Dispute

Hiruzen Sarutobi gently tapped his pipe against the ashtray. As sparks flickered in and out, his aged fingers slowly drummed on the desk, making a dull sound, like the heavy beat of his heart at that moment.

"Danzo..." he murmured the name. It seemed to carry the weight of a mountain, making even the air grow a little stagnant. The tobacco in his pipe had already burned out, leaving only gray-white ash behind, just like the complicated, unspeakable feelings in his heart.

He understood this old comrade of his far too well—the ambition buried deep in his heart, the ruthlessness that would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Even amid the smoke of the Great Ninja Wars, it had never once been extinguished.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke to the Anbu member in the shadows, his voice low and dignified. "Send someone to protect Duanmu."

The Anbu member appeared silently, like a shadow melting out of the darkness, dropped to one knee, and answered in a deep voice, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Also," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, turning his gaze toward the window. The lights of Konoha Village dotted the night, yet they could not dispel the gloom in his heart. "Keep a close eye on Root's movements, especially Danzo's whereabouts. The moment you discover any sign that they intend to harm Duanmu again, report it immediately."

"Understood." The Anbu member accepted the order, his figure flickered, and he disappeared once more into the shadows of the wall, as if he had never been there.

Silence returned to the office, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi's slightly heavy breathing. He picked up a scroll on the desk and slowly unfurled it. On it was Duanmu's file.

From his performance after entering the Ninja Academy, to the results of his previous assessments, to records of some of his recent daily activities, everything was listed in detail.

By the time Duanmu woke up, he heard the news of Shisui's suicide. The Uchiha coup had been delayed as a result, which also lined up with the plot of the original story.

Sitting beside Duanmu was his mother, Yuki Sato, her face full of haggard worry.

When she saw Duanmu open his eyes, her originally dim gaze instantly lit up, but tears rolled down like beads from a broken string. "Xiao Mu, you're finally awake! You scared Mom to death!"

"Mom..." Duanmu's throat was dry, his voice faint. He wanted to raise his hand to wipe away his mother's tears, only to find his arm so heavy he could barely lift it.

Yuki Sato quickly held his hand and patted it gently, choking as she said, "Don't move around. The doctor said you're badly hurt and need proper rest. Tell Mom, what exactly happened? Who hurt you like this?"

Duanmu looked at his mother's worried face, and a pang went through his heart. He did not want to make her worry, but this matter clearly could not be easily hidden. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, briefly recounting what had happened while leaving out some of the overly bloody and dangerous details. He only said that he had been attacked by unidentified ninja and had luckily escaped.

Even so, Yuki Sato's face turned deathly pale. She gripped Duanmu's hand tightly, her body trembling slightly. "How could this... how could something like this happen... We're just an ordinary family..."

He comforted her softly. "Mom, don't worry. Aren't I fine now? And Lord Third Hokage already knows. He'll protect us."

At the mention of the Third Hokage, Yuki Sato's emotions finally calmed a little. In the hearts of ordinary people, the Third Hokage was like a guardian deity.

"By the way, Mom, Shisui... have you heard about Uchiha Shisui?" Duanmu changed the subject and asked.

The news had been weighing on his mind the entire time. Although the general course of the plot had not changed, had his appearance invisibly accelerated the occurrence of certain tragedies?

Yuki Sato nodded, regret showing on her face. "I heard. What a poor child. Such an outstanding genius, how could he just... sigh. People in the village are all saying it was suicide, but some also say..." She lowered her voice. "They say it has to do with the Uchiha clan's recent movements."

Duanmu remained silent. Shisui's death was one of the fuses for the Uchiha coup.

His Mangekyo Sharingan, "Kotoamatsukami," possessed the powerful ability to alter another person's will. It was precisely because of this power that Danzo had coveted him, and in the end, he had met a tragic fate. And he himself, seemingly because of the secrets he carried, had also become an obstacle in Danzo's eyes that had to be eliminated.

Just then, the ward door was gently pushed open, and Iruka and Naruto walked in. Iruka carried a fruit basket, while Naruto held a bouquet of flowers, his face full of concern.

