Hiruzen's gaze held a complex expression as he looked at Veigar, unsure how to begin speaking.
"What's wrong?"
"Does the Hokage have something difficult to say?" Veigar pressed when Hiruzen remained silent.
Composing himself, Hiruzen took a deep breath and slowly replied, "No. I merely heard you suddenly moved here, so I came to check on you."
Veigar smiled, taking over the conversation. "It seems, however, that the Hokage saw something very important."
With sufficient strength, Veigar now had the confidence to negotiate with Hiruzen.
"State your terms!" Hiruzen sighed softly. At this moment, he no longer regarded Veigar as a mere ten-year-old child, nor was he speaking as the Hokage.
It was an unspoken understanding.
"Ten million ryo, and an order for a batch of medicinal herbs for my training from the Nara clan."
To be honest, Veigar's recent training method wasn't suitable for widespread dissemination throughout the village, but it was perfect for the various ninja clans.
Everyone has selfish desires.
Hiruzen was no exception.
The moment he gained this training method from Veigar, his first thought was of his son, and then of the Sarutobi clan behind him.
He believed that given enough time for accumulation, the number of Jōnin in the clan would at least double.
This would significantly increase his clan's power, and his position as Hokage would become even more secure.
Understanding these implications, Hiruzen gazed at Veigar, nodded, and readily agreed. "Alright."
As Hiruzen's words fell, Veigar revealed a faint smile.
With personal matters concluded, it was time to discuss official business.
If Veigar truly believed Hiruzen's earlier pretense about merely "checking in," then his mind must be addled.
"After all these days, Lord Hokage, have you decided on my assignment?"
Hiruzen hoped Veigar would return to the Anbu, so he told Veigar, "I hope you'll rejoin the Anbu. The captain of the Third Squad unfortunately perished during a mission a few days ago."
Hiruzen's words made Veigar understand his stance: going back to the battlefield was out of the question.
As for the reason... Veigar didn't want to dwell on it, nor did he have the time.
This also aligned perfectly with Veigar's wishes, as he had no intention of going to the battlefield anytime soon.
Having achieved such significant merits on the battlefield against the Sand Ninja, and now being on the blacklist of various ninja villages, Veigar would be a fool to continue fighting on the front lines.
Shaking his head, Veigar rejected Hiruzen's suggestion, saying, "No. The Anbu isn't suitable for me."
As soon as Veigar spoke, Hiruzen eagerly tried to persuade him, "But it can protect you now."
Veigar smiled faintly, hinting, "Is Lord Third referring to those rotten fish and shrimp in the village? There's really no need. Can't you see why I moved here?"
Of course, Hiruzen understood Veigar's purpose and knew that allowing those people into Konoha certainly wouldn't escape Veigar's notice.
So, instead of feeling embarrassed when Veigar pointed it out, he countered, "Then where do you want to go?"
With an idea in mind, Veigar slowly said, "Where I want to go isn't important. What's important is where Lord Third wants me to go."
Veigar's words clearly conveyed his goodwill towards Hiruzen.
Immediately, Hiruzen broke into a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum. "The village respects every ninja's decision."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Veigar chuckled softly. "Then continue giving me leave. I'll report back when I return."
Hiruzen understood the meaning of Veigar's "return," indicating that Veigar wished to leave the village.
Is it to the battlefield, or... Hiruzen, unable to fathom Veigar's intentions, pondered silently.
Hiruzen pressed, "Is there something you need to do?"
Veigar offered a faint smile and replied, "I'm going to Mount Myōboku."
...
The new day dawned.
It was still dark, with the pale moonlight visible at four in the morning.
Veigar awoke punctually from his wooden bed. Each time, at this hour, Veigar felt uncomfortable if he didn't get up.
Morning arrived.
Tap, tap...
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind.
Veigar's expression remained neutral as he turned around, an unexpected face appearing before his eyes: Kōtaro Akiyama.
Since their last parting, Veigar had expected it would be a long time before he saw him again.
Because Kōtaro had previously entered the Konoha Medical Department. Given the current situation, Kōtaro should have been transferred to the front lines, and shouldn't be here.
Unexpectedly, Kōtaro was indeed here.
"Kōtaro?"
"Long time no see. What are you doing here?" Veigar asked with a smile, extending a friendly greeting.
"Veigar!"
A surprised Kōtaro laughed loudly when he saw Veigar. "Long time no see."
Approaching Veigar, Kōtaro seemed slightly nervous, looking back and forth as if afraid of being seen there.
"What's wrong?" Veigar asked curiously, observing Kōtaro.
Kōtaro snapped back to reality and said to Veigar, "Veigar, your current situation is very dangerous, do you know that?"
Kōtaro spoke cautiously.
Veigar's brow furrowed, then relaxed, as he asked, "Where did you hear that my situation is dangerous?"
Kōtaro shook his head. "Where I heard it isn't important. Veigar, you should try to leave Konoha! It would be best to leave the Land of Fire, and go as far as possible."
Kōtaro's words stunned Veigar. Then he asked, seemingly innocently, "Why? Why should I leave?"
