Inside the Hokage Office in Konoha Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, having just finished listening to the Anbu's report.
Uchiha Akira and Tsunade had dined together, conversed happily, and even discussed the Medical Ninja training program.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took two puffs from his pipe and said to the Anbu outside.
"Have Danzo, Homura, and Koharu come over."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The ANBU at the door instantly vanished.
Soon after, the three arrived.
"Hiruzen, Uchiha Akira had dinner with Tsunade at a barbecue restaurant today.
That Uchiha brat with ulterior motives sure knows how to seize an opportunity."
Danzo spoke first, a cold glint in his single eye.
"There are also Uchiha Clan members who are close to the Village; don't forget Uchiha Kagami's contributions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him.
An unnatural expression flashed across Danzo's face.
The name Uchiha Kagami was one Danzo did not want to mention, nor did he wish to.
Homura Mitokado, on the sofa, pushed up his glasses, his tone flat.
"Hiruzen, did you call us here today because there's a battle breaking out?"
"To discuss the issue of Medical Ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi retracted his gaze, then took a scroll from a drawer.
"The proposal for Medical Ninja itself is not an issue; it's just the timing that needs consideration."
"Consideration?"
Danzo sneered.
"During wartime, resources are already scarce; how can we spare any to train Medical Ninja?
Moreover, the Uchiha Clan suddenly interfering in this matter, who knows what their intentions are?"
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly.
"The Uchiha are also members of Konoha!"
Danzo did not back down, his voice low and sharp.
"Hiruzen, you are too naive!
The Uchiha Clan has never truly cared for the Village!
They are merely exploiting Tsunade's emotions to gain benefits for themselves!"
Utatane Koharu interrupted Danzo.
"Arguing about the Uchiha now is meaningless! Let's discuss the Medical Ninja matter; a decision must be made!"
"A decision?"
Danzo snorted coldly.
"Then just reject it directly! During wartime, everything prioritizes combat power!"
"Reject?"
"Danzo, do you want the Ninja on the front lines to die in vain?"
The atmosphere in the office suddenly solidified.
Homura Mitokado sighed, trying to ease the situation, and began to speak about Uchiha Akira's plan.
"Actually... Uchiha Akira's 'training' proposal is a compromise.
Training a batch of Medical Ninja in the short term can both alleviate front-line pressure and not consume too many resources."
"Compromise?"
Danzo scoffed.
"Homura, when did you become so soft?
War is not a game; what we need are Ninja who can immediately enter combat.
Not a bunch of half-baked Medical Ninja!"
"Danzo!"
"The 'half-baked' ones you speak of might be the key to saving countless comrades' lives in the future!
In your eyes, are Ninja lives so worthless?!"
Danzo narrowed his single eye, his tone sinister.
"Hiruzen, you are too emotional.
War requires an iron fist, not a woman's compassion!"
Seeing this, Utatane Koharu couldn't help but speak.
"Continuing to argue will only make the enemy laugh at us!"
She took a deep breath and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, the Medical Ninja matter will be carried out according to Tsunade's proposal.
However, the scale must be controlled, and resources must be prioritized for the front lines."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"That's what I was thinking too. This Medical Ninja training will be entrusted to Tsunade!"
Danzo snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied with the result, but he did not refute further.
As Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu left with the scroll regarding Medical Ninja training.
Inside the office, only Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained.
"There's one more thing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was low as he looked at Danzo.
"Orochimaru's human experiments must stop."
A flicker of something unusual passed through Danzo's eyes.
"Stop? Hiruzen, do you not know that the Wood Release research has reached a critical stage?!"
"Konoha has already lost enough lives recently."
Danzo sneered.
"For the Village's strength, what's sacrificing a few test subjects?
Although adult test subjects failed, what if we start cultivating from children...?"
Upon hearing 'children,' Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed.
"Silence!"
"Children are the future of the Village, the inheritors of the 'fire will'! You are trampling on Konoha's foundation!"
Danzo looked at the anger on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
He finally reined himself in a little, but the ambition in his single eye had not yet extinguished.
He slowly took a step back, his tone grim.
"...Fine, since you insist, then we'll temporarily stop."
"Not temporarily, but permanently!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi enunciated each word clearly.
"Orochimaru's experiments are to be completely terminated and sealed immediately! Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Danzo glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Wood Release, that is the ability to pacify a chaotic world, and it is the most effective thing to counter Tailed Beasts!
If one day a Jinchuriki appears on the battlefield against our Konoha, how will we respond?!"
Danzo's face was so gloomy it looked like it would drip water.
Thinking of the Wood Release he coveted so much, and the effort he had put into the experiments during this time, he slammed his hand on the table and glared at him.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen!"
"When working, address me by my title."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo and said calmly.
"Danzo, you need to know, I am the Hokage!"
Danzo's expression stiffened.
"Hmph!"
Danzo felt an unbidden surge of anger, turned, and slammed the door as he left.
With a bang.
The entire office returned to silence.
However, as Danzo turned to leave, a cold smirk appeared on his lips.
He had no intention of giving up the power of Wood Release!
Such a thing must be in his hands!
...
Evening, Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Akira was summoned to the clan meeting again.
Unlike yesterday's tense atmosphere, today the elders' expressions were subtle, even carrying a hint of... expectation?
"Akira."
Uchiha Yashiro slowly began.
"After discussion, the Clan has decided to support your contact and plans with Tsunade."
Akira's eyebrow subtly arched, secretly pleased, but his expression remained calm.
"Oh? What does the elder mean?"
"If the Medical Ninja proposal succeeds, the Uchiha Clan must get a share!
Since you can approach Tsunade, then find a way to get the Uchiha involved too!"
Akira immediately understood his meaning.
Indeed, the family's support was never unconditional.
But he was already prepared.
"I will do my best to secure it."
He bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet subtly sharp.
"However... if the Uchiha truly want to integrate into the core of the Village, Medical Ninja alone won't be enough."
"Oh?"
"What other ideas do you have?"
Akira raised his head, his Sharingan unconsciously activating, glowing crimson in the shadows.
"First, we start by changing the Police Force's enforcement.
There is only one rule: while adhering to Village laws and regulations, we must not lose our warmth!
This is the first step to changing the villagers' overall perception of our Uchiha Clan!"