"Hokage-sama, several members of the Nara and Yamanaka clans are in a standoff over field boundaries, and neither side is backing down."
"They are now requesting that Hokage-sama settle the matter."
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back in his chair, his back to the desk, looking at the scenery outside the window.
An Anbu member knelt beside him, reporting the situation.
"Is it that newly developed field by the Nakano River again?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed after hearing this, rubbing his aching brow.
That field had been discovered by accident a few years ago; the soil was fertile and very suitable for cultivation.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans, which closely followed his lead—specifically the Yamanaka and Nara clans—happened to need fields for their industries, so he had allocated the land to them for joint development.
But as the land development neared completion, the boundary issue remained unresolved, leading to constant bickering between the two clans.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio had close ties; no matter how he handled this, one side would inevitably feel slighted.
"No, he can't be the one to step in!"
He instinctively turned his head to look for Danzo.
Then he remembered that in internal affairs, aside from matters involving the Uchiha Clan, Danzo didn't meddle in the business of other families.
Feeling somewhat irritable, he habitually picked up his pipe, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a long trail of smoke.
After a moment, he offered a non-committal solution.
"Inform the two clan chiefs to prioritize harmony and sit down to negotiate a stable resolution themselves."
The Anbu member looked up, feeling a bit strange.
The two families had sought the Hokage precisely because they couldn't reach an agreement.
Why was he telling them to talk it out themselves instead?
However, he didn't voice these thoughts; the Hokage-sama had his reasons, and he only needed to follow orders quietly.
"The Ino–Shika–Chō families are one entity. They shouldn't let such petty interests affect their relationship. Whether it's growing flowers or medicinal herbs, it's all for Konoha."
"Yes."
Receiving his orders, the Anbu's form gradually faded and disappeared.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, rubbing his throbbing temples.
These clans below all had their own agendas. For the sake of profit, they would raise a fuss every few days, bringing every little matter to him, the Hokage, to handle.
Now, even the closely-knit Ino–Shika–Chō trio was having problems.
Can't they just save me some trouble and focus on external affairs?
During these years as Hokage, he had to make difficult choices almost every day, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted.
This was completely different from the beautiful image of the Hokage he had before taking the position.
Only after becoming Hokage did he realize it wasn't as simple as he had imagined.
The excitement and passion he felt when his teacher appointed him Hokage had long been worn away by this daily grind of indecision and difficult choices.
He looked at the busy streets outside the window and couldn't help but think of Senju Tobirama.
If his teacher hadn't stayed behind to cover their retreat back then, what would the situation be like now?
Bang!
The office door was rudely and violently pushed open!
From outside the door, a cold voice drifted in, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts.
"Hiruzen, the spies active in enemy nations have suffered heavy losses recently. I need to replenish my personnel."
A gloomy man covered in bandages and leaning on a cane walked into the room.
Danzo Shimura!
The Ninja World's only five-and-a-half generation 'Pot-Shadow,' the world's strongest scapegoat-seeker.
A dual collector of Sharingan and talent, the first man to stab a Susanoo with a Kunai and seal a bridge.
He had finally come to ask for people.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his chair to look at Danzo and asked in confusion:
"Haven't the children from the orphanage already been assigned to Root for training?"
"Not enough. I need to select a few more as reinforcements."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of displeasure upon hearing this.
In recent years, the Great Nations had been restless, and internal security screenings had intensified.
It was true that Root had suffered casualties, but almost all the personnel from the orphanage had been absorbed by Root. This still wasn't enough, and he kept reaching out for more.
He shook his head and said, "The Anbu has no more spare personnel."
"I can select from the students coming out of the Ninja Academy."
Danzo was relentless.
"The students of the Ninja Academy are the future of Konoha. Root..."
"Hiruzen!"
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish, Danzo interrupted him.
