"Why cause such a huge commotion inside the village all of a sudden…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. His gaze was steady, his voice ringing with authority.
"It was to test the village's emergency response on the spot, without prior notice, without reports, without escorts, without listening to prepared briefings."
"I wanted the rawest, most genuine reaction."
"The Second Great Ninja War may be over, but this is far from the time to put away our blades."
His voice carried far. With Iron Skin released and distance closed, the ninja of Konoha gradually realized something else.
Their Hokage looked younger. Stronger.
Naturally, doubts began to surface.
That was exactly the opening Hiruzen wanted.
Not only to legitimize his own sudden change, but to reshape his image and reinforce his authority.
"Several months ago, Kushina Uzumaki was abducted inside the village by ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village," Hiruzen said sharply. "Anbu, Root, and the Police Force failed to react in time. In the end, she was rescued by a genin who had just graduated!"
Shinnosuke and Fugaku both lowered their heads, their backs stiff.
This was a direct reprimand from the Hokage.
"But is that failure solely the fault of Anbu and the Police Force?"
"In my view, when something like this happens, the first person who should take responsibility is me, the Hokage."
The turn caught everyone off guard.
Hiruzen took the blame onto himself.
Fugaku, head lowered, felt confused.
So he was not taking the chance to suppress the Uchiha Clan?
If Hiruzen had used that incident to press down on them, even Fugaku would have accepted it. A mistake had been made.
"Holding people accountable is to prevent complacency," Hiruzen continued. "But what matters more is making sure it never happens again."
"That's why I did not rush to respond to the Hidden Cloud."
"First, as Hokage and as the primary person responsible for the Kushina incident, I needed to ensure that if something like this happens again, I can be the first to charge in with everyone."
"And not just charge in. We have to win."
"For that reason, over the past few months I trained in the techniques left behind by the First and Second Hokage. They were dangerous, but perhaps thanks to the protection of the previous Hokage, I achieved some success."
As the ninja listened, realization spread across their faces.
So that was it.
No wonder the Hokage had not rushed to retaliate against the Hidden Cloud.
He was preparing to lead the charge himself.
"Hokage-sama, you were ill some time ago, suffering from constant high fevers," Shikazan Nara, current head of the Nara Clan, spoke up after exchanging a subtle look with Hiruzen.
"Yes. I used some dangerous forbidden techniques, but that is in the past," Hiruzen replied.
He bent his arm and patted his swollen bicep. "Everyone should get used to my new look. Otherwise, when we charge together, you might end up following the wrong person."
Internally, he marked Shikazan as a clever one.
A light joke softened the heavy atmosphere.
Overplaying his personal sacrifice would only weaken the image he was trying to build.
Chunin and genin looked at Hiruzen with reverence.
A Hokage who trained with life-threatening techniques for the village, who endured criticism and restrained his anger for everyone's sake. That image slowly took shape.
Kakashi nudged Asuma, his expression unhappy, and whispered, "Hey. What kind of nonsense have you been saying about him at the academy?"
Asuma's face flushed red. He wanted nothing more than to slap himself.
In his rebellious phase, he often called the Hokage a useless old man.
"Second, the Kushina incident exposed systemic issues," Hiruzen said.
"Over the past few months, I have conducted an in-depth review of village structures. The division of responsibilities between the Police Force and Anbu is unclear. There are problems with jonin promotion pathways and more."
"I will push these reforms hard and see them through. Everyone should be mentally prepared."
"But the core principle is simple."
"Capable ninja, and ninja who truly work for the village, must be placed where they belong."
Out of the corner of his eye, Danzo Shimura saw the two old teammates nearby and allowed himself a faint, smug look.
"Hmph. Hiruzen still trusts me. He spoke to me in advance…"
In that moment, Danzo subconsciously ignored something.
Over the past few days, he had been wondering whether Hiruzen intended to strip him of power or truly let him compete for the Hokage position.
The jonin, on the other hand, were visibly intrigued.
In a village of tens of thousands, there were only around a hundred jonin. Only four truly participated in decision-making.
