Konoha really is a land that breeds heroes and monsters alike…
Kangetsu admired the messy, chaotic side of Konoha.
It didn't affect him either way.
What?
This was all his fault?
Don't be ridiculous.
He, Kangetsu, was wholeheartedly devoted to Konoha—working himself to the bone for its sake.
How could he possibly be that kind of person?
That said…
Konoha's "two rulers" situation was basically set in stone by now.
Which meant Danzo and the Third Hokage's official arena match could finally be put on the schedule.
For example…
"Oh? The Hyuga sent someone?"
Danzo's eyes sharpened with a flash of interest.
When it came to political infighting, he did have some brains.
Not quite as much as the Third Hokage, but not far behind.
"Who is it?"
"It's the Hyuga Clan Head."
Shimura's second elder replied quickly.
He couldn't hide the grin on his face.
To him, this was the first visible payoff of their clan head taking the Vice Hokage seat.
See?
The Hyuga are already running over to pledge themselves, tail wagging!
Danzo thought the same.
If the Hyuga wanted to return to the political core of Konoha, they needed an "introducer."
One Hokage, one Vice Hokage, plus the two advisors—
Who was the right introducer?
Wasn't it obviously him, the newly red-hot second-in-command?
"Let him in."
Danzo chuckled to himself, clasping his hands behind his back as he slowly poured tea, imitating the Third Hokage's leisurely hospitality.
He was basically the Hokage now.
Presence.
He needed to project presence.
At this point, Danzo was doing it out of sheer spite—copying Hiruzen on purpose.
He was going to take everything that belonged to Hiruzen back, little by little.
Yes.
Take it back.
It was all supposed to be his in the first place!
After becoming the Vice Hokage, Danzo's ambition wasn't even pretending to stay hidden anymore.
Otherwise, why would the Third Hokage be this vigilant?
Hiashi was ushered in.
He walked step by step, steady and controlled.
Danzo's eyes showed a flicker of satisfaction.
His team needed exactly this kind of stable, mature talent.
"Hiashi, you're here? Please, sit."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Mmm~~.
That "Hokage-sama" just sounded so smooth to the ear!
Say it again.
He never got tired of hearing it.
Danzo was so thoroughly pleased he almost looked reborn.
He even personally poured Hiashi a cup of tea.
In his mind, he was showing respect for worthy talent.
After all, he'd seen Hiruzen do it plenty of times.
And because Hiashi was the first to "pledge" to him, Danzo liked him more and more the longer he looked.
It really was the Hyuga…
They understood he'd just taken the Vice Hokage seat and needed manpower.
Danzo finally understood the joy Hiruzen got from collecting capable people.
"Hiashi… so today you came here to…"
"Hokage-sama, there's no need to be so polite."
Hiashi wore a look that said I understand exactly how this works, and Danzo laughed with instant mutual understanding.
As expected.
The Hyuga really were tactful.
The one who understands the times is the true hero.
And since they were "true heroes," if he didn't arrange some positions for the Hyuga, wouldn't he just be returning to his old cold-tea ways?
Back when he was only an advisor, he still had to be wary of the Hyuga.
But now he was Vice Hokage—and he also had an old geezer in the top seat pushing him down.
Which meant he had to consider whether guarding too hard against the Hyuga would just drive them straight into the other camp.
The problem was, in that moment, Danzo couldn't actually think of a good position to use as bait.
His brows drew together.
And just like that, Danzo froze awkwardly.
Not good…
He meant to show face today—was he about to end up showing his ass instead?
"Hokage-sama, the Hyuga aren't in a hurry.
We know you've only just taken office, so we came simply to offer our strength to you."
That left Danzo blinking.
Oh!!
The Hyuga were this considerate!?
His old face flushed.
He was genuinely moved.
He grabbed Hiashi's hand and praised him again and again.
What a Hyuga!
Truly a hero who understands the times!
Not even asking for benefits first—just offering labor right away?
Where else do you find such excellent workhorses?
Good. Good!
Since the Hyuga were treating him like this, he couldn't just sit back and let them work for free.
Fine—here's how it'll be:
As long as he could claw back even a bit of power from Hiruzen, he'd put the Hyuga right into a position of importance.
Those loyal to him had to be used heavily!
As for Root…
Danzo's brows tightened, his expression souring.
He knew Root was his base.
But Root's style—Danzo didn't like it as much anymore.
He was a proper Hokage now!
How could he keep mixing with those filthy things?
He couldn't.
The Hyuga were better.
They had prestige. They could work. They looked good on paper.
They were practically Danzo's dream workhorses.
"Hiashi, you're a good one.
I won't let you suffer."
With a sweep of his hand, Danzo directly allocated half of Root's budget to the Hyuga.
That made Hiashi so happy his smile nearly split his face.
As expected.
Listening to his son-in-law was the right call.
See? More money.
Family really is the best…
At the same time.
The Third Hokage received the news.
His heart clenched, and he couldn't sit still anymore.
"What did you say!? Hiashi went to meet that old bastard Danzo!?"
Below him.
Itachi kept his head lowered, expression unchanged.
So the Third Hokage really couldn't stay calm.
And the relationship between him and Danzo was clearly not what people pretended it was—surface arguments, secret harmony.
One sentence was "old bastard," the next was "old thing."
They weren't even trying to act anymore.
"Lord Hokage, please wait."
From the side, Shisui stepped over the boundary rail beside the office space.
He jogged over and poured tea for the old man.
That attitude made the Third Hokage nod to himself, finally letting out a breath he'd been holding.
Good.
The Uchiha's two vice heads were still on his side.
But his gaze drifted to the railing on the side of his desk, and displeasure surfaced.
He wasn't looking at the railing.
He was looking at the old thing stealing power from him.
Fine.
Fine, fine, fine.
So that old bastard Danzo really wanted to play.
To be honest, the Third Hokage had considered making peace last night.
They were old comrades.
They'd supported each other for decades.
And it was all for Konoha—making things too ugly wasn't good for anyone.
But after smoking all night, the more he thought, the angrier he got.
In the end, he decided to go head-on.
That chair under your ass?
I gave it to you!
And now you dare talk back to me?
Unforgivable!!
He'd never suffered this kind of humiliation in his entire life!
Taking the tea Shisui offered, the Third Hokage decided it was time to draw the Uchiha a nice big pie—
(End of Chapter)
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