Chapter 216: Lord Danzō, What a Rare Guest
After Tsunade and Naruto left one after another, Jiraiya quickly followed by climbing out the window, and Kakashi took his leave with considerable self-awareness.
In the end, only Sarutobi Hiruzen and the three elders remained. A brief silence fell over the office.
Although the possibility of "Takamimusubi no Mikoto" being the First Hokage had now been largely ruled out, the masked man suspected to be Uchiha Madara was also exceptionally difficult to handle.
Moreover, judging by their attire, they likely came from two different factions.
The sheer number of loose ends was almost making Hiruzen's head explode.
Ultimately, unable to figure it out, he could only shelve the problem and do his best to suppress any news of Wood Release leaking to the outside world.
"Although this incident is over, there are still problems that need to be resolved quickly."
After a moment, Mitokado Homura was the first to break the silence. "Furthermore, Hiruzen, you should properly discipline Tsunade and Jiraiya. Konoha is in a state of rebuilding right now. As members of the village, they shouldn't be acting on their emotions at a time like this."
Clearly, Homura was very dissatisfied with Jiraiya and Tsunade.
As "Konoha's Sannin," renowned throughout the ninja world, they spent their years gallivanting outside the village as idlers.
If Tsunade and Jiraiya had not left Konoha, people like them would not be living in constant fear as they were now.
Utatane Koharu chimed in, "That's right, Hiruzen. They've only just come back after great difficulty. We can't let them run off again. Otherwise, where would the village's rules stand?"
For shinobi who seriously violated the village's rules, the proper procedure was to strongly persuade them to stop. If they refused to listen, they should be designated as rogue ninja, captured and thrown into Konoha's prison, or even killed on the spot.
Otherwise, allowing such shinobi to run amok would cause the village's rules to lose their credibility.
However, they were Jiraiya and Tsunade, after all. As the Third Hokage's two disciples, they couldn't just be branded as rogue ninja.
Beside them, Danzō glanced at the two, a flicker of contempt in his eyes.
These two fence-sitters only dare to bark at Hiruzen after Tsunade has left.
When Tsunade was here earlier, their faces were red from holding it in, but they didn't dare let out a peep.
Hmph, you two had better hope Hiruzen can sit on the Hokage's seat for a little longer. When my plan succeeds, the first to be swept into the trash will be parasites like you, who hold positions without fulfilling your duties.
"Hah, don't worry."
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and tapped his pipe with a smile. "Tsunade and Jiraiya are both shinobi who have inherited the Will of Fire. They naturally know what's important."
Homura and Koharu frowned, clearly even more dissatisfied with his platitudes.
He was just making excuses for his two disciples, unwilling to punish them.
"Hiruzen, you indulge them too much! They have no regard for Konoha at all! Don't forget the situation Konoha is in right now!"
"If an accident occurs, I will naturally take responsibility."
Hiruzen cut off the rest of their words.
Homura's face flushed with anger. He glanced at Danzō, who was sitting calmly to the side.
"In that case, regarding that Stone of Gelel, what do you plan to do with it, Hiruzen?"
According to the intelligence provided by Kakashi, the Stone of Gelel had the property of storing natural energy. After processing, it could provide its user with a boost of natural energy.
Moreover, it seemed to have the special effect of strengthening physical energy.
The Stone of Gelel held great value for researching both "Wood Release" and "Sage Mode."
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen said, "I plan to give the Stone of Gelel to Jiraiya, who can use Sage Mode."
Hearing this, Homura and Koharu were stunned.
Give it to Jiraiya?
Jiraiya has already learned Sage Mode, what does he need the Stone of Gelel for?
Doesn't that just mean it will be given to Uchiha Sasuke?
At this thought, the two of them looked at Danzō out of the corners of their eyes.
But Danzō merely frowned subconsciously.
In the next moment, he completely relaxed, continuing to sit there without a word.
"What's been up with Danzō recently?" Homura wondered inwardly.
In the past, whenever he heard about something this good, he would have been itching to fight Hiruzen for it.
But now…
He doesn't care about "Sage Mode" or "Wood Release" anymore?
Could it be that he's thinking of retiring?
Koharu also turned to look at Danzō. "Danzō, what do you think?"
What do I think?
What else can I think?
I'm looking with my eyes.
"Didn't Hiruzen say it? He'll take responsibility if anything happens. He's the Hokage."
Danzō stood up from his chair with a blank expression. "Besides, I have matters to attend to at Root. I'll be heading back now."
With that, he ignored the three's astonishment and walked directly out of the office.
Click!
As the office door closed, the remaining three looked at each other, seeing the confusion in one another's eyes.
They hadn't expected Danzō to leave so decisively.
