Danzo's Killing Intent

When the daimyo's envoy appeared at the gates of Konoha for the second time, there was no ceremonial guard, no attendants—only three men and a letter. The letter was addressed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and its wording was even more concise than before: "The matter of Hatake Sakumo requires further evaluation. An envoy has been specially dispatched to the village. We hope the Third Hokage will extend the necessary assistance."

When Homura Mitokado placed the letter on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, the Third Hokage was watering the plants in his office. He stopped halfway through, and droplets fell from the spout, punching a string of tiny pits into the soil. He set down the watering can and turned around. "When will the envoy arrive?"

"Tomorrow."

The Third Hokage took the letter and read it twice. Evaluate what? Whether Hatake Sakumo was suited to become the Hokage's successor.

Homura Mitokado stood in the Third Hokage's office, straightened his chair before sitting down. His posture was proper on every occasion, but now his hands were clasped over his knees, his thumbs rubbing together several times—a habitual gesture whenever he was nervous.

"Ever since Sakyo returned, the daimyo's court has been discussing it. Sakyo's report was extremely detailed: Konoha's postwar recovery, the movements of the major clans, Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship demonstration during the military briefing. The daimyo's impression of Sakumo runs deeper than we anticipated."

The Third Hokage folded the letter and slipped it back into its envelope. "How deep?"

"Deep enough that the daimyo believes Konoha needs a Hokage capable of shouldering pressure both diplomatically and militarily."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not respond. He could hear two emotions intertwined in the daimyo's words: satisfaction with the speed of Konoha's postwar recovery, and doubt over how much longer Hiruzen himself could hold on. The daimyo wanted a Hokage who could fight—one who could guard the borders of the Land of Fire and make Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone Village hesitate to act rashly. Hatake Sakumo met that standard. His fame had been carved out through slaughter on the battlefield; he needed no political polish. His military achievements and reputation were his finest calling card.

After Homura Mitokado left, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his study for a long time. The tea on his desk went cold and was replaced, then went cold again, until an ANBU operative came in to replace the lamp oil.

The envoy arrived the following afternoon.

He was somewhat younger than Sakyo, just over forty, with a lean face. The patterns on his clothes were far more understated than Sakyo's. Miki, the daimyo's chief secretary. He rarely appeared in public, but every important document issued by the daimyo passed through his hands. His appearance meant the daimyo did not intend to discuss this matter openly, but whatever conclusion they reached would be written into an official document.

Miki did not stay at an inn. He moved directly into a reception room in the Hokage Building. The room was not large, but its window faced Hokage Rock. From there, one could see the three stone faces arranged in order from the First Hokage to the Third. Miki stood by the window for a long while. When Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open the door, Miki was staring blankly at the empty stretch of rock.

Miki turned and bowed slightly. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat across from him. After Miki exchanged a few pleasantries, Hiruzen waited for him to speak first.

"Third Hokage, I have come to hear your assessment of Jonin Hatake Sakumo in person."

Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully considered his words.

"Hatake Sakumo is one of Konoha's finest jonin. His military achievements were unmatched in the previous war. His strength is evident to all, and his loyalty beyond question." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was quiet, his pace unhurried. Every word seemed weighed on a scale before being spoken. "But his value lies in execution. He is Konoha's sharpest blade."

Miki spread a sheet of paper over the table and picked up his pen, its tip hovering above the page. "Does the Third Hokage mean that Jonin Hatake Sakumo is suited to continue carrying out high-difficulty missions, but is unsuitable to serve as Hokage?"

"The qualities required of a Hokage go beyond combat. Jonin Hatake Sakumo's performance on the battlefield is beyond reproach, but the Hokage's daily duties involve administration, diplomacy, finances, and many other matters. He lacks experience in those areas."

Miki recorded Hiruzen Sarutobi's words without missing a single one. His handwriting was neat and swift. By the time Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his last word, he had already set down his pen. He held the paper beneath the lamp and blew lightly on the ink. Miki nodded, folded the page, and placed it in an envelope, sealing it with his personal stamp. Then he took out a second letter from his robes and pushed it toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. "This is a personal letter from the daimyo. Please read it, Third Hokage."

The Third Hokage opened the letter and read it once. There were only a few lines, written in vigorous, forceful handwriting: "The matter of Hatake Sakumo shall be decided after Miki returns to the capital. The Third Hokage has labored greatly; Konoha is fortunate indeed. —En'ichi Kyu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi folded the letter and returned it to its envelope. He knew what it did not say. The daimyo meant: I will hear your opinion, but it does not decide anything. Mine does.

Miki rose and pushed his chair beneath the table. "Third Hokage, if there is nothing else..."

"Mr. Miki."

Miki stopped and turned around.

"When did the daimyo's court begin taking such an interest in Jonin Hatake Sakumo?"