"Root is also Konoha's Root. This great tree of Konoha needs enough Roots underground to absorb nutrients so the tree can sprout. Everything I do is for the future of Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff of his pipe, exhaled a long trail of smoke, and after a moment of silence, asked, "Who do you want?"
"Kakashi Hatake," Danzo said without hesitation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "Kakashi just lost his father; he's not suited for the oppressive environment of Root."
"Only a shinobi who has lost their emotions can become truly powerful! Without emotions, there is no fear, and actions won't be dictated by feelings..."
Danzo described Kakashi as if he were born for Root: "Hiruzen, he is the perfect tool for Root's operations."
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the ash from his pipe and shook his head. "No! I have other arrangements for Kakashi."
"Then give me Shimi Aburame."
"I've already transferred Aburame Shikuro to you from the Aburame Clan."
"What does that matter? You're the Hokage; can't you even manage a transfer?" Danzo said as if it were a matter of course.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo Shimura and frowned, but he still explained patiently:
"While the Aburame Clan isn't as strictly hierarchical as the Hyuga Clan, they are still a prestigious clan."
"I am the Hokage, yes, but asking them for people requires negotiation."
"Do you think you can just do whatever you want once you become Hokage?" Hiruzen suddenly snapped back at Danzo.
Seeing Danzo's face turn red with frustration, he felt a secret satisfaction and continued:
"Furthermore, Shimi Aburame is a well-rounded Ninja with a firm belief in the will of fire. He is better suited to operate in the light. As for him, I have other arrangements."
After saying so much, it all boiled down to a refusal to give him anyone. Danzo felt quite displeased.
"Then I want Aoba Yamashiro."
"I have other arrangements for him as well."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo's gloomy voice suddenly became much sharper.
'Other arrangements'! 'Other arrangements'! He had asked for three in a row, and all had 'other arrangements.'
Danzo was getting angry.
"I can transfer Might Duy to you. His Taijutsu is decent. His son, Might Guy, graduated two years ago; I can transfer him to you as well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want the atmosphere to become too tense and compromised: "The Might father and son are full of youthful energy; they might even alleviate the oppressive atmosphere of Root."
"Root doesn't need youth, nor does it need energy, and it certainly doesn't need untalented civilian Ninja like them."
"You don't want civilians?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned; he was being picky now.
He pondered for a moment, then spoke:
"There is a prestigious clan Ninja in the same year as Might Guy named Uchiha Obito."
"That dead-last idiot whose Ninjutsu works only half the time and hasn't even awakened his Sharingan? Even if he's from a prestigious clan, what use is he?"
Danzo frowned deeply, the disappointment in his eyes plain to see.
He was very disappointed in Hiruzen Sarutobi. His old comrade of many years was making excuses for every person he asked for.
If he wasn't recommending a fool, he was recommending an idiot.
Recommending Might Duy and Guy was one thing, but you even recommended Uchiha Obito.
"There is another child with a Kekkei Genkai in their class named Hyuga Aokawa. Yūhi Shinku gave a good evaluation of him, saying he has a firm will and is both brave and resourceful."
"If it's this person, the Hyuga Clan should be willing to let him go..."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo suddenly raised his voice, angrily interrupting the Third Hokage.
His eyes were wide, his face full of disbelief.
Since when had their friendship thinned to such an extent?
To the point where you are being so perfunctory.
After the fool and the idiot, now you recommend a piece of trash to me.
Even Uchiha Obito graduated two years ago, but this trash is still repeating a grade this year.
He had also heard that he was dead last in the recent final exams; he probably won't graduate this year either.
'Firm will'? 'Brave and resourceful'?
Is Yūhi Shinku's word worth nothing now too?
A Kekkei Genkai like that—he wouldn't take him even if he were given to Root for free.
Is it really this hard to get someone from you now?
Fine, fine, Hiruzen, if that's how you want to play it.
Danzo Shimura's gloom suddenly vanished, and he tilted his head up slightly, assuming a righteous air.
"Hiruzen, I want Asuma!"