"You wicked and cunning little brat!"
Danzo's voice rang out, and Shūichi Hoshita reacted like a startled rabbit, instantly jumping and hiding behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen's eyes lit up. Impressive speed, but more importantly, quick reflexes.
Is he as talented as Minato?
Hiruzen wondered to himself.
Danzo, his face dark with anger, glared at Shūichi. "Hiruzen, this Shūichi is trying to drive a wedge between us!"
"I suspect he's been influenced by forces outside the village!"
Shūichi quickly spoke up, "Lord Danzo, can you honestly say you didn't threaten me?"
"You've had your Root ninjas watching me for a long time, haven't you?"
"You chose this moment to recruit me because the academy is about to start, and you feared that I'd make a name for myself and catch the Third Hokage's attention. So, you tried to bring me into the Root before Lord Third could learn more about me."
"As the Hokage's advisor and subordinate, Lord Danzo, your actions are an attempt to deceive and hide things from the Third Hokage. That's betrayal!"
"Threatening me with the village's comrades is a betrayal of Lord Third Hokage's Will of Fire!"
Danzo responded coldly, "Everything I do is for the good of the village. A little sacrifice is necessary."
Shūichi immediately retorted, "Then why isn't the sacrifice you? Why must it be me, a student who hasn't even graduated from the academy yet? Why must it be the poor orphans in the orphanage or the kind and gentle Director Nonō Yakushi?"
"As the Hokage's advisor, who inherited the Will of Fire from the Second Hokage, isn't it your duty to stand at the forefront, protecting the younger generation, and safeguarding Konoha's tender sprouts?"
Danzo's face twisted in anger as Shūichi's words struck a nerve, reminding him of the time he lost to Hiruzen and failed to become Hokage.
Shūichi's words had hit Danzo where it hurt the most, leaving him speechless and causing a surge of murderous intent to explode from him.
Tsunade, watching from the side, was thoroughly enjoying the show. Shūichi's words were incredibly satisfying and echoed her own thoughts.
But when Hiruzen saw the murderous intent radiating from Danzo, his expression darkened, and he called out sternly, "Danzo!"
Danzo snapped out of it immediately, reining in his killing intent.
Hiruzen then turned to Shūichi with a gentle expression. "Shūichi, don't worry, I'll handle this matter."
He then spoke to Tsunade, "Tsunade, take Shūichi and leave for now."
Tsunade was a bit reluctant, not quite done enjoying the show, but she was smart enough to know when to stop. She grabbed Shūichi and started to leave.
As they were walking out, Shūichi lightly scratched Tsunade's palm, then gave her a wink when she looked at him questioningly. He silently mouthed the word, "Director..."
Tsunade suddenly remembered, stopping in her tracks, and turned back. "Oh, right, old man, that Nonō Yakushi is an excellent medical ninja. It's a waste to use her as a spy."
"Besides, I might leave Konoha soon."
Her voice grew somber towards the end.
Hiruzen sighed and nodded. "I'll transfer Nonō Yakushi to Konoha Hospital."
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction and walked out with Shūichi.
After they left, Danzo immediately spoke up, "Hiruzen, Nonō Yakushi has excellent intelligence-gathering abilities..."
Hiruzen cut him off in a stern voice, "I've already promised Tsunade. That's final!"
Danzo had no choice but to relent, but he quickly added, "That Shūichi Hoshita has an astonishingly mature mind. If we don't control and train him properly, he could become a threat to Konoha in the future."
"Hiruzen, the Root is the best place for him. If you entrust him to me, I can turn him into a blade no less sharp than the White Fang of Konoha!"
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and said, "Shūichi is better suited for the Anbu."
To Hiruzen, Shūichi's understanding of the Will of Fire was more important than his talent.
Moreover, what Konoha needs isn't just a killing machine. It needs someone with the Will of Fire, someone who can inherit the precious legacy of the predecessors and protect the village.
If he weren't so old, he would have wanted to personally teach Shūichi Hoshita.
"Tsunade might be able to do it. Maybe this could even keep her in Konoha..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered to himself while saying aloud, "Danzo, submit a report on Shūichi's profile tomorrow."
Danzo was reluctant. "Hiruzen, Shūichi Hoshita needs to be controlled. His thoughts are too dangerous."
"Precisely because of that, he needs proper guidance."
Hiruzen remained firm. "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"
Danzo stormed out, leaving the office in silence. Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his mind replaying Shūichi's earlier words.
Not a single word was wrong.
And how could he not be aware of Danzo's ambitions?
After a long pause, Hiruzen suddenly gave an order, "Shinnosuke, go inform Orochimaru to see me tomorrow."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
...
At a small eatery.
Shūichi, Tsunade, and Shizune were having a late-night snack together.
After watching such a good show, Tsunade's appetite was huge, and she was devouring her food with gusto.
Shizune, however, was a bit worried. "Lady Tsunade, Shūichi has completely offended Lord Danzo. Won't that be a problem in the future?"
Tsunade glanced at Shūichi. "That depends on his own abilities."
Shūichi smiled confidently, "Don't worry, Shizune, I'm a genius!"
Tsunade scoffed, "A dead genius is no genius at all!"
Her mood suddenly darkened.
Her brother Nawaki had been a genius too.
How many geniuses has Konoha lost?
Gulping down a cup of sake, Tsunade said, "Kid, if you're a prideful and complacent ninja, it's easy to end up dead."
"On the battlefield, even a Jōnin must be extremely cautious."
Shūichi accepted her advice humbly, "Thank you for the warning, Lady Tsunade. I'll be careful."
After finishing their meal, Shūichi returned home alone, sitting on his sofa to rest.
Danzo's threat had been dealt with—at least for now.
Yes, only temporarily.
As long as Danzo lives, the problem isn't truly resolved.
If Danzo doesn't come for him, he'll eventually take Danzo out himself.
"Looks like I really need to change my plans..."
Shūichi mused to himself.
Initially, he hadn't planned to graduate from the ninja academy early. But the results of his summer operation made him consider early graduation.
Now, he's decided to graduate early.
The ninja academy isn't enough to support the growth of his tag tree!
He shifted his focus to the tag tree.
Several tags on the tree remained unactivated.
Fire Release Expert, Clone Expert, Substitution Expert, Taijutsu Expert, Ninja Tool Expert, Medical Expert, Sealing Expert.
These specialist tags were all tempting, but activating them wouldn't be easy.
For example:
Tag: Clone Expert
Condition to Obtain: Master at least five different Clone Techniques.
Effect: Increases mental strength by 100%, allows effortless use of Clone Techniques without hand signs.
(End of Chapter)
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