Danzo: "Sarutobi, you will regret this!"

The tone was icy and grim. The other two Hokage advisors shifted their gazes as well, their expressions unreadable.

"He is merely a child. Since Uchiha Hanazuki possesses such talent and has yet to fully form the values of an adult, as long as he is properly nurtured, it is not impossible for him to break free from the shackles of his bloodline and commit himself to the village."

"Just like Uchiha Kagami, who dedicated his heart and soul to the safety of the village—this has always been the expectation of the Second Hokage."

With a fierce glare, Danzo slammed his cane heavily against the floor and let out a cold snort.

"If that is the case, then hand Uchiha Hanazuki over to 'Root.' Let the members of 'Root' monitor him twenty-four hours a day. Once he shows any inclination toward the rebels, we shall eradicate him completely while the seedling is still young."

The ruse was laid bare; Danzo had finally revealed his true objective. A talent of only ten years old who 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 ascend to the position of Hokage.

Whether for assassination, seizing power, or protecting his own life, the Flying Thunder God Technique was the most suitable space-time ninjutsu.

Ever since the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, created this space-time ninjutsu, there had been no other ninja who could use it with such flexibility and ease, save for Namikaze Minato from Sarutobi Hiruzen's faction.

However, there was now one more, and he belonged to the Uchiha clan, giving Danzo a justifiable reason to strike.

"Absolutely not. Whether it is killing him or handing him over to 'Root,' I will never agree to either..."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

"I am the Third Hokage!"

Veins bulged on the aged hand gripping the cane. After taking a deep breath, Danzo spoke in a chilling tone.

"Sarutobi, you will regret this."

Old, immortal bastard. He only knows how to suppress me with his status as Hokage. One day, I will personally drag Sarutobi Hiruzen down from that seat.

"I have never regretted my own decisions."

After Danzo left the conference room, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but let out a deep sigh. Why had his old friend become so unrecognizable?

"Sarutobi, what Danzo said is not entirely unreasonable. The power of the Uchiha clan is simply too dangerous, much like the rebellion that broke out during the reign of the Second Hokage."

"Led by Uchiha Setsuna, it took three full Anbu squads to quell that disturbance. That man's will seems to linger like a vengeful spirit, clinging to the Uchiha clan."

"This is why we have remained wary of the Uchiha to this day."

Utatane Koharu's whisper left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling deeply helpless. After a long silence, he voiced his own considerations.

"With two fronts to manage, Konoha no longer has the strength to spare for guarding against the Uchiha. Who knows when this war, which is draining our national power and manpower, will end."

"The excellent ninjas who can end a war quickly are often those so-called geniuses. They are the ones who can tip the scales in Konoha's favor at critical moments."

As he spoke, he exhaled a thin stream of smoke, a complex look flickering in his slightly clouded, aged eyes.

Orochimaru was like that, Namikaze Minato was like that, and now, Uchiha Hanazuki might very well possess that same potential.

"The existence of geniuses can greatly reduce the chances of our young sprouts being sacrificed. Judging by the fact that Uchiha Hanazuki was willing to save ninjas he previously had poor relations with, he may well become a light for the village, provided he is guided correctly."

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire shall burn. The fire will illuminate the village and allow new buds to grow into towering trees. In the end, Uchiha Hanazuki will come to understand the village's good intentions."

The two Hokage advisors exchanged a glance. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had already made his decision, they, as his advisors, could not easily stand in his way.

"I understand. I will leave the matter to you to handle, but we must maintain necessary vigilance. Otherwise, Uchiha Hanazuki could very well become the second Uchiha Madara."

Mitokado Homura's voice trembled slightly. Even that name was a taboo that could not be spoken, containing an endless, dark magic.

"That is an exaggeration. Even if that brat has talent, he cannot be compared to the lifelong rival of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, nor to those two who were known as the Gods of Shinobi."

Once the others had dispersed, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked down at the report in his hands detailing the skirmish with the Fourth Raikage. He rubbed his pipe incessantly, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, in a general ward at the Konoha Hospital.

Uchiha Hanazuki sneezed instinctively and couldn't help but glance around.

Who? Who is plotting against me? Danzo, Sarutobi, or perhaps the entire Konoha F4... Forget it. More importantly, how long do you intend to keep pretending to be asleep?

A breeze blew through, the grass swayed, and the whistling mountain wind brushed against his body. A rhythmic breathing sound echoed like thunder.

"You are so annoying, brat. Instead of wandering around here all day, shouldn't you be worried about those eyes fixed on you?"

"The Anbu directly under the Third Hokage, or Danzo's 'Root'—I could easily dispose of those guys if I wanted to. They are nothing but insignificant small fry."

"But, do you really know nothing about Sage Mode? Jiraiya should have taught it to Namikaze Minato, and then Minato should have passed it on to Menma. Did you not hear anything?"

The inner world, which should have been a pale blue, was now stained with green, causing Hanazuki to feel a rare moment of panic.

"I told you, this Seat knows nothing about any Sage Mode. If anyone approaches with malicious intent, look after yourself."

His pupils contracted. Instantly withdrawing from his inner world, Hanazuki opened his eyes, then closed them again.

One, two, three... A standard three-man squad. Anbu, is this a test?

While he was still wondering if they were the Third Hokage's men or acting on Danzo's orders, heavy, steady footsteps approached, and the door to the ward was pushed open.

"To be able to retreat unscathed from the hands of the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, with only the cost of excessive chakra consumption—your talent is even greater than I had observed."

"I have never misjudged a person's talent. You are truly a genius worthy of the Uchiha name. Are you interested in becoming my disciple?"

The person who appeared was not an Anbu, nor the Third Hokage or Danzo, but Orochimaru—the man who claimed to be his jonin instructor but had vanished without a trace for half a day.

"If I become your disciple, what will I gain? What is the benefit to me? Please, spare me the empty, useless talk of 'will' and 'dreams.' If one loses their life, any dream becomes nothing more than empty words."

Hearing these nearly cold-blooded words, a flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's eyes, which then shifted into a smile.

"You are not one of those brats lost in dreams. Then, I shall give you a condition you absolutely cannot refuse. That is..."