Akihara Kagura is a bit abnormal.
Shimura Danzo never thought raising children could be so difficult.
After all, his way of raising children has always been to put a bunch of mentally normal kids together, let them grow up together, and then let them fight and kill each other to transform into somewhat abnormal killers...
Now, facing an overly abnormal child, Shimura Danzo suddenly feels it's a bit tricky, fearing the child might cause some trouble.
But...
Shimura Danzo couldn't criticize.
Because the child is always protecting him.
"I need to go out."
After pondering for a while, Shimura Danzo decides to go to the Hokage building first to gauge Hiruzen's intentions. He looks at Akihara Kagura: "You rest at the base."
"Ah?"
The young man seems surprised and can't help but look up at the old man: "Lord Danzo, didn't you say I was to be your guard? I can definitely ensure your safety!"
"Follow the order."
Shimura Danzo appreciates the child's loyalty.
However, the old man still vetoed the young man's suggestion with a single sentence.
Shimura Danzo knows that if he goes to the Hokage building, there's a high chance he'll end up arguing with Hiruzen. He's a bit afraid the child might attack the Hokage right there.
Hokage Building.
Shimura Danzo hurried here, mainly to find out about Hiruzen's coveting of Akihara Kagura, so he could prepare in advance.
If Hiruzen really plans to take Akihara Kagura away during the Chunin Exams, then Shimura Danzo can only... endure.
Of course!
He'll definitely have a good fight with him!
However, Hiruzen understands his old friend very well. When he saw Shimura Danzo walk into the Hokage's office, he directly handed Danzo a list of participants for the Chunin Exam.
"What's this?"
Shimura Danzo took the list, glanced over it, and his eyes landed on a name: "Uchiha Itachi? Participating in the Chunin Exam alone?"
That name...
It has been well known to Shimura Danzo for a long time.
After all, Uchiha Itachi graduated from the Ninja Academy early, and is known as the most talented child of the peaceful era, undoubtedly attracting much attention.
Especially since Uchiha Itachi once had a conflict with the Root organization, easily defeating a member of Root, which left a deep impression on Shimura Danzo!
At that time...
Uchiha Itachi was only eight years old!
Now, the ten-year-old Uchiha Itachi has undoubtedly become even more outstanding!
Danzo quickly calmed down and entered work mode: "I've heard of this kid, it wouldn't be difficult for him to pass the exam alone with his abilities..."
"But this child is an Uchiha. If he passes the Chunin Exam alone, it would be unprecedented in Konoha, and the Uchiha clan..."
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen interrupted Danzo, leisurely picking up his pipe: "We should not hold malice towards someone just because of their surname..."
"But..."
"Nor can we ignore the significance behind this surname."
Hiruzen never plainly stated anything, simply walking over to the window, gazing deeply at Konoha: "The village is becoming less peaceful, conflicts between the Uchiha and the villagers are increasing, and relations with the village are becoming more tense..."
"Hmph, they should have been dealt with long ago."
Danzo scoffed, disdainful of his old friend's soft-heartedness: "What you should do is carry out the teacher's will, completely eradicate the evil Uchiha..."
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen's voice immediately became stern, sharply saying: "The Uchiha are also members of Konoha, among them are ninjas who carry the Will of Fire... Have you forgotten his name because it's been too long since Kagami died?"
Uchiha Kagami.
He was once their teammate, even helping them out of crises multiple times, recognized by everyone as an excellent Konoha ninja.
Even the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, who was quite hostile to the Uchiha, had to admit Kagami's excellence, believing he had transcended the narrow mindset of his clan.
Unfortunately.
Uchiha Kagami died young.
Even though Kagami has been dead for many years, his will continues to influence the Uchiha clan, and his descendants, like him, remain loyal to the village.
The current top Uchiha, Uchiha Shisui, is a descendant of Kagami, and like his forebear, he's trying to ease the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, spreading the Will of Fire within the Uchiha clan.
Hearing Hiruzen mention the old friend, Danzo fell silent, even he couldn't forget the old friend who had saved him many times.
After a long time.
Danzo still did not choose to change his attitude.
"Kagami..."
"After all, they are only a minority."
"You should have understood one thing a long time ago..."
"The village cannot afford the risk of the Uchiha starting a rebellion."
"Just because a small flame can warm you, ignoring the danger of a wildfire outbreak is not a decision a Hokage should make; you have become weak..."
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Hiruzen turned his head back coldly, looking at his loyal advisor who seemed earnestly advising him, and calmly said: "Even if there's a sliver of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, it should not be given up... Now, what you should do is follow orders."
"Hmph... What orders?"
"Doesn't the Root have a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja?"
Hiruzen's gaze became sharp, staring firmly at his old friend, and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, it's just to let him participate in the Chunin exams. I won't remove him from the Root..."
"Hmph..."
Danzo snorted, but his face relaxed.
Originally, Danzo was somewhat annoyed at Hiruzen's weak attitude towards the Uchiha. Now knowing that Hiruzen's attitude towards his privately kept Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja was also weak...
Actually...
This old friend's kindness and softness are not bad at times.
Danzo confirmed that he could still keep Akihara Kagura, the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user, under his command, and his mood suddenly brightened, feeling that the future was full of hope again.
"I understand."
Danzo was very satisfied with his trip, and proactively planned: "I will teach him well, let him participate in the Chunin exams by himself, not letting Uchiha Itachi that kid stand out too much in the Chunin exams, and also make those Uchiha behave a little..."
"You arrange it as you see fit."
Hiruzen neither nodded nor shook his head, nor said anything more, as if he had not said anything just now.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
Shimura Danzo, leaning on his cane, was about to leave.
"Wait..."
Hiruzen suddenly called out to him, calmly asking: "That child with the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, when exactly did he appear? Are people still conducting forbidden Hashirama cell transplantation experiments in the village, or is it Orochimaru's doing..."
"He's a child from the orphanage!"
Danzo's eyes involuntarily widened, but he still forcibly maintained his composure and replied: "That child had awakened his Wood Release long ago. I've been keeping him at the Root base for training..."
"Oh."
Hiruzen seemed to believe this explanation, and sighed softly, "Then teach that child well, teach him to protect the Konoha, and don't let that child go down the wrong path…"