— It hadn't even been a day since I told you to keep an eye on him, and he's already killed one of his teammates. How do you think I've felt these past few days with someone like that walking freely around the village, as if nothing had happened?
Danzo, tired of being harangued about the same issue yet again, didn't even bother to turn and look at Hiruzen before answering.
— Instead of wasting any more time on this, why don't you ask yourself why an Uchiha was with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki that day? Or are you going to tell me you've ignored the fact that those two female brats have been getting noticeably closer this past week?
— Danzo. Don't try to change the subject.
— Then get to the point and just say what you really want.
Like a pair of enraged old bulls, the two elders locked eyes while breathing heavily.
Finally, Sarutobi was the first to regain his composure.
— Either agree to have him taken to prison or have the ANBU keep an eye on him. Yashin Haruno is far too dangerous. Allowing him to continue as he is now is out of the question.
Danzo's dismissive snort made the Third Hokage's brow furrow even deeper.
— Why lie? Why not just say that you interrogated the Hyuga jonin and that the boy has piqued your interest because he was able to make you feel threatened?
Despite the mocking accusation, Hiruzen's face remained impassive, showing no trace of embarrassment; however, his racing heartbeat and his fingers spread out on the desk couldn't maintain the same level of calm.
— That only makes the danger that boy poses much greater.
— Whatever. Do whatever you want. No matter what plan you have, that boy isn't someone you can influence.
The confidence in Danzo's tone only confirmed something Hiruzen already knew.
The youngest of the Harunos was uncontrollable.
The best thing for him would be for his old friend to kidnap him for ROOT as soon as possible, but no matter how much he had pressed the issue, the only responses he had received in recent days were either a refusal or simple indifference.
Lately, not even the situation with the Jinchūriki had made him feel this worried. The more he found out about that boy, the less at ease he felt.
He was too much like Orochimaru.
Experiments, fragile bonds, contempt for life.
He would even dare to say that he was worse in certain respects.
If it weren't for the fact that all the doctors had deemed the recovery of the genius he once was impossible, he wouldn't be willing to tolerate this whim of Danzo's; at least not so easily.
— I'm not planning anything. I just want to keep everyone safe. That aside, what explanation do you plan to give the Hyuga and the Uchiha? Both clans have been insisting on sending someone every day to press the issue.
— Explanation? What's there to explain? The boy made it pretty clear. The one responsible for the attack was unquestionably the Hyuga from the secondary branch. ROOT saw it, and so did the ANBU guarding the Jinchūriki. And as for the Uchiha… we're already doing enough by not accusing them of trying to influence the Jinchūriki. Their attempt to get close right now is far too suspicious. Let me handle this matter, and I assure you that none of those clans will dare to raise their heads for a while.
Instead of yelling at him for his absurd ideas, Hiruzen simply let out a sigh before waving his hand, as if Danzo's words had polluted the air in front of him.
— If you already know what times we're going through, then stop trying to stir up more trouble. The last thing we need right now is to escalate hostilities with the clans.
— Hmph. They're the ones acting first; they have nothing to complain about.
Although Danzo was right, the clans weren't wrong either.
After all, they were protecting a mere civilian who dared to humiliate a member of the Hyuga main branch, and the Uchiha, stubborn as ever, wanted to impose their justice as soon as they heard what had happened.
— Enough. I'll handle the clans myself.
His friend's suggestions, though exaggerated, still contained a grain of truth.
Setting aside the Uchiha, who were a ticking time bomb, the Hyuga were overstepping their bounds.
Reminding them of their place and reaping some benefits wasn't out of the question.
Though Hiruzen had to be careful.
He didn't want to ignite another powder keg before the Uchiha matter was resolved.
Especially considering that the matter of Hizashi might still be fresh in their minds.
After a slight sigh, Hiruzen spoke again.
— You just take care of controlling the family of that boy, Shouen. It would be bad if this matter got out.
Danzo didn't respond, but the crooked smile on his face said more than enough.
