Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he looked down at Watanabe Tsuyoshi lying at his feet.
After speaking with Jiraiya at the training ground, he had returned to the village.
Though not yet officially declared Hokage, he was already shouldering the responsibilities of the role.
So even after spending a day reuniting with his former student, he still had to return to the Hokage Tower that evening to complete his daily duties.
Yet just as he arrived at the front door of the Hokage Tower, he sensed Watanabe Tsuyoshi's gaze watching him.
There's no denying that the newly formed organization "Root" lacked strong members indeed.
Danzo naturally understood this well, so most of the orders he gave were surveillance tasks aimed at Genin or Chunin-level ninja.
However, he hadn't expected Kagura—only eight years old—to possess abilities far beyond what he'd imagined. She had easily discovered his arrangements.
If even Kagura could detect it, there was no way Hiruzen Sarutobi, the current Hokage, wouldn't be able to.
Had Watanabe Tsuyoshi been fully conscious, he certainly would have realized that this target was beyond his capability to monitor.
But under the influence of Kotoamatsukami, he unconsciously dismissed this concern.
Sensing the gaze, Sarutobi reacted instantly, launching an attack without hesitation.
He subconsciously held back his strength during the strike, so Watanabe was now merely unconscious instead of dead.
Seeing the face of the watcher, Sarutobi quickly matched it to a name in his memory.
This man must be Watanabe Tsuyoshi, a Chunin from Konoha Village.
And he was quite certain that this man had joined Root.
After all, Danzo's establishment of Root had been carried out with Hiruzen Sarutobi's silent approval.
Hiruzen himself had personally reviewed the list of initial recruits joining the organization.
At this moment, guards stationed within the Hokage Tower finally rushed out.
Seeing the figure lying on the ground at Sarutobi's feet, their expressions changed dramatically.
Sarutobi casually waved at them and calmly said:
"Send this person over to 'Root.' Danzo will understand what has happened."
Inside the Hokage Tower office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo sat across from each other, both facing steaming cups of tea.
After Danzo entered, they remained locked in an eerie silence.
At this time, a younger Danzo bore no bandages on his body, nor did he intentionally hide one arm.
Although an X-shaped scar marked his chin, it did not detract from his handsome appearance.
As a man capable of challenging Hiruzen Sarutobi for the title of Hokage, Danzo radiated a calm and steady presence.
It could be said that if it hadn't been for the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's direct appointment,
he might have actually replaced Sarutobi as the Third Hokage.
Finally, Danzo broke the silence first.
"I've never issued any order to spy on you."
Pausing slightly, he continued:
"You and I both know well—if I really wanted to do something like this, I wouldn't have sent someone of his caliber to watch you.
Only I myself would be the one to carry out such a mission."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement. He picked up the teacup in front of him, took a slow sip, and then spoke:
"I understand.
But I'd like to know more about the original mission you gave to Watanabe Tsuyoshi."
Danzo remained silent for several moments before finally choosing to speak.
"I originally sent him to monitor someone: Uchiha Kagura."
"Uchiha Kagura?…"
Muttering softly, Hiruzen reflected upon the meaning behind those words.
Instantly, many things became clear to him.
He let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head helplessly.
"It seems you've stationed quite a few people around me.
Uchiha Kagura only revealed his strength this afternoon, yet your side was able to act so quickly."
Remaining calm, Danzo explained,
"You must have misunderstood something.
There are indeed my men around you, but their mission isn't to spy on you.
After all, those who come from 'Root' will eventually join the 'Anbu.'
I simply assigned them there to protect you, considering that you will become Konoha Village's Third Hokage."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen put down his cup, looked straight into Danzo's eyes, and said,
"Then surely it's not a misunderstanding regarding your suspicions toward Uchiha Kagura."
Danzo didn't deny it.
"That's correct.
You should understand the fear inspired by the Uchiha better than anyone.
Even someone as formidable as Tobirama never dared to let his guard down against the Uchiha clan.
