Inside the Hokage's office, silence reigned—until the door suddenly slammed open.
Shimura Danzō barged in unannounced, catching Sarutobi Hiruzen off guard. The Third Hokage, who had just reached for a napkin to deal with his nosebleed, froze in place. His face turned pale for a moment, his fingers paused mid-reach.
And then, from the crystal ball in front of him, a flirtatious voice echoed through the room—
"Hey, are you blushing? Let me see how you've grown."
"No! You're so annoying!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart dropped.
Without a second thought, he hurriedly turned off the crystal ball, ignoring the blood still trickling from his nostrils. He fumbled with the controls in embarrassment, desperately trying to pretend nothing had happened.
Shimura Danzō's eyes narrowed into thin slits. His face was like thunder.
Even after all these years, this old pervert hasn't changed a bit, he thought coldly.
"Ahem!" Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to cover his embarrassment with a cough, quickly dabbing at his nose. "Danzo, for the last time—knock before you enter!"
Shimura Danzō, as always, ignored the reprimand. He had never respected that rule, barging in and out of the Hokage's office as he pleased. Hiruzen had scolded him countless times over the years, but it never made a difference.
And this time, his habit had made things especially awkward.
From a hidden corner of the room, Black Zetsu observed the scene silently.
"So much for fast reflexes," he muttered to himself. "Didn't the intel say the Third Hokage was quick on his feet? Shimura Danzō has been standing there for a full minute, and the old man didn't even think to shut off the feed."
Black Zetsu shook his head. "Was he that immersed in it?"
Back in the room, Shimura Danzō cut straight to the chase, ignoring Hiruzen's awkward attempts to salvage his dignity.
"Hiruzen, my men from Root have discovered signs of rebellion from the Uchiha clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's demeanor instantly changed. He stood up, eyes wide with alarm. "Danzo, is this information accurate?"
Though he often disagreed with Danzō's methods, he knew the man would never lie about a threat to the village. If he said the Uchiha were planning a coup, there had to be something to it.
Danzō nodded grimly. "In the past, the radical faction within the Uchiha clan made several attempts to stir rebellion, but Uchiha Fugaku always reined them in. Lately, however, Fugaku himself has started wavering. The radicals are gaining influence."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing at first. He slowly picked up the pipe resting on his desk, placed it between his lips, lit it, and took a deep drag. Smoke curled from his mouth as he exhaled thoughtfully.
The room fell into tense silence.
The Uchiha clan… Hiruzen knew better than anyone how much power they wielded. As the village's most powerful kekkei genkai users, their Sharingan eyes alone were enough to tip the balance of any battle. But their pride had always made them volatile.
Over the years, the relationship between the Uchiha and the rest of the village had grown strained. They were no longer trusted after the Nine Tails' attack, and many villagers still suspected their involvement. That suspicion, paired with their forced relocation to the outskirts of the village, only deepened the rift.
Now, this new intel from Danzō was sounding alarms in Hiruzen's mind.
If the Uchiha truly chose to rebel, it could lead to catastrophic consequences. The village might survive—but at what cost? Bloodshed, civil war, and untold destruction could be on the horizon.
And yet, he couldn't take Danzō's word alone. The stakes were too high.
Still puffing on his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said, "I'll investigate this matter myself."
Shimura Danzō's face darkened. "Hiruzen, this rebellion is no longer in its infancy. The Uchiha can no longer be reasoned with. We must take preemptive action—now—before they strike first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head firmly. "No, Danzo. There are still many innocent people in the Uchiha clan. Wiping them out would be unjust. We must find a better way."
Danzo's lip curled in frustration. "They're planning treason, and you want to play diplomat?"
He raised his voice, his tone filled with disdain. "We shouldn't be afraid of those who have stolen. We should fear those who are thinking about stealing. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"If they're already thinking of rebellion but hiding it behind a facade of loyalty, that's even more dangerous than an open enemy!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took another long drag on his pipe, exhaled slowly, and replied, "They haven't acted yet. We still have time. If we can change their minds—"
Danzo exploded. "You fool!"
He slammed both fists on the desk. The sound echoed through the office.
"If you tell them we know, they'll panic! They'll strike immediately! Are you seriously going to warn the enemy just so you can sit on your hands and hope they'll behave?"
His voice rose with fury. "You're growing old and soft! They see you as weak, Hiruzen. They'll only become more arrogant! You're giving them the upper hand by hesitating!"
Danzo's expression twisted with anger. His chest heaved. Then, as if his emotions finally tipped over the edge, he burst out laughing—loud, sharp, sarcastic laughter.
"You really think you're being merciful?" he sneered. "Let me tell you something. You know why the Uchiha want to rebel? Because they want you gone! They think you're unfit to be Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered with a rare flash of anger. He slammed the desk so hard that everything on it jumped.
"Enough, Danzo! I am the Hokage!"
His voice roared through the room.
For a brief moment, silence returned. Danzō blinked in surprise, stunned by the sudden burst of authority.
And in that moment of stillness, memories flooded his mind…
He remembered that day—so long ago—when the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was choosing a successor.
They had been surrounded by enemies, forced into a hopeless standoff. The Second Hokage had asked for a volunteer to act as a decoy—someone to stay behind and buy time for the rest to escape.
Danzo had wanted to step forward.
He had almost done it.
But fear gripped his heart. Fear of death. Of failure. Of the unknown.
He had hesitated—and Sarutobi Hiruzen had stepped forward without pause.
That moment defined everything. Tobirama had seen Hiruzen's courage and made his decision. Sarutobi Hiruzen became the Third Hokage.
Danzo was left behind—safe, but forgotten. Ever since then, regret had poisoned his thoughts. What if…?
Back in the present, Danzo stared at Hiruzen, who now stood tall with fury blazing in his eyes.
Danzo snorted. "Fine," he spat. "If you won't act, I will."
He turned on his heel, flinging his cloak behind him as he marched toward the door.
"I'll handle the Uchiha myself."
With that, he stormed out of the room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing. He stood still, the pipe still clenched between his teeth, a heavy frown on his face. He watched Danzo's back until it disappeared through the doorway.
What was he thinking?
Was it regret? Worry? Doubt?
Only he knew the answer.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Black Zetsu whispered, "Peter was right. When there's a crack, it only takes a little pressure to split it open."
He slowly melted back into the darkness, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
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