As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's strategic vision was no less impressive than the Third Raikage's.
After hearing his son's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately recognized the enormous strategic value Kizaru could bring to the battlefield.
He could fight and flee, with high damage and high evasion. He was practically a superweapon designed to strike at the enemy's rear.
It was no exaggeration to say that with Kizaru on their side, Konoha would have the upper hand in any war against another faction.
As long as Konoha could keep the enemy occupied on the front lines and let Kizaru use his mobility to wreak havoc on their rear and supply lines,
victory would only be a matter of time!
At the thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kizaru with even greater affection.
What a good boy! No wonder he's my prized pupil!
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't the only one who could think of all this. As a member of the Hawk Faction, Danzo could see it too—and even more besides.
That Hanzo fellow has been secretly plotting something big. Should I go fan the flames and bring the war forward?
With Kizaru's current abilities, the Shinobi World War would be the perfect stage for him to make a grand entrance.
If Kizaru distinguished himself in the war, then with my promotion and support, fame and power would be there for the taking!
The more Danzo thought about it, the more excited he became. His gaze toward Kizaru grew increasingly fervent.
His nephew was a genius among geniuses. If only he talked a little less, he'd be perfect.
"I assigned this mission myself. Kizaru, Sakumo, and the others did an excellent job!" Just as Danzo was lost in thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first, taking responsibility for the mission that might have sparked a war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
Danzo shot Hiruzen Sarutobi an unhappy look. He had also been about to take responsibility for his nephew, but he'd been too slow. He could only close his half-open mouth again.
Damn it! I was too late again!
"Still, we can't let our guard down against Kumogakure's reaction. I'll arrange for people to head to the border and prepare for retaliation from Kumogakure." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then turned to his son. "Shinnosuke, increase Anbu surveillance of Kumogakure. Keep a close eye on anything they do from now on."
"Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke replied seriously.
"Hiruzen, let me lead a team to the border and guard against retaliation from Kumogakure!" Worried that the shinobi sent to the border might not be capable enough, and that an ambush could result in heavy casualties and damage Kizaru's reputation, Danzo offered to go himself.
"No. I still need you to keep an eye on the Land of Rain. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving this to anyone else." Considering the bigger picture, Hiruzen Sarutobi firmly rejected Danzo's proposal.
Knowing Hiruzen Sarutobi had a point, Danzo fell silent for a moment and didn't argue.
"What a bother," Kizaru said lazily, rubbing the back of his head. "Why not let me return to the border alone? I can keep an eye on Kumogakure by myself."
In that lazy tone, Kizaru had just made the most domineering declaration of all.
One man against an entire nation—he was certainly confident!
Filled with emotion, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kizaru with the utmost admiration.
The same words could have very different effects depending on who said them.
If Hatake Sakumo or Sarutobi Shinnosuke had said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo would have thought he was arrogant, reckless, and unreliable.
But when Kizaru said it, everyone present could only admire and respect him.
The reason was simple: Kizaru had demonstrated that he had the strength to back up his words, along with a solid record to prove it.
"Not for now. You've all worked hard on this mission, so take a few days to rest in the village." Concerned for his pupil, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned down Kizaru's offer.
Rejected by his teacher, Kizaru said nothing more and fell silent again.
"You've worked hard these past few days. You can go now," Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, looking at the three of them.
"Understood!"
"Sure!"
"Bye!"
Their replies differed, but their movements were in perfect unison as they headed for the door together.
After leaving the Hokage Building, they looked up at the sky. Seeing that it was still early, Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke up.
"It's still early. How about we go have some barbecue together?" This mission had given Sarutobi Shinnosuke a firsthand look at Kizaru's strength, and he wanted to get closer to him and build a stronger bond between them.
"Sounds like a great idea," Kizaru agreed.
"Captain Shinnosuke, are you paying today?" Hatake Sakumo, who had treated Kizaru to barbecue once before, felt his hand twitch as he forced himself to ask the most important question.
It wasn't that Hatake Sakumo was stingy. It was just that treating Kizaru to barbecue last time had left him with a lifelong trauma.
Remembering how he'd lived frugally for over a month after that meal, Hatake Sakumo had to make sure first.
There was no helping it. The Hatake Clan was tiny, and he often had to help out clan members who were struggling.
"Sakumo, you rascal!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke laughed. He'd saved up quite a bit of spending money this year. "It's on me today!"
"Thank you, big brother Shinnosuke!" Kizaru said with a beaming smile, thanking Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the sucker.
"Don't mention it. Eat as much as you like." Sarutobi Shinnosuke thumped his chest and declared generously.
Out of common decency, Hatake Sakumo stepped beside Sarutobi Shinnosuke and raised a hand to stop his captain from throwing money around.
"We can just have a little," Hatake Sakumo said, trying to persuade Kizaru, whose face was wreathed in smiles.
"Hahaha!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke laughed heartily, brimming with confidence. "Don't worry, I've got money! I'm taking you both to the Akimichi Clan's upscale barbecue restaurant today."
"Now that's something to look forward to!" Kizaru said with a smile.
Hatake Sakumo gave Sarutobi Shinnosuke a sympathetic look. Having done what he could, he said no more.
"Let's go!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke swept his hand forward grandly and set off with confident strides, leading his two teammates toward the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant.
The Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant was in the center of the village, near Tea Street, not too far from the Hokage Building.
Led by Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the three of them reached the restaurant in about ten minutes.
"Lord Shinnosuke, it's been a long time!" Akimichi Heihachi, a member of the Akimichi Clan who was in charge of greeting customers, hurried over with a warm smile.
"Get me a private room," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said familiarly.
Akimichi Heihachi's gaze swept over the three guests before settling on Kizaru. His eyes lit up.
A big spender had arrived!
Akimichi Heihachi had served Kizaru before, and his smile grew even more enthusiastic.
He hurried ahead to lead the way, taking the three of them straight to the restaurant's most luxurious private room.
After seating them, he handed the menu to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and looked at him expectantly.
"Kizaru, you order," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said with a smile, handing him the menu. He didn't notice Hatake Sakumo's hesitant expression.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," Kizaru said shyly as he took the menu.
"Don't mention it. Order whatever you like," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said.
"Then I won't hold back, big brother Shinnosuke!" Kizaru said, smiling at Sarutobi Shinnosuke with the menu in his hands.
"Go ahead!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke said generously, waving a hand.
Hearing Sarutobi Shinnosuke's answer, Kizaru didn't even glance at the menu. He handed it straight to Akimichi Heihachi.
"Bring us three portions of everything on the menu," Kizaru said with a smile, as Sarutobi Shinnosuke looked at him in confusion.
"Coming right up!" Akimichi Heihachi called, his smile growing brighter.