Danzo's Calculations

As Yuhi Kurenai's voice trailed off, the previously quiet Hokage office erupted into a buzz of activity as the various team leaders began whispering and debating among themselves.

Only Danzo wore an exceptionally grim expression.

By nature suspicious and jealous of those more talented than himself, a flicker of murderous intent toward Fujiwara Chiya had already ignited in his heart.

Furthermore, he had already found a justification for it.

On one hand, Chiya was involved with a young girl from the Uchiha clan, and Danzo deeply suspected that Chiya might have already secretly defected to the Uchiha or even harbored intentions of marrying into their family.

On the other hand, this could very well be a second Namikaze Minato.

The members of the Konoha F4 were all getting old now; even if Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had reclaimed his position, he would likely step down in ten years, or perhaps even seven or eight.

When that time came, it would be the moment to elect the Fifth Hokage.

Given Chiya's talent, his clean background, and his level of devotion to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was highly probable that when the Third Hokage reached an age where he had to step down, he would cultivate Chiya as a second Namikaze Minato to maintain a firm grip on political power.

He would support Chiya's ascent to the Fifth Hokage.

Once Chiya secured the support of Sarutobi Hiruzen, clans like the Ino-Shika-Cho, who had historically aligned with the Hokage's faction, would surely respond to the call.

As for the Uchiha clan, given Chiya's relationship with their young girl, they would likely step forward to offer their support as well.

He had finally waited for the Third to step down, only for Namikaze Minato to take the stage.

Then, after finally waiting for Namikaze Minato to die in battle, the Third had returned to power.

If a Chiya were to follow.

The cycle would repeat itself.

By then, would his own path to the position of Hokage not remain indefinitely out of reach?

This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not know that Danzo had looked so far ahead in such a short span of time.

He was equally shocked by Chiya's progress, and a trace of wariness couldn't help but rise in his heart.

However, he then recalled that Chiya was not a member of the Uchiha clan, possessed no bloodline limit, and hailed from a pure, civilian background.

With his potential capped, he would be, at best, a second Kakashi or a second Yuhi Shinku.

His heart settled at the thought.

He exchanged glances with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura; the latter two nodded in tacit agreement and were just about to speak.

Seeing this, Danzo grew anxious on the sidelines. He did not want to give Chiya an opportunity to build prestige in Konoha.

He immediately resorted to the same old tactic he had once used against Uchiha Itachi.

The "killing with kindness" strategy.

Since Chiya's worldview had yet to fully form, he would guide him slightly.

It would be best to lead him into the darkness and gradually make him a member of Root.

He preemptively spoke up: "Since Jonin Yuhi Kurenai believes that Fujiwara Chiya already possesses the strength of a Jonin, then I think there is no need for him to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Having said this, Danzo turned his gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Hiruzen, what do you think of this? We, the upper echelons, can specially design an assessment for him. If he passes, he will be promoted directly to Chunin. How does that sound?"

"That is not impossible, but since the inception of the Chunin Exams, there has been no such precedent."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was as indecisive as ever.

Yet, Danzo's idea undoubtedly coincided with his own.

The Uchiha clan was becoming increasingly restless.

The situation was so dire that it even surpassed the state of affairs before Uchiha Shisui's death.

If a civil war were to break out, it would be a catastrophe for Konoha.

Therefore, dispatching another mole into the Uchiha clan had become an urgent necessity.

"Precedents are meant to be created by someone, are they not? Just like Uchiha Itachi—even in times of peace, he graduated from the Ninja Academy in only one year and grew to become a pillar of Konoha."

When old foxes converse, their words are always laden with calculation.

Danzo knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen was tempted. He had deliberately used Uchiha Itachi as an example, implying: I agree to the plan of having Chiya act as a mole within the Uchiha clan; you only need to let him become a Chunin early.

"Koharu, Homura. What do you think?" Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already agreed in his heart, but he still symbolically sought the opinions of his two Hokage advisors.

Naturally, the two fence-sitters, who always hovered between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo, would not object.

The matter was settled.

After exiting the Hokage building, Yuhi Kurenai found the three of them and explained the arrangements for the Chunin Exam.

"That is the specific situation. Chiya, you do not need to participate in the Chunin Exam a month from now; the Hokage will arrange a separate assessment for you in a few days. As for Airi and Pang Ci, the Hokage will pull a team of veteran Genin to form a three-man squad with them."

Killing with kindness, is it? It seems those old geezers are finally unable to restrain themselves. But this suits my intentions perfectly. Next, I shall make all of you prisoners of my Kyōka Suigetsu. Chiya sneered inwardly.

Beside him, Akizuki Airi, upon hearing this, pulled Chiya into her massive, soft embrace and burst into tears, "Wuwu... Chiya-kun, I can't bear to part with you."

After more than half a year of spending time together, the three of them had developed a sense of friendship to varying degrees. Although Chiya was usually cold and rarely spoke to them, he was unexpectedly reliable at critical moments, having saved them from danger several times.

Deep down, Akizuki Airi was very fond of this little brother who was several years younger than her.

Of course, this was only the kind of love between a sister and a brother.

After all, in this dog-eat-dog world of the Hokage, those with "love-struck brains" were in the minority.

People were more concerned with how to survive than with thinking about romance every single day.

Otherwise, they would have died a thousand times over.

Feeling the softness of the young girl and her faint body fragrance, Chiya felt both pained and happy, his face involuntarily flushing red.

Yuhi Kurenai, standing to the side, saw this and felt her teeth itch with irritation.

Recalling their first meeting when he had confessed his feelings to her, as well as the time they had spent together over the past six months, she chanted silently in her mind: Don't be angry, don't be angry.

Suddenly, a scent of vinegar seemed to permeate the air.

As for Akimichi Pangci, he continued to play the role of a bystander, stuffing handfuls of potato chips into his mouth.

Noticing that something was wrong with Yuhi Kurenai, Chiya could no longer enjoy the moment and hurriedly pulled himself away from Airi's embrace. "Airi, there's no need for this; it's not like we won't see each other again in the future."

"Wuu wuu... but I'm still going to miss you."

It wasn't until Yuhi Kurenai spoke up that Airi ended the farce, then suggested, "How about this? Once Chiya-kun is promoted to Chunin, let's all gather at our family's barbecue restaurant to celebrate for him."

"Barbecue." Upon hearing this, Akimichi Pangci, who had been acting as a mere bystander, saw his pupils instantly brighten, his small, round eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Your family runs a barbecue restaurant?" Chiya asked, somewhat surprised.

ps: Second update.