"What?"
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Koharu and Homura both looked shocked.
"Hiruzen, are you saying even you can't handle him?"
Homura seemed genuinely stunned.
"But even if he has the First Hokage's Wood Release, he's just an inexperienced brat." Koharu uttered in disbelief.
"Is his strength really that formidable?"
"Without a doubt."
Hiruzen sighed, exhaling a puff of smoke and nodding reluctantly.
Seeing his two friends' shifting expressions, he continued gravely, "I understand better than anyone the true significance of Wood Release."
"But you two don't need to worry about this, I have my own plans. Stay out of it, so we don't end up complicating matters."
If he were two or three decades younger, still filled with vigor, he might indeed have considered Kiyoshi a potential threat.
But now, seeing Konoha in its gradually weakening state, with its days of glory fading, Hiruzen was forced to reevaluate his position.
Though he was hailed as the "Professor," he wasn't immune to the allure of power.
Like most heroes throughout history, when the fires of youth faded, they left behind a heart with a growing desire for control.
However, no matter how much power tempted him—despite moments of poor judgment, hesitation, or softness—Hiruzen remained someone who loved Konoha dearly and was willing to lay down his life for it.
And he understood what Kiyoshi's presence could mean for Konoha.
This boy already possessed a chakra reserve rivaling a tailed beast and wielded the Wood Release that once brought peace to the world.
His power was unquestionably of Kage level.
It was clear that if Kiyoshi grew stronger, even if he never officially became Hokage, his presence in Konoha would act as a deterrent on par with the Nine-Tails.
He had made mistakes in the past, and while he might not regret his choices, he was resolved not to repeat them—to push such a remarkable talent away from the village.
"You two don't want to drive Tsunade back here just to secure a future for her student, do you?"
Seeing Koharu and Homura about to object, Hiruzen sighed softly, calmly reminding them of the implications.
He knew precisely what his two old friends were worried about, the possibility that young talent might rise to power, taking away the authority they had carefully held onto.
Once, he too had claimed that everything he did was for Konoha's sake. But secretly, how often did he also feel this way?
If not for the Uchiha's demise over the last two years, Konoha's growing decline, and the realization of its once-fading strength, perhaps he would still be lost in that cycle of stubbornness, unable to see the truth.
Power—it was indeed the most dangerous thing in the world.
It had eroded the fiery ambition and idealism of their youth to this point.
"Fine."
"Then we'll leave it to you."
Koharu and Homura's expressions shifted, and ultimately, they stepped back, nodding in reluctant agreement.
After all, if Tsunade really returned, her reputation within the village combined with Kiyoshi's support would pose a genuine threat.
Kiyoshi's display of Wood Release had shown everyone how terrifying the power that once ended the Warring States Period could be.
The families and shinobi who already harbored dissatisfaction toward the elders would immediately rally around her and Kiyoshi.
Even if they couldn't remove the elders outright, at the very least, the Senju Clan would rise again, rallying a force that could challenge the elders.
That was not an outcome they wanted.
"But then—"
"Danzo-sama, you can't go in there."
"Move aside."
"Bang!"
The door was kicked open, and an aged figure entered, leaning on a cane, followed closely by an anxious, sweaty guard, unsure of what to do.
Hiruzen glanced at Danzo, who had barged in without any notice, and showed no signs of anger, gesturing dismissively to the guard.
"It's fine, you may leave."
"Danzo, why are you here?"Hiruzen's tone was cold. "Remember, you're no longer an aide to the Hokage."
His repeated leniency over the years had nearly depleted his tolerance for Danzo.
Were it not for their shared bond from the battlefield and the occasional need to entrust him with matters unsuitable for a Hokage, Hiruzen might have already ordered his old comrade imprisoned.
Seeing Homura and Koharu unfazed by Danzo's arrival, Hiruzen couldn't help but frown slightly.
"I'm well aware of that," Danzo said, his expression hardening. Feigning ignorance, he went straight to the point.
"Hiruzen, I heard that Ishikawa Kiyoshi has awakened Wood Release?"
Danzo had come at Koharu and Homura's invitation, but he was also curious to test Hiruzen's stance regarding this remarkable figure.
