Noticing the "lustful" look in Danzo's eyes, Seiki Shimaseki shuddered involuntarily. "Elder Danzo, is there anything I can assist you with?"
Hearing Seiki's voice, Danzo snapped back from his wandering thoughts and gave a cold nod. "You treated all those poisoned Medical Ninjas in a single day. Outstanding work!"
Seiki's eyes flickered with suspicion. Was he really receiving praise from Danzo?
"You're too kind, Elder Danzo. It's simply what I must do as a medical ninja."
Danzo fell silent for a moment before feigning wisdom and sighing twice. "What a shame... A hero like you being pushed aside!"
Have you finally changed your mind...? Seiki Shimaseki couldn't help but sarcastically wonder inwardly, then feigned ignorance. "I don't understand what you mean, Elder Danzo."
"You're still so young, Seiki. Haven't figured out why Sarutobi moved you off the Eastern Front yet?"
"I know. The Hokage sent me here to secure Sunagakure's backing."
"Do you actually believe that nonsense? How could Sunagakure ever change its stance because of an outsider like you?" Danzo sneered. "He pulled you off the Eastern Front so you wouldn't keep gaining credit. Your performance has already disrupted his balance!"
Seeing Seiki's apparently "confused" expression, Danzo kept fanning the flames. "Time will erase even the brightest of heroes. When this war ends, you'll be nothing more than an ordinary ninja."
After a moment of thought, Seiki shook his head. "Don't you think you're reading too much into this, Elder Danzo? The same event viewed from different perspectives can lead to completely opposite conclusions. Perhaps the Hokage wants me to become another hero—just on this side."
"Hmph! The Western Front is a quagmire. Becoming a hero there is a hundred times harder than what you experienced on the Eastern Front!" Danzo mocked.
"Then I'm really looking forward to it!" Seiki said with genuine enthusiasm. "I've always felt I became a hero too easily and didn't truly deserve it. This time, I can prove myself here for real!"
There are actually people like this... Danzo instinctively thought of the younger Hiruzen. Back then, Hiruzen's youthful brilliance had revealed the darkness within himself.
And that was exactly why he came to hate those shining types.
Without sunlight, there would be no shadow to see.
Thinking this, Danzo felt humiliated and furious. "So you're not planning to cooperate with me?"
"Cooperate? I don't understand what you mean by that, Elder Danzo."
"The war has dragged on without victory solely due to Sarutobi's incompetence!" Danzo straightened his posture, implying meaningfully, "We should join forces, overthrow Sarutobi's leadership, and install someone truly capable of leading Konoha to victory as the new Hokage."
Seiki looked genuinely shocked. "So you specifically sought me out just to..."
Danzo gave a smug nod. "Exactly. Let's make..."
"...Make me the Hokage!"
"...Make you the Hokage!"
Danzo blinked in confusion. Huh? Something feels off?
Seiki waved his hands repeatedly. "No way, my experience and qualifications are far too shallow to ever replace the Hokage!"
Danzo finally regained his composure and was about to curse, but hearing Seiki decline, he suppressed his anger. "Think carefully—who's more suitable to become the Hokage?"
Seiki remained silent for a moment. "Mature, steady, decisive, intelligent, with remarkable wartime achievements. Such a person can only be..."
Danzo nodded continuously as he listened. Isn't that describing me?
Unexpectedly, this brat actually knows how to flatter—uh, speak truthfully.
"...Minato Aniki!"
Danzo's eyes widened. "Think again?"
"Still not right?" Seiki asked cautiously. "Then what about Orochimaru-sama?"
"Orochimaru has sufficient patience but lacks decisiveness—he cannot be considered a true hero!"
"What about Jiraiya-sama then?"
"Jiraiya? Too fickle in nature—lacking steadiness—he also cannot be considered a true hero!"
"Then how about my teacher?"
"Hmph, someone who fears blood wants to become Hokage?"
Suddenly understanding, Seiki said, "I get it now. The reason you've spoken so much with me, Elder Danzo, is just to tell me that the position of Hokage cannot be replaced?"
Danzo angrily slammed the table. "It's me! Definitely me!"
Seiki blinked his eyes. "Elder Danzo, it's still daytime now."
Confused, Danzo couldn't even respond before noticing Seiki rising and walking outside.
"It's getting late—I should hurry up and head to Sunagakure."
Seeing this, Danzo didn't attempt to stop him, merely casting a shadowed gaze.
"Seiki Shimaseki, you will regret this!"
Stepping outside, Seiki helplessly shook his head.
No wonder Danzo's always lived in the Third's shadow—he only sees enemies, never allies. Who'd want to follow someone like that?
...
Nighttime.
In a dark corner, Nonou calmly approached a certain mummy.
"Lord Danzo."
With his back facing her, Danzo spoke in an unfathomable tone. "Nonou, I have a task for you to accomplish."
Nonou slightly frowned but did not object. "Please speak, Lord Danzo."
"This time, Seiki Shimaseki came here as support under the Medical Logistics Team. I want you to command him under the identity of the Medical Logistics Team captain..."
Before he could finish, Nonou interrupted, "Sorry, but I am no longer the captain of the Medical Logistics Team."
Danzo quickly turned around. "What?"
Nonou's voice remained calm. "I already submitted my request to Lord Hokage, allowing Seiki to take over as captain of the Medical Logistics Team and director of Konoha Hospital."
"You...you gave away both positions!" Danzo almost choked with rage.
Nonou furrowed her brows. "My actions are my own choice. It seems unrelated to Elder Danzo, isn't it?"
"Haha, fine, what a convenient way to say it's 'none of my business!'" Danzo laughed bitterly from rage, grinding his teeth. "Do you know how many people have truly left Root since its founding?"
Lowering her eyelids, Nonou softly replied, "Only one person—me."
Danzo coldly snorted. "Then do you know why you're considered exceptional?"
Nonou answered, "Because of my medical jutsu. You, Elder Danzo, wanted me to control the Medical Team using my medical jutsu, to provide necessary support when required."
Gritting his teeth furiously, Danzo spat out, "Then how dare you still do this?"
"Because I'm already tired," Nonou sighed. "Right now, I only wish to live as an ordinary person."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Haven't you considered what would happen to you?"
Nonou's gaze remained calm. "If Elder Danzo wishes to kill me, feel free to proceed."
"Foolish as I may be, even I wouldn't lay a hand on a former Medical Corps captain!" Danzo sneered darkly. "Still, I heard you've opened an orphanage?"
For the first time, Nonou's calm demeanor broke—she glared at Danzo. "They're just children who lost their homes in the war!"
"Who can tell? There might even be a spy sent from another Hidden Village among them!" Danzo turned and took a slow step into the shadows. "Anyway, sweet dreams. Next time, you'll—"
Just then, he was jolted out of his speech, rage flashing across his face. "Wait a minute! Does that brat mean what he said earlier implies I'm dreaming? Damn it, I won't forgive him for this!"
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