Hiruzen and Danzo

Konoha

Night

In a secluded base somewhere in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō sat in a small hut, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows of the two men.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, pipe in mouth, looked at Danzo with a serious expression and said in a deep voice:

"Danzo, Konoha needs you. Root needs to monitor everything in Konoha and the Shinobi World, and investigate the mysterious person who released the Nine-Tails."

Shimura Danzō expressionless, raising his left eyelid to glance at the Third Hokage, and said with a hint of self-mockery:

"I am just a powerless, retired elder of Konoha. What use would Konoha have for me?"

After making a self-deprecating remark, she changed the subject and said softly:

"Hiruzen, with you and the others assisting the Fourth Hokage, wouldn't investigating these matters be a piece of cake, given the combined strength of the entire Konoha?"

Danzo's words were somewhat sarcastic, and also a mockery of the indecisiveness of the Third Hokage of the capital's Capital City.

The Fourth Hokage has now been in office for a year, and his position is relatively stable. Although Danzo is radical, he is old and has held power for many years, so he understands what he should do now.

He needed to wait patiently for his chance; time could get rid of many people, Danzo knew this well.

As long as he remains safe and sound in Konoha, the Fourth Hokage cannot simply do anything to someone who has dedicated so many years to Konoha.

Most of what he did was done secretly and without evidence, and Danzo had held power for many years and had some supporters, so the Hokage couldn't punish him without a reason.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed his old classmate's dissatisfaction, but there was nothing he could do about it. Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice:

" On the Night of the Nine-Tails, the person who controlled the Nine-Tails possessed the Sharingan. This mysterious individual not only knew the location of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's birthing room, but also easily broke through the protective barrier and effortlessly killed the guarding Anbu."

Furthermore, the power of his Sharingan is so strong that he can even manipulate the Nine-Tails. It's suspicious that the Fourth Hokage only arrived at the scene after Minato sealed the Nine-Tails. You mean..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't say anything more. He believed that what he had said was enough for Danzo to deduce the outcome.

Danzo power, and he was unaware of much of the intelligence among the high-ranking officials.

The Nine-Tails Incident caused relatively little damage and was quickly quelled by Naraku and Minato without even a Jonin meeting. A simple announcement was issued informing the villagers that the Fourth Hokage and Namikaze Minato had bravely sealed the Nine-Tails.

No other information was given; there was no prior announcement, no information about the Sharingan, and no mention of the internal turmoil within the Uchiha.

Danzo frowned slightly upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, saying:

"Sharingan? Knowing the location of the Jinchuriki's delivery room? Easily breaking through barriers and instantly killing Anbu? Eye power enough to control the Nine-Tails? In the entire Shinobi World, who could achieve this level? Is there even a need to guess? Ha! And the culprit was the last to arrive at the scene."

After Danzo finished speaking, he gave a cold laugh and shook his head slightly.

"Hiruzen, now you know your mistake, don't you? This is the consequence of your indecisiveness! How dangerous it is for Konoha to be controlled by someone like him! Releasing the Nine-Tails and manipulating its power, what can you do to him?"

Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with disdain in his eyes.

"It was Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage before me. It seems that Konoha really can't do without Danzo."

Danzo sighed inwardly, reminiscing about the mission he had undertaken more than thirty years ago: to protect the Second Hokage.

He was just a step too slow, allowing Sarutobi Hiruzen him to it and be appointed the Third Hokage. More than thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

"But what I'm confused about is, what was the Fourth Hokage's intention? Why did he do this? I really don't understand. Danzo, Konoha needs you, it needs your power to monitor those in power..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen suspected that Uchiha Nara released the Nine-Tails and was recklessly unleashing its power; such a Hokage was far too dangerous.

"I spy on those in power? During my trip to the Capital City, I assassinated Uchiha Nara. My Root —the Konoha don't know that. Which of these ninja leaders isn't afraid?"

"Uchiha Nara still cares a little about our reputation, which is why he hasn't killed me yet. If I don't obediently step down, why would I keep an eye on him? How am I supposed to keep an eye on him? Am I just going to offer myself up to Uchiha Nara kill?"

Danzo refused outright upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression hardened, and he said coldly:

"Danzo, can you bear to see the village our teacher left us trampled upon? Have you forgotten your ideals? Besides, you have contributed so much to Konoha; how could I forget that? With me here, what do you have to worry about!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's words implied an endorsement of Danzo, telling him not to be afraid, before he changed the subject:

"If you're content to be a retired old man, then I won't force you. Good luck from now on."

"May you have good fortune" means that if you don't obey orders, he won't interfere when Naraku causes Danzo for Danzo; everyone will just mind their own business.

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Danzo couldn't help but sneer. Danzo silence, he spoke:

"Hiruzen, you're still so naive. I haven't forgotten my teacher's principles for a moment. The Uchiha are an evil clan, and it's all because you didn't listen to my good advice during your tenure that things are like this now."

Danzo paused for a moment, then continued:

"Your threats have no effect on me. However, since you're now inclined to this, then activate the Uchiha's pawns. If you fail, the consequences..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Danzo agree to help, and said in a deep voice:

"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha, that's beyond doubt. The Uchiha have many peace-loving ninjas, like Kagami and his brother. I think they will support us, this force, Danzo..."

Danzo that Sarutobi Hiruzen was still so immature, Danzo was utterly disappointed. However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen had endorsed him, he didn't want to simply retire and grow old like this. He said coldly:

"I understand. When I need your help, I won't hesitate."

At night, at Namikaze Minato's house, Minato is playing with the baby in his arms.

"Eeya eeya"

"Hahaha, Naruto so cute! Kushina, look, Naruto can copy my hand gestures. He has such a strong learning ability; he'll definitely be a genius someday."

Namikaze Minato spread his fingers, making a scissor gesture like rock-paper-scissors. Naruto, in his arms, seemed to understand and stretched out his little hand to imitate Minato's gesture.

"Of course, that's our child."

With Minato taking care of Naruto, Kushina finally got a rare break.

"Kushina, um... if Obito hadn't died and had returned to Konoha, would you have been happy?"

Namikaze Minato was playing with the baby when the conversation turned to Obito.

"Minato, don't joke about Obito. He's already sacrificed himself! But... if Obito could return, I hope Obito be Naruto's teacher and help Naruto become as cheerful as Obito."

Kushina, like Naraku when he spoke to Minato about Obito, showed some displeasure.

"If Obito were really alive—I mean, if he had just made a really serious mistake—would you forgive him?"

Namikaze Minato teased Naruto, then secretly glanced at Kushina, his expression calm but his heart pounding with nervousness as he asked her a question—just like the Fourth Hokage, Naraku.

"Minato, Obito has already sacrificed himself to protect Konoha... Although it's not good for us to talk about him, if Obito were really alive, I would forgive him no matter what mistakes he made."

After all, he's a fool, and it's normal for fools to make mistakes.

Kushina sat on the sofa, eating snacks as she answered, adding a compliment as she did so.