"Hiruzen!"
"Oh, it's Danzo. You've been listening in all this time, huh? Quite the remarkable child, isn't he? This Uchiha… he seems different from the others. His personality really reminds me of Kagami. Are you sure he isn't Kagami's descendant?" Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't lift his head from the documents in front of him as he spoke to Danzo.
"Hmph. I've already had Root investigate. His parents were guards under Fugaku. Kagami's heir is a boy named Shisui, and he's still very young."
Danzo ignored Hiruzen's words and found a chair, surveying the office before settling beside the Hokage.
"Is that so? Such a pity—Kagami's heir is still a child. But no matter, it's heartening to see the Will of Fire spreading through the villagers. Even an Uchiha like him has been deeply influenced by it! Wonderful… I hope the village can remain at peace." Hiruzen set down his documents and sighed.
"Hiruzen, Tobirama once said the Uchiha are naturally predisposed to darkness. We can't rely solely on the Will of Fire to make them fight for the village! I still think we should find a way to eliminate them!" Danzo slammed his cane hard against the floor.
"Let's stick to my plan for now. The borders have been unstable recently—we still need the Uchiha to contribute to the village," Hiruzen replied firmly.
"Fine… but Hiruzen, hand Uchiha Ran over to Root. Even though he hasn't awakened his Sharingan and only graduated from the Ninja Academy at thirteen, he understands your Will of Fire. Give him to us, and I'll train him to be the next Kagami!" Danzo said, looking to his longtime ally.
Hiruzen knew from years of experience that Danzo usually got what he wanted. Danzo did the dirty work, and Hiruzen made up for it elsewhere.
"Danzo, that's impossible. The Uchiha have no tradition of joining Root. If the clan finds out you're planning to drag one of their own into Root… who knows what they'll do?" Hiruzen's tone left no room for argument.
Hiruzen believed Ran could understand his Will of Fire. With Shinku Yuhi's reports, he could determine whether Ran was capable of serving the Hokage's vision—just like how Kagami was essential in the Second Hokage's squad during moments of crisis. Hiruzen hoped to nurture Ran into a ninja who could sacrifice for the village, just as Kagami did.
"Shinnosuke… I hope you grow quickly. Perhaps one day, Ran might even save your life," Hiruzen thought as he puffed on his pipe.
"Hiruzen, I disagree. Maybe that naturally 'evil' Uchiha is just pretending! Give him to Root, and I'll determine whether he's worth training!" Danzo stood, slamming his hand down for emphasis.
"Absolutely not, Danzo. That will only worsen tensions between the village and the Uchiha!" Hiruzen's voice rose in anger.
"You're too weak, Hiruzen! If the Uchiha refuse to cooperate, label them traitors and arrest them! Hand him over to Root, then when conflict arises between the village and the Uchiha, I'll use Root and the ANBU to eliminate the disobedient ones!" Danzo snarled, his words dripping with malice.
"I will not allow it, Danzo. You will not touch ANBU!" Hiruzen's hand slammed onto the desk with a thunderous BANG, making anyone patrolling outside jump.
"Enough, Danzo! I am the Hokage! I will not allow this plan. Everything will follow my orders! We will use the Will of Fire to guide the Uchiha!"
"Hmph!"
BANG! The door slammed as Danzo stormed out in frustration.
At that moment, a head poked in. "Hokage-sama… what happened? Do you need assistance?"
"Ah, Minato. It's nothing. Elder Danzo was just having one of his episodes. Come in—update me on the border situation."
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama!"
Meanwhile, Shinku Yuhi's team had returned home. Shinku guided the team's training one last time before dusk, instructing them on what to focus on. When the sun began to set, he dismissed them, reminding them to prepare equipment and supplies for tomorrow's escort mission. Team Eight left the training ground, each immersed in their own thoughts.
Tsubaki and Niino were concerned about the new member, Ran, wondering if he could adapt to the ninja life.
Ran, however, was deep in thought, recalling another chakra signature he had sensed earlier in the Hokage's office.
It must have been Danzo. His early appearance means he'll act soon… Elder Danzo, Ran thought.
Danzo was an intensely suspicious, cautious, and ruthless man. He trusted no one and tolerated no mistakes, insisting everything proceed according to his will. He constantly preached about self-sacrifice for the ninja, yet when the time came, he often failed to act accordingly.
Danzo relied on coercion to control his subordinates and harbored a deep-seated hostility toward the Uchiha. But schemes without strength were just the actions of a petty man.
Those who sow deceit without power will eventually be consumed by their own plots.
Ran smiled faintly, gripping his Zanpakuto tightly.
Danzo… I think I know exactly how to deal with you. Don't disappoint me. Let's see your clumsy little performance.