I believe monitoring particularly talented young members is reasonable."
"The problem is that you failed!"
Hiruzen stood up, bracing himself against the table, looking down at Danzo.
"I may not fully understand how that boy Kagura managed to do it,
But the person you sent ended up coming directly to me after being entrapped by his genjutsu.
That was a show of both kindness and protest!
By sparing that man's life, he showed he still holds some kindness toward the village.
Bringing him here was his way of showing discontent."
He stared intently into Danzo's eyes and warned,
"If you could have ensured he wouldn't notice, then it would've been fine.
But since he does possess the ability to detect such surveillance, stop what you're doing.
I don't want potential futures ruined because of personal suspicion, pushing them into opposition against Konoha."
Danzo frowned, still trying to protest,
"But..."
"No buts.
During yesterday's graduation ceremony, Mito Uzumaki personally observed Kagura.
Mito Uzumaki believes that boy poses no threat to Konoha.
You should well understand Mito Uzumaki's abilities."
Even Danzo fell silent momentarily upon hearing the name of Mito Uzumaki, who had given her entire life in service to Konoha.
Hiruzen walked away from the table and over to the window.
Looking out over the night-lit streets of Konoha, he continued,
"Danzo, I understand your desire to protect the village.
Yet relying solely on dark methods won't ensure Konoha's future development."
"The times have changed. I firmly believe that under the sunlight, Konoha can truly flourish and soar."
Danzo left.
Although he didn't say anything in the end, his silence meant he accepted Hiruzen's decision.
As he watched his old friend vanish into the night, Hiruzen felt just how heavy the burden of being Hokage truly was.
"Sarutobi-sensei?"
Suddenly, a voice pulled him back to reality.
He turned around and saw Tsunade standing there.
After today's test, Tsunade went home feeling frustrated for the first time about her own weakness. After much consideration, she decided to come find her teacher and ask for guidance on future training.
Familiar with her teacher's routine, she headed straight for the Hokage Tower.
Thanks to her special status, the famous Princess Tsunade reached the Hokage office without any hindrance.
But as soon as she walked in, she noticed her teacher wasn't sitting at his desk handling official duties like usual, but instead was standing by the window lost in thought.
Looking at his normally mischievous apprentice now appearing unusually obedient before him, Hiruzen couldn't help but smile slightly as he replied,
"Oh, nothing really.
Just dealt with some trouble caused by Uchiha Kagura."
"Uchiha Kagura?"
At hearing this name, Tsunade's eyes suddenly lit up.
She quickly tugged on her teacher's sleeve and asked excitedly,
"That idiot again? He must've gotten into some kind of trouble, right!"
Seeing Tsunade suddenly become so animated, Hiruzen's eyes flickered with caution as a possibility crossed his mind.
Although personally he held no bias against the Uchiha clan, if Tsunade—who represented the Senju clan—really did have something going on with that Uchiha boy…
Then surely, he as Hokage would face many additional troubles.
He gave Tsunade a long, searching look before asking directly,
"You know Tsunade, why do you seem particularly concerned about that Kagura kid?
Don't tell me… you actually have a crush on him?"
Not expecting such a direct question from her teacher, Tsunade's face flushed red.
She yanked back her arm from Hiruzen's sleeve, flustered as she stammered,
"T-Teacher! What are you saying?!
How c-could I possibly like someone like that idiot!
I just dislike how arrogant that kid is, always looking down on others.
And wanting to surpass a strong opponent as our peer is perfectly normal behavior, right!
I'm not specially paying attention to him at all!"
Her speech started out stuttering nervously, but later as if finding justification for herself, she grew more confident with every word.
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction after hearing Tsunade's explanation.
So that's how it is…
He finally felt reassured and let go of his earlier worries.
And yet, one must never expect a middle-aged man to truly understand a young girl's heart.
If Mito Uzumaki were here, she'd instantly figure it out.
His granddaughter's heart… had likely been out of his reach for quite some time now.
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