"There's no need for you to take the Chunin Exams with your current strength. From this moment on, you are officially a chunin. Also..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Heiyan's promotion to chunin, then signaled an Anbu to hand him the short sword. With hopeful eyes, he said, "Try this sword. See if it suits you."
"Yes."
Heiyan accepted the sword and followed the Third Hokage's instructions, infusing it with his own Lightning Release chakra.
Zzzzsh!
Electric sparks crackled around the blade as it emitted dazzling golden light, looking mighty and majestic—like it could slice through anything.
This divine weapon was none other than the Sword of the Thunder God—the personal blade of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.
"He really does resemble Tobirama..."
Hiruzen murmured.
Looking at Heiyan holding the Sword of the Thunder God, with the same white hair and cold, stern demeanor as the Second Hokage, Hiruzen momentarily imagined his teacher had come back to life.
Meanwhile, seeing this scene, Danzo's gaze turned even colder, as if unpleasant memories had resurfaced.
After rewarding Heiyan accordingly, Hiruzen gave him some encouraging words before dismissing him.
"Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now," Heiyan bowed deeply again, leaving the Hokage office with his new chunin uniform and the Sword of the Thunder God.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
In the corridor outside the office, Heiyan strode forward briskly.
For him, today's visit fulfilled multiple wishes: he not only successfully obtained the [Multi-Shadow Clone] technique, but had also been promoted to chunin—and most unexpectedly, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally bestowed upon him the legendary sword once wielded by the Second Hokage.
A total shock, but a good one.
Heiyan speculated that the reason the Third valued him so highly probably related not only to his performance at last night's arena match but also to Teacher Kosuke Maruboshi.
Additionally...
Earlier in the office, although Danzo hadn't spoken a single word throughout, Sharingan peered from beneath his right eye bandages, emanating a piercing sense of scrutiny—as though trying to see straight through Heiyan.
Could that be Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan?
From Heiyan's memory of the original story, Kagami Uchiha had been Danzo's former teammate who saved Danzo's life numerous times using his Dojutsu, yet died mysteriously young.
Most likely, Danzo had stolen Kagami Uchiha's eyes and used Medical Ninjutsu to transplant them into himself.
Inside the Hokage Office:
"Hokage-sama, this talent is exceptional. Why don't you let me train him?"
Danzo's first words after breaking his silence were a direct request to Hiruzen for Heiyan.
"Heiyan doesn't fit Root."
Hiruzen shook his head, rejecting the request outright.
Bang!
Danzo's eyes chilled dangerously as he slammed the table furiously, scattering many documents onto the floor.
"Root lacks sufficient talent. Sada has been the strongest prodigy I could offer so far—but even he lost against Rasa!"
Danzo spoke bluntly, his face dark with frustration. "No matter what, I must have this guy. If you refuse, I'll reach out to him myself. Rest assured, my offer will be far more tempting."
"Danzo!"
Finally losing his composure, Hiruzen snapped angrily. "Mind your tone when you speak!"
At the same time, an overwhelming pressure erupted from his body, sending Danzo staggering back several steps, his face turning pale.
The Hiruzen Sarutobi of this era was still in his prime, mentally and physically at the peak of his life, bearing the title of the strongest Hokage.
When he truly became enraged, even Danzo could not withstand his fury.
"You're the Hokage. You make the final call."
Danzo planted his cane into the ground to steady himself, his expression fluctuating between dark and light tones.
He had backed down.
"Let's end the matter of Heiyan here. As for Root's personnel arrangements, I already have my own plans."
Hiruzen's expression softened slightly as he glanced at Danzo and said, "I've decided to send Orochimaru to assist you."
"Really?"
"Of course. I've already spoken with Orochimaru about this. You can contact him anytime."
Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Danzo couldn't help but show visible delight.
"Hiruzen, earlier I behaved improperly and acted recklessly," he actually apologized first to Hiruzen.
"Thinking it over carefully, you're right. Heiyan truly isn't suited for Root—he lacks the required dark aptitude."
"Yes, I'm glad you understand," Hiruzen nodded.
He knew that Danzo had his own unique criteria when selecting members for Root—what he referred to as "dark aptitude," a key criterion for Root operatives.
Root operatives were required to carry the village's shadows, performing ruthless deeds with a cold heart.
As for Heiyan, judging from everything he'd done throughout his life thus far, he was clearly better suited for living in the light.
Danzo left at once, eager to find Orochimaru.
Hiruzen opened a drawer and took out Heiyan's file folder.
Inside, there was only documentation of an unfinished C-ranked mission. However, what caught Hiruzen's attention was the name Kosuke Maruboshi appearing on the list of team members for that mission.
So the previous night, he had gone secretly to the outskirts to visit Kosuke.
From Kosuke Maruboshi's account, Sarutobi learned all the details of the mission—including the battle against Hanzo—and was stunned by what he heard.
During their conversation, Kosuke Maruboshi had deliberately recommended Heiyan to him, and Sarutobi had agreed instantly to take Heiyan as his personal disciple, promising to nurture him carefully.
In Hiruzen's eyes, Heiyan's clan had contributed significantly to building many of Konoha's essential infrastructures, enjoying consistently good reputation within the village. As for Heiyan himself, he was a rare genius who came along once every few decades, plus being a student of his old friend Kosuke.
Such raw talent naturally belonged under his wing—not handed over to Danzo.
Therefore, he awarded Heiyan the Sword of the Thunder God and taught him the [Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu], promoting him to the rank of chunin.
Of course, Might Guy had also been promoted alongside Heiyan, although the former was currently still lying in a hospital bed.
Furthermore, the reason he sent Orochimaru to assist Danzo was because Orochimaru was known throughout the village as his most trusted and accomplished pupil.
His motives were twofold: one was to appease Danzo, while the other was to have Orochimaru monitor him closely and report all his activities directly.
He stood up, took a puff from his pipe, and gazed down at the entire Leaf Village through the giant window. Then he slowly exhaled a swirl of smoke from his lips.
As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had every piece on the board perfectly in place...
Outside the office.
Danzo let out a contemptuous sneer.
He had never genuinely planned to bring Heiyan into Root—he only meant to use him to curry favor with Hiruzen Sarutobi. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to send Orochimaru to him of all people.
"Hiruzen, so you're finally caving in and trying to make amends by offering me this?" Danzo muttered, still bitter over what had happened years ago.
"You should know well enough that my strength surpasses yours. You stole the title of Hokage from me."
"You want to use Orochimaru to spy on me, but unfortunately, you don't understand him at all. Only I, Danzo, can steer him toward his true path and unlock his full potential."
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