Tsunade could already picture Danzo getting thoroughly scolded by Granny Mito, not daring to utter a single word in his defense, which made her laugh uncontrollably. She rolled around on her bed in amusement.
Unfortunately, Uzumaki Mito had no intention of reprimanding Danzo directly.
With Mito's standing and influence, confronting Danzo would silence him completely. But for Mito, doing so would be beneath her. More importantly, she didn't want to deal with someone as ambition-riddled as Danzo.
Rather than handling it herself, Mito figured it would be better to push this issue to the Hokage's office and let the Third Hokage and the council elders handle it.
Before long, the Third Hokage, busy in his office, received a summons. He immediately dropped everything and hurried to the Senju compound. Shortly after, he returned to the office, his face stormy.
"Hiruzen, what's the urgent matter you had to see me about?"
After the First Shinobi World War, when the Third Hokage had secured his position, Torifu Akimichi had gradually withdrawn from the spotlight to help the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's development.
He spent most of his time with his clan, experimenting with food and producing ration pills.
"It'll be clearer once everyone else arrives," Hiruzen replied, gesturing for him to sit. Torifu eyed the small chair, thought better of it, and pulled over a cushion, sitting cross-legged on the floor to accommodate his bulky frame.
Soon, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado entered the office. Noticing Torifu on the floor, Koharu chuckled, "You've put on even more weight, haven't you?"
"Can't be helped," Torifu laughed heartily, patting his belly. He even invited Homura to try patting it for himself.
"Have you two no sense of decorum?" Koharu scolded, shaking her head in disapproval.
Torifu quickly turned away, feigning innocence, while Homura simply found a seat as if nothing had happened.
Once they settled down, Koharu turned to Hiruzen and asked, "So, Hiruzen, what's the urgency?"
With Danzo still absent, Hiruzen decided to brief the trio. "Lady Mito recently called me to complain that Danzo took it upon himself to warn Hyuga Takashi to stay away from Kushina."
"Is he insane?" Koharu blurted out, her temper flaring. "The decision on Kushina was already made! Hyuga Takashi is Tsunade's disciple and has Lady Mito's endorsement. Danzo going behind our backs to threaten him—is he trying to undo all our agreements?"
Akimichi Torifu and Homura shared a look, both amused. While others stumble, Danzo apparently goes out of his way to trip himself up. Just as they'd agreed, he went off and caused a mess.
"Lady Mito is understandably displeased," Hiruzen said, his frustration toward Danzo evident. What was he thinking?
"Does this have something to do with me?" Danzo's voice cut through the room. He had heard his name mentioned from afar and arrived in time to witness Hiruzen's dark expression, Koharu's irritation, and Homura and Torifu's resigned looks that seemed to warn him.
Had Takashi gone to complain?
"Danzo, what are you thinking?" Hiruzen burst out, unable to contain his irritation. "Kushina's situation is settled. You were there when we reached an agreement with Lady Mito. Why go and act against it?"
"For the village's stability and control over the Jinchuriki," Danzo replied without flinching. "A Jinchuriki should avoid romantic entanglements. Takashi is from the Hyuga Clan, a branch house at that, and thus an unpredictable element."
"We all know how dangerous childbirth is for a Jinchuriki."
Danzo looked around, hoping for support, but Koharu's expression was dark, and Homura merely shook his head.
"Ahem." Torifu coughed to break the silence. "Danzo, Kushina is only six years old."
A little girl of six, and here he was worrying about her future relationships and childbirth. Wasn't he jumping the gun?
"What do you mean?" Danzo frowned.
Feigning ignorance, huh? Torifu sighed. Danzo's stubbornness always flared up when his position lacked solid ground.
"Danzo, we understand your concerns," Torifu said with some exasperation. "But don't you think you're overthinking this? Kushina's just a kid, and from our surveillance, Takashi behaves more like a mentor than anything else."
Torifu then nudged Homura. "Hey, Homura, when you were thirteen, did you have any interest in a six-year-old?"
Homura gave Danzo a wry look, replying, "Of course not. Older girls were far more appealing. Hiruzen would agree, wouldn't you?"
"Enough!" Hiruzen interjected, his expression beginning to crack. Koharu could barely sit through this, feeling the discussion had spiraled into sheer ridiculousness.
Although the conversation had veered off course, the facts remained clear.
"Alright," Koharu snapped, regaining control of the conversation. She knew well enough the importance of this matter. News of this meeting's digressions could cause a stir if it leaked out.
"Danzo," Hiruzen warned, his tone serious. "From now on, all matters concerning Kushina are mine to handle. Neither you nor the council will interfere further."
"Sarutobi, you—"
Danzo's face twisted in frustration. This was not the outcome he'd wanted. He had aimed to gain influence but instead had lost control over the very situation he'd tried to manipulate.
"I won't be swayed. And I am still the Hokage," Hiruzen said, cutting off Danzo before he could argue further. Knowing Danzo too well, Hiruzen made it clear he was in charge.