Konoha's Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu—the Konoha F4—had gathered once more in the Hokage's office.
Crackle!
Tiny sparks burst and smoke billowed from the pipe in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand, spreading steadily toward the three equally silent people beside him.
Yet even Utatane Koharu, the medical department's environmentalist, had no mind to scold her old friend for his unhealthy lifestyle. The same went for Mitokado Homura, who sat silently nearby, and Shimura Danzō, whose expression was frighteningly grim.
Susanoo!
After more than thirty years, they had finally seen again the evil power buried deep in the Uchiha Clan's bloodline.
But even after all those years, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu still couldn't forget the day Uchiha Madara returned to Konoha.
The Nine-Tails Fox, moving like a puppet; the towering Susanoo giant, as immense as a mountain; countless comrades falling in the battle's wake—all of it...
Back then, the Konoha F4 had been barely over twenty. Now, even though they were old enough to retire, when they went to the Valley of the End to witness the traces of that battle, they still felt an indescribable shock stirring in their hearts.
Clatter!
The Third Hokage's pipe slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. The other three in the room seemed to take it as a signal, finally wrenching themselves free of the terror in their memories.
Uchiha Madara had possessed the Mangekyo, but the Mangekyo alone didn't define Uchiha Madara. The Konoha F4, who had inherited the legacy of the Second, Senju Tobirama, understood that perfectly well.
Still, to the Konoha F4, an Uchiha with the Mangekyo was a completely different proposition from one without it.
After all, with a power like Susanoo's—one on par with a Tailed Beast—combined with the Uchiha Clan's formidable combat skills, it was a razor-sharp dagger capable of tearing through any battlefield.
And even though this dagger had now been placed at the edge of the village, the chill from its blade remained bone-deep.
"Hiruzen, do it. Root is ready!"
Shimura Danzō's voice was cold as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a sneer.
Of everyone sitting in the silent Hokage's office, Shimura Danzō was probably the only one secretly feeling a little pleased.
If he could gather all of Konoha's forces and wipe out the Uchiha, then Konoha was destined to belong to him, Shimura Danzō.
After all, anyone who ordered the destruction of one of Konoha's great clans could no longer serve as Hokage. Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen was only temporarily occupying the Hokage Position in the first place.
And then!
As the greatest contributor to this civil war, he, Shimura Danzō, the "Darkness of the Ninja World," would get promoted and earn a raise (skim the war funds), become CEO (commander of the anti-Uchiha coalition), and take the chairman's seat (become Hokage), leading Konoha to the pinnacle of life (the Ninja World)!
"Shimura Danzō!"
The worry vanished from Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. An aura of authority surged from him, commanding respect without anger.
"I am the Hokage!"
The "Ninja Bear," dormant for more than a decade, had awakened before Shimura Danzō once more. That powerful aura sent a shiver through him, taking him back to those lonely years when Sarutobi Hiruzen had held him down at every turn.
But!
As his gaze swept across the wrinkles covering Sarutobi Hiruzen's face, a smile crept back onto Shimura Danzō's own wizened face. A strange confidence welled up inside him.
"You'll regret this..."
Shimura Danzō turned away disdainfully, while the flames of ambition and the chill of murderous intent inside him grew ever more unrestrained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, you're old!
Your heart is full of hesitation and uncertainty.
You are Konoha basking in the sunlight, while I am Root in the darkness. But only Root in the darkness can absorb nutrients and help Konoha grow into a towering tree!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes darkened at the sight. With political acumen far beyond the "ordinary," he saw through Danzō's little scheme at a glance.
But!
As long as he didn't give the order himself, everything Shimura Danzō did was nothing but a clown's act...
And knowing Danzō's nature, Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain that even if that day really came and he had to make that "painful" decision, certain people wouldn't be able to resist their own arrogance and act "early"!
"Hmph!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen snorted again. After silently sneering at Danzō, he turned his gaze toward the Uchiha Clan Compound once more.
Over there!
Even from this far away, he could faintly sense the thunderous clash of fire and lightning—just how fierce the battle was.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't paid much attention to this kind of farcical event at first, but the appearance of a Mangekyo wielder had completely caught him by surprise.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen desperately wanted to learn more about the newly appeared Mangekyo wielder. But the Uchiha Clan Compound had sealed off all information from leaving, and there was no way to learn anything except by observing with the naked eye.
What?
The Telescope Technique?
Did that thing have any use besides peeping into the women's bathhouse? Was chakra really so convenient?
Especially when it came to the Uchiha, who were exceptionally sensitive to chakra!
So, for now, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only wait and make the necessary preparations. As long as he kept his own base secure, neither the Uchiha nor Danzō was anything to fear.
According to the information Shisui had sent back earlier, this so-called Martial Arts Tournament would only last three days. That wasn't enough time for anything to happen that he couldn't control.
And three days from now, once he had information about the newly appeared Mangekyo wielder, he wouldn't have to remain as passive as he was now.
Having thought it through, Sarutobi Hiruzen bent down to pick up his pipe and said casually to the other three in the office,
"Leave."
"Hiruzen, what do you mean?"
Shimura Danzō suddenly sensed a familiar malice and angrily demanded an explanation from the Third Hokage standing before him.
"Konoha must not fall into chaos. Put those little schemes of yours away."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzō calmly, then suddenly raised his voice several notches.
"I am the Hokage!"
"You'll—"
Shimura Danzō cut himself off. Under the corrosive intensity of the Ninja Hero's gaze, he shut his single eye in bitter resentment.
Then Shimura Danzō rose at once, flung his arm, and strode out of the office.
I'll handle this my own way!
After Danzō kicked the door open with a bang and left, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had sat in silence for a long time, exchanged a glance. Without saying a word, they still understood each other perfectly.
That foolish Danzō!
After all these years, he was still the same: shrewd over trivial matters, muddleheaded over important ones. How could someone like that ever be fit for a major responsibility?
"Hiruzen, leave contacting the various ninja clans to Haru-chan and me. For the Will of Fire!"
Mitokado Homura slowly rose and bowed slightly to Sarutobi Hiruzen, then resolutely declared his loyalty.
From that brief exchange, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had already understood the Third Hokage's position. After years of professional politicking, they weren't about to let power blind them as it had Danzō.
Although they were a little "reluctant" to see their old friend step into a trap, a burden like this was best left for Danzō to bear alone.
All they could do was stand proudly at the pinnacle of power, continuing to wield the highest authority in the Ninja World, so as not to let Shimura Danzō's great sacrifice go to waste.
In that instant!
A smile as bright as spring sunshine once again spread through the gloomy Hokage's office!
"For the Will of Fire!"
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