Asuma and the others safe, and I'll help you secure your position as Hokage."

Danzo nodded, walked back to his place, and sat down in the chair.

"I agree."

"Danzo, the Hokage Position won't be as easy to hold as you think. If you dare do anything that harms the village, I'll kill you, even if it costs me my life!"

Hiruzen's words were both persuasion and warning. After leaving him with that final threat, he turned and walked out of the office.