His voice was cold and menacing. The other two Hokage Advisors shifted their gazes to him as well, their expressions unreadable.
"He's only a child. Uchiha Hanazuki has talent, and his values aren't yet fully shaped by those of an adult. If he's raised properly, he may yet break free of the bonds of his bloodline and join the village's side."
"Just like Kagami Uchiha, who devoted himself wholeheartedly to safeguarding the village. That's what the Second Hokage had always hoped for."
His eyes turned vicious. He struck the floor hard with his cane and gave a cold snort.
"If that's the case, then hand Uchiha Hanazuki over to Root. Root's members can keep him under surveillance around the clock. The moment he shows any inclination to join the rebels, we'll snuff him out before he has a chance to grow."
With his intentions laid bare, Danzo finally revealed his true purpose. A talent who, at the age of ten, could fight the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki to a standstill...
With just a little cultivation, he could become a weapon to help Danzo seize the position of Hokage.
Whether for assassination, a coup, or protecting Danzo himself, the Flying Thunder God Technique was the most suitable Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Ever since Second Hokage Tobirama Senju created this Space-Time Ninjutsu, no one had been able to wield it with ease and precision—except Namikaze Minato, who belonged to Sarutobi Hiruzen's faction.
But now there was another one, and he belonged to the Uchiha Clan, giving Danzo a legitimate reason to make his move.
"Absolutely not. Whether you want to kill him or hand him over to Root, I won't agree to either..."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"I'm the Third Hokage!"
The old hand gripping the cane tightened, veins standing out beneath the skin. After taking a deep breath, Danzo spoke in a chilling voice.
"Sarutobi, you'll regret this."
You stubborn old bastard. You always use your position as Hokage to keep me in check. One day, I'll personally drag Sarutobi Hiruzen down from that seat.
"I've never regretted any of my decisions."
After Danzo left the meeting room, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. Why had his old friend become such a stranger?
"Sarutobi, Danzo does have a point. The Uchiha Clan's power is simply too dangerous, as shown by the rebellion that broke out during the Second Hokage's tenure."
"Uchiha Setsuna led the uprising, and it took three Anbu squads to put it down. That man's will still lingers like a ghost, clinging to the Uchiha Clan."
"That's why we've been wary of the Uchiha to this day."
Utatane Koharu's quiet words left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling helpless. He remained silent for a long while before finally explaining his reasoning.
"Having to deal with two fronts at once, Konoha no longer has the strength to keep the Uchiha in check. This war is draining our manpower and national resources, and there's no telling when it will end."
"The shinobi who can bring a war to a swift end are often those so-called geniuses. At critical moments, they can turn the balance in Konoha's favor."
As he spoke, he gently exhaled a cloud of smoke. Complicated emotions flickered in his slightly clouded eyes.
Orochimaru had been like that, and so had Namikaze Minato. Uchiha Hanazuki might have the same potential.
"Geniuses can greatly reduce the chances of our young ones being sacrificed. Judging by Uchiha Hanazuki's willingness to save shinobi who had never gotten along with him, he may yet become a beacon of hope. He only needs proper guidance."
"Wherever the leaves dance, fire burns. The fire will light the village's way and help its young sprouts grow into towering trees. In time, Uchiha Hanazuki will understand the village's good intentions."
The two Hokage Advisors exchanged a glance. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had already made up his mind, they couldn't very well stand in his way.
"Understood. I'll leave this matter to you. But we can't let our guard down. Otherwise, Uchiha Hanazuki could very well become another Uchiha Madara."
Mitokado Homura's voice quavered faintly. Even that name was a forbidden taboo, as if it held endless, sinister power.
"That's an exaggeration. Even if that kid is talented, he can't be compared to the lifelong rival of First Senju Hashirama—the man hailed as the God of Shinobi."
After everyone had left, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his attention to the details of the clash with the Fourth Raikage in his hands. His fingers rubbed at his pipe as he pondered something.
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in an ordinary ward.
Uchiha Hanazuki suddenly sneezed and glanced around.
"Who's plotting against me? Danzo, Sarutobi, or the entire Konoha F4... Forget it. More importantly, how long are you going to keep pretending to be asleep?"
A gentle breeze stirred the lush green grass. The howling mountain wind brushed past him, while steady breathing rang out like thunder.
"You're so annoying, brat. Instead of wandering around here all day, shouldn't you be worried about the people keeping an eye on you?"
"Anbu directly under the Third Hokage, or Danzo's Root. I could take out people like them easily if I wanted to. They're nothing but insignificant pests."
"But do you really not know about Sage Mode? Jiraiya should have taught it to Namikaze Minato, who then passed it on to Menma. Did you really not hear about it?"
The inner world, which should have been pale blue, was now stained green. Even Hanazuki felt unusually uneasy.
"I told you, I don't know anything about Sage Mode. Someone with ill intent is approaching. Watch yourself."
His pupils narrowed. He immediately left his inner world, opened his eyes, then closed them again.
One, two, three... A standard three-man squad. Anbu, testing me?
As he wondered whether they were there at the Third Hokage's behest or Danzo's, low, steady footsteps drew closer. The ward door opened.
"You managed to walk away from a fight with the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. The only price was excessive chakra consumption. You're even more talented than I thought."
"I've never been wrong about people. You truly are a genius worthy of the Uchiha name. Would you be interested in becoming my student?"
The person standing before him wasn't Anbu, nor the Third Hokage or Danzo. It was Orochimaru, who called himself a supervising jonin but had vanished without a trace less than half a day after taking the job.
"If I became your student, what would I get out of it? How would it benefit me? Don't give me any vague, useless talk about ideals and dreams. If I lose my life, every dream becomes empty talk."
A hint of surprise flashed in Orochimaru's eyes at the almost cold remark, then gave way to a smile.
"You're not one of those brats lost in their dreams. Then I'll offer you something you absolutely can't refuse. And that is..."