Danzō, I Am the Hokage

Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.

Thin rings of smoke drifted up from Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe.

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

Even the faint wrinkles on his face had smoothed somewhat, and an unconcealed 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 opposite him.

Homura Mitokado said:

"This time, Hanzo acknowledged Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru's strength. The name Konoha's Three Sannin will,

after this battle, spread throughout the entire ninja world, and the pressure on the Land of Rain front will be greatly reduced.

We can finally catch our breath."

Koharu Utatane also wore a gratified expression. "Indeed, Orochimaru and the others have not let the village down.

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

Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and added, "The Three Sannin's name is not merely an honor, but also a responsibility and a deterrent.

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

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

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

His brows immediately furrowed as displeasure surged in his heart. 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 worth celebrating.

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

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

He had instead lost the informants he had planted on the front lines. Orochimaru had followed the trail and purged a group of people.

Danzō had never had anywhere to vent this pent-up anger.

Suppressing his displeasure, Danzō 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 how they handled unexpected circumstances."

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed not to catch the implication and continued puffing on his pipe with a smile.

"Haha, yes. Konoha's Three Sannin, but the burden on their shoulders has also grown heavier." His laughter was full of pride.

Following that line of thought, Danzō made what seemed like a casual suggestion:

"With the war 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 recovery.

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

"Mm, I have also been considering rotation and rest." Hiruzen nodded, his gaze gentle.

"Come to think of 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."

His tone shifted as he picked up a page from the battle report and handed it to the two advisors, signaling for Danzō to look as well.

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

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

By himself, he killed one Hidden Rain Village Jonin and four Chunin.

He also seriously wounded Hanzo's second Salamander summoning beast, which had been used to release widespread lethal poison.

He directly dismantled Salamander Hanzo's poison mist tactics.

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

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

Her words showed considerable concern for this Branch House disciple, hehe."

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

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

Hinata Tsubaki personally asking after a Branch House Genin was intriguing in itself.

This was exactly what Danzō had been waiting for! A sharp glint flashed in his eye as he immediately said:

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

He stepped forward, his cane lightly tapping the floor.

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

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 rate of growth in strength defies all reason. There must be something strange behind it!"

Danzō's voice gradually took on a pressing edge.

"What is even more suspicious is that according to the previous records.

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

The entire squad perished, with only him surviving.

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 true intent and stared straight at Hiruzen.

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

I will personally oversee his interrogation. Until the truth is uncovered, he should not be allowed contact with any village affairs or comrades!"

The atmosphere in the office instantly froze.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance without speaking immediately.

Their expressions, however, had both turned grave. Although Danzō's accusation was harsh,

it was not entirely unreasonable. A Leaf Village Genin truly should not have been able to accomplish such things.

The smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face slowly faded.

He set down his pipe and looked at Danzō with calm yet profound eyes, slowly shaking his head.

"No." His voice was not loud.

"Hiruzen!" Danzō's tone grew heavier.

"Danzō, listen to me first." Hiruzen raised a hand, cutting him off.

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

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

Countless people on the front lines now regard him as their savior, including those from Tsunade's team.

Transferring him into Root for interrogation under suspicion at a time like this would chill the hearts of the front-line soldiers and affect morale."

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

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

He used some highly efficient emergency treatment methods unlike the existing system of medical ninjutsu.

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 to study these techniques in depth."

"Third." Hiruzen looked at Danzō, his gaze turning sharp.

"He is a member of the Hyuga Clan, a Leaf Village 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 violates both rules and reason, and the Hyuga Clan will not agree to it either."

A flicker of anger flashed through Danzō's single eye. He had not expected Hiruzen to refuse so decisively.

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

"Rules? Reason?" Danzō's voice was filled with suppressed fury and mockery.

"Hiruzen! You care too much about such pointless things! The village's safety stands above all else!

Any potential threat must be strangled in the cradle!

This Hinata Tianyi is riddled with doubts, and his growth in strength is bizarre.

His methods are unheard of. Just because he rendered merit and saved people, should we simply let him go unchecked?

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

Hiruzen, your weak mercy will sooner or later harm Leaf Village!"

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly until he finished. There was no anger on his face as he merely picked up his pipe again.

He took a gentle puff and exhaled smoke.

Looking at the agitated Danzō, he slowly spoke:

"Danzō, I am the Hokage."

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

His chest heaved violently several times. His eyes held anger, resentment, and deep dissatisfaction.

He knew that before the two advisors, once Hiruzen made a decision in his capacity as Hokage, he could no longer forcibly argue against it.

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

"Hiruzen... you will regret this."

After saying that, he looked at no one else. He turned around, leaning on his cane.

And walked out of the Hokage's Office.

The door went, "Bang!"

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

Homura Mitokado pondered. "That Hinata Tianyi does indeed need to be watched.

However, since Tsunade is interested, having Tsunade supervise and investigate him may be more suitable than handing him to Root, and more acceptable as well."

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