Kōtaro suddenly seemed very anxious, stammering, "I... I heard..."
As he spoke, Kōtaro looked around again, and after confirming no one was present, he said, "Last night, when I was at the hospital, I overheard some ninja from the village saying that you seemed to have committed some offense, and the village was preparing to arrest and imprison you. You'd better leave quickly!"
Veigar's eyes flickered, then he turned and walked towards the wooden hut, saying, "Come inside first, and we can talk."
But Veigar hadn't expected Kōtaro to turn around and flee as if escaping.
"If you're really in trouble, then leave quickly."
Standing at the door of the wooden hut, Veigar stared, somewhat dumbfounded, at Kōtaro scampering away. Yet, his heart was filled with warmth.
In Veigar's mind, Kōtaro could be considered a good person; though a bit timid, he was very kind.
Subsequently, Veigar dismissed Kōtaro's suggestion, closed the wooden hut's door, and sat quietly on the edge of the bed.
With a slight frown, Veigar was deep in thought.
"Still so foolish!" After finishing his thoughts, Veigar chuckled and muttered a low curse at Kōtaro. He was already considering how to look after Kōtaro.
Don't doubt it; the current Veigar possessed that capability.
Suddenly, someone else arrived outside the door.
As Veigar looked up, a knock sounded.
"Who is it now?"
Before Veigar could get up, the wooden hut's door was pushed open.
It was another unexpected guest.
Looking at Danzo Shimura, Veigar greeted him with a smile. "Danzo-sama, long time no see. What brings you here so early?"
Standing before Veigar was indeed Danzo.
"This old man is doing quite well."
Danzo scrutinized Veigar, walked directly into the house, looked around, and then stood before Veigar.
Veigar looked at Danzo and said, "I haven't thanked Danzo-sama yet. Thank you for your past consideration."
"Hmph..." Danzo Shimura let out a heavy snort.
"I have something to ask you."
Even without overt power now, with a portion of the Root elite still loyal to him in secret, Danzo's aura showed no diminish.
Veigar stood up from the bed, looking directly at Danzo, observing his expression. He didn't know why Danzo would visit him, a Root defector.
Moreover, a Root defector who had thoroughly outmaneuvered him.
"Now, do you want to return to me?" Danzo asked directly.
Veigar looked at Danzo with a surprised expression.
"Return to you?"
Danzo's words greatly astonished Veigar, but Veigar didn't think much of it and replied, "I won't trouble Danzo-sama any further."
Danzo frowned, displeased, and said to Veigar, "Do you know how dangerous your current situation is? Assassins from the underground black market will absolutely not let you go."
Danzo's face darkened.
It had to be said, this move by Danzo completely bewildered Veigar.
Was this really Danzo?
"Well!"
"I'm in the village now; I believe I'm absolutely safe within the village. Besides, no matter how many assassins there are from the underground black market, there's no way they can enter Konoha to find me. Don't you agree, Danzo-sama?"
Veigar feigned self-deprecation, continuously observing Danzo's expression.
Keep pretending, go on. Danzo thought, his face slightly grim as he glanced at Veigar, then paused and said, "Hiruzen visited you last night, didn't he?"
Veigar smiled, looking at Danzo. "Danzo-sama means last night? Oh, did Danzo-sama also come to find me last night?"
The smile on Veigar's face was like a slap to Danzo's face.
"That's right. This old man did come." Danzo admitted readily.
"What a coincidence then, Lord Third also came to find me last night, but why didn't Danzo-sama reveal himself?" Veigar asked, his face betraying no emotion. "Does Danzo-sama have business with me?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes at Veigar. He had never expected Hiruzen to break their agreement regarding their struggle over Veigar by actually coming to see him.
Therefore, Danzo was also anxious.
"Little traitor."
"Why did Hiruzen come to you? If you tell me, I can let bygones be bygones."
Danzo's face was very unpleasant, and he was using his old authoritative demeanor on Veigar.
Looking at the posturing Danzo, Veigar really wanted to tell him:
Danzo-sama, your Root is done for...
"Heh heh..."
"What is Danzo-sama saying? I don't quite understand!" Veigar feigned ignorance.
"Traitor!" Danzo suddenly reached out and grabbed Veigar's collar, pulling him upwards with force, and asked with a grim face, "My patience is limited. Now, can you tell me what deal you made with Hiruzen?"
Veigar looked at Danzo without changing his expression. He had just been wondering why Danzo seemed like a different person, but when he made contact with him, everything became clear.
"Heh heh..." Veigar smirked at Danzo, not replying.
Danzo's ability to touch Veigar was intentional on Veigar's part, to figure out Danzo's true intentions.
Now, it was all clear.
"Danzo-sama, I think it would be more appropriate for you to talk to Lord Third about this," Veigar said slowly, without trying to break free from Danzo's grip.
This was deliberate on Veigar's part; he spoke slowly, actually thinking about how to provoke Danzo into making a move.
"Speak," Danzo said, releasing Veigar's collar and leaning on his cane, eyeing Veigar.
"It's a secret, my Danzo-sama!"
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]