Parting Ways

Danzo hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Danzo sneered and said:

"Ha, Uchiha Zensui is just an isolated case. Have you forgotten that person? The Uchiha leader who was on par with the First Hokage? Does the Uchiha's madness need any further explanation?"

"Fourth-generation enlightened one? Hiruzen, this is just a tactic to lull you into a false sense of security!"

Danzo picked up the teapot and poured water into Sarutobi Hiruzen's teacup without expression. Even after the water overflowed the cup, he remained in the pouring motion, watching the tea gurgle out, while Danzo's expression grew increasingly hostile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched this scene, nonchalantly puffing out clouds of smoke.

"Hiruzen, the Second Hokage was brilliant throughout his life, but his only mistake was appointing you as the Third Hokage! It was under your leadership that the Uchiha seized power in Konoha!"

You not only allow the Uchiha to dominate Konoha, but you even go so far as to defend them. I really don't know what face you have to face the spirit of the Second Uchiha heaven!

Danzo spoke coldly and sternly, slamming the teapot heavily onto the tea table, splashing water everywhere.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was equally serious. He disregarded Danzo's order to Sarutobi Hiruzen and warned in a deep voice:

"Danzo, as your close friend, I warn you not to be so stubborn. If you dare to destroy the prosperity of Konoha, I will stop you myself."

Sarutobi Hiruzen has witnessed Konoha's current prosperity, and Asuma's return has not been met with prejudice from the Fourth Hokage.

Even after the assassination of the Daimyo in the Capital City, the Hokage did not reprimand Asuma for his inadequate protection. Instead, he contacted Asuma and appointed Asuma as a Jonin charge.

His tolerant and gentle style has remained consistent for years, and even Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't find fault with it.

As for his opinion of the Uchiha, Sarutobi Hiruzen Sarutobi Hiruzen held some prejudices. However, since his own disciple, the Cold Lord Orochimaru, Shinobi World defected from the village, how could Sarutobi Hiruzen have the face to criticize others?

If we're really talking about problems, then wouldn't Sarutobi Hiruzen also have a lot of problems?

Orochimaru defected after his human experiments were exposed, while Asuma left the village and then returned. As a father and a teacher, didn't he have any problems at all?

Sarutobi Hiruzen in charge of Konoha for many years, and especially regarding the matters concerning his disciples and youngest son, he had become more tolerant of all the clans and villagers of Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's warning foreshadowed the divergence in goals between the two giants of the Third Hokage's era, and the breakdown of their relationship.

Danzo poured tea for Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the tea had been soaking in for quite some time. It was such an obvious invitation to Sarutobi Hiruzen remained seated, pretending not to see it.

Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's warning, Danzo's initial anger subsided, and his expression returned to calm.

Looking at Danzo's face, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly. In the past, Danzo would have been furious in this situation, but now there was no anger on his face. This quiet demeanor made Sarutobi Hiruzen even more worried.

After a long while, Danzo coldly and said mockingly:

"Heh, what an upright and honorable senior, a great former Hokage."

As far as I know, you haven't moved out of the Hokage Residence, have you? I'm guessing you haven't handed over the numerous documents, Konoha secret techniques, and forbidden jutsu to the Fourth Hokage yet?

"What, does the Fourth Hokage, out of respect for his predecessor, grant him permission to reside in the Hokage Residence?"

The Hokage Residence, located next to the Hokage Building, is where the Hokage resides. Sarutobi Hiruzen lived there for over thirty years, Hokage Residence contains numerous Konoha secret techniques and forbidden techniques.

The Hokage was responsible for their safekeeping, and since the Hokage resided at the Hokage Residence at night, it also implied that the Hokage was in charge of guarding these secret and forbidden techniques.

"Cough cough..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, after being Danzo by Danzo, coughed somewhat awkwardly.

