“At that time, we’ll only need to give up a portion of our interests to avoid war. The interests we hand over might seem huge to those impoverished countries, but for our wealthy Land of Fire and Konoha, they’re nothing at all!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted the Hokage hat on his head, making this difficult decision, and looked at Danzo opposite him.
No matter what, the Land of Fire’s foundation was incomparable to other countries, possessing sufficient war potential.
Compared to launching an attack on other Ninja Villages first and being collectively attacked by the entire Ninja World, the risks involved were too great.
It would be better to remain on the defensive, await the opportune moment, and in battle, either fight or negotiate, offering interests to divide the enemy.
Anyway.
Previous Hokage had always done it this way.
He only needed to continue the tradition.
Otherwise, if he were to initiate war, it would be impossible to gain the support of the entire Village, and if pushed through forcefully, he might have to rely on his Sarutobi Clan as the main force!
This was something Hiruzen Sarutobi could not accept.
On the contrary.
Passive defense.
That was protecting everyone’s Village.
All clans should contribute.
From his position as Hokage.
He could mobilize all personnel in the entire Village, and such a war situation would be more conducive to him, the Hokage, standing on the side of righteousness to command all Ninja of the Village…
This was more beneficial to Konoha’s overall situation.
“You wouldn’t understand such things!” Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself, looking arrogantly at Danzo in front of him.
“What? Just this?!” Danzo Shimura’s eyes widened as he stared at him, unable to believe his old friend would choose such a cowardly course of action. He spoke, “You are betraying the interests of Konoha Ninja Village! When faced with those wolves who come knocking, what we need to do is hit them hard, pull their marrow from their flesh, fill their hearts with pain and fear, completely destroy them, and make them genuinely afraid to pick up a weapon.”
“And not to indulge them!” Danzo Shimura roared, then looked deeply at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and finally said, “Hiruzen, it seems you’ve grown old. You’ve lost your former ambition and courage. If you truly can’t make a decision, why not select a new Hokage!”
“If I were to arrange these matters, I am confident I could lead Konoha Ninja Village to completely defeat the other four great nations!”
“Hmph!” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze scrutinized Danzo Shimura in front of him. He put down his pipe and let out a slight breath, knowing full well what his old friend was thinking. He calmly said, “Danzo, don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You simply want to claim credit, to take the Hokage position from my hands! But I need to tell you, your heart is too dark. The Hokage position is for the younger generation; we only need to shield them from wind and rain. Don’t cling to the Hokage position in Konoha!”
“This is the true meaning of the fire will: where Konoha dances, fire also burns eternally, and its light will illuminate the Village, allowing new Konoha to sprout…”
He righteously accused Danzo’s actions, as if his every action was for Konoha’s sake.
Smoke filled the air, obscuring his face and making it impossible to discern his true thoughts deep within his heart.
“Hmph!” Danzo Shimura snorted coldly, secretly annoyed, and said in a deep voice, “You speak so grandiosely, yet regarding Sakumo Hatake’s matter, you watched coldly from beginning to end! Who is it that truly covets the Hokage position?!”
Danzo Shimura’s scornful expression pierced his heart like an arrow. Hiruzen Sarutobi’s pupils suddenly constricted, and the fingers holding his pipe unconsciously tightened. “You, what nonsense are you talking about? You, Danzo, you’re going too far!”
The name from Danzo’s mouth.
That was a taboo he wished not to mention.
Sakumo Hatake.
What did those words mean?
This name was once Konoha’s pride, a powerful Ninja revered as Konoha’s White Fang, a terrifying existence that struck fear into enemies and made them flee at the mere mention of his name. He also held the noble status of a Hokage candidate and was very likely to become the next Hokage.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was extremely wary of him.
Because compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s disciples, Sakumo Hatake had too many labels. His background from a minor clan and his friendly attitude towards common Ninja meant that once he became Hokage, he would inevitably change Konoha’s structure and bring instability to Konoha.
