*puff*
A thin trail of smoke curled lazily upward, dissipating into the dimly lit room. The source, a pipe clenched between the Hokage's lips, released another soft puff as Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair.
His desk was cluttered with an ever-growing stack of paperwork, mission reports, requests, and matters requiring his immediate attention.
His sharp eyes scanned the document in front of him, but a sigh escaped his lips as he set his pen down. "How long will it take for me to get through all this?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.
The weight of his responsibilities often left him longing for the days when he was merely a student, free to roam and train without a care.But those days were long gone.
The ideals his sensei, Tobirama Senju, had instilled in him were deeply rooted, and he forced himself onward, even when the task seemed insurmountable.
The soft creak of the door interrupted his thoughts. Without looking up, Hiruzen felt a familiar chakra presence, a dark, unwavering signature he had known since his youth. His pen paused mid-stroke as he leaned back in his chair.
"What brings you here, Danzo?" Hiruzen asked, his tone neutral but edged with familiarity.
A man stepped into the room, his face obscured by a mask, a long cloak draped over his shoulders.
Danzo's presence always carried an air of cold authority, a stark contrast to Hiruzen's warmth.
"I've received a report," Danzo began, his voice as steady as ever. "During the upcoming yearly distribution of weaponry, the Lands of Lightning and Earth appear to be conspiring. My sources within the Root have uncovered plans for something… disruptive."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Is that so?" He gestured toward a sealed scroll on the side of his desk. "Take a look at this, Danzo. Tell me what you think."
Danzo took the scroll with a gloved hand and unsealed it. His eyes scanned the contents quickly, his sharp mind piecing together the implications.
He let out a low hum before speaking. "A shocking and risky proposal. That it comes from those deserters is what makes it truly unexpected."
Hiruzen nodded, clasping his hands in front of him. "It's a good one, though. I'm seriously considering it. What do you think?"
Danzo's head snapped up, his single visible eye narrowing. "Hiruzen, are you out of your mind?"
His voice carried a rare edge of frustration. "Can't you see the trap? If we agree to this and they win then they'll definitely use these resources to build their forces and will demand fertile land from us. It's a blatant power play."
Hiruzen met Danzo's glare calmly. "I haven't agreed to anything yet, but if one of the other great nations moves forward with it, I may have no choice. Better to position ourselves strategically than to be left behind." His tone carried the quiet authority of a leader who had considered all angles.
Danzo closed the scroll with a snap, slipping it back onto the desk. "You're too trusting, Hiruzen. This idealism of yours will only give them the advantage." He turned, his cloak swaying behind him as he made his way to the door.
"Let's discuss this in the elder meeting," he said, his tone curt. "I, for one, do not agree."
Hiruzen nodded. "We'll talk then."
~
As the door closed behind Danzo, the room fell silent once more. Hiruzen sighed, sinking back into his chair.
His mind raced as he went through the possibilities of his decision. Although this was clearly not something he would have chosen however looking at the promising future generation he felt maybe he can bet on it.
"It's only 5%, not something that will cause a huge uproar" Hiruzen spoke out loud as he looked at the scroll and his written content.
*sigh* "still i am pretty sure no one will agree…it could be a great motivation for the young ones".
His mind was already spinning with potential outcomes, but the immediate weight of his paperwork called to him again. He reached for his pen, determined to make progress, but his thoughts were interrupted yet again.
The door creaked open, and this time, it wasn't the shadow of Root that entered but a familiar figure clad in shinobi gear. Kagami Uchiha stepped in, his mission report tucked under one arm and a grin spreading across his face.
"Kagami," Hiruzen greeted, his demeanor softening. "I take it as the mission went well?"
Kagami stepped forward, his smile widening. "Well might be an understatement, Haru. I think you'll want to hear this one."