Seeing the greed in Danzo's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally ran out of patience.
"Enough, Danzo. I'm warning you: no more tricks. Until the Chunin Ninja Exams are over, Root is forbidden from taking any action. Otherwise, don't blame me for ruthlessly stripping you of your control over Root."
"Hiruzen! You need to wake up, too. Konoha stopped being the Konoha we knew long ago. Look at those shinobi clans-which of them still listens to you?
"Konoha is a heap of loose sand now. We have no one we can use. I know what you're thinking. You think that once the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki grows up, Konoha will have enough fighting power.
"But by now, you should know that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki isn't nearly as close to you as you imagine, and his bond with the village isn't nearly as deep as you think."
"Enough, Danzo! Shut your mouth. What would you consider a deep bond? Obeying your every command like a puppet? Naruto isn't your weapon, or anyone else's. He's a person, a living, breathing person, and the Fourth Hokage's son.
"Don't think I don't know what you've been doing behind my back. Don't think I don't know about your dealings with Orochimaru.
"I've tolerated you time and again because we're friends, because we're comrades-in-arms.
"But I'm warning you: stop wearing away at that bond over and over. All you need to do is handle your own responsibilities. Nothing else requires your interference."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"Shimura Danzō! I am the Hokage!"
"Fine. Just fine. You're right. You're the Hokage!
"But I'm telling you, Hiruzen Sarutobi-you'll regret this!"
With that, Danzo slammed the desk and sprang to his feet out of habit, then stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
But the moment the door closed, it opened again.
Danzo glared at