This was a situation Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Third Hokage, did not wish to see.
Facing the increasing number of achievements made by the other party, he could only reward him with the status of a Hokage candidate.
However, at this crucial moment.
Danzo Shimura made his move.
He, who was intent on inheriting the Hokage position after Hiruzen Sarutobi’s retirement, naturally did not wish for a new young person to become the Village’s Hokage.
Facing such a strong competitor, he unhesitatingly employed some minor tactics, causing Sakumo Hatake to bear the infamy of abandoning a mission after its failure, completely losing his qualification to inherit the Hokage position, and being reviled by the entire Konoha.
It was a pity that Danzo Shimura’s scheme, though clever.
Forgot that this was a person as resolute as a samurai. When his beliefs collapsed, he resolutely chose to die to prove his integrity.
Such an action, however, caused Konoha heavy losses.
A Kage-level strong person, who did not die on the battlefield, simply died thoroughly from verbal wounds.
This was an unexpected turn of events no one had foreseen.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, at that moment, felt their minds go blank, thinking: “We overdid it!”
It was just that compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s deep regret.
Danzo Shimura was speechless. Who could have known that such a powerful Ninja had such a fragile heart?
Why believe in anything else, when you chose to believe in the fire will.
As a result, his faith shattered.
And he committed suicide.
And now.
Danzo’s bringing up the past struck a direct blow.
It instantly made Hiruzen Sarutobi lose his composure.
“Although that was my scheme, throughout the entire process, weren’t you also letting it happen?!”
“At that time, as Hokage, even if you had just said one word for him, he wouldn’t have died!”
“Moreover, the ultimate reason for Sakumo’s death was the shattering of the dream you wove for him! The so-called fire will is nothing more than the Hokage’s will, just grandiloquent words given to maintain the Hokage’s own position!” Danzo Shimura said playfully, pinching the cross-shaped scar on his chin, without an ounce of belief in the fire will that Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke of.
Having both been tutored by Senju Tobirama, how could they not know what the fire will truly was?
Furthermore.
They had both grown up together under the same master’s guidance.
After so many years of acquaintance.
Who didn’t know who?
Your thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Could they possibly be hidden from me, Danzo Shimura?
You’ve never once thought of stepping down from the Hokage position on your own!
Danzo Shimura thought with disdain. With war inevitably approaching and the presence of external enemies, he was not afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi turning against him at this moment.
“Danzo, shut your mouth. I am the Hokage.” Apparently, his sore spot had been hit. Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression immediately changed drastically. He glared fiercely at Danzo Shimura and angrily rebuked, “From now on, you will return to Root and be confined for one month! Without my orders, you are not permitted to make any external moves!”
“One month? You… have you forgotten that the Village still needs Root’s intelligence? If I don’t cooperate…” Danzo Shimura glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, never expecting the other party would actually dare to do this, completely disregarding the overall situation.
“I will have someone take over Root’s personnel!” Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him, speaking in an unquestionable tone.
“Hiruzen, you, that’s my Root…”
“No!” Hiruzen Sarutobi touched his Hokage hat and said again, “That is Konoha’s Root. As Hokage, I can exercise all rights. Go back to confinement!”
“…” Danzo Shimura’s face was flushed red. He gritted his teeth but couldn’t utter a single word, once again silenced by Hiruzen Sarutobi’s use of the Hokage position.
Because in Konoha.
The Hokage’s orders were supreme.
No one was allowed to refute them.
There was no reasoning to be had.
“Damn it, it’s always like this, only using the Hokage title to suppress me! Damn it, why am I not the Hokage?!”
The anger in Danzo Shimura’s heart continuously flared, as if it wanted to burn everything, yet had nowhere to vent.
“Hiruzen, you will regret this!”
With a “bang.”
Danzo Shimura slammed the door shut and left.
“Danzo, I am the Hokage!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes showed the joy of victory.
…