"Hiruzen, you're still too naive. I'm certain that the release event the Uchiha clan is organizing will definitely involve something big. And it's highly likely it has something to do with Uchiha Kai."
The cold, low voice seemed to drop the temperature in the room.
What Sarutobi Hiruzen and his companions saw next was the last of the "Konoha Council"—Shimura Danzo, the representative of the dark side of the ninja world and Konoha's "darkness."
This one-eyed man, whose body was wrapped in bandages, wore a face that seemed to suggest the world owed him billions. He walked into the office, leaning on his cane with every step.
The door was quickly closed by the Anbu guards outside, and the room was left with just the members of the Konoha Council.
In the bewildered gaze of Koharu and Mitokado Homura, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down the flyer, lit his pipe, and asked, "Danzo, what have you discovered now? Have you had contact with Uchiha Kai?"
Shimura Danzo snorted coldly. "No, I haven't. I did indeed send my subordinates to bring Uchiha Kai to me. However, the Uchiha clan sent several elite Uchiha to protect him. My ROOT ninjas were stopped by those arrogant Uchihas."
"Even the houses around Uchiha Kai were bought by the Uchiha clan. It's clear that the Uchiha clan values him highly."
"Hiruzen, you should also be aware of the strange movements within the Uchiha clan recently, and the bold manner in which they welcomed Uchiha Kai back into the clan a few days ago."
"Now, the Uchiha clan is suddenly planning to hold some kind of press conference for a genjutsu game. You should know this is something those arrogant, foolish Uchihas would never do."
"Clearly, these changes within the Uchiha clan are related to Uchiha Kai, and there's definitely some conspiracy brewing that we don't know about."
"Hiruzen, give me an order from you! With your official order, I can bypass the Uchiha's protection and bring Uchiha Kai to ROOT."
"Once he's in our hands, no matter what secrets or schemes they have, I will get the truth out of him."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen who still has great ambition and boldness, still filled with resolve, furrowed his brow. He put down his pipe and exhaled a puff of smoke before replying, "Danzo, you're being too aggressive. Right now, the Uchiha clan hasn't done anything harmful to the village. They just want to hold a press conference for a new product. What you're doing will only provoke them."
"Moreover, Uchiha Kai is a close friend of Minato and someone he trusts deeply. He is very different from the other Uchihas."
"Even though he may not be the strongest—just a chunin—his presence could be crucial. Once Minato matures and becomes eligible to become the Fifth or Sixth Hokage, the Uchiha clan's relationship with Konoha could improve greatly."
"What you're suggesting would destroy that possibility and even create conflict between Minato and the village."
Though Minato Namikaze had not fully grown yet, his character, strength, and potential were all exceptional.
In Hiruzen's mind at this moment, Minato undoubtedly had the qualities of a Hokage.
He now believed the next Hokage should come from among the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, which is why he thought Minato would be the Fifth Hokage.
This train of thought was understandable, considering the current situation within Konoha.
However, the Third Hokage's words had provoked Shimura Danzo, the darkness of Konoha. Unknown to anyone, Danzo had developed an obsession with the Hokage position, hiding it well and keeping it from his closest friends.
Yet, Sarutobi Hiruzen's words gave Danzo the illusion that the Hokage position was something he would never reach in his lifetime.
As a result, Danzo's voice immediately turned cold: "Hiruzen, you are too soft. Don't forget, Tobirama-sensei's stance on the Uchiha clan and his warnings to us! How can you still think about reconciling with the Uchiha clan?"
Hiruzen furrowed his brow. "Tobirama-sensei did indeed tell us to be wary of the Uchiha clan, but he also mentioned that we should gradually work on resolving the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, and hoped that we would achieve it."
"The current situation is, of course, disappointing to Tobirama-sensei, but the future hope for both Konoha and the Uchiha clan still exists. And that hope is right in front of us. With that being the case, why should we destroy it?"
"Danzo, your thinking is too extreme."
At this point, Hiruzen felt that Danzo's attitude toward the Uchiha clan seemed problematic, so he added, "Also, regarding the Uchiha clan, unless I give my permission, you are only allowed to observe them. Do not take any action against them."
Danzo's expression grew icy cold, and his tone changed: "Hiruzen, if you continue to indulge the Uchiha, you will regret it sooner or later!"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen paused, then spoke in a deeper voice: "Danzo, this is the Hokage's order!"
Danzo snorted in response and stormed out of the room, ending their conversation in a classic manner.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the Hokage office was heavy, and Mitokado Homura and Koharu felt helpless, almost as if they had gotten used to it.
Because, no one knew exactly when it happened—perhaps it was the moment Konoha's White Fang unexpectedly committed suicide—but the atmosphere between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, once close friends who trusted each other completely, began to change. Over the years, similar events to today had occurred repeatedly.
As the two caught in the middle, Homura and Koharu used to try to mediate, but now, they no longer said anything.
After all, the situation was as it was, Konoha remained stable, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had never revoked the authority he gave to his friends. Everything else didn't seem to matter much.
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