At this moment, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office froze.
For a while, even Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane didn't dare to breathe.
The more composed someone is, the more terrifying they become when they finally snap. Similarly, the more rational a person, the more unhinged they are when pushed too far.
"Calm down, Koharu... Danzo didn't mean it that way," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke up, stepping in quickly to ease the tension.
Shimura Danzo struggled out of Koharu's grip and fixed her with a sharp glare.
But Koharu didn't flinch or respond to Danzo's icy stare.
Danzo turned his eyes to Homura next, but the elder averted his gaze, unwilling to meet them.
Finally, he looked at his long-time comrade, Hiruzen. The Hokage offered a weak smile, but Danzo only felt mockery and condescension behind it.
Then, his gaze was drawn to the Hokage's hat resting silently on the table.
His eyes darkened.
Without a word, he turned grimly, pushed open the office door, and walked out. The heavy door slammed shut behind him with a bang.
He strode down the corridor, face stormy. With every step, his expression grew darker and his chest tightened with pain.
He wanted to cry—but reminded himself that a shinobi must never allow tears to fall.
"You are the leaves basking in the sun... I am the root that grows in the dark," he recalled the words he spoke when he founded the Root Division.
He had believed in that sentiment once. Spoken it with conviction.
"Danzo, I'm sorry. You're a good man... you deserve someone better."
That's what Koharu had told him when he confessed his feelings before heading to the battlefield. Her rejection had cut deeper than any wound.
He thought time had dulled that pain—but perhaps, he had just been lying to himself all along.
He hadn't let go.
He had merely buried those feelings for over a decade.
What he truly yearned for… wasn't darkness. It was the Hokage's seat.
What he truly desired… wasn't duty. It was love—a love that never came.
"Why... why?!"
"Why can't I compete for the Hokage title? Why couldn't I even beat Uchiha Kagami for Koharu's heart?!"
"He decided to sacrifice himself seconds before I did—so why was he hailed as the hero?! Why is he the one remembered?!"
"Uchiha Kagami's dead. Why should I still be compared to him?! He couldn't even beat me in a fight when he was alive! Was I not good enough?! Damn you all—damn this stupid woman... you all look down on me!"
"Power... it's because I lack power! Why am I not as strong as Hashirama or Madara?!"
"If I had that kind of strength—if I were the strongest shinobi alive—everything would be mine! Hokage... Koharu... everything!"
Shimura Danzo arrived at the Root's hidden entrance. The sun touched his back, but he no longer felt its warmth.
The entrance led underground. As Danzo stepped inside, the light gradually faded from his body. He walked from sunlight into shadow.
Back in the Hokage's office, silence lingered.
Koharu sat upright, adjusting her robes. Her eyes were closed, as if in meditation. It was as though nothing had just happened.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temple. He hated dealing with interpersonal issues—especially this kind of complicated mess between teammates. He wasn't a romance counselor.
Everyone falls for someone, and it's never simple.
If only he had a jutsu that could control other people's thoughts, then things would be easy.
Danzo was his best friend. But how could he help him now? How could Danzo ever be happy?
—First, cast a genjutsu to make Danzo fall in love with him. Then, cast another on Koharu to do the same. Everyone would be happy. He'd sacrifice himself for the good of the team.
So simple. If only that jutsu existed.
Alas, it didn't. And Danzo's happiness? Long gone.
Sarutobi glanced at Koharu, seated quietly.
She had always been impeccable—the most skilled kunoichi of their generation. Disciplined, logical, sharp-minded. A perfect student of the Second Hokage.
And the only medical ninja in their original team. She had saved their lives more times than they could count.
Everyone respected her.
Danzo had been pulled from death's door by her hands more than once. It was no surprise he had fallen for her.
Even the scar under Danzo's chin had come from a surgery she performed. He'd always seen it as a symbol of love.
But it was a one-sided love.
Koharu had clearly admired Kagami more.
Kagami, the Uchiha genius. Disciple of the Second Hokage. Modest, loyal to the village—his reputation had even sparked talk of him being the next Hokage.
Danzo knew he could never match him.
Hiruzen had assumed those old wounds had long since healed.
But today proved otherwise.
And now... Hiruzen felt cold all over. He knew if he didn't explain things clearly, he might suffer the same fate as Danzo.
Koharu wouldn't let him off lightly. He couldn't afford to be humiliated like Danzo.
So he said quickly, "Uchihayama's reasoning... honestly, I couldn't refuse."
"You agreed to it?" Koharu narrowed her eyes.
"Of course not!" Hiruzen said hurriedly. "I rejected him right away. Scolded him, even."
Lying doesn't break any laws, he reminded himself.
"But Uchihayama then suggested... if the Uchiha clan isn't acceptable, let Orochimaru lead Tatsumi's team instead," Hiruzen added.
"Orochimaru?" Homura raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. He argued that Tsunade specializes in medical ninjutsu and raw strength, while Tatsumi excels in genjutsu and ninjutsu. He said Orochimaru would be a better fit for his development," Hiruzen explained.
Koharu's gaze deepened.
So that's their angle. The suggestion to assign a Uchiha jōnin was just a smokescreen—the real goal was to get Orochimaru.
Still... that might genuinely benefit Tatsumi.
Koharu had originally proposed Tsunade due to her medical ninjutsu expertise—but hadn't fully considered Tatsumi's long-term growth potential.
In terms of tactical ninjutsu and genjutsu, Orochimaru was indeed the superior choice.
But what was the clan really planning?
For a moment, Koharu couldn't read their true intentions.
Hiruzen was silent, then said, "I accepted the proposal. Uchihayama is the Uchiha patriarch—I could reject him once, but not twice in a row."
A gust of wind rattled the window. The storm was beginning.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood and waved a hand. "That concludes this matter. Recall the teams—Orochimaru will take over leadership."