Inside the Hokage's Office, Shimura Danzō stood before the desk, his lone eye fixed sharply on Hiruzen Sarutobi, who seemed to have aged yet again.
His voice was low, but his insistence left no room for argument. "Hiruzen, Sasuke Uchiha knows the truth now. We must handle him carefully."
"Uchiha blood runs through his veins, and he carries Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan. We cannot ignore either the danger he poses or his value for research."
"I believe placing him with Root is the safest choice, and the one that best serves the village. I'll see that he receives 'proper' supervision and guidance. He certainly won't become Konoha's enemy in the future."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer at once. Instead, he picked up the teapot and slowly poured steaming tea into two delicate cups, his movements so measured they seemed almost ceremonial.
He slid one cup toward Danzo and cradled the other in his hands. After gently blowing on it, he raised his eyes to the old friend and rival he had fought with all his life. His tone was calm, perhaps even too gentle.
"Danzo, neither of us is young anymore." He took a sip of tea, his gaze seeming to pass through Danzo and into the distant past.
"After all we've been through—the fighting, the killing, the struggle for power—you must be tired too."
"Why don't we take this chance to lay down our burdens together? We could retire, enjoy time with our grandchildren, and leave Konoha's future to the young. What do you say?"
A flicker of shock crossed Danzo's lone eye before giving way to a deeper, darker scorn.
He snorted as though he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. Drawing himself up even straighter, he spoke with the solemn fervor of a man making