I Want It All
Danzo still wanted to feign ignorance, but Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't going to let him escape accountability so easily this time.
After a moment of silence, Danzo said, "It seems there was a misunderstanding in the chain of command. I'm only just now hearing about the summons you mentioned."
Hiruzen withdrew his gaze, speaking in a slow but firm tone.
"Then let's put that aside for now. I summoned you for something else. Danzo, you should know well—Wood Release users are something Konoha has always longed for.
The village once conducted high-risk experiments just to recreate that power, and now that a Wood Release ninja clearly exists, you've hidden him away in Root. What's going on?"
Danzo's fingernails dug into his palm.
As expected. Hiruzen had come to claim him. And judging by the Hokage's expression, he wasn't leaving without the boy.
Danzo had hidden him in one of Root's most secluded cells. If Hiruzen insisted on searching, he could allow it. But…
What he hadn't anticipated was Hiruzen involving Kakashi.
Some Root operatives still knew the Wood Release user's location. The Binding Seal of the Root would prevent them from revealing Root's deeper secrets, but even that wasn't foolproof against Hiruzen's tricks.
Danzo realized he might not be able to keep him today. Still, he wanted to struggle a bit longer.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Danzo argued flatly. "Wood Release? Hidden in Root? You must be mistaken."
Hiruzen glanced toward Kakashi.
"Kakashi, use your Sharingan. Cast a Genjutsu on them and ask about the one codenamed 'Him.'"
Danzo's pupils narrowed.
He even knew the codename.
As Kakashi prepared to weave hand seals, Danzo barked, "Enough!"
A heavy silence fell. His eyes, filled with conflicted emotions, locked on Hiruzen. For all his years at Hiruzen's side, perhaps he hadn't understood him as well as he thought.
"…Let's talk alone," Danzo said quietly.
Hiruzen gave a slight nod. "Anbu, wait outside."
Once the office door closed, Danzo sat down opposite his old rival and admitted:
"I did indeed find a shinobi capable of Wood Release. I took him in and trained him. I wasn't hiding him—just… protecting him."
Hiruzen shook his head in disappointment. Typical Danzo. A minute ago, he had denied it outright, and now he dressed his secrecy up as protection.
Danzo leaned forward.
"Hiruzen, I want to make a deal. I have evidence concerning Orochimaru and Chi Yu harming Konoha shinobi.
During the war, Chi Yu deliberately sacrificed Uchiha operatives and handed their corpses over to Orochimaru for experimentation. Orochimaru was running forbidden projects, and Chi Yu enabled him. I have documents, records—everything.
As long as the Wood Release user stays in Root, I will hand you this evidence. With it, you can arrest or execute Chi Yu and Orochimaru. You know as well as I do—Chi Yu is out of control. He may become a greater threat than the Uchiha Clan ever was.
And haven't you heard the rumors? That you—The Third Hokage—are jealous of talent, that you promoted Minato before his time only to block Chi Yu, and that you reclaimed the Hokage's seat simply to keep him from rising as the Fifth?
Think back to the council meeting. Chi Yu's arrogance, Orochimaru speaking on his behalf—they openly disregarded your authority. Their prestige is unmatched, even greater than yours. You are old, Hiruzen. How much longer can you keep them down? If Konoha falls into their hands, we have no future."
Hiruzen's face darkened, though he remained silent.
Seeing this, Danzo felt a flicker of triumph. As long as Hiruzen was thinking, there was hope. Originally, this evidence was meant to persuade Hiruzen into joining him against Orochimaru and Chi Yu. But if it could also secure Root's hold on the Wood Release user, all the better.
Danzo slid a sealed packet of scrolls across the table. Hiruzen picked them up, and a thin smile tugged at Danzo's lips.
Done.
But then Hiruzen spoke:
"I'll take this evidence… and I'll also take him."
Danzo shot to his feet, disbelief etched across his face. Was this really the same Hiruzen Sarutobi he had known for decades? This was nothing but banditry. He wanted everything.
Hiruzen's voice was calm but absolute.
"Danzo, Konoha has two Jinchūriki. The Uchiha and Chi Yu can restrain the Nine-Tails, but neither can be trusted. Minato lies in a coma. The Wood Release sealing technique has become vital. That boy will be transferred to the Anbu under the Hokage's direct command.
This is not up for debate."
Danzo's mouth opened to retort, but Hiruzen cut him off coldly.
"Do this for Konoha. If you comply, I'll overlook much—your hidden experiments, even your attempt on my life. I know Chi Yu was once your subordinate, and that you ordered him to carry out unspeakable deeds. I can erase all of it… but only if you yield."
Danzo's chest heaved. He could feel Hiruzen's unwavering resolve. If he resisted, Root itself might not survive the day.
After a long breath, Danzo muttered, "To prevent Root operatives from leaking secrets, I placed a cursed seal upon them. That seal cannot be undone."
It wasn't a lie. The Binding Seal truly had no release method—though Danzo knew Chi Yu had found a way to break it.
Hiruzen nodded, unbothered.
"No matter. One more thing: do not move against Chi Yu and Orochimaru. Konoha still needs them. With Minato incapacitated, losing one of the Sannin or the Blood-Eyed Shura would be catastrophic. We'll wait until the time is right."
Danzo nearly choked. Hiruzen wasn't planning to touch them at all. But considering the village's fragile state, it made sense.
Finally, Danzo asked darkly, "Then… what about the Uchiha Clan?"
Hiruzen said nothing. Instead, he pulled down his Hokage hat, shadowing his face.
Danzo understood. Silence was consent.
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