"Alright." A agreed without hesitation. "The Konoha Genin will be permitted to observe."
This spar favored Darui.
No matter the outcome, it would force him to see certain truths clearly.
As for Kumogakure's reputation—regardless of Roshi's age, his current status was that of a fully fledged Jōnin leading a Konoha team. If Darui won, it would only be natural.
"Yes. I'll make the arrangements immediately," Samui replied.
"Wait," the Raikage called after her. "Inform Darui as well. Have him come here."
"…Understood."
Not long afterward, Darui arrived at the Raikage's office. The usual lazy air had faded from him, replaced by a steady calm that spoke of focus rather than ease.
"Boss."
The Raikage wasted no time. "Samui should have already explained the situation. What do you think about this spar?"
Darui lifted his head, his eyes sharp. "Boss—are there any restrictions on the ninjutsu I'm allowed to use?"
The Fourth Raikage stepped forward until he stood directly before him, locking eyes.
"Darui, although this is being labeled an instructional match, the moment the opponent requested Genin observers, its nature changed."
"This fight concerns Kumogakure's honor."
"And it's also a reckoning for you."
His hand settled heavily on Darui's shoulder.
"If you believe Black Lightning is necessary—then use Black Lightning."
"If Storm Release is what it takes to bring him down—then don't hesitate."
"You may use all ninjutsu."
"This is my permission."
"Hold nothing back," the Raikage said, his voice hard with conviction. "Let the Konoha ninja see exactly what kind of caliber Kumogakure's next generation truly possesses."
Darui straightened, nodding firmly, his eyes burning with resolve.
"I understand, Boss!"
—
Danzo deliberately slowed his pace as he worked through the documents.
It was obvious Tsunade intended to torment him with these tangled accounts. Since he had been forbidden from using assistants, a sluggish processing speed could hardly be blamed entirely on him.
As he contemplated how to resume his original plans amid the current gaps in Anbu surveillance
Footsteps approached.
They stopped just outside the door.
A brief exchange followed between the newcomer and the two Anbu guards stationed there. Moments later, the door was pushed open.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped inside.
He gestured to the two Anbu with a nod, signaling them to leave.
Only after they were alone did Danzo set down his pen and raise his gaze. Hiruzen stood there without the Hokage's hat, his presence noticeably lighter—yet no less oppressive.
"Are you satisfied, Hiruzen," Danzo said coldly, "letting your disciple humiliate me like this?"
Hiruzen's eyes drifted around the room.
The lighting was sufficient. The scrolls were neatly stored, well-preserved despite their age. The air carried only the faint, unavoidable scent of old paper and ink.
Nothing more. Nothing excessive.
He moved to the chair opposite Danzo and sat down, meeting his longtime friend's gaze with calm, unreadable eyes.
"Danzō," Hiruzen said at last, "have you ever truly considered retiring?"
Silence settled heavily over the room.
"Retire?" Danzō scoffed. "Hiruzen, are you joking?"
"At this point, it's Tsunade who won't allow me to retire."
"I've already handed over Root. All that's left for me is to sit here, sorting through old archives like some idle bureaucrat."
Hiruzen met his gaze calmly. "Before coming here, I spoke with Tsunade."
"Let it go, Danzō. She won't trouble you anymore."
"Tsunade is managing the village well. Fugaku has become obedient—and so have the Uchiha."
"Obedient?" Danzō repeated, his voice rising slightly. "What do you mean by obedient?"
"Allowing Uchiha into Anbu? Expanding the Police Force with outsiders? Letting them gradually sink their roots into the village's core positions?"
"They have more power and freedom now than they've had in decades. Of course they're satisfied—for the moment."
He let out a cold laugh. "But this is nothing more than a façade, Hiruzen. Once greed is fed, it only grows."
"In five or ten years, when they're firmly entrenched and have built a solid power base within these critical departments, they'll demand more."
His tone turned openly sardonic. "And when that happens—what will the Village offer them next?"
"The Hokage's seat?"
"Everything you're doing now is merely a fragile peace bought with concessions. You're sowing the seeds of a far greater disaster for Konoha."
Danzō's agitation flared, then was forcibly suppressed as he returned to his usual rigid composure.
"But it's pointless to say any of this now."
"Root is gone. I'm confined here, stripped of influence."
Hiruzen studied his old friend's stiff, shadowed profile and sighed inwardly.
"If you change your mind," he said as he rose, "inform the Anbu outside at any time. They'll relay it to me—or to Tsunade."
Danzō didn't look at him again. He merely picked up his pen and returned his attention to the scrolls on the desk, as though they contained something of utmost importance.
Hiruzen gave him one last look, then turned and left.
The soft click of the door echoed in the room, followed by the faint sound of Hiruzen issuing instructions to the Anbu outside—growing quieter by the second.
Only then did Danzō's hand pause midair.
Ink spread slowly from the pen's tip, staining the coarse paper beneath.
He set the pen down.
Hiruzen came…
Was Tsunade growing impatient?
Or had something new changed within the village?
—
For the first time, the Konoha Genin participating in the Chūnin Exams were permitted to enter Kumogakure itself.
They followed Roshi closely, taking in a shinobi village whose style and atmosphere differed sharply from Konoha's.
Kumogakure had not chosen a location outside the village. Allowing Konoha's Genin to witness the spar was one thing—but letting other participating villages, wealthy merchants, or foreign envoys catch wind of it was another matter entirely.
In the end, they were led to a training ground carved into the mountainside—a broad, open space with a hardened stone floor and tiered observation stands surrounding it.
Seated at the center of the stands was the Fourth Raikage, A, his massive presence impossible to ignore.
Darui was already waiting.
He watched as Samui guided the Konoha Genin to their designated seating area.
Then his eyes swept past them all—locking onto the Konoha team leader walking alone toward the center of the field.
Roshi's steps were steady and unhurried. He stopped several meters in front of Darui.
Taking in Darui's sharpened gaze and subtly tensed muscles, Roshi spoke calmly:
"There's no need to be nervous."
"And no need to worry about exposing your ninjutsu or fighting style."
"Since this is an instructional match, I won't make the first move."
"You're free to test my combat style however you like."
The moment the words fell—The Fourth Raikage's brow creased sharply.
Even Samui—usually unflappable—widened her blue-green eyes slightly as she stared at the calm-faced Konoha ninja standing in the arena.
This man…
Was ridiculously arrogant.
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