Two advisors, one assistant, and the Hokage.
There were administrative, medical, interrogation, education, and intelligence departments, but because of their specialized nature, many of those roles were held by Special Jonin.
There was something called the Jonin Council, but in practice it held little power.
Anticipation spread among the jonin.
What would the Third Hokage do?
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged looks.
Institutional reform?
Why had they not been informed?
But in this setting, under the heated atmosphere Hiruzen had created, the two chose silence.
Speaking now would only earn resentment from the jonin.
Hiruzen raised a hand slightly.
The low murmurs immediately stopped.
"Next, a summary of this emergency test."
"Overall, it was good. Our ninja are still disciplined and quick to respond."
"But there were problems."
"Root. What happened? Where was your timeliness?"
His tone sharpened as his gaze landed on Danzo.
"I did not pursue Root's responsibility in the Kushina incident because Root has produced results in the past. I cannot demand that an intelligence organization grasp every enemy movement."
Danzo's heart tightened.
Was this where the knife came down?
"This incident is my responsibility," he said, swallowing his bitterness. He dared not explain.
Root ninja were different.
Under Danzo's leadership, their training had been indoctrination. They were raised like private soldiers.
When Root obtained intelligence, their protocol was to report to him first, then act.
Unlike Anbu, who handled and reported simultaneously.
"You do bear responsibility," Hiruzen said coldly.
"Danzo, even if you have been busy restructuring Root and have objective reasons, that is not an excuse for negligence."
The ninja kept their eyes forward.
This was power struggle at the highest level of Konoha. Not something they could comment on.
Danzo, however, was confused.
What was wrong with Hiruzen today?
Was he not praising him?
Acknowledging Root's past achievements, and signaling that its dissolution was not punishment but a decision agreed upon by the top leadership.
That had been Danzo's fear.
Without Root, people might think he had lost the Hokage's trust.
Even if he entered the formal line of succession, would he not be falling behind?
"Please punish me, Hokage-sama," Danzo said after thinking it through. Rarely did he refrain from saying things like you will regret this. He accepted responsibility cleanly.
Koharu and Homura exchanged another look, their expressions complicated.
How was Danzo being handled so smoothly?
"For now, redeem yourself through merit," Hiruzen said. "After Root is disbanded, you will serve as Anbu deputy commander and Hokage assistant. I expect results that satisfy everyone."
"When the village is in danger, I, the Hokage, will be the first to charge. The second should be you, my assistant."
"If this happens again, I will punish you severely. Submit a military pledge."
Danzo's eyes lit up.
He was not being removed from Anbu. He would still work in familiar territory.
And this pledge was a chance to prove himself.
Hiruzen, you really did give me an opportunity.
Danzo stepped forward, passion surging. "If it happens again, take my head."
"Good," Hiruzen replied, briefly surprised before steadying himself. "That is the assistant of Konoha."
A chance to stand in the spotlight made Danzo bold.
Polite applause rippled through the crowd.
To Danzo, it sounded thunderous.
Perhaps because no one had ever applauded him before.
"Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka… Aburame, Sakumo," Hiruzen called out names, offering praise.
Then he stopped in front of Hizashi Hyuga.
"Hizashi, was the Hyuga Clan holding a closed clan meeting today?" The Third Hokage was not particularly magnanimous. He remembered this late arrival.
His tone toward the branch family ninja remained relatively gentle.
Hizashi lowered his head.
From the moment he arrived late, the looks had burned his skin.
But he truly had no choice.
Like Danzo's situation, reporting to the main house and waiting for deliberation took time.
The Hyuga Clan was practically a village within the village.
With the Seal, they were a sealed iron block.
A thousand-year clan valued its own continuation above village interests. That was natural.
The strategic value of the Byakugan gave them the leverage to think that way.
Hiruzen considered that if he were in the Hyuga main house's position, he might think the same.
But he was the Hokage.
A ruler could not tolerate such a presence within his domain.
"No," Hizashi said quietly. "Third Hokage-sama, today was an accident…"
He could not say it was a decision by the main house.
