Outrageous!
Absolutely outrageous!!
Sasuke Sarutobi's face was livid as the Shimura clan's Second Elder shoved him, making him stumble backward.
That smug, petty-villain expression on the old man's face—like, your old man's sun is setting—made Sasuke Sarutobi go stiff.
His fists went stiff.
And it wasn't just him. Several Sarutobi clan members were shoved out as well, faces ugly with anger.
"Young Clan Head! You… this…"
"Young Clan Head, say something!"
"Young Clan Head, look at the way they're acting!"
"Enough." Sasuke Sarutobi had some composure. He simply stared at the tightly shut gate of the residence, his dissatisfaction practically dripping off him.
Good.
Very good!
You invited my dad, and when he couldn't come because he had something to do, you had me come instead.
And then you turn around and kick us out?
What, then?
New official, three fires—and the first fire is aimed straight at my dad's head?
"Let's go. Don't stand here embarrassing ourselves."
It's just a banquet. It's not like we can't afford thirty—
At his side, one Sarutobi clansman looked like he wanted to speak and didn't dare, torn to shreds.
Young Clan Head… did you forget the 3.5 billion?
Right now, we really can't afford a banquet…
Sasuke Sarutobi's steps halted, and the fire in his chest burned even hotter.
Don't rush.
Don't rush…
Danzo, you old bastard. We'll see.
We'll see.
When the Third heard about it, he didn't say anything.
But his expression was… off.
So this is you, Danzo.
Newly appointed, and your first fire is burning me.
Stepping on my head to establish your prestige.
Is that something a human being does?
Irritated and restless, the Third sucked on his old pipe, and he genuinely didn't have a good way to deal with Danzo.
After all, the… the… the… the… people in charge of… were… on Danzo's side.
In the past, he could still suppress the three advisors. Now it wasn't the same.
With Danzo taking the position, he was finally "qualified" to face the Third head-on in the ring.
The next day.
Hokage Building, office.
The Third was processing documents when his brows twitched.
His face darkened as he watched staff members moving furniture around.
"Hokage-sama, sorry—Deputy-sama said he needs a desk too."
"Hokage-sama, please excuse us—Deputy-sama said there have to be two chairs as well."
"Hokage-sama, please forgive us—Deputy-sama instructed that you can't cross this line."
"…"
The Third kept sucking on his pipe, his hand holding the stem trembling slightly.
Damn it!
This is too much!
Danzo, you old bastard!
This is way too much!!
Damn it!
Kicking my clan members out of the banquet is one thing—now you're actually pressing your face against mine and talking trash?
You really are planning to treat me like some soft persimmon you can squeeze however you want, aren't you?!
No choice.
Danzo just shrugged.
He'd taken the Deputy position. He needed to establish prestige, didn't he?
But who was suitable?
Ino–Shika–Cho?
Not appropriate. Those guys were practically "the Hokage's wife"—this old man hadn't even had time to cozy up properly yet, so how could he start by burning them?
Uchiha? Hyuga?
Also not appropriate. Right now there was a delicate balance between those two clans. No matter who he smacked, it would be wrong.
Interrogation Division, Ninja Academy, the medical system, and so on?
Either someone powerful was sitting above them, or they were already miserable enough. Not suitable.
Then what about the advisors?
Was he insane? How could he smack his allies?
Take office and forget your roots?
What would everyone else think of him?
So Danzo slapped his thigh.
And decided—
It's you.
Hiruzen.
Back then, I still hadn't kicked that lame leg of yours enough.
Now I've moved up. Let's keep kicking.
And just like that, the Third got kicked into a state of utter embarrassment.
In the eyes of many subordinates, his prestige dropped again and again.
People down below couldn't help whispering.
Looks like Hokage-sama really isn't cutting it anymore.
He can't even suppress his own deputy. The new-official fire is already singeing his hair.
Those rumors made a nameless fire rise in the Third's chest.
But he couldn't vent it.
Because Danzo had arrived.
The Third said just one sentence—
"Danzo! You've gone too far!"
"Oh. 3.5 billion."
"…Danzo, about last night's banquet…"
"Oh. 3.5 billion."
"…Danzo, this office doesn't need to be wasted like this."
"Oh. 3.5 billion."
"…"
The two stared at each other for a moment. The Third's mouth twitched, and he had to retreat in defeat.
Danzo practically got excited from the sight.
"Old monkey, don't get so worked up."
"Am I worked up?!"
The Third felt like that line sounded weirdly familiar.
Also, "old monkey" is something you think you can just call me?
Perfect timing.
Danzo was delighted inside.
Last time, Hiruzen, you used that line to block me. Now offense and defense have swapped!
And what's wrong with calling you old monkey?
We're the same rank now—colleagues, got it?
Then, hugging his teacup, Danzo sauntered over to the other desk.
Same layout as the Third's.
There was even a line on the floor between them.
The attitude was obvious.
Right then, a ninja came in with a nervous report:
The village didn't have enough missions to take. A lot of shinobi below were starting to complain.
The moment the Third heard it, his eyes brightened a few shades.
Perfect. Let Danzo see—being Hokage isn't easy.
"Why are you still standing there?! Go see if there are any leftover missions!" the Third snapped.
"Why are you still standing there?! Go see if there are any leftover missions!" Danzo snapped.
"See if there are any low-rank missions, jobs, odd tasks!" the Third barked.
"See if there are any low-rank missions, jobs, odd tasks!" Danzo barked.
"Bring me all the mission guides from outside! Put them on my desk!" the Third ordered.
"Bring me all the mission guides from outside! Put them on this old man's desk!" Danzo ordered.
The Third couldn't take it anymore and slammed the desk as he stood.
"Try copying the way I talk one more time!!" the Third roared.
Danzo hesitated. He didn't want to slam the desk—this was a new desk.
So he leaned into it with all his pride.
"Try copying the way I talk one more time!!" Danzo roared.
Presence.
You can't lose presence!
Do you understand?
No.
The reporting ninja didn't care about any of their petty back-and-forth. He was sweating cold.
Wait.
Who the hell am I supposed to listen to?!
This farce only ended when the two wandering shadows from last night finally showed up—Koharu and Homura.
But the Third was no happier.
Seeing the two of them so plainly standing on Danzo's side, the old man almost couldn't hold it in.
Could you make it any more obvious you're playing favorites…?
(End of Chapter)
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