The Limelight

Hearing his old partner's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled softly.

He looked at his old friend and said indifferently, "What is this, Danzo? You've never gotten along with the Uchiha. Why are you speaking up for them this time?"

Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Danzo replied in a flat tone, "I am doing this for Konoha."

As a qualified politician and ninja, Danzo had long since abandoned his pride, so he naturally felt no sense of shame.

As long as the goal was achieved, what did it matter if he lost face?

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a dry laugh.

He did not rush to answer.

Instead, he picked up his pipe and took a heavy drag.

Then, he exhaled slowly.

As the smoke rose, it drifted between their expressionless faces.

Sarutobi Hiruzen then asked a question, "Are you truly doing this for Konoha? Or for yourself, or perhaps for something else entirely?"

Faced with Sarutobi Hiruzen's interrogation, Danzo was slightly taken aback.

Danzo forced a smile and said, "Hiruzen, what kind of joke is that? Of course I am doing this for Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen simply tapped his pipe, making a "clack-clack" sound.

His tone was calm, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"I disagree."

This was a rare display of a hardline attitude from Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Seeing this firm stance, Danzo was stunned for a moment.

He asked instinctively, "Why?"

"There is no 'why.' Because I am the Hokage," Sarutobi Hiruzen said calmly.

Yet, the calmer his tone, the more severe the humiliation felt to Danzo.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen had stood up and berated him for collaborating with the Uchiha and betraying their teacher, or if he had simply mumbled a few vague words as usual to maintain his persona as a "good old man," Danzo would not have been so enraged.

What truly infuriated him was that Sarutobi Hiruzen had dismissed his opinion so lightly, without any reason or conflict of interest.

There was only one statement of absolute control over Konoha: "I am the Hokage."

At this, Danzo could only slam his hand on the table and stand up.

He glared at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said, "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sneered and stood up as well.

He pointed at Danzo and said, "I am the Hokage of Konoha, not you!"

"Thousands of Konoha ninja need to survive, to develop, to take missions, and to eat. I am the one primarily responsible for them, not you!"

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Danzo was somewhat bewildered.

Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Sarutobi Hiruzen again.

"The prestige of being the head of the five great ninja villages, the lives of the thousands of ninja in Konoha—they all rest on these old bones of mine, just like the Will of Fire."

Danzo's mouth twitched. How had his old friend become like this? Had he become a weightlifting champion?

He couldn't have gone mad, could he?

He sighed softly, "Hiruzen, you should think this over carefully."

With that, Danzo hurried away.

Only Sarutobi Hiruzen remained, smoking in silence.

He pondered Danzo's suggestion while he smoked.

At that moment, an Anbu member approached.

Holding a document, he said, "Lord Hokage, this is the file regarding the joint Chunin Exams between Konoha and the four other great ninja villages."

The Anbu's words interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts, and he nodded, "Understood."

He looked at the prospect of the joint Chunin Exams and the scene of civilians and nobles watching the event.

Sarutobi Hiruzen ultimately chose to agree.

After all, he certainly had to do something that would put him in the spotlight.