"Hiruzen…"
After a moment's hesitation, Koharu probed, "Did you do something too excessive?"
No matter how much they argued in the past, they had never seen Danzō act like this.
"No… I don't think so."
The corner of Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
"Sigh, since even Danzō isn't objecting, let's just arrange it this way."
Homura sighed and pressed on, "Then what are your thoughts on the so-called intruder, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen smoked his pipe in silence.
An intruder targeting the Hyūga Clan, the goal of "Takamimusubi no Mikoto," possessing the immense power to make a meteorite fall.
Beyond that, his origin was unknown, his identity was unknown, and his purpose was unknown.
Koharu also spoke up, "Although he also possesses the Byakugan, the ninjutsu he uses is unheard of. It's fundamentally different from the Hyūga Clan's path of using the Byakugan in conjunction with the Gentle Fist taijutsu."
"Most importantly, why does he possess the Hyūga Clan's Byakugan, and where did the power to make a meteorite fall come from?"
At this point, Homura took a soft breath, a cautious look in his eyes.
"I understand what you mean. You think the Hyūga Clan is harboring malicious intent and hiding important information from the village, don't you?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "Impossible. The Hyūga Clan has been rooted in Konoha for decades. If they were intentionally hiding their strength, it's impossible that we wouldn't have noticed."
Even if the Hyūga could deceive the three of them, it was impossible for them to have deceived Master Tobirama.
"I propose an investigation into the Hyūga Clan."
"I don't agree with that."
"Hiruzen, this matter is of the utmost importance!"
Homura's tone was grave. "I suspect the Byakugan has abilities we don't know about. That intruder's Byakugan has likely undergone some kind of transformation, surpassing the limits of a normal Byakugan, just like…"
Homura paused here, his tone growing heavier, "Just like the difference between a Three-Tomoe Sharingan and a Mangekyō Sharingan."
As soon as these words were spoken, a look of hesitation appeared on Hiruzen's face.
This was indeed not baseless speculation.
The immense power that man had displayed had already surpassed their understanding of the Hyūga.
Since the Byakugan and the Sharingan were both dōjutsu-type Kekkei Genkai, if the Sharingan could evolve into the Mangekyō Sharingan, then it seemed plausible that the Byakugan could also evolve and mutate.
"What are you still hesitating for?"
Koharu said sternly, "If it's a power unique to that man, it's one thing. But if other Byakugan can also possess this kind of power…"
The Byakugan was very important on the battlefield, but only in a functional capacity.
If a powerful anomaly were to emerge from within the Hyūga Clan, it would very likely disrupt the internal balance of the village.
Just like the Uchiha once did.
What's more, it was also possible that the Hyūga Clan might get some bad ideas because of this incident.
After a long silence, Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and replied in a deep voice, "Let me think about it again."
He naturally leaned toward Koharu's and Homura's way of thinking.
But the current Konoha couldn't afford any more turmoil.
The possibility of the Byakugan evolving was just a guess with no concrete evidence.
If they were to investigate the Hyūga Clan based on speculation, it would inevitably create unnecessary conflict between the two sides.
"You can't let this opportunity slip by, Hiruzen!"
"Don't worry, I know the gravity of the situation. Let me think it over properly, and I will definitely come up with a solution."
Hiruzen took a long drag, blowing out the smoke. "In any case, the priority with the Hyūga is appeasement. We absolutely cannot force them. The Hyūga are not the same as the Uchiha back then."
Seeing Hiruzen like this, Koharu and Homura exchanged a look, understanding that they couldn't get him to relent for the time being.
"Regarding the training of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Hiruzen, you must also pay close attention. Konoha is in dire need of outstanding shinobi with the Will of Fire right now."
"I know. You can rest assured about Naruto."
Hearing Hiruzen's confident tone, the two shook their heads and walked out of the office.
After they left, Hiruzen's body relaxed, and he slumped into his chair, his face filled with exhaustion.
Based on his premonition, the next Great Ninja War was probably just around the corner.
Fortunately, Naruto had now grown into a competent fighting force, enough to serve as a deterrent to the other ninja villages that were getting restless.
As for Uchiha Sasuke…
From his daily performance, he was also a good kid.
However, as long as Uchiha Itachi was not dead, there was a risk of the truth of the massacre being exposed. Sasuke was a ticking time bomb.
But perhaps it was due to guilt… or for some other reason, Hiruzen didn't know why.
Konoha was currently short on combat power.
As long as he could be useful at a critical moment, even knowing the great risk, he had to turn a blind eye to Jiraiya's disciple.
"Sigh, I hope Jiraiya can make him give up his hatred."
While Hiruzen was vexed, Homura and Koharu walked out of the Hokage Tower.
