Danzo, I Am the Hokage

Konoha, Hokage Office.

Thin rings of smoke drifted up from the pipe of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He held a detailed battle report that had just been urgently sent back from the front lines.

The few wrinkles on his face had relaxed considerably, and an unconcealable smile hung at the corners of his mouth.

"Good, this is truly wonderful." He lightly tapped the desk and spoke to the two advisors seated across from him.

Mitokado Homura said:

"Hanzo has acknowledged Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru's strength this time. The name Konoha's Three Sannin—

after this battle, will spread throughout the entire Ninja World, and the pressure on the Land of Rain front will be greatly eased.

We can finally catch our breath."

Utatane Koharu also wore a gratified expression. "Indeed, Orochimaru and the others did not disappoint the village.

After this battle, their prestige will be enough for them to stand on their own."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and added, "The title of Legendary Sannin is not merely an honor. It is also responsibility and deterrence.

The rise of Leaf Village's new generation of top combat power will have far-reaching effects on the surrounding situation."

As the three chatted and laughed, the office door was pushed open. Shimura Danzō entered with a grim face, leaning on his cane.

He glanced at the relaxed trio, especially at Hiruzen Sarutobi's undisguised smile.

His brow immediately furrowed, and a wave of displeasure rose within him. He simply could not stand seeing Hiruzen like this.

Before coming here, he had already read Root's briefing. The great victory on the Land of Rain front was certainly cause for celebration.

But the report's emphasis on the performance of that Hyuga Branch House brat cast a shadow over his heart.

The last time he had arranged for the boy to reasonably die during a mission, it had not only failed.

Instead, he had lost the informants he had planted on the front lines. Orochimaru had followed the trail and cleaned out a batch of his people.

Danzo had never found an outlet for this pent-up frustration.

Suppressing his displeasure, Danzo spoke in a gloomy voice. "It seems the Land of Rain has been thoroughly defeated this time.

"Orochimaru and the others... did indeed do well." He deliberately paused.

"Especially... in their handling of unexpected situations."

His words sounded like praise, but his emphasis on unexpected situations was clearly aimed at Hyuga Tianyi, that variable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed not to hear the hidden meaning and continued smiling as he took a puff from his pipe.

"Ha ha, yes. Konoha's Three Sannin—but the burden on their shoulders has grown heavier as well." His laughter was full of pride.

Following the topic, Danzo made a seemingly casual suggestion.

"With the fighting in the Land of Rain settled, the pressure on our front lines has sharply decreased. Large numbers of elite troops can gradually be recalled to the village for rest and reorganization.

They can reinforce defenses in other directions or carry out some backlogged high-level missions."

"Mm, I have also been considering rotating them back for rest." Hiruzen nodded, his gaze gentle.

"Now that you mention it, I have not seen Orochimaru and the others in a long time. When they return this time, I should properly hear about their experiences."

Then he changed the subject, took a page from the battle report, and handed it to the two advisors while signaling Danzo to look as well.

"But take a look. The ones who rendered great merit this time were not only Orochimaru and the other three."

His finger tapped a name. "Hyuga Clan Branch House Genin, Hyuga Tianyi.

On his own, he killed one Hidden Rain Village Jonin and four Chunin.

He also severely injured Hanzo's second Ibuse summoning beast, which was used to release widespread deadly poison.

He directly dismantled Hanzo's poison mist tactics.

He reduced the casualties among the front-line ninja to the lowest possible level.

Just now, the Hyuga Clan head, Hinata Tsubaki, even came specifically to ask about the situation.

Her words were filled with concern for this Branch House member, heh heh."

Hiruzen's tone carried praise and a hint of amusement.

He knew full well about the delicate relationship between the Hyuga Clan's Main House and Branch House.

Hinata Tsubaki personally inquiring after a Branch House Genin was itself quite thought-provoking.

Danzo had been waiting for those words! A sharp glint flashed in his eye as he immediately cut in.

"Hiruzen, I believe there is something suspicious about Hyuga Tianyi!"

He stepped forward, his cane lightly tapping the floor.

"A mere Genin, even with the Byakugan, was actually able to deal with five Rain ninja by himself.

One of them was even a Jonin? Even if Hidden Rain Village's Jonin may be somewhat inferior to Leaf Village's.