Despite everything that had been said, there was no one in the room more ruthless than the Third Hokage himself.
After all, not even Danzo himself had taken the initiative to calm the boy's parents—especially since one of them had once been part of his master's clan.
— So, what is that boy, Yashin, up to now?
— He should be on his way to meet with Shibi Aburame.
— With the clan leader? Why?
— I don't know. If you want to find out, you can send your people there. If there's nothing else, then I'm leaving. I still have a lot to do.
Danzo didn't give Hiruzen a chance to respond. He simply stood up, tapped his staff on the floor, and walked out of the room.
— At least he didn't slam the door.
Hiruzen's mocking comment was soon forgotten as they resumed their activities.
…
At the entrance to the Aburame clan compound, Yashin walked alongside Shino while surveying the surroundings.
The dark wooden and stone houses, with small windows covered by latticework, gave the place a unique feel, very different from the rest of Konoha.
Even more peculiar, however, was the earthy, damp smell of the place, along with the sound of the wind, which always seemed to carry a peculiar hum.
— Hey, what happened to all the trees that used to be in this area? Now there doesn't even seem to be half as many.
— I told my father your comment that no one came near our complex because it was too spooky and gloomy, so he decided to change the surroundings a bit. Although it hasn't made a huge difference, every now and then some kids or families come to walk around the place, so they decided to leave it that way.
— Uh… you guys really worry too much about what other people think. Anyway, let me clarify that that wasn't a comment, but a criticism.
— As for you, you don't care in the least bit about what other people think of you.
— Why should I?
— Yashin.
— What?
— If your proposal isn't too outlandish, my father will probably agree to whatever you ask. That's how much what you're offering means to our clan.
For a second, Yashin didn't know how to respond; so he simply stopped and stared at Shino's somber face for a long time.
— You're too vague, old man. With those words, I don't know if you're telling me not to ask for too much or if you want me to raise the price and rip off your father.
— … Neither. It's just a comment for a friend.
Yashin's apathetic face curved into a slight smile.
— Criticism, you mean. Better stop talking nonsense and let's hurry. Let's not keep your old man waiting any longer.
— My father isn't even 40. He's not an old man yet.
— Even if he were 20, having a son like you automatically makes anyone an old man.
— What kind of insult is that?
— Reality.
— So, what about your father?
— Kizashi… he must be paying for the sins of his past life.
As they chatted about more trivial matters, Yashin and Shino arrived at the clan chief's residence.
A house only slightly larger than the others, where the whistling of the wind was a bit more prominent.
As soon as they passed through the entrance, the figure of Shibi Aburame, seated in the seiza position, appeared before the pair of children.
Shino, not understanding why his father was being so overly formal, coughed slightly in embarrassment; however, Yashin didn't seem to mind, and without even waiting to be invited, he walked up to the stern clan leader before sitting down in a slouching posture as if he were the little master of the place.
— It seems your manners are still the same as ever, Yashin.
—Well, I thought I was going to meet the Aburame, not the Hyuga. I didn't know you liked to imitate those losers, Chief Shibi.
Instead of getting upset, the clan chief merely let out a soft chuckle.
— If you already know how annoying they can be, you shouldn't talk about them like that.
Instead of answering, Yashin just shrugged before starting to look around.
For his part, Shibi, seeing that his son was about to take a seat near his companion, waved his hand to stop him.
— Shino. This will be a delicate conversation. It's best if you leave us alone.
Confusion was reflected in the Aburame heir's slight nod; however, before he could finish processing and heeding his father's words, the pink-haired boy's casual voice made his head tilt even further.
—No need. One of my requests concerns him, so he might as well hear everything so he can give his opinion.
Shibi's frown remained unchanged, but the slight tilt of his head, similar to his son's, seemed to be something he couldn't control.
— Well, if that's what you want.
Without waiting for Shino to fully grasp the situation, let alone give his opinion, Yashin tugged at his coat to get him to sit down, his eyes fixed on the clan leader's dark glasses.