"I feel like Hiruzen's attitude in handling matters recently has become even more indecisive than before."
"Indeed. The matter of the Hyūga Clan cannot be delayed."
Homura's tone was troubled. "If the Byakugan truly has the potential to evolve, they could very well go down the same old path as the Uchiha."
The reason the Hyūga Clan was so valued and trusted by them was that the strategic significance of the Byakugan far outweighed its enhancement of one's own combat power.
But if the Byakugan could also undergo a deeper transformation, it was hard to say they wouldn't become Konoha's second Uchiha Clan.
"And who knows what's going on with Danzō. Since we can't count on either of them, we can only rely on ourselves."
Hearing this, Koharu was taken aback, then a look of surprise appeared on her face.
"Could it be that you want to…"
"We are doing this for the future of the village. I believe Hiruzen will understand our good intentions."
With that, Homura gazed in the direction of the Hyūga Clan compound.
...
Meanwhile, after parting with Tsunade, Naruto walked along the street holding an umbrella.
Although there was a misty drizzle, and although a battle had just taken place the night before, it did not affect the lives of the villagers.
Villagers set up small rain shelters and called out to customers from their shops.
When they saw Naruto walking in the rain with his umbrella, the villagers became noticeably more enthusiastic.
"Oh! Little Naruto, haven't you eaten yet? Come have a meal!"
"No need, Granny Kawa, I'll just buy my own groceries."
"Buying groceries! Come here, come here! I'll give you a fifty percent discount!"
"Ah, please just let me buy it at the normal price."
"Naruto, I heard about what happened last night! It's all thanks to you, that was amazing!"
Naruto stopped, his expression solemn. "You can't say that. It was thanks to everyone's combined efforts, and Grandpa Third's desperate struggle to hold them back."
This made everyone look on with solemn respect.
"Naruto-kun is just too modest…"
"…"
As the Wood Release incident continued to develop, Naruto's reputation as the "Son of the Hero" soared among the common people.
While buying food, whether it was merchants or shinobi, they would come over to chat for a bit, and even enthusiastically try to stuff something into his hands.
Faced with the villagers' goodwill, Naruto could still manage a smile at first, but later he could only clutch his bags and hurry home.
Watching Naruto's flustered figure fleeing for mercy, the villagers just laughed kindly.
All the ostracism and coldness they had shown to the "incarnation of the demon fox" was gone, leaving only acceptance and affection for the "Son of the Hero."
But in a place they couldn't see…
"Coo, coo, coo~"
Naruto fed the grain in his hand to a pigeon, but the smile on his face became more mocking.
"Brother Menma told me to see it with my own eyes."
"But, I almost couldn't hold it in. I almost laughed out loud."
Naruto could feel the heartfelt gratitude from the villagers.
But the more enthusiastic and kind their performance was now, the more sarcastic and ridiculous it seemed in Naruto's eyes.
He wasn't without his struggles regarding the performance of Konoha and its villagers.
But their foolish, bandwagoning ugliness just now only made Naruto feel even more disgusted with them.
In less than two or three short years, everyone refused to speak of the mistakes they had made in the past.
It was just like the books History of the Shinobi World and History of Konoha.
The truth was twisted beyond recognition, and right and wrong were blurred.
What is history?
History is an echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past.
And those who do not respect history are destined to repeat its mistakes.
Brother Menma had once read to him a history book from another world.
Although that world was not noble, although it too could become incredibly corrupt, countless people frankly accepted their mistakes, recording their own ugliness in books to warn future generations not to make the same errors.
But in the Shinobi World, stories from a thousand years ago had already become myths, and even Hashirama Senju from less than a hundred years ago had become a legend.
The Great Ninja Wars had been waged countless times. Driven by hatred, they killed each other, and an unending war enveloped the people.
Just like what they had done to Naruto.
It was as if everyone had forgotten, enjoying his protection with a clear conscience.
Such a twisted and grotesque way of thinking actually operated as if it were the truth.
Morality and faith, respect and etiquette, seemed to be things that simply didn't exist.
This world was like a cage with ignorance, hatred, and distortion at its core.
"It seems you don't like the flattery of those ignorant masses?"
A figure appeared silently in Naruto's room.
"Why would I care? If it makes them feel at ease."
Without turning his head, Naruto, unfazed, finished feeding the pigeon before finally turning to look at the expressionless Shimura Danzō behind him.
"Lord Danzō, what a rare guest. I was thinking I might have to go to the Root base to find you today."
"I heard about your deeds. You are indeed worthy of the expectations I had for you." Danzō nodded coolly, as if everything Naruto had done was merely standard procedure. "I heard you took Tsunade as your master?"
(End of Chapter)
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