This record is still far too abnormal! This child's growth in strength defies all reason. There must be something strange behind it!"

Danzo's voice gradually took on an oppressive edge.

"Even more suspicious is that, according to earlier records.

The team he was in encountered a powerful enemy while carrying out a reconnaissance mission.

The entire team perished, and he alone survived.

Now he has displayed such absurd combat power again... I suspect—

he may be colluding with the enemy, or hiding some unspeakable secret.

He may even have been turned by the enemy!"

He finally revealed his dagger, staring directly at Hiruzen.

"For the village's safety, he must be thoroughly investigated! I propose that Hyuga Tianyi be immediately transferred into Root.

I will personally conduct the review. Before the truth is uncovered, he should not be allowed to have contact with any village affairs or comrades!"

The atmosphere in the office instantly froze.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance but did not immediately speak.

Their expressions had turned grave. Although Danzo's accusations were sharp,

they were not entirely without reason. A Leaf Village Genin truly should not have been capable of such things.

The smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face slowly faded.

He set down his pipe, his gaze calm yet profound as he looked at Danzo and slowly shook his head.

"No." His voice was not loud.

"Hiruzen!" Danzo's tone grew heavier.

"Danzo, hear me out first." Hiruzen raised a hand, cutting him off.

His tone remained steady. "First, Hyuga Tianyi is one of the key contributors to this battle.

He saved nearly a hundred Konoha ninja, most of them combat ninja and valuable Medical Corps members.

Countless people on the front lines now regard him as their lifesaver, including members of Tsunade's team.

If we transfer him into Root for review under suspicion at this time, it will chill the hearts of our front-line soldiers and affect morale."

"Second," Hiruzen continued, his gaze sweeping across the two advisors.

"What he displayed was not merely combat power. According to the battle report and the information Tsunade sent back.

He used some kind of highly efficient emergency treatment method that differs from the existing Medical Ninjutsu system.

These methods possess extremely high strategic value, and Tsunade is very interested in them.

She already intends to assess him and take him as her disciple in order to study these techniques in depth."

"Third." Hiruzen looked at Danzo, and his gaze became sharp.

"He is a member of the Hyuga Clan. He is a Konoha ninja.

Without conclusive evidence, based only on suspicion and an abnormal battle record,

you want to use Root's methods on a fellow villager who has just rendered great merit...

That is neither proper nor reasonable, and the Hyuga Clan will not agree to it either."

A flash of anger passed through Danzo's single eye. He had not expected Hiruzen to refuse so decisively.

He had even invoked Tsunade and the Hyuga Clan as reasons.

"Proper? Reasonable?" Danzo's voice carried suppressed anger and mockery.

"Hiruzen! You place too much importance on such meaningless things! The village's safety comes before all else!

Any potential threat must be strangled in the cradle!

This Hyuga Tianyi is covered in suspicious points, and his growth in combat power is bizarre.

His methods are unheard of. Are we supposed to ignore him simply because he rendered merit and saved people?

When he truly causes irreparable losses, it will be too late!

Hiruzen, your weak kindness will sooner or later destroy Leaf Village!"

His accusation was exceedingly harsh. It was practically like pointing at Hiruzen's nose and calling him indecisive and blind to the bigger picture.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly to the end, with no anger on his face. He merely picked up his pipe again.

He took a light puff and exhaled smoke.

Looking at the agitated Danzo, he slowly spoke.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

Danzo's body suddenly stiffened, his single eye fixed tightly on Hiruzen.

His chest heaved several times. There was anger in his eyes, unwillingness, and deep dissatisfaction.

He knew that before the two advisors, once Hiruzen made a decision in his capacity as Hokage, he could no longer forcefully object.

After a long while, Danzo squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth, his voice icy.

"Hiruzen... you will regret this."

After saying that, he did not look at anyone else. He turned around, leaning on his cane.

And walked out of the Hokage Office.

The door went, "Bang!"

Utatane Koharu sighed. "Danzo is also worried about the village."

Mitokado Homura pondered. "That Hyuga Tianyi truly does need to be observed.

However, since Tsunade is interested, perhaps leaving him under Tsunade's supervision and investigation would be more appropriate than handing him over to Root, and more acceptable to everyone."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing. He merely smoked in silence, his gaze passing through the window toward the distance.