Danzo's words were clearly effective in winning hearts and minds. He touched on Sarutobi Hiruzen's stain, pointing out that Sarutobi Hiruzen had been fine all these years, except for one thing: he still held onto some of the Hokage's power, euphemistically calling it a consolation prize from the Fourth Hokage for having lived in the Hokage Residence for over thirty years.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face flushed slightly. He shook his head, then stood up and said softly:

"Danzo, you'd better watch yourself..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't respond. After issuing his warning, he exhaled a puff of smoke and turned to leave.

Danzo gazed at Sarutobi Hiruzen figure and muttered to himself:

"Konoha needs someone to save it now. And who else but me..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen heard the words behind him, turned around, glanced at Danzo, shook his head, and strode away without saying a word.

Danzo watched Sarutobi Hiruzen's departing figure with disdain in his eyes. At this moment, Danzo completely despised Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen deviated from the Second Hokage's ideals and original intentions. The Second Hokage's policy towards the Uchiha was to confine them to the Security Department, thus granting them Uchiha and increasing their Uchiha.

At the same time, through the Security Department, they could observe the Uchiha's every move and, through the functions of the Security Department, isolate the Uchiha within Konoha.

Once the Uchiha is completely isolated within Konoha and stands on the opposite side of Konoha, then the time will come to wipe Uchiha out in one fell swoop.

"We can only pin our hopes on Orochimaru's success..."

Danzo tidied the tea table, wiped his hands on his robe, took out the scroll containing Orochimaru's information from his pocket, and began to read it word by word.

After carefully reading through the contents, Danzo made up his mind and slowly closed the scroll.

Knock knock knock

Just as Danzo put away the scroll, he heard footsteps outside the door. Danzo looked up at the doorway with some confusion.

A young man with short black hair led a boy of about eleven or twelve years old into the living room.

"Danzo!"

The newcomer was Uchiha Shisui, who greeted Danzo with a bright smile.

"Shisui, it's been a while since I've seen you."

Danzo saw Shisui, his previously troubled mood, which had been Sarutobi Hiruzen, improved slightly. A hint of gentleness appeared on his gloomy face.

Unfortunately, he had completely lost power; otherwise, Uchiha Shisui would have been his right-hand man.

"Is this another genius who is on par with you, Uchiha Itachi?"

Danzo looked at the other boy Shisui had brought with him and asked softly.

"Haha, yes, I apologize for bothering you, but I have always adhered to your ninja principles."

Itachi also greatly admired this spirit of selfless dedication.

I was afraid of misleading young people, so I brought Itachi here. I wanted Itachi to learn from you what a true ninja is!"

Danzo glanced at Uchiha Itachi, nodded slightly, and poured a cup of tea for the two of them.

Thank you.

Uchiha Itachi thanked him softly.

At the same time, upon closer Danzo, Danzo's face showed obvious wrinkles, an X-shaped scar on his Danzo, and his right eye was wrapped in bandages. These marks on his body indicated that this old man had faced many dangerous situations.

Itachi glanced at the cane beside the tea table. The cane proved that the old man's hands and feet were injured, making it difficult for him to move. This perfectly matched Itachi's image of a man who silently dedicated himself and bore the darkness of Konoha alone.

"We should remember the source of our blessings. We are able to sit here and enjoy tea in peace because of the founding of Konoha by the First Hokage and the hard work and dedication of the successive Konoha."

For this peace to be enjoyed by more villagers, we need people like us to bear the darkness."

Danzo's face was calm, his right hand placed inside his robe, giving the impression of someone who, despite his physical disability, was determined to endure darkness and make sacrifices.

"Yes! Although it may be presumptuous, I have a question. As a member of the Anbu, I have handled many shady missions for Konoha."

But it seems I've never heard of you before?

Uchiha Itachi looked at the old man covered in wounds and asked him with some respect.

Danzo hearing Itachi's question, Danzo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly put it down, saying gently:

"The Anbu... isn't dark enough."