The words were already on the tip of his tongue, but seeing the three of them with their smiles gone and anger on their faces, Shimura Danzō wisely swallowed them back.
Instead, he explained, "No one wants to provoke that old man. I sent people to find out what was discussed at today's Senju Clan Meeting. Didn't you get the Anbu report?"
"After all these years, the Senju are going to discuss whether to disband in the next few days. Is there anything wrong with sending people to keep watch at a time like this?"
Hearing that this was what it was about, the two standing nearby relaxed considerably and joined in to persuade him. "All right, Hiruzen. Danzō's arrangement made sense. Whether the Senju Clan disbanded would have a huge impact on Konoha!"
Seeing his two old friends say the same, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three of them in surprise. "That's the teacher's family, Lord Hashirama's family!"
Then he changed tack. "Even if the impact is huge and the Senju need to be monitored, why didn't your people leave as soon as they were discovered? Why did you bring Uka back and make us all suffer that old man's humiliation?"
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi seated in the Hokage Position, Danzō wondered in confusion if his old friend had already lost the ability to think calmly.
Had that old bastard really shaken him that badly today?
Wasn't it just the mess in your own family?
Danzō shook his head and explained gravely, "Wake up, Hiruzen! Can't you see the key lies with Senju Toka?"
"Whichever side the power she commands supports will win! I only wanted to use that brat to lure Senju Toka out!"
"As soon as I confirmed the Senju were disbanding, I would have let him go!"
Thinking of how his plan had failed, Danzō felt some regret.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, meanwhile, was completely baffled.
Whether the Senju disbanded would greatly affect the village, but no matter what, the Senju would still be here.
Whether or not they disbanded, Konoha's strength wouldn't change much. They would still live in Konoha!
The greatest impact would only be how much support they gave him!
After these six years, did having the Senju's support-or not having it-still make any difference to us?
Danzō, Koharu, have you really lost even that much confidence?
Seeing that his old friend still hadn't grasped the key point, Danzō smiled disdainfully. In his heart, he once again rejected Teacher Tobirama's choice!
Then he stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated in the Hokage Position, and said each word deliberately: "According to Teacher Tobirama's last words, they should have disbanded by now!"
"Once they disband, the women who carry Senju blood will completely integrate into Konoha!"
"That means that decades from now, thousands upon thousands of shinobi will possess the Senju's talent!"
"How many of the people recruited by the Ninja Academy have talent? We've trained over three thousand in six years. How many Jonin are among them? Hiruzen, you should know!"
Hearing Danzō's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened in shock, and he froze in place!
No one had ever looked at the impact of the Senju disbanding from this angle.
He had to admit that this time Danzō had seen far, far ahead-farther than the three of them had!
But... that was the teacher's family, Lord Hashirama's family!
Shouldn't they decide whether to disband according to their own wishes?
Was it really right to interfere with a Shinobi Clan and make it disband?
What would happen if the Senju found out? What if the other Shinobi Clans found out?
Looking at the three of them, who had gone somewhat blank, Danzō's face flushed as he excitedly laid out what he had in mind. "The Senju's talent lies in their bodies. It isn't a Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan or Sharingan that needs to be awakened."
"Their physical talent can be passed down perfectly to commoners. Imagine Konoha decades from now: most commoner shinobi could possess some of the Senju's talent. What would that look like?"
"That's how you change Konoha from the root up!"
Thinking of how no one understood Teacher Tobirama's purpose, Danzō said with some pain, "Those Senju can't understand Teacher Tobirama's greatness. Some of them cling to what they have. They refuse to give up the so-called Senju name. Those old-fashioned people should disappear. They must not become an obstacle!"
"We all know what the Senju have contributed. But after losing the teacher, those selfish people took high positions and no longer want to contribute! That can't be allowed. They can't tarnish the Senju name, and they can't ruin the teacher's plan!"
As they watched their friend gesticulate, brimming with excitement, the three listened to the scene he kept describing in their minds. They stared blankly at Shimura Danzō, as if they had only today truly come to know the companion they had grown up with!
They knew very well how powerful the Senju were!
If there really were tens of thousands of shinobi like that, what would Konoha have to fear?
If the Senju really disbanded, would such a scene come to pass?
Yes!
It would!
But the Senju...
"Ding-a-ling-"
A breeze blew past the window, and the wind chime by it rang. Hiruzen Sarutobi jolted and came back to his senses!
Thinking of what he had just thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help feeling a surge of panic!
He couldn't support Danzō's position, because the teacher's plan didn't seem to be like this...!
But the benefits of the Senju disbanding...!
He covered his face with both hands and rubbed it hard a few times. Then, feeling limp and utterly drained, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three of them. After a moment of silence, he stressed, "That's the teacher's family, Lord Hashirama's family. Only they can decide what to do. Remember, we... must not interfere!"
"Hiruzen, they need us..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly slapped both hands on the desk and scolded, "Enough. This is settled. Danzō, do as I said. I'm the Hokage!"
Danzō was deeply disappointed by the refusal. He frowned and turned to look at the two companions beside him.
He hoped to win their approval, hoped they would stand up and support his view, but... both of them lowered their heads!
"Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, you... will regret this!"
Having failed to get the support he wanted, and having received neither understanding nor agreement, Danzō's face darkened. He swept his sleeve sharply and said coldly, "Since you disagree, then forget it!"
"But the formation of Root...!"
Seeing that his friend was no longer insisting on the matter of the Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately nodded in agreement. "Choose the people. I'll order them to cooperate with you!"
"Good!"
Having received the answer he wanted, Danzō didn't stay any longer. He turned, broke the barrier, opened the door, and left!
In the corridor, looking at the portrait of Tobirama Senju on the wall, Shimura Danzō let out a long sigh.
Teacher, Hiruzen is too weak. He doesn't dare interfere in the affairs of the Shinobi Clans, and he's willing to let your plan fail!
But I dare!
I'll make you see who made the right choice!
Just wait. Once Root is formed, I'll help you fulfill your wish!
Teacher Tobirama, rest assured. Root and the Senju will both become roots beneath the great tree. They'll support all of Konoha and let Konoha stand at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World!
After Danzō left, Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually came back to himself. He reminded Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu beside him, "Remember to keep this secret. None of what was said today can get out, or Danzō will be done for!"
The two nodded in agreement and left the Hokage's office together. Today's revelations had been too shocking; they needed time to recover!
Once everyone had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the sun setting outside the window and no longer felt like continuing his work.
I've given you everything I can. What you make of it is up to you...!