Even though that "master" might only stay in Konoha for a short while, perhaps just ten days or so, if they made any rash moves, Danzo was prepared to take them out for the sake of Konoha's future, for the future of the entire shinobi world.
"Your intelligence seems quite accurate," Hiruzen remarked, casting an unamused glance at Koharu and Homura, who looked as if they were completely uninvolved.
"Hiruzen, Wood Release is a powerful asset. We should—"
"Don't even think about it, Danzo!" Hiruzen cut him off sharply, glaring at him and asking bluntly.
"Two years ago, outside the capital of the Land of Fire, were those your men attacking Tsunade and her team?"
"Two years ago, I was under house arrest, and I never left the village," Danzo replied calmly.
He had left a body double in the village and had no intention of being found out. After all, Root had supposedly been integrated into the Anbu under Hiruzen's control.
Naturally, he wouldn't admit it.
"Hmph, it better be that way."
Hiruzen tapped his pipe, falling silent.
"Alright, Hiruzen, Danzo. You two need to put this aside," Koharu interjected, stepping forward to ease the tension.
She turned to Danzo, explaining, "As for Kiyoshi, considering his strength may already be on par with a Kage's and his unique status as Tsunade's student, we must be careful. We've discussed this with Hiruzen, he'll handle it."
"So that boy's no longer someone we can control so easily?" Danzo's face darkened, and he locked eyes with Hiruzen.
"He's someone with shocking potential. Even if he doesn't reach the First Hokage's level, he could certainly rival our teacher, the Second Hokage." Danzo's eyes grew cold.
"For the safety of the village, we must find a way to control him. We can't afford to be careless."
"And what exactly do you propose?" Hiruzen's frown deepened.
"Hiruzen, let me take over the training of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," Danzo said, his gaze intense.
"If we lose the means to counter Kiyoshi, and he's led astray by 'certain people,' the consequences could be disastrous."
"This!" Koharu and Homura exchanged glances.
Danzo had proposed this countless times, only to be denied each time.
They'd always supported Hiruzen in rejecting him. But with Kiyoshi's recently displayed power and potential, they couldn't help but consider the threat.
After all, without a countermeasure for Kiyoshi's power, they might one day find themselves under the mercy of Tsunade and her student.
"Danzo, you're being delusional."
At those words, Hiruzen's face hardened.
"I will never hand over Naruto to you."
"But, Hiruzen, remember—" Danzo began, intending to make his case.
Danzo had thought he might use this opportunity to gain control of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
With his Sharingan, Kiyoshi would be able to control Nine-Tails completely, wielding both Uchiha and Senju powers and the strongest of the tailed beasts.
Then who could stand in his way of unifying the shinobi world and making Konoha a superpower?
Danzo sneered at the thought of the masked "Madara" and the Akatsuki. They would be no match for such a force.
"Danzo! I am the Hokage, not you."
Hiruzen interrupted, his gaze icy as he met Danzo's eyes. "I don't need you to teach me how to do my job, and you're no longer a Hokage advisor."
Danzo's face stiffened.
The Hokage? Of course, he knew Hiruzen was the Hokage. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been forced to endure these years of frustration.
He knew he could never compare to Kiyoshi, the one who would lead Konoha into a new era.
But was he truly inferior to Hiruzen?
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this," Danzo growled, his eyes darkening as he stormed out.
Years ago, during the Second Hokage's final test, he had hesitated for just a moment, and it had cost him the Hokage title. That was a wound Danzo carried to this day.
Even though he had given up his claim to the title and pledged loyalty to the Hokage, the old ambition still lingered within him.
But right now, he was influenced by Kotoamatsukami, so he had already given up the position of Hokage from the bottom of his heart and served Kiyoshi.
A Hokage? One who couldn't control the rising threats around him and failed to take full advantage of the power within his grasp? No, Hiruzen had always been too soft, too idealistic.
If only Kiyoshi could harness the power of the Sharingan, Wood Release, and the Nine-Tails. Danzo knew, deep in his heart, that no one could stop him.
He didn't need the Hokage's approval. He needed only his belief, Konoha, under his leadership, would have achieved its greatest glory.
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