Offering My Heart to the Third Hokage, Toji Zenin!

"Danzo, you're out?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was both shocked and delighted. He hurried forward and wrapped him in a hug, his tone filled with guilt. "I wanted to visit you in prison a few days ago, but I had to look after Homura at Gospel Hospital. A pile of trivial matters delayed me. Have you been all right in there?"

Homura—he actually mattered more to Hiruzen than Danzo did?

Danzo felt a sour ache in his heart and shook his head. "I'm fine."

Without dwelling on personal matters, he immediately turned to the most urgent issue. "Let's talk business first. How have your support votes been coming along? Have you persuaded the Senju, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans?"

Hiruzen scratched his head awkwardly.

Besides being too busy, the real reason he had not visited Danzo was that he had been too ashamed to face him. Danzo had run himself ragged, scheming and planning for his sake, while he himself had surrendered to Lord Toji long ago. He truly did not know how to bring it up.

But they were brothers. There was no hurdle they could not overcome.

After thinking it over, Hiruzen decided to be honest. "Danzo, actually, I've decided—yes, Lord Toji promised—

The Fourth Hokage. We have a great future ahead of us—"

Boom!

Dark clouds pressed down outside, and a bolt of lightning split the sky. Flickering light and shadow crossed Danzo's face.

A torrential downpour followed, just like his current mood.

He stared blankly. "What do you mean you've given up and are aiming for the Fourth Hokage?"

"It means exactly what it says—"

Danzo understood! He understood everything! But he—could not accept it!

The Fourth Hokage? How long would he have to wait for that?

He was the same age as Hiruzen. They were both twenty-six now.