No matter how big the mess, it always ends in the most "reasonable" way—or rather, in a way everyone can accept.
Politics is the art of compromise, and Hiruzen Sarutobi lived that truth to the hilt. He used Tsunade's ire to clip Danzo's wings and reclaim a slice of Root's power, while also diluting Tsunade's immense prestige within Konoha's medical corps. With that, the village's power finally re-concentrated neatly in one pair of hands.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen drew long on his pipe and blew a fog over the window, watching Konoha through glass with a troubled gaze.
Moments ago, a letter had arrived from Tsunade.
Short and to the point: she would be leaving for a while. No return date.
Between the lines, he could taste heavy disappointment.
"She's gone?" he asked the ANBU beside him, voice low.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," said the operative codenamed Antler. "This morning Lady Tsunade left the village with her disciple."
"I see…"
Hiruzen looked toward the village gate and felt a stab of regret. Perhaps he'd been too blunt. He crushed the thought a heartbeat later. No—my choice was correct. Tsunade is the one being naïve.
As Hokage, every act served the village's survival and strength—even if it meant sacrificing people… or things.
"Antler. Bring Uchiha Sogetsu," Hiruzen said, sitting back down.
If Tsunade's departure was a done deal, he needed to make visible amends elsewhere—however symbolic—to steady those who remained.
Before long, Uchiha Sogetsu stood in the office.
"You sent for me, Hokage-sama?" Sogetsu's lashes lowered; his expression stayed rigid.
He hid it well, but a veteran like Hiruzen still caught the flicker of anger and confusion under the surface. Youngsters always think they're unreadable, Hiruzen thought, faintly pleased, and put on his warmest face. "Child, I know you're unsettled—puzzled by my decision. Aren't you?"
"No, Hokage-sama," Sogetsu blurted, a touch too fast.
"It's all right. I understand." Hiruzen waved the denial away. "I was your age once. Young blood runs hot. You're unhappy because Danzo's offense was grave and the result… underwhelming, yes?"
"Hokage-sama, I… I simply don't understand. I'm not angry with you." Sogetsu bowed his head, fists tightening.
"There are things I can't explain—yet." Hiruzen took a pull on his pipe, then continued. "Even so, Danzo went too far. I called you here for two reasons."
He tapped ash from the bowl, set the pipe aside.
"First: your mission was handled beautifully. I've decided to let you choose one technique from the Scroll of Seals as a reward."
Sogetsu blinked, genuinely startled. "Hokage-sama, that's… a bit much, isn't it?"
The Scroll of Seals was one of Konoha's greatest treasures—Tobirama Senju's most important legacy. Techniques like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, Four Symbols Seal, Impure World Reincarnation, the Eight Gates, the Flying Thunder God Technique—the sort of ninjutsu that would tip the scales in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Ordinarily, only those of exceptional merit—or those close to the Hokage—ever learned from it. And Sogetsu was Uchiha besides.
"It's too valuable…"
Much as he wanted to accept, Sogetsu did the polite shuffle first, all humble nerves.
"I know what you're going to say. I trust you, Uchiha Sogetsu." Hiruzen cut in gently. "Whatever frictions exist between the Uchiha and the village, we are one Konoha. And you—you carry the Will of Fire."
"Hokage-sama…" Sogetsu let the right amount of emotion reach his eyes.
"And yes—this is also compensation." Hiruzen's voice softened. "Let the matter of Danzo end here. I've warned him. He will not move against you again. I hope you can understand my position."
Understand? Of course I understand, Sogetsu laughed inwardly. He had no intention of letting Danzo off—not until Danzo understood him.
Out loud he said, after a thoughtful pause, "I understand, Hokage-sama. The international situation is tightening. Root is a strength Konoha can't spare. I'll consider the matter closed."
Everyone in the room knew it was boilerplate. If he truly thought like that, why had Konoha been pushed into hounding the White Fang?
It was politics—centralize power, remove obstacles.
"Good. I haven't misjudged you." Hiruzen smiled, patted Sogetsu's shoulder like a kindly grandfather. "You already think like a Hokage at your age. Who knows—one day, even an Uchiha like you may wear the hat."
Uh-huh. Nice speech. Sogetsu kept his face neutral. Try that on a 996 crowd back in my last life. They'd 'blessing-of-hard-work' you under the table.
When the pep talk wound down, Hiruzen handed over a prepared scroll. "This index lists techniques in the Scroll of Seals. Tell me which you want, and I'll have a copy made."
The original Scroll, of course, was not leaving its vault.
Sogetsu already knew what he wanted but flipped pages for show. As expected, no Dead Demon Consuming Seal or Impure World Reincarnation among the offerings.
He closed the list. "Hokage-sama, I would like Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags."
"Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags?" Hiruzen looked honestly surprised. He'd expected "Flying Thunder God," or "Eight Gates"—not that. He frowned. "It's a self-sacrificial art—most effective with Shadow Clones and punishing on chakra. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
To most, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags was just a short-range suicide tool chained through clones—big blast, bigger cost, less practical than other choices. To Sogetsu, its value outstripped even the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
Paired with Konan's paper techniques later on? Even a Sage of Six Paths would be forced to kneel.
Rasengan, Tailed Beast Bomb—even Sage Art: Wood Release, True Several Thousand Hands—make way.
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