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Chapter 291 - Chapter 291 Intervention

True to Chinya's prediction, Danzo proposed to Sarutobi Hiruzen that Naruto be handed over to him for training—to mold him into a war tool belonging solely to Konoha.

Danzo's proposal might actually be the best bet for Konoha.

To be a weapon of war, a jinchuriki didn't need emotions.

After all, in every village, jinchuriki were treated like outcasts. If Naruto started feeling things, there was always a chance he'd turn his back on Konoha.

But if they gave him to Danzo and trained him his way, Naruto would definitely become a tool—a ninja loyal only to Danzo.

Only Danzo could pull it off—and only he knew how. Root Division ninjas had no emotions at all. That was exactly what Danzo specialized in.

Hiruzen admitted to himself—he couldn't train ninja without emotion the way Danzo did.

Still…

Hiruzen thought of Minato Namikaze.

Back then, he'd supported Minato becoming Hokage to keep Orochimaru from taking the position. Since Minato was Jiraiya's student, and Jiraiya stood firmly by him, Minato naturally did too.

And no one could deny that despite serving only a single year as Hokage, Minato had done an outstanding job.

Originally, Hiruzen had planned to fully transfer authority to Minato once he matured further.

But no one could've predicted the Nine-Tails' Rampage—Minato had been in a coma ever since.

If Minato were still alive, none of these problems would exist now.

What a tragedy—such a brilliant talent stolen away too soon.

Naruto Uzumaki was Minato's only son. Minato had sacrificed his wife and child for Konoha, yet now they wanted to raise Naruto as an emotionless war machine.

Hiruzen simply couldn't bring himself to agree.

Besides, if Jiraiya ever found out, tensions would rise between master and pupil—just like with Orochimaru.

Now, Orochimaru had completely slipped out of control; even after warnings, he stayed holed up in his base doing whatever he pleased.

Hiruzen suspected Orochimaru was still conducting forbidden experiments somewhere deep within hidden labs in that base.

Recently, however, Chinya had been unusually calm—no longer seeking out Orochimaru and instead staying with Kushina Uzumaki. It seemed his warning had worked this time.

As for his other disciple Tsunade, grieving the deaths of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover, she had taken Nawaki's niece Shizune and disappeared somewhere unknown.

Of his three disciples, only Jiraiya truly remained by his side.

Hiruzen didn't want even this last loyal disciple to drift apart from him.

Danzo watched Hiruzen puff repeatedly on his pipe and realized the old man was hesitating.

That was good news for Danzo.

It meant Hiruzen was thinking along those lines—molding Naruto into a cold, heartless weapon.

Once Danzo controlled the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, the next Hokage seat would be his to claim.

Danzo said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hiruzen, this isn't the time for you to act on emotions. You are the Hokage of Konoha. You absolutely cannot afford sentimentality or hesitation! This is the greatest crisis our village has faced since the Third Great Ninja War.

You have no idea whether Uzumaki Miyuki will come looking for Naruto Uzumaki. If she does, do you really believe Naruto Uzumaki will stand with Konoha rather than his mother's side?

As long as Naruto Uzumaki remains emotionless, such a possibility won't exist. The Nine-Tails will forever belong to Konoha!"

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also believed Naruto Uzumaki should be handed over to Danzo to be cultivated as an emotionless war tool, so they both began persuading Hiruzen Sarutobi accordingly.

Chinya, who had been secretly observing the situation, exhaled deeply: "What a bunch of stubborn old fools."

Under the combined persuasion of Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally reached a decision in his heart.

He was the Hokage of Konoha—everything had to be considered with Konoha coming first.

The reason Minato Namikaze sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto had also been for Konoha's sake.

If Minato Namikaze were to awaken in the future, he would certainly understand his actions.

Everything was for Konoha!

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to give his agreement, someone suddenly knocked on the office door.

Hiruzen frowned slightly. He had specifically summoned Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado for this meeting and already instructed not to be disturbed unless it was urgent.

If it were truly urgent, they should have entered directly without knocking.

Still, Hiruzen called out, "Enter!"

A ninja reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "The Third, Chinya has suddenly arrived at Hokage Tower and insists on meeting The Third."

The four men's eyes simultaneously narrowed upon hearing about Chinya's arrival.

In their opinion, Chinya was the prime suspect who had helped Uzumaki Miyuki defect from Konoha. Now that he wanted to avoid suspicion, he shouldn't take the initiative to seek them out.

Hiruzen nodded toward the ninja, "Let him in."

"Yes!"

Soon, Chinya walked into the Hokage's office.

Seeing Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado present, Chinya feigned surprise, saying, "Oh? You three are here too? The Third, did something serious actually happen?"

Hiruzen gave Chinya a sharp look and asked, "Something serious? What exactly do you mean by that, Chinya?"

Chinya replied, "A personal item belonging to Kushina was left at Miyuki's house, so I went there to retrieve it. But I discovered signs of intrusion at Miyuki's home—neither Miyuki nor Naruto were there. With my Sensor Ninjutsu, I found Naruto near the Anbu Base, but couldn't detect Miyuki at all. That's why I came straight to see The Third.

Now seeing that three of Konoha's top leaders are here, that's why I'm wondering if something serious has indeed occurred."

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, completely unconvinced by Chinya's words.

Going to Uzumaki Miyuki's house late at night to pick up something? And just so happens to be the same night she defected from Konoha? That's way too convenient.

Hiruzen spoke gravely, "Chinya, Uzumaki Miyuki has just defected from Konoha."

Chinya exclaimed in shock, "What? Miyuki has defected from Konoha?"

"This can't be true! Miyuki is the fourth's wife – how could she possibly defect from Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his gaze slightly, making it difficult for Chinya to read his eyes, and said, "I also find it hard to believe, but this is what happened, Chinya... Regarding Uzumaki Miyuki's defection, you and Kushina were her friends. Did you notice anything unusual about her before this?"

Chinya pretended to think carefully before replying, "Unusual things? Actually yes. There were always so many rumors floating around Konoha. I'm sure the Third's heard at least some of them. Because of those rumors, Miyuki didn't even dare take Naruto out in public anymore. For people like Miyuki and Naruto, who've done so much for Konoha, to be spoken about like that – it's really gone too far.

If it were up to me, I'd track down whoever started those rumors and silence every last one of them. Don't you agree, Third?"

Chinya stared at Hiruzen with a deep, penetrating gaze.

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