Natsuhane's earnest demeanor left Kurenai stunned. "Marry me, Kurenai," he said, his voice unwavering.
Before Kurenai could respond, Natsuhane moved from his seat opposite her to the one beside her. "Natsuhane, you...?"
"I just want to be the father of your child... and to steal your first kiss," he said softly.
"Mm..." Kurenai's voice was a mere whisper as she processed his words.
---
Meanwhile, back at Konoha Hospital, Asuma Sarutobi lay on his bed, still struggling with the excruciating pain from his injured kidneys. Despite numerous doses of painkillers, the agony remained unabated. His face was pale, beads of sweat rolling down from his forehead.
A younger ninja attending to him couldn't bear seeing Asuma in such pain. "Asuma-senpai, should I inform the Hokage about your condition? Maybe Lady Tsunade, his esteemed student, could help. If the Hokage asks, she might return to aid you!"
"No! My father mustn't see me like this... What is my father doing right now?" Asuma groaned, his voice strained.
"The Hokage is still interrogating Danzo. It's been a whole day, and there's no word on the outcome yet..." the young ninja replied.
---
At the Konoha Interrogation Department, Room 1.
This room, the largest and most secure in the department, equipped with a full array of interrogation tools, was reserved for high-profile war criminals or disgraced high-ranking officials. Danzo was bound tightly with chains within the iron bars.
Opposite him sat Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, flanked by Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Ibiki Morino, and several masked ANBU members. The atmosphere was eerily silent, a silence that had persisted for an entire day.
From the moment he entered, Danzo had not uttered a single word, nor had he reacted to the severe torture methods applied by Ibiki Morino. His eyes remained vacant, unblinking.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't asked any questions, instead maintaining a profound gaze fixed on Danzo. "Phew..." Ibiki Morino sighed, reappearing from his "Summoning: Torture Chamber" technique, shaking his head in frustration. It was clear that once again, he had failed to extract any information.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe before speaking softly, "Continue."
"Wait!" Inoichi Yamanaka interjected, stepping forward decisively. "Hokage-sama, this isn't working. Danzo's resolve is too strong; physical torture won't break him. Let our intelligence division handle this."
Hiruzen, about to respond, was supported by Shikaku Nara. "Hokage-sama, Inoichi is right. Please consider his suggestion."
Ibiki Morino, removing his mask to wipe the sweat pooling in the scars on his head, added, "I agree, Hokage-sama. My chakra is nearly depleted. At this rate, it's pointless. With Inoichi's abilities, the truth will come to light soon."
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew this all too well. He was desperate for answers, but handing Danzo over to Inoichi meant exposing their shared secrets to more people. "Hokage-sama, please make the call," Shikaku Nara urged, sensing Hiruzen's hesitation.
Realizing he had no other choice, Hiruzen sighed heavily. "Alright, Inoichi, I'll leave Danzo in your hands. Inform me immediately of any findings. It's late; I'll be heading back."
As Hiruzen prepared to leave, intending to dispatch Root members to retrieve Danzo's body, Danzo suddenly erupted into a frenzy, furiously struggling against his chains. "Hokage! I've become Hokage! I've finally become Hokage!"
"Someone, notify the village's finest sculptor! He has half a day to carve my face on the Hokage Rock, or I'll have his family executed!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha, Second Hokage, I am your true successor! Watch as I unite the world under Konoha!"
"Hokage, heh heh heh... Hokage..."
"I am the Hokage!!"
"Ha ha ha ha, heh heh heh heh hiccup~ heh heh heh..."
Everyone present, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, stared in stunned silence as Danzo raved and laughed maniacally to himself.
Ibiki Morino, shocked, stammered, "Dan... Danzo-sama... has he... has he gone mad?"