Ri Zhan, You Are Too Weak

"Besides, shouldn't you be resting in the hospital?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, looking helpless as he held his pipe.

"With something this big happening, how could I possibly rest in the hospital?"

"Hiruzen, take a look at this first," Shimura Danzō said, tossing the intelligence report directly onto the desk.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced silently at the blood-stained bandage on Shimura Danzō's head before reaching out to pick up the report.

Hoo.

A cloud of smoke puffed from his mouth.

The swirling smoke did a fine job of masking Sarutobi Hiruzen's unreadable expression.

"Has Root found out why these ninja clans gathered at the Uchiha compound?"

"Not yet; it will take more time to investigate."

"Hmm." Sarutobi Hiruzen bit down on his pipe and pondered for a moment. "Danzō, tell me your thoughts."

"I suggest that Root and Anbu mobilize in full force to arrest Masaki Uchiha and the heads of the ninja clans who participated in this gathering."

Shimura Danzō gritted his teeth as he spoke a certain name.

"If they resist, execute them on the spot!" The chilling murderous intent in his words was undisguised.

"Danzō, you are being too radical! I do not agree!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's righteous tone caused Shimura Danzō physical discomfort.

Hiruzen, oh Hiruzen.

You are still as hypocritical as ever.

If the teacher knew that the successor he chose would make concessions to the Uchiha.

He would surely regret appointing you as Hokage.

At this thought, a surge of grim satisfaction welled up in Shimura Danzō's heart.

"Hiruzen, leave the rest to me."

"Absolutely not! Do you want to incite infighting within the village?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was nearly overwhelmed by Shimura Danzō's line of reasoning.

Just how much do you think you're worth, Shimura Danzō, that you dare to pull the whiskers of a tiger like Masaki Uchiha?

What is his strength, and what is yours?

Not to mention that so many small and medium-sized ninja clans are involved.

If you arrest them, a civil war will likely break out.

This Danzō, why does he lose all sense of proportion whenever he encounters anything related to the Uchiha?

Sigh, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly.

With a hint of anger on his face, he barked at Shimura Danzō: "Danzō, have you thought this through carefully?"

"What grounds do you have to arrest these clan heads?"

"These clan heads merely attended a gathering; you want to arrest them for that? Does that make any sense?"

"I... I'll use the excuse that the Uchiha are harboring evil intentions and gathering to incite rebellion." Shimura Danzō stammered at first, then hardened his resolve.

Only a dead Uchiha is a good Uchiha, Shimura Danzō thought to himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was almost driven to laughter; he couldn't even come up with a legitimate charge, yet he wanted to make arrests.

You are just terrified that Konoha won't be in chaos!

After calming his mood for a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it over and said to Shimura Danzō: "Danzō, for the current stage, let's prioritize monitoring these clan heads."

"If Root doesn't have enough manpower, Anbu can send reinforcements."

"First, find out the reason why these people gathered."

"But remember! You must not arrest these ninja clan heads openly!"

"Not a single one!"

"Do you understand, Danzō!"

Listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's increasingly heavy tone, the resentment in Shimura Danzō's heart grew even deeper.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzō, I am the one who..."

Bang.

Shimura Danzō slammed the door shut as he left, leaning heavily on his cane.

Taking a deep breath, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly sat down.

After a moment of thought, he reached out and picked up the handbell on his desk.

Ring-a-ling.

Poof.

A cloud of smoke dissipated.

An Anbu operative appeared within the office.

"Third Hokage."

"Regarding the individuals on this intelligence scroll, aside from Masaki Uchiha, have the Anbu monitor the others twenty-four hours a day."

Sarutobi Hiruzen handed the intelligence scroll to the operative as he spoke.

"Additionally, dispatch the 3rd and 4th Squads to jointly monitor Shimura Danzō and his Root."

"During the surveillance, if you encounter Root using improper methods against these clan heads, you are to intervene immediately."

"Report any developments to me at once."

"Understood."

"Go."

Poof.

Now, only Sarutobi Hiruzen remained in the office, exhaling plumes of smoke.

Knock, knock.

A sudden rapping sounded at the office door.

"Come in."

Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and looked toward the entrance.

Creeeak.

The door let out another groan of distress.

This door needs to be replaced, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself.

"Oh, it's you two."

The visitors were Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

"Hiruzen, we ran into Shimura Danzō on the way here. He looked furious and wouldn't even acknowledge us when we called out to him."

"Did you two have another argument?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to explain what had just occurred to his two comrades-in-arms.

"Hiruzen, your approach is correct. Konoha cannot afford chaos right now, and Shimura Danzō is still far too radical."

"Indeed, but we must remain vigilant regarding the Uchiha Clan."

Seeing that Utatane Koharu seemed to have other thoughts regarding the Uchiha Clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, signaling her to continue.

"Hiruzen, regardless of what the Uchiha intend to do, they will certainly need to mobilize their personnel."

"I suggest the Anbu split into two groups to monitor the Uchiha: one to watch outside the Uchiha Clan compound, and the other to monitor the Police Force."

"Even if the Uchiha plan something, we will at least receive word immediately."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement, then addressed the empty corner of the room: "Sea Cow, have your 2nd Squad make the arrangements."

"Understood," a voice replied from the empty corner.

Upon returning to the Root base, Shimura Danzō summoned Aburame Tatsuma and Yamanaka Fu.

"Tatsuma, gather all Root ninja currently without assignments; they will accompany me on a mission shortly."

"Kaede, arrange for people to spread rumors about the Uchiha and those other ninja clans."

"Understood."

The two bowed in acknowledgment.

"You may go."

Shimura Danzō sat in his chair, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his exposed eye.

"Hiruzen, you are too soft. To ignore the actions of the Uchiha—do you even live up to the teachings of our teacher?"

"I have been buried in the dirt for too long; I, too, wish to see the sunlight."

A sinister voice echoed throughout the underground space.

Shimura Danzō led his men, moving rapidly toward the Inuzuka Clan.

Gazing at the plaque engraved with the Inuzuka Clan name, Shimura Danzō sent men inside to announce his arrival.

The Inuzuka Clan Head, who was currently arranging a list of escorts for trade routes with his elders, felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing that Shimura Danzō had arrived. He's likely here because of my attendance at the Uchiha Clan banquet, he thought.

"I fear Shimura Danzō's nose is even sharper than those of my own Inuzuka Clan."

"What do you elders think?"

The Inuzuka Great Elder pondered for a moment before speaking: "I believe we should first send someone to invite the Uchiha Clan to stand with us. I trust Masaki Uchiha will not refuse."

"This will demonstrate the strength of our cooperation to the Uchiha Clan."

"Secondly, it will let Shimura Danzō know that the Inuzuka Clan is not fighting alone."

"After all, Shimura Danzō's reputation among our ninja clans has long since rotted to the core."

"Remember, it takes a villain to deal with a villain."

The Inuzuka Clan Head laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Great Elder, your words suit my intentions perfectly. Let it be done."