The Third Hokage's Compromise

Inside the third-floor office of the Hokage Building, sparks from a pipe ember flickered in the darkness several times.

Hiruzen Sarutobi read the report before him back to front three times. His aged fingers traced the edge of the paper, and when he finished the final word, his whole body sank back into his chair.

"Uzuki Yugao has officially left the ANBU roster and been reassigned as Senju Chiba's personal sword attendant."

The ANBU officer standing beside him kept his head lowered, not daring to move.

"What else?"

"Hayate Gekko is severely injured. Four ribs are broken, and his old lung condition has worsened. The medical department estimates he needs at least three months of rest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe slipped from the corner of his mouth, landing on the desk and rolling twice.

"Three months."

He repeated the number. In the morning light streaming through the window, his aged face seemed to have gained ten more furrows overnight.

The ANBU officer hesitated.

"Lord Third, with Captain Yugao gone, Squad Six currently has no suitable captain candidate. ANBU is pressing for instructions on how to arrange things."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a hand.

"Forget Squad Six for now. You may leave."

The ANBU figure vanished by the window.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat alone behind his desk, his fingers interlaced on the tabletop as he stared blankly at the report for a long time.

The door was pushed open from outside, without a knock.

There were not many people in Konoha who could enter the Hokage's Office with such disregard for protocol. Danzō was one of them.

The tap of a cane against the floor carried from the doorway to the front of the desk.

"Sarutobi, have you seen the report?"

"I have."

Danzō's single eye showed through a gap in his bandages, fixed darkly on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

"I told you. We should have acted before he became a threat. But you insisted on dragging it out. Now look at this—one Perfect Sage Body and one top-tier ANBU swordsman. What are you going to use to keep him under control?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not respond. He picked up his pipe and put it back in his mouth, but after striking the lighter twice, it still would not ignite.

"Danzō, how many capable fighters are left in your Root?"

Danzō's mouth twitched.

"What are you asking that for?"

"Just asking." Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed the lighter aside and sighed. "I thought about it all night and came up with a solution."

Danzō waited for him to continue.

"The joint Chunin Exams next month still have an open position for chief examiner."

Danzō's eye narrowed.

"You want to give it to him?"

"To him." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a prepared appointment letter from the drawer, with Senju Chiba's name printed at the top. "Chief examiner and security director, with full authority over maintaining order and diplomatic security throughout the examinations."

Danzō's cane struck the floor heavily.

"Have you lost your mind? You'd be placing Konoha's face to the outside world in his hands. What if he uses this chance to stir up trouble—"

"Danzō." Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off. "That position is a hot potato, not a cushy job."

He rose and walked to the window, looking over the whole of Konoha.

"Have you forgotten this year's intelligence on the Chunin Exams? Sunagakure and Otogakure are participating together. Our spies reported that Orochimaru is highly likely to be among them. His target is Sasuke—or perhaps an outright invasion of Konoha."

Danzō fell silent for two seconds.

"You're sending Senju Chiba to deal with Orochimaru?"

"Doesn't he boast that he is the true Senju heir? Doesn't he want to restore the Senju? Fine. Then give him a chance to risk his life for Konoha. Let him face Orochimaru head-on. If he wins, he becomes a hero of Konoha, and will be easier to control afterward. If he loses..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and glanced at Danzō.

"If he loses, then he simply wasn't capable enough."

Something shifted in Danzō's lone eye as he drew his cane back to his side.

"You really know how to do the math."

"For Konoha, anyone can be a piece on the board."

That afternoon, a squad of ANBU knocked on the gates of the Senju Main Residence.

The lead ANBU respectfully handed a scroll to Chiba. After performing a standard ninja salute, he swiftly withdrew.

Chiba stood in the courtyard and opened the scroll. The appointment letter, stamped with the Hokage's seal, was written in clear terms.

Tsunade poked her head out from the corridor and took two looks. Her sake flask nearly slipped from her hand.

"Chief examiner? That old man made you the chief examiner of the Chunin Exams?"

Anko stuck half her body out through the kitchen window, still chewing on something.

"That's awesome, boss. What rank is a chief examiner? Do they get free meals at the cafeteria?"

Yuhi Kurenai stepped out of the study. Seeing the contents of the appointment letter, she frowned.

"Chiba, the Third suddenly showing goodwill at a time like this probably means no good."

Yugao stood in a corner of the courtyard, one hand resting on her sword hilt as she looked coldly at the scroll.

"The Third's methods. Courtesy first, force afterward. He wants to push you in front of Orochimaru as a shield."

Chiba rolled up the scroll and tucked it into his sleeve.

"You're all right. That old monkey's move is a clever one. He's using me to deal with Orochimaru and the trouble from the other villages. If it works, he reaps the credit. If it fails, he reaps my life."

Tsunade walked over with a frown.

"And you're still accepting it?"

Chiba turned to look at her, the smile on his face creeping from the corners of his mouth into his eyes.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I? I've waited a long time for this opportunity."

He pulled the scroll from his sleeve, spun it twice in his hand, and looked beyond the residence walls. His spiritual power pierced through buildings and streets, sweeping across Konoha's entire skyline.

"Orochimaru wants to make trouble. Sunagakure wants to play the shit-stirrer. Delegations and genin teams from every nation will flood into Konoha. So many people, so many factions, so many resources—all of them will be on my testing grounds."

Chiba's thumb rubbed over the Hokage seal on the scroll.

"The old man wants to use me as a gun against Orochimaru and the delegations from other villages? Perfect. I'll take the entire Chunin Exams show for myself."