[Land of Fire, Konohagakure]
"Welcome, my friend", Hiruzen spoke with care, knowing fully how ambitious his friend, "I am now the Hokage, as you can see"
Danzo smiled lightly: "Why did you summon me?"
Hiruzen squinted, not expecting this change of behaviour. The old Danzo would have greeted him, as if to keep appearances. Even if he did not, he would have tried to hide his ambition and strength. This was the way Danzo was, a man of shadows.
Yet, the Danzo in front of him was different.
'War and power really change people, huh', Hiruzen thought
"I wanted to reward you for your efforts. Your contribution to the village have been more than amazing, and you deserve something. You always coveted the ANBU captain position, and I need someone I trust to keep the other villages in check. We could work together, we could defend Konohagakure together...", Hiruzen paused, and after a while, continued: "To be transparent, some elders have been opposing my nomination as a Hokage. The village is in a precarious state, after all. Although we have an alliance with Sunagakure, it is more a ceasefire than an alliance, and the conflicts with Iwagakure do not seem to extinguish anytime soon"
Danzo shook his head: "I must refuse. I do not harbor any political thoughts anymore. Actually, you must have heard, but I have been gravely injured in the last battle, so making me ANBU captain would not be a smart move. I want to accept my responsibilities as the Shimura patriarch"
Hiruzen nodded, slightly surprised: "So be it. However, I need you on the battlefield. I will give you 6 months of rest, enough time to consolidate the Shimura clan. Afterwards, we will have this discussion again. Still, I must reward you"
Danzo smiled: "Then, I would ask for the immediate return of all Shimura clansmen to the village. I need to train them. Additionally, I need resources to make experiments"
"Experiments, you say?", Hiruzen spoke
"Tobirama was a man of science", Danzo smiled, "I don't want his legacy to die with him. Rest assured, this will benefit Konoha too"
"So be it. I will give you access to the village's herbal pavillon. You should find all the resources you need there. Rest well, my friend"
Danzo did not answer this time, taking his leave silently.
'The meeting could not have gone better', he thought, smiling like a devil.