Chapter 67 The Will of Fire
"Boy, do you even realize who you're talking to?"
"You sniveling little traitor!"
But I didn't give them anything. I just kept on staring at Hiruzen. And I didn't give him anger or excuses now. I gave him Disappointment.
For the first time, Hiruzen flinched. He considered me one of the few who followed the will of fire. And being a disappointment was a new experience for him, I'm sure.
"I have given you so much Ren, don't you think I deserve an explanation?"
His voice had softened. Koharu tried to speak up, but the Hokage raised his hand.
Now for the final stretch. If I don't do this right, I'll have to face the Hokage faction earlier than expected. Danzo would have needed at least a year or two.
"When the tree leaves dance, one finds the flame.
The shadow of the fire will light up the village, and once again, the leaves bud out."
I started with his own words.
"You know, Lord Third, deep down you know exactly what happened here. The young leaves you were supposed to protect were burned in the flames of his ambition." A pointed at Danzo.
"And they were not just burned, their will was violated, their veins were filled with poison, and they were forced to grow into monsters instead of beautiful leaves. And you saw all that, but instead of lighting up the village. You chose the interests of your friend and political power. No matter how you want to spin what happened in this room, Lord Third. The truth is that for the crimes he committed against any one of those hundreds, he should have been executed. Let alone the fact that he committed them against hundreds.
Is this what you meant when you said Konoha should be like a family? I spit on the family that treats its young this way!"
"Boy, you .." Danzo spoke. Even Hiruzen opened his mouth, but I cut him off.
"You are more well-versed in politics and word games than I will ever be, Lord Third. I will never be able to win this conversation. I don't have to. Because if you're even half the man I thought you were. This was a deal of political power and gold that was struck with the innocent blood that flowed in that lab, and no matter what is said here. Deep down, you will know. You will always know what you did, Lord Third. For this is your sin to bear. You have failed the Legacy of Lord First and your teacher, Lord Second. You have failed this village, and you have failed the Will of Fire."
And with that, I stormed out.
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Hiruzen's POV
He was shaken, really shaken. Not because of what he had been accused of. But because he couldn't deny it. As he tried to defend himself to himself. He stopped. All those other things came to mind. The ones that they did not know. He wanted to do a lot of things. But he chose to silently walk out as the Uchiha took Danzo away.
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That was intense. I wiped my eyes. And since when had I started respecting that piece of shit who almost ran this village into the ground? Wasn't he one of the most hated characters of canon? Yes, he had protected me and guided me, but that was me tricking him, right? Right?
I was just realizing this. The man had his faults. But his philosophy and most of his actions did make him worthy of that cap. He was a good man. And just like all good men, he worked for the greater good when possible. And for the family's good, when he could. Kind of like most of those overly good MCs in all those animes and mangas who can forgive and forget any crime of those they love in a few emotional sentences. It's just that our view had been from another perspective.
And instead of a kind, good man forced into a shitload of backstabbing and politics, we saw a weak fool who makes stupid decisions. It was the burden of being a leader that he could not handle. But he was a good man.
I decided to walk home directly and crawl into my bed. I didn't feel like working today anyway.
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The village was abuzz with rumors for the next few days. The quiet removal of an advisor was a big deal. And the Uchiha didn't bother to hide the fact that they were monitoring Danzo. Nobody knew the truth, but it made it even more gossip-worthy. The rumors about Hatake Sakumo had all but disappeared in this chaos.
But on the tenth day, just as I put 100 SS into Energy control. A Gekko Shinobi showed up at my door.
Right after that, a Shinobi showed up from Kurama. Then one from Kohaku. And lastly, one from Kurokami.
A lot of clans were suddenly feeling the need to renegotiate our trade agreements. And I didn't know what the Kurokami wanted. They were another Fuinjutsu clan like us, but they had not bothered to establish contact before. I told them I would meet with them later and called one of my own clan meetings. Telling them of the proceedings that happened.
Except the Summer legion. The others took it with a grain of salt. We got Taku back safely. And Hokage gave him and the clan lot of money as apology. All's well that ends well.
But the winter noted the effect of our clan's separation, which was validated by me in the Commander's meeting.
"Yes, I know that all the middling clans who were silent before are moving in. I'll think of something." I tried to assure them as they continued debating what to do and how. This wasn't like the last time we were on outs. This time, the village knew it. The fight had been public and brutal.
I sighed and looked at my status for reassurance.
STATUS
KUROSAWA REN
Power - Elite Chunin
Physique - 498
Chakra - 2602
Specials - YamiGami
Skills - Tagcraft III, Sensor, Taijutsu II, Kenjutsu II, Leader I, Medic I
System Stats - 70
Call - The Eye Slows
TREE OF LIFE
Soul Develop (3/10) 10000 SS
Physique
Soul Physique(1/1000) 10SS
Chakra
Chakra Control (10/100) 100SS
Energy Control (38/100) 100SS
One Tail (100/1000) 10 SS.