Miki did not answer immediately. He looked into Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

"From the day the report on Hidden Cloud's activities along the northeastern border was delivered to the daimyo's desk. After reading it, the daimyo said one thing: 'This Hatake Sakumo can fight better than I thought.'"

After Miki left and the sound of his footsteps faded down the corridor, Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his chair and walked to the window.

The daimyo did not want a Hokage who could handle government affairs. He had his own council of aides, his own administrative system, his own financial experts. He did not need the Hokage to draft documents, approve budgets, or manage personnel. He needed the Hokage to guard the borders and deter neighboring nations.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rested his hand on the window frame. The wooden frame was warm from the sunlight. He knew that the daimyo had already formed his own preference regarding Konoha's successor.

On the night before Miki left Konoha, Danzo's messenger waited for him in his inn room for an hour.

When Miki opened the door, the man outside wore a dark robe without any identifying marks. He was Root's liaison, code-named "Viper."

Viper took a document from his robes and placed it on the table.

"This is Root's long-term observation report on Jonin Hatake Sakumo. It includes data on his mission performance, analysis of his combat methods, an assessment of his mental state, and an evaluation of the burden his appointment would place on Konoha's finances. Every page is supported by data, and every set of figures can be verified against the original records."

Miki did not touch the document. He looked at Viper's face. "Mr. Danzo sent you here because he wants me to convey something to the daimyo?"

Viper's expression did not change. "Lord Danzo asked me to tell the daimyo that Hatake Sakumo's blade is very sharp, but a blade that is too sharp breaks easily. Konoha needs more than a blade. Konoha needs someone who can work closely with the daimyo's court under the daimyo's guidance and jointly protect the interests of the Land of Fire." Viper pushed the document toward Miki. "This report is Root's expression of sincerity toward the daimyo's court. Lord Danzo says Konoha needs someone to keep watch for the daimyo."

The door closed. Miki sat at the table for a while, then flipped to the final page of the document. The last page contained no data and no charts, only one line: "If Hatake Sakumo becomes Hokage, Konoha's financial system will fall into crisis within three years due to uncontrolled military spending. Root does not recommend that the daimyo support Hatake Sakumo's succession as Hokage. Danzo holds a clear position on this matter."

On the seventh day after Miki returned to the daimyo's court, Konoha received an official reply from the daimyo's court. Its wording was exceptionally careful: "Regarding the matter of the Hokage's successor, the daimyo's court has received the opinions of all parties. The qualifications of Jonin Hatake Sakumo shall be taken into consideration by the daimyo's court, and a decision will be made at a later date."

Neither rejection nor confirmation—"taken into consideration" was the best possible stance. It allowed one to advance or retreat.

Later that night, a piece of news came out of the daimyo's court. One of its secretaries had let it slip over drinks, and Konoha intelligence planted within the daimyo's court intercepted it: "The daimyo is extremely satisfied with Jonin Hatake Sakumo's performance and believes he possesses the potential to serve as Hokage."

There was no formal appointment decree, no personal letter from the daimyo—only a remark carelessly revealed over drinks. Yet on Konoha's political map, those words carried more weight than any official document. Words leaked at the drinking table were often the true statement of intent—the daimyo intended to support Sakumo.

On the night the news arrived, the lights in the Hokage Building stayed on longer than usual. The elders of the advisory council sat in the large conference room for a long time. Hiashi Hyuga's teacup was refilled three times. Uchiha Masaki remained silent throughout. The heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans received the news at different times, and each reacted differently.

Danzo stood in the basement of a Root facility before a wall of filing cabinets. Hatake Sakumo's observation records filled an entire row. Viper stood behind him, holding the latest intelligence.

"Has the news from the daimyo's court been confirmed?"

"Confirmed. The daimyo intends to support Hatake Sakumo."

Danzo pulled a file from the cabinet, flipped through several pages, then put it back. His movements were slightly quicker than usual. Danzo had stood in Konoha's political arena for so many years and experienced countless political clashes. Before anyone, he had always kept his emotions hidden. But at this moment, that one-sentence report from the daimyo's court stirred an uncontrollable killing intent within him.

"Viper."

"Here."

"Starting tomorrow, Hatake Sakumo's files will be elevated to the highest classification. No data is to be shared without my personal authorization."

Viper lowered his head. "Yes."

Danzo turned around and shut the filing cabinet. The clang of metal echoed through the basement for a long time before fading. He knew there would be no turning back once this decision was made. He was going to kill one of Konoha's heroes. It had to be clean. It had to leave no trace. Everyone had to believe that Hatake Sakumo died because of his own mistake.

Danzo walked away from the filing cabinet and stopped in the center of the basement. The kerosene lamp stretched his shadow long across the wall. "I will not let anyone block Konoha's path, not even a hero of Konoha."