Chapter 20 Danzo's Scheme
As Kurenai Yuhi finished speaking, the previously silent Hokage Office instantly became lively, with team leaders whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
Only Danzo's expression was exceptionally grim.
Suspicious by nature and jealous of talent, a hint of killing intent had already ignited within him towards Qianye.
And he had already found a reason for himself.
Firstly, Qianye was involved with a girl from the Uchiha Clan, and he strongly suspected that Qianye might have secretly sided with the Uchiha Clan, or even intended to marry into it.
Secondly, this could very well be a second Minato Namikaze.
Now, the members of Konoha F4 were all old. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, even if he had regained the position of Hokage, would at most serve for ten years, or even seven or eight, before stepping down.
At that time, it would be the election for the Fifth Hokage.
And relying on Qianye's talent, his clean background, and his admiration for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi reached an age where he had no choice but to step down, in order to firmly grasp political power, he might very well cultivate Qianye as a second Minato Namikaze.
To support Qianye in becoming the Fifth Hokage.
Once Qianye gained Hiruzen Sarutobi's support, then families like Ino–Shika–Chō, who had always been part of the Hokage faction, would certainly respond to the call.
And the Uchiha Clan, due to Qianye's relationship with the Uchiha Clan girl, would probably also come out in support.
They had finally endured until the Third Generation stepped down, only for Minato Namikaze to take office.
Then, they had finally endured until Minato Namikaze's death in battle, only for the Third Generation to return to office.
If Qianye were to come next.
It would be a never-ending cycle.
At that time, how could Lord Danzo ever ascend to the position of Hokage?
This was absolutely intolerable to him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know that Danzo had thought so far ahead in such a short time.
He was also astonished by Qianye's progress, and a hint of apprehension arose within him.
Then he remembered that Qianye was not from the Uchiha Clan, nor did he possess any Kekkei Genkai; he was of a pure commoner background.
His potential was limited; at most, he would be a second Kakashi, or a second Shinku Yuhi.
His mind was then at ease.
He exchanged glances with Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, the latter two nodding tacitly, about to speak.
Seeing this, Danzo on the side grew anxious. He did not want to give Qianye an opportunity to gain prestige in Konoha.
He then resorted to the old tactic he used against Uchiha Itachi.
Praise to kill.
Before his worldview was fully formed, a little guidance could lead him astray.
It would be best if he could be led into darkness and gradually become a member of Root.
He then spoke first: "Since Kurenai Yuhi Jonin believes that Fujiwara Chiye already possesses strength comparable to a Jonin, then I think he doesn't need to participate in this Chunin Exams."
Speaking of this, Danzo turned his gaze to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Hiruzen, what do you think of this? We, the higher-ups, will specially set up an assessment for him. If he passes the assessment, he will be directly promoted to Chunin. What do you think?"
"That's not impossible, but since the Chunin Exams were established, there has been no precedent for it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was as indecisive as ever.
However, Danzo's idea undoubtedly coincided with his own.
The Uchiha Clan was simply becoming too troublesome.
The situation was even worse than when Uchiha Shisui was alive.
If a civil war were to break out, it would be a disaster for Konoha.
Therefore, sending another spy into the Uchiha Clan was already imperative.
"Don't precedents always need someone to create them? Just like Uchiha Itachi, even in peacetime, he only took one year to graduate from the Ninja School, and then grew all the way to become a pillar of Konoha."
When old foxes converse, their words are always full of calculations.
Danzo knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was tempted, and deliberately used Uchiha Itachi as an example, implying that he agreed to the plan of having Qianye act as a spy for the Uchiha Clan; Hiruzen only needed to make him a Chunin in advance.
"Koharu, Homura. What do you two think?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, hearing this, had already agreed in his heart, but still symbolically sought the opinions of the two Hokage Advisors.
To this, the two fence-sitters, who always wavered between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, naturally would not object.
The matter was thus settled.
Walking out of the Hokage Building, Kurenai Yuhi found Qianye and the other two and told them about the Chunin Exams arrangements.
"The specific situation is this: Qianye, you don't need to participate in the Chunin Exams a month later; Hokage-sama will arrange a separate assessment for you in a few days. As for Airi and Ponc, Hokage-sama will assign a team of experienced Genin to form a three-person squad with them."
"Praise to kill, huh... It seems those old geezers can't hold back anymore, but this is exactly what I want. Next, let all of you become captives of my Mirror Flower Water Moon." Qianye sneered in his heart.
Akizuki Airi, upon hearing this, immediately embraced Qianye in her large and soft embrace, crying profusely, "Wuwu... Qianye-kun, I'll miss you."
After more than half a year of getting along, the three of them had more or less developed a friendship. Although Qianye was usually cold and didn't talk much with them, he was always unexpectedly reliable at critical moments, saving them from danger multiple times.
Deep down, Akizuki Airi truly liked this little brother who was several years younger than her.
Of course, this was just the kind of love between an elder sister and a younger brother.
After all, in this man-eat-man Naruto World, only a minority were love-struck.
People were more concerned with how to survive, rather than thinking about falling in love every day.
Otherwise, they would have died a thousand times over.
Feeling the girl's softness and faint body fragrance, Qianye was both pained and happy, his old face flushing.
Kurenai Yuhi, seeing this, was so annoyed her teeth ached.
Recalling her first meeting with Qianye, when he confessed to her, and their daily interactions over the past half year, she silently chanted, Don't get angry, don't get angry.
Suddenly, a sour, vinegary smell permeated the air.
And Akimichi Ponc continued to be a spectator, shoveling handfuls of potato chips into his mouth.
Noticing Kurenai Yuhi's unusual behavior, Qianye, no longer enjoying the moment, quickly broke free from Airi's embrace, "Airi, there's no need for this. We'll still see each other in the future."
"Wuwu... But I still miss you."
It wasn't until Kurenai Yuhi spoke that Airi finally ended the farce, and then suggested, "How about this? After Qianye-kun gets promoted to Chunin, everyone comes to our barbecue restaurant to celebrate for Qianye-kun."
"Barbecue..." Upon hearing this, Akimichi Ponc, who had been a mere spectator, instantly had his pupils light up, his round little eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Your family runs a barbecue restaurant?" Qianye asked, somewhat surprised.
PS: Second update.