"What!?"
Hearing the Third Hokage say this—
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura both couldn't help but change expressions drastically.
"Hiruzen, are you saying that even you are no match for him?"
Homura was utterly shocked.
"Even if he possesses the First Hokage's bloodline limit—Wood Release—that kid is only ten years old…" Koharu also exclaimed in disbelief. "Is his strength really that exaggerated?"
"It's absolutely true!"
Letting out a puff of smoke—
The Third Hokage nodded helplessly.
Looking at his two old friends whose expressions kept shifting, he said in a deep voice, "I understand the significance of Wood Release better than either of you!"
"But you don't need to worry about this matter. I already have my own arrangements… Don't interfere, or you might make things worse!"
If he were still in his twenties or thirties, when his ambition burned strong—
He might truly have regarded Qianye Akira Ren as a potential threat.
But now, seeing Konoha gradually declining, with a clear generational gap—
Even the Third Hokage had no choice but to reflect.
Though he was known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu"—
He was still no exception, like most heroes throughout history.
As the hot-blooded passion of youth faded, it was replaced by an increasingly strong desire for power.
However—
No matter how much he valued authority,
Even if he had wavered and made mistakes before, showing indecision and weakness—
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still someone who, from the bottom of his heart, loved the village and was willing to give his life for Konoha.
Naturally, he understood what Qianye Akira Ren meant to Konoha.
At just ten years old, possessing chakra comparable to a Tailed Beast, along with Wood Release—the power that once pacified the chaotic era—
He already had strength not inferior to a Kage.
One could imagine—
If he continued to grow—
Even if he didn't become Hokage, as long as he remained part of Konoha,
He would be a strategic deterrent comparable to the Nine-Tails.
Having already made mistakes in the past, Hiruzen might not regret all his previous choices—
But he would never repeat them and drive away such a genius from Konoha.
"You don't want to force Tsunade back to the village and have her personally pave the way for her disciple, do you?"
Looking at Koharu and Homura, who still wanted to argue—
The Third Hokage sighed softly and reminded them calmly.
He knew exactly what these two old friends were worried about.
Nothing more than fearing that once the younger generation rose to power, their own authority would be taken away.
They didn't want anything to slip out of their control.
Once upon a time—
Even he, while constantly claiming everything was for Konoha,
Had harbored the same thoughts deep down.
If not for the past two years—
With the fall of the Uchiha and Konoha's declining strength no longer matching its former peak—
He might never have woken up, still stubbornly clinging to his views.
Power—
Was truly the most terrifying thing in the world.
It had corroded the once passionate, high-spirited them to this extent.
"…Fine!"
"Then we'll leave it to you!"
Koharu and Homura's expressions shifted.
In the end, they had no choice but to take a step back and nod in agreement.
After all—
If Tsunade really returned—
With her prestige in the village and Qianye Akira Ren's support—
Especially with Akira Ren's Wood Release already making many witness firsthand the terrifying power that once pacified the world—
Those clans and civilian ninjas already dissatisfied with the higher-ups would likely switch sides immediately.
Even if it couldn't directly overthrow them—
At the very least, it would allow the Senju faction to rise again and quickly gather a force capable of rivaling the current leadership.
That was not something they wanted to see.
"Then…"
"Lord Danzo, you can't go in!"
"Move aside!"
"Ugh—"
The door was kicked open.
An elderly figure walked in, leaning on a cane.
Behind him followed sweating, flustered guards.
The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, who had barged in without being announced, but didn't get angry. He simply waved to the guards.
"That's enough. You may leave."
"Danzo, what are you doing here?"
The Third Hokage's tone wasn't friendly. "Don't forget—you're no longer the Hokage's advisor!"
Repeated indulgence and leniency—
Had already worn down his tolerance for Danzo to the limit.
If not for their deep camaraderie as former comrades—
And the fact that he still needed Danzo to handle certain matters inconvenient for the Hokage—
As well as not wanting to push too hard and cause Homura and Koharu to feel threatened and turn against him—
Sarutobi Hiruzen would have already ordered Danzo imprisoned in Konoha's jail.
But seeing that Homura and Koharu showed no surprise at Danzo's arrival—
The Third Hokage couldn't help but frown.
"I'm well aware of that…"
Danzo's expression darkened slightly.
Pretending ignorance, he got straight to the point. "Hiruzen, I heard that Qianye Akira Ren has awakened Wood Release?"
He had come at the invitation of Koharu and Homura.
