Danzo: "Sarutobi, You'll Regret This!"

His voice was cold and chilling. The other two Hokage Advisors shifted their gazes toward him as well, their expressions unreadable.

"He's just a child. Since Uchiha Hanazuki has talent and hasn't yet developed the values of an adult, with proper guidance, he may still break free of the bonds of his bloodline and join the village's side."

"Just like Kagami Uchiha, who devoted himself wholeheartedly to protecting the village. That was what the Second Hokage had always hoped for."

His eyes fierce, Danzo struck his cane hard against the floor and gave a cold snort.

"If that's the case, then hand Uchiha Hanazuki over to Root. Root's members can monitor him around the clock. If he shows any inclination to side with the rebels, then eliminate him completely before he has a chance to grow."

Now that he had shown his hand, Danzo finally revealed his true intentions. A talent who, at just ten years old, could fight the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki to a standstill...

With a little training, he could become a weapon to help Danzo claim the Hokage's seat.

Whether for assassination, a coup, or protecting Danzo himself, the Flying Thunder God Technique was the ideal Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had created this Space-Time Ninjutsu, there had been only one ninja capable of using it with any real skill: Namikaze Minato, from Sarutobi Hiruzen's faction.

But now there was another, and he belonged to the Uchiha Clan—giving Danzo a legitimate excuse 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 his cane tightened, veins standing out as he took a deep breath. Danzo's voice turned chilling.

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this."

You damned old bastard. All you ever did was 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 letting out a deep sigh. How 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 seemed to haunt the Uchiha Clan like a lingering spirit."

"That's why we've been wary of the Uchiha even to this day."

Utatane Koharu's quiet words left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling helpless. After a long silence, he finally explained his reasoning.

"Having to fight on two fronts has left Konoha with no 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 outstanding ninja who can bring a war to a swift conclusion are often the so-called geniuses. At critical moments, they can turn the odds in Konoha's favor."

As he spoke, he softly exhaled a cloud of smoke. His slightly cloudy eyes held a complex gleam.

Orochimaru had been such a case. So had Namikaze Minato. And Uchiha Hanazuki might have the same potential.

"Geniuses can greatly reduce the chances of our young sprouts being sacrificed. Uchiha Hanazuki was willing to save ninja he'd had a poor relationship with in the past. He may yet become a beacon of hope; he only needs the right guidance."

"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns. That light will illuminate the village and help new shoots 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 had little room to object.

"Understood. We'll leave it to you to handle. But we can't let our guard down. Otherwise, Uchiha Hanazuki could very well become another Uchiha Madara."

Mitokado Homura's voice trembled slightly. Even that name was a forbidden subject, one imbued with boundless power.

"That's an exaggeration. Even if that brat has talent, he can't be compared to the lifelong rival of the First, Senju Hashirama—the man known as the God of Shinobi."

Only after everyone had left did Sarutobi Hiruzen look down at the detailed report on the clash with the Fourth Raikage. He rubbed his pipe with his fingers, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, in a standard ward at Konoha General Hospital...

Uchiha Hanazuki sneezed without thinking and glanced around.

"Who's plotting against me? Danzo, Sarutobi, or the whole Konoha F4... Never mind. More importantly, how long are you going to keep pretending to be asleep?"

A breeze stirred the lush grass as the howling mountain wind brushed against him. The steady sound of breathing boomed like thunder.

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

"Anbu directly under the Third Hokage, or Danzo's Root—if I wanted to, I could deal with those guys easily. They're just insignificant small fry."

"But do you really not know Sage Mode? Jiraiya should've taught it to Namikaze Minato, who then passed it on to Menma. Didn't you hear about it?"

The inner world, which should have been pale blue, was now dyed green. Even Hanazuki felt a rare pang of unease.

"I told you, I have no idea what Sage Mode is. There's someone hostile approaching. Be careful."

His pupils shrank. He instantly left his inner world, opened his eyes, then closed them again.

One, two, three... A standard three-man squad. Anbu. Are they testing me?

As he wondered whether they were working for the Third Hokage or acting on Danzo's orders, low, steady footsteps drew near. The ward door opened.

"You managed to come away from a fight with the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki with nothing worse than depleted chakra. Your talent is even greater than I thought."

"I've always had a good eye for people. No wonder you're a genius bearing the Uchiha name. Would you be interested in becoming my student?"

It wasn't an Anbu ninja, nor the Third Hokage or Danzo who appeared before him. It was Orochimaru, the man who claimed to be his jonin instructor, then vanished without a trace in less than half a day.

"What would I get out of becoming your student? How would it benefit me? Please don't give me any vague, useless talk about ideals and dreams. Once you lose your life, every dream becomes empty talk."

Hearing the near-cold words, a flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's eyes, then turned into a smile.

"You're not one of those brats lost in their dreams. Then I'll offer you a condition you absolutely can't refuse. And that is..."