Inside the jōnin conference room, the air buzzed with noise and confusion.
News of Danzō's arrest had already spread arrested personally by the Hokage himself. Everyone present was a jōnin, and some were even clan leaders. Many had long harbored resentment toward Danzō.
Good news was good news, but no one could quite imagine how something like this had actually happened. Since when had the Third Hokage usually known for being indecisive become so intimidating?
Even his own son, Sarutobi Asuma, looked completely dumbfounded.
"Kurenai, you're asking me? I've got no clue either," he said helplessly. "You know I haven't lived at the old house for years. The last real conversation I had with my old man was... the last real conversation I had with him."
"Guy, you know who Danzō is, right? That one-eyed elder you saw around sometimes."
"Shikaku, come on. Don't tell me you don't know either wait, seriously? You really don't?"
All eyes turned to Nara Shikaku, widely acknowledged as the smartest person in the room. He looked back at his friends and said calmly, "Just wait. The Hokage will be here soon. A jōnin meeting called this urgently... something major is coming. Let's just support whatever decision Lord Hokage makes."
Then he fell silent.
"You don't think we're going to war, do you?" someone blurted out.
The room went quiet.
Several seconds passed before a member of the intelligence division finally spoke up, hesitantly.
"That can't be. Things have been pretty peaceful lately."
"Yeah, exactly. The international situation is stable."
"Right, we're even preparing for the upcoming joint Chūnin Exams."
"No way it's war."
"Unless... we're the ones starting it? Haha, just kidding..." The one who spoke forced an awkward laugh when he realized no one else was amused.
Nobody responded. The room fell into silence once more.
Whether it was due to disinterest or simply because the Hokage's footsteps had already begun echoing down the corridor, no one could say.
Three of the usual four elders entered the conference room, missing only Danzō. Koharu and Homura both wore sour expressions, like they hadn't slept all night. But the Third Hokage? He looked radiant, brimming with energy like he'd slept soundly and woken up decades younger.
No he had actually become decades younger.
If it had been anyone else, the sudden rejuvenation would have aroused suspicion or even greed. But this was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage. All anyone felt was curiosity.
After all, the Hokage had no obligation to explain himself. Everyone assumed he must have used some secret jutsu.
Normally, meetings like this began with a proposal from one of the elders or from the jōnin commander, Nara Shikaku, followed by a discussion and then the Hokage's final decision.
But this time, the Hokage spoke first.
"Esteemed jōnin of Konoha," Hiruzen began, his voice clear and commanding. "I've gathered you all here urgently to announce several major developments."
He paused just long enough for everyone to settle.
"First: the fallen shinobi Shimura Danzō has turned himself in. The criminal organization known as 'Root' is officially disbanded. Clan leaders, you may reclaim any family members who were misled into joining."
Although the jōnin had already heard this news overnight, the formal declaration served to reaffirm the Hokage's authority.
And this version of the Third Hokage so bold and assertive was unlike any they had ever seen before.
"Second," Hiruzen continued, "during the upcoming joint Chūnin Exams, all jōnin will suspend external missions, keep their standard combat gear ready, and delay any current assignments. We must ensure the exams proceed flawlessly. Mentally prepare yourselves for unrestricted combat, if necessary."
A wave of discomfort swept the room. Some jōnin began to suspect that the earlier "war" comment might not have been a joke after all.
"Ibiki," Hiruzen added, turning to the man from the Intelligence Division, "the written portion of the exam needs a rewrite. Your current structure is clever, but it doesn't emphasize the Will of Fire enough. Increase the weight of that component."
Even foreign participants need to be tested on the Will of Fire? While the thought earned a few internal eye-rolls, Ibiki still nodded obediently and promised to redesign the test.
"Third, the Ninja Academy is being overhauled. The school grounds will expand, and admissions will extend across the entire Land of Fire. We'll send out personalized invitations think of them like letters from Hogwarts to children with ninja potential. A limited number of students from other nations will also be allowed to enroll as international exchange students. The curriculum will be extended to span 9 to 12 years, with a gradual release of access to jutsu. Only those who reach at least chūnin-level competency may graduate and become full-fledged ninja."
"This initiative will be known as the 'Konoha City Academy Urban Project!'"
Wait, what now? Hogwarts letters? Is this really the Hokage speaking?
The jōnin glanced around at one another, stunned. The changes were sweeping, the vision ambitious. Most of all, Hiruzen himself felt like a completely different person forceful, decisive, even throwing out strange, unfamiliar words.
"Lord Hokage, if I may..." Hyuga Hiashi, head of the largest clan in the village and a major financial contributor, finally stood up. "It's not that I oppose your plan, but such an ambitious project will require enormous funding"
Hiruzen raised a hand to interrupt him.
"Don't worry too much about the money. The daimyō has already agreed to a tenfold increase in support. Of course, I'll still need each clan to contribute to the cause of education for Konoha's future."
That was... a bluff. But if he explained things properly, surely the daimyō would come around. He was terrified of Danzō and Hiruzen was even more intimidating now. There was no reason he'd refuse. And if he did? Well, there was always Kotoamatsukami.
"This level of reform could spark tension with other villages," one of the more politically-minded jōnin pointed out. "Especially with us recruiting across the entire Land of Fire and even accepting foreign students. Couldn't this trigger international disputes?"
"If they want to cooperate, we welcome it," Hiruzen replied calmly. "If they choose to oppose us... we won't back down."
Right now, I've got the strength to say that.
"Shikaku, distribute the reform documents and the supplementary 'Evil Organization Response Manual' to everyone. Once you've reviewed them, we'll hold a vote. Anyone with objections can submit a detailed proposal afterward."
Catching the knowing looks from his friends, Shikaku passed around the already-prepared documents.
Clearly, he'd seen them in advance and had already thrown his full support behind the Hokage's plan. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio had always stood by the legitimate Hokage.
The room filled with the soft sound of pages turning and quiet murmurs. Onstage, the Hokage lit his pipe and took a satisfied puff.
Homura Mitokado leaned in and muttered, "Hiruzen, you're being reckless. You didn't even consult with us."
Both elders had seen the documents at the same time as Shikaku without any chance to raise objections.
"Do you mean Danzō's arrest or the reforms?"
"Both," Koharu Utatane replied quietly. "You're being far too radical. Even Minato wasn't this bold. Danzō's arrest has already unsettled many. If you add sweeping reforms on top of that... there could be serious backlash."
Hiruzen answered with gravity. "Sometimes, the knot has to be cut with a swift blade. If we keep trying to please everyone, we'll get nowhere but endless debates."
Truthfully, it hadn't always been endless debates Danzō had a tendency to act rashly when angered. Every time he went rogue, he created irreversible consequences, and Hiruzen would have no choice but to accept them. The Uchiha incident was a prime example.
But now, Danzō was gone. Light and shadow had merged. It was all on him now.
"Of course," Hiruzen added sincerely, "you two have always been my most trusted comrades. Unlike the fallen shinobi Danzō. I hope you'll continue to support me, just as you always have."