But it was also a good opportunity to test the Third Hokage's attitude toward that Lord Akira Ren.
Although that person had not truly returned yet, and was likely only staying temporarily—
If these people really sought death—
For the sake of Konoha's future, and the ninja world's future—
He didn't mind sending them on their way in advance.
"Looks like your information network is quite efficient!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced meaningfully at Koharu and Homura, who appeared calm as if unrelated.
"Hiruzen, Wood Release is of great importance. We should take him—"
"Danzo, don't even think about it!"
Before he could finish—
The Third Hokage cut him off sharply.
Glaring at him, he demanded coldly, "Two years ago, outside the capital of the Land of Fire—was it your people who attacked Tsunade and the others?"
"Two years ago, I had just been released from confinement. I never even left the village."
Danzo remained calm and replied indifferently.
He had left a substitute in the village back then—he wasn't afraid of being exposed.
After all, Root had already been formally placed under Anbu command.
Naturally, he would never admit it.
"Hmph, it'd better be that way…"
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe and said no more.
"Alright, Hiruzen, Danzo… the two of you should stop arguing."
Koharu stepped forward to ease the tense atmosphere.
She spoke directly to Danzo, "Regarding Qianye Akira Ren, considering that he may already possess strength not inferior to a Kage—and that he is Tsunade's disciple with a special status—we cannot use overly forceful methods…"
"We've already discussed it with Hiruzen. This matter will be handled by him."
"So that means… that kid is no longer someone we can easily control?"
Danzo's expression darkened.
Staring straight at the Third Hokage, he said bluntly, "Qianye Akira Ren's potential is astonishing. Once he fully matures, even if he doesn't reach the First Hokage's level, he won't be inferior to our teacher, the Second Hokage…"
"He was trained by Tsunade. His temperament is uncertain…"
His gaze turned cold as he warned, "For the safety of the village, we must find a way to restrain him. We cannot be careless!"
"…And your suggestion is?"
The Third Hokage frowned.
"Hiruzen—hand the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki over to me for training!"
Danzo's eyes burned with intensity.
Staring at the Third Hokage, he said in a low voice, "Otherwise, if we lack the power to counterbalance Qianye Akira Ren, and he is led astray by 'certain people,' the consequences would be unimaginable!"
"This…"
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances.
Danzo had proposed similar ideas countless times before.
And every time, the Third Hokage had rejected him.
They themselves had always stood with Hiruzen.
But now—
With Qianye Akira Ren's terrifying strength and potential revealed—
Even if they didn't know whether he would stand against them in the future—
To some extent, he was indeed a major potential threat.
They couldn't help but take it seriously and prepare for the worst.
After all—
If they had no means to counterbalance him—
Wouldn't they be completely at the mercy of Tsunade and her disciple in the future?
"Danzo, stop dreaming…"
Hearing this—
The Third Hokage's expression turned cold as he angrily declared:
"I will never hand Naruto over to you!"
"But Hiruzen, don't forget—"
Danzo still wanted to argue.
He had originally hoped to seize this opportunity to take control of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
With that powerful ocular power, that Lord Akira Ren could easily control the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—
Completely dominating it.
At that time—
With the combined power of the Uchiha and Senju, along with the strongest Tailed Beast in hand—
Who in the ninja world could stop that Lord Akira Ren from unifying it?
That masked Uchiha Madara?
Or that so-called Akatsuki organization?
"Danzo… I am the Hokage!"
Interrupting him—
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned icy.
He stared directly at Danzo, his tone firm and unyielding.
"I don't need you to teach me how to do things. And you are no longer the Hokage's advisor!"
Danzo's expression stiffened.
Hokage?
Of course he knew the other was Hokage.
Otherwise, why would he have endured so much humiliation all these years?
Though he might not compare to that Lord Akira Ren, who would lead Konoha into a new era—
Was he, Shimura Danzo, truly inferior to Sarutobi Hiruzen?
"Hiruzen… you will regret this!"
Danzo's gaze turned dark.
Gritting his teeth, he slammed the door and left.
Back then, during the Second Hokage's test—
He had only hesitated for a moment, just a step too late.
Yet that cost him the position of Hokage.
That had always been a thorn in Danzo's heart—
His greatest obsession to this day.
Even now—
Even after being influenced by Kotoamatsukami, having already given up on becoming Hokage and pledged loyalty to Qianye Akira Ren—
He still never believed he was inferior to the Third Hokage.
He refused to admit it.
…
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