"Duanmu, how are you feeling?" Iruka walked to the bed, set down the fruit basket, and asked.

"Much better. Thank you, Teacher Iruka," Duanmu said gratefully.

Naruto put the flowers into the vase on the bedside table, then leaned closer to the bed and curiously sized Duanmu up. "Hey, Duanmu, what exactly were those mask-wearing bad guys? Teacher Iruka said they were from 'Root.' Are they really strong? When I get stronger in the future, I'm definitely gonna send them flying!"

Iruka also said from the side, "Duanmu, just focus on recovering. I've already asked for leave for you from the school. Naruto, you need to behave during this time too. Don't come disturbing Duanmu's rest."

"Got it, Teacher Iruka!" Naruto curled his lip, but still nodded obediently.

Over the next few days, Duanmu recovered in the hospital at ease. During that time, Iruka and Naruto often came to visit him, and occasionally some classmates also came by.

To his surprise, Sasuke also came once. He only stood in front of the hospital bed and looked at him, then left without saying anything. But Duanmu could sense the complicated emotions in his eyes—perhaps surprise, or perhaps something else.

The Anbu members were indeed, as the Third had said, protecting him from the shadows the entire time. Though he could not see them, he could occasionally feel that faint, almost imperceptible gaze, which made him feel slightly more at ease.

At that moment, inside the Hokage Office, a fierce argument broke out between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, and watching them argue were several daimyo from the Land of Fire. It seemed Danzo had invited them.

"Danzo! Time and again, you've used Root's power to stir up bloodshed inside the village, and this time you even struck a killer blow against a student who hasn't graduated yet! Do Konoha's rules mean anything to you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the pipe in his hand heavily onto the desk. The ceramic pipe struck the solid wooden surface with a dull thud, shaking the ash in the ashtray until it trembled and scattered.

His voice trembled slightly with anger. Veins showed faintly on his aged face, and the eyes that were usually filled with a gentle smile were now sharp as blades, fixed firmly on Danzo standing opposite him.

A sinister light flickered in Danzo's single eye, and the scar running across the bridge of his nose looked even more hideous in the dim light. He met the Hokage's gaze without fear, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. "Rules? Sarutobi, in this chaotic world, it has never been those pedantic rules that protect Konoha! That brat called Duanmu is hiding secrets. Leaving him alive will become a disaster sooner or later! I did this for Konoha's long-term peace and stability!"

"For Konoha?" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up, the Hokage robe on him stirring without wind. "Your so-called long-term peace and stability is maintained through slaughter and fear? Danzo, look outside. Look at those villagers sleeping peacefully under the lights. Look at those children in the Ninja Academy who look forward to the future! What they need is protection, not an executioner like you who uses 'protection' as a banner!"

A white-haired, white-bearded daimyo coughed softly, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Both of you are pillars of Konoha. Let's talk this through properly. Elder Danzo, regarding this child Duanmu, is there truly conclusive evidence proving that he poses a threat to Konoha?"

This daimyo was clearly more inclined toward Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, and there was a hint of inquiry in his tone.

Danzo turned to look at the daimyo. The hostility in his eyes receded somewhat, but his tone remained forceful. "Evidence? Some threats don't require evidence, only instinct! I've spent so many years clawing my way through the ninja world. I still have that much instinct! The Uchiha's rebellious intentions are plain for all to see, and this Duanmu just so happens to appear in our sights at this time, and he even had contact with Uchiha Shisui. Who can guarantee he isn't a pawn planted by the Uchiha?"

"Nonsense!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious. "Shisui was a hero of Konoha. His death is already painful enough, yet you still want to use this despicable excuse to tarnish his reputation! As for Duanmu, Iruka has already investigated. He and Shisui never even met!"

Another slightly plump daimyo frowned. "Elder Danzo, even if, as you say, Duanmu may pose a threat, it should still be discussed and decided jointly by Lord Hokage and the council of elders, not through your private order to mobilize Root for an assassination. Such behavior will undoubtedly shake Konoha's foundation."

A trace of impatience flashed through Danzo's single eye. What he hated most was reasoning with these daimyo who sat in offices. He had called them here this time only to have them protect him.