(BONUS CHAPTER)
"What the hell? That bastard Danzo actually wants to create a 'New Konoha'?!"
In the Hokage's office, the two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, wore expressions of utter disbelief.
"Unforgivable! This is outright betrayel! We cannot tolerate this!"
"Calm down, you two," Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring from his desk, speaking mildly. "I think Danzo's just running his mouth. No need to take him seriously."
"Just running his mouth?" Koharu frowned. "Hiruzen, how can you be sure he won't act on it?"
"Root has been disbanded, and the only two subordinates he has left are loyal to us." Hiruzen puffed his pipe, smiling. "Honestly, who in Konoha would even support Danzo now?"
"Well… that does make sense." Koharu's expression settled.
"Danzo… really is running out of options," Homura sighed. "If Lord Tobirama were still alive, would he dare spout nonsense about a 'New Konoha'?"
"What baffles me is that he still hasn't caught on to Yuto," Koharu mused, lowering her eyes. "Seems we misassigned roles—that old fool's clearly not cut out for espionage!"
"I'd say Yuto is just that exceptional," Hiruzen countered lightly. "So exceptional that even if Danzo suspects him, he can't bring himself to let go."
"That poor boy," Koharu sighed dramatically. "We promised he wouldn't have to deal with Danzo again, and yet, not even a week later… sigh "
"Willing to sacrifice for Konoha—what a fine young man!" Homura nodded approvingly. "I see traces of Minato in him."
"Mm, Minato would've gotten along well with him." Hiruzen's gaze drifted to Minato's portrait on the wall, his tone wistful. "A shame… the talented are always taken too soon."
Silence.
The Hokage's office grew heavy with the weight of Hiruzen's lament.
After a long pause, Koharu finally spoke again. "Do you think Yuto's report about the 'Super Shinobi Project' is real?"
"Very likely," Homura stroked his beard, analyzing. "Why else would Danzo rush off to Wave Country to snatch that company if he didn't have solid intel on the benefits?"
"True," Koharu nodded. "And his target is Hanzo the Salamander—no small fry. Danzo must be confident to take this on."
"Could work out nicely," Homura smirked. "If Danzo secures Hanzo's assets, it'd be a boon for Konoha."
"And if he fails?" Hiruzen said flatly.
"Then it's Danzo's personal failure. Nothing to do with Konoha," Koharu chimed in.
Hiruzen opened his mouth to reply when a furious shout erupted outside. "Out of my way!"
"Wait, Lady Tsunade! The Hokage and the advisors are in a meeting—you can't just—"
*BAM!*
Before the guard could finish, the office door was violently kicked open.
Tsunade, golden-haired and… generously proportioned, stormed in, her sharp brown eyes scanning the room before locking onto Hiruzen. "Hey, old man! I'm here as promised. Where's my student?"
"Dismissed," Hiruzen waved the guard away, then turned to Tsunade with a strained smile. "Long time no see, Tsunade. How—"
"Save the small talk!" Tsunade cut him off. "I'm only here for the 4 million ryo a day. Where's the kid I'm supposed to teach?"
"Hayashi Yuto is on a covert mission," Koharu explained. "He's not in the village right now."
"Covert mission you say?"Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "I read his file—he hasn't even graduated from the Academy yet. And you old geezers sent him out?!"
"Tsunade, there's much you don't understand," Homura stood, trying to reason.
"Yeah, yeah—I 'don't understand,' and I don't care to understand either!" She snorted, turning on her heel. "But since I'm in Konoha, I'm on the clock. Pay up, even if there's no teaching!"
*SLAM!*
The door rattled shut behind her.
"That woman has no respect for her elders!" Homura grumbled. "What if she corrupts our promising young talent?"
"Let's adjourn for today," Hiruzen exhaled deeply. "Let's hope Yuto and Danzo bring back good news."
*Wave Country Outskirts*
Danzo and Hanzo, old acquaintances, faced each other for the first time in years.
To Danzo's surprise, Hanzo looked nothing like a shinobi anymore. Dressed in a white hooded coat, his demeanor was almost… friendly.
"Long time no see, old friend," Hanzo greeted cheerfully, waving. "What a surprise—you're handling the deal personally today?"
A businessman.
The once-"Demi-God" of the shinobi world now behaved like a full-fledged merchant!
Danzo's eyebrow twitched. "Where are your subordinates? Are you alone?"
"I've left the life of fighting behind. At Umbrella Corp, we have employees, not subordinates," Hanzo chuckled. "Unlike you, Konoha Elders, still clinging to power."
Danzo's expression darkened.
The words sounded like praise, but they stung like salt in a wound.
He inhaled sharply, retaliating with a sneer. "Don't tell me that Akatsuki drove you out of Amegakure. Is that why you're slumming it here?"
Hanzo paused, then sighed. "You're not entirely wrong. The youth these days are formidable."
Danzo blinked.
'He… admitted it?'
This unexpected honesty left Danzo momentarily speechless, standing stiffly.
"But thanks to them, I discovered Wave Country—a land of new opportunities!" Hanzo beamed.
"You've lost your edge. You don't even care about your own village anymore?" Danzo scoffed. "Hanzo the Salamander… how far you've fallen."
"Danzo. Are you here to do business or judge me?" Hanzo's smile finally wavered.
"The 'Super Shinobi' serum—have you tested it on yourself?" Danzo pressed.
"Testing is for researchers. I handle management." Hanzo's eyes narrowed. "Why the interrogation? What's your game?"
"I'll give you a choice, Hanzo." Danzo's voice dropped, icy. "Hand over Umbrella Corp, and I'll allow you to serve under me."
The gloves were off.
To Danzo, this Hanzo was a toothless tiger—no threat at all.
'And to think I once saw him as an equal!'
Pathetic. The man had abandoned his village to save his own skin. He hadn't even dared to use the "Super Shinobi Serum" on himself!
'The Umbrella Corporation will be mine today.'
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