He feared Hiruzen pressing further.
But Hiruzen did not.
Instead, he offered an out.
"As a clan with a thousand years of history, I respect the Hyuga's traditions," he said. "Keeping the Byakugan active at all times in the village would indeed have its effects."
The ninja nodded instinctively.
Everyone needed privacy. Especially ninja. Information was paramount.
Even comrades needed boundaries.
"Thank you for your understanding, Hokage-sama," Hizashi said, exhaling in relief.
"Are you willing to join Anbu?" Hiruzen asked, shifting tone. "The village needs your strength."
In the past, the Third Hokage had raised the idea with the Hyuga, only to be deflected by the main house. Over time, it became unspoken custom.
Back then, perhaps it was to preserve unity.
Hizashi froze, then blurted out, "I am willing, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Good, Hizashi. I see you."
After a pause, he added, "And I see the Will of Fire in the Hyuga Clan."
He cleared his throat.
"Finally, to the chunin and genin who came to support us, I am proud of you."
"Facing the intensity of my clash with Orochimaru, you still arrived immediately, without hesitation."
"With ninja like you, we will always stand far ahead in the ninja world."
"You love the village this deeply, and as Hokage, I promise that the village will never let your Will of Fire go unanswered."
Hiruzen's vow rang with solemn weight.
"Guy, did you see that?" Might Duy whispered, tears welling as he forced his voice low. "That is the Hokage's youth. The Hokage's ninja way."
"You must get into the academy and burn your youth for everyone, for the village!"
"Father, I will work even harder!" Guy sobbed. "Please train with me extra later!"
Hiruzen caught sight of the pair and smiled inwardly.
That peculiar father and son left a deep impression.
"Hey, what are you doing here, you brat? And Sakumo's kid too…"
Curious, Hiruzen walked over to his eldest son and lifted Asuma and Kakashi. "You two came to help as well?"
"I thought you fell asleep from exhaustion and forgot to put out your pipe, and the house caught fire…"
"So I asked Tsunade-oneechan and Jiraiya-niisan to bring Kakashi and me," Asuma said, eyes red. "Father, I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have badmouthed you at the academy."
Laughter rippled warmly through the crowd.
Hiruzen laughed too. "Brat. We'll settle this when we get home."
Using family moments to close the distance with subordinates had always been an effective tactic.
"All right. Everyone, return to your posts."
"Danzo, Homura, Koharu. Tomorrow at nine, Hokage Tower meeting."
"Come here, Sakumo," Hiruzen said quietly. "Take Hizashi and get him fitted with Anbu gear."
Sakumo nodded.
Nearby, Fugaku sank into thought.
Was this really the Hiruzen Sarutobi the clan head described, the one who just idled away in the Hokage Tower?
It did not feel like it.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said. "Your teacher made dinner. Want to come with Orochimaru? It's mostly his favorites, but I can have her add a couple more dishes."
Jiraiya nodded hard, then stomped in frustration. "Unbelievable! Sensei, you're still biased toward Orochimaru, just like always!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I see no issue. Who would favor an idiot who wanders outside the village all day?"
"What? Tsunade, you too!"
Orochimaru smiled, stepping up beside Hiruzen. "Sensei, Tsunade, let's go. If we keep talking to this idiot, sensei's wife will start worrying."
"What did you say, you snake!" Jiraiya bounced over. "Want to duel? I'll beat you so badly you won't be able to eat!"
"You?" Orochimaru replied calmly. "Are you saying you're stronger than sensei? Because I am very much looking forward to eating the meal she made for me."
"Oh?" Hiruzen chuckled. "Jiraiya, are you saying you want to spar with this old man too? Tomorrow, perhaps?"
Jiraiya's vision went dark. "No, sensei, that's not what I meant. I'm not as tough as that snake."
Listening to the bickering, Tsunade felt a rare lightness in her heart.
She hummed softly, her profile bathed in golden sunset, hands clasped behind her back as she walked toward the Sarutobi home.