The Transfer of Power, the Prelude to a New Era
Inside the Hokage Office, the last glow of sunset had vanished completely. Only the newly lit lamps outside cast their faint light through the windows, illuminating the silent wreckage within.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slumped in the chair that symbolized Konoha's highest authority. His pipe had long since fallen to the floor, its spilled ashes scattered nearby.
His eyes were vacant, as though part of his soul had been torn away, leaving nothing but endless exhaustion and... a trace of bewilderment he could not put into words.
In the corner, Shimura Danzō remained bound in the Adamantine Sealing Chains like a work of art, utterly motionless. Only the venom and resentment that occasionally flashed through his lone eye betrayed the turmoil raging within him.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stood on either side of the desk, exchanging looks, their expressions impossibly conflicted.
Shock, horror, and fear of Uchiha Shinichi's unfathomable strength mingled on their aged faces.
"He... he just left?" Mitokado Homura's voice was dry, tinged with disbelief.
That laid-back young man had subdued Danzo with overwhelming force, then simply walked away, as though he had dealt with some insignificant nuisance.
Utatane Koharu took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her voice still trembled. "Uchiha Shinichi... his power is completely beyond our control now. Hiruzen, you..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head. His gaze passed over his two old friends before finally settling on the tightly wrapped figure in the corner. A bitter, self-mocking smile touched his lips. "Control? When did we ever truly control him?"
Ever since Shinichi had saved the Second, the young man had risen rapidly in ways they could not comprehend.
He was lazy, he did as he pleased, and he seemed utterly uninterested in power.