After Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others left the basement of the Hokage Building, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura chose to leave.
They had their own affairs to attend to and naturally would not keep following along, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō went to a small teahouse.
The teahouse buzzed with voices, seemingly unchanged by the arrival of the Third Hokage and the leader of Root.
Those who were chatting kept chatting, and those drinking tea kept drinking.
"Hiruzen, you were a little impatient this time." Danzo seemed entirely unconcerned with the people around them as he said directly, "Your words will put that brat on his guard."
"I know. And I know even better what I should do."
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly shook his head. Only after gently pouring himself a cup of tea did he slowly continue.
"If that child from the Senju Clan were still the same as before, I wouldn't give it much thought.
"But things are different now. That child has great potential."
Indeed, although the potential Xia Yan had displayed this time was not yet enough to affect very much, his potential for growth was rather frightening.
With a Summoning Beast capable of fighting a Kage-level expert included, he already had considerable influence.
If he were given time to develop his talents and turn them into strength, he would definitely become an extremely troublesome presence.
Under normal circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have cared so much.
Even if someone like that appeared in the Senju Clan, he would not move against him lightly, just as he could allow that brat into the Anbu.
Ultimately, Hiruzen Sarutobi also wanted Konoha to grow stronger-under his control.
Moreover, he still needed Tsunade's support. If continuing to move against the Senju Clan provoked further dissatisfaction from her,
then the