Hiruzen gently placed his trusty smoking pipe, which had accompanied him for many years, on the smooth surface of his desk. A soft 'tap' sounded, particularly clear in the suddenly quiet office.
"Kakashi," The Third Hokage's voice was lower than usual, carrying a rare note of request. "I hope... that you will go and counsel that child, Sasuke."
The morning light outside streamed in through the side windows, casting the deep wrinkles on Hiruzen's face into even sharper relief.
Kakashi's exposed right eye moved slightly. In truth, this request did not surprise him... he had guessed as much before coming.
Ever since Shisui, as an envoy of the Land of Stars, led a diplomatic mission to Konoha with great fanfare and encountered Sasuke, Sasuke's condition had clearly been off.
And in all of Konoha, at least on the surface, he was the only one who possessed a Sharingan. Moreover, he shared a certain teacher-student bond with Sasuke.
Even though the origin of that eye was a scar that would never heal.
Kakashi raised his hand and habitually scratched his silver hair. His posture still appeared somewhat languid.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi began, "I recall that the Chunin Exams reports mentioned that Sasuke... awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan during the second exam?"
Hiruzen nodded, picking up his pipe again but not lighting it immediately.
"Yes, the Three-Tomoe." His voice was heavy, each word accompanied by a sigh. "As you know, the evolution of the Sharingan requires extreme emotional stimuli... anger, sorrow, despair."
"Whether Uchiha Shisui's appearance this time was intentional or not, and regardless of whether he said anything during his brief contact with Sasuke today," Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, fixing on Kakashi. "Their contact must be kept to an absolute minimum, and ideally... severed completely."
He paused, lit the tobacco, brought the pipe to his lips, and took a deep draw. The bluish smoke he slowly exhaled swirled and rose in the sunlight, blurring the complex emotions in his eyes.
"Konoha and the Land of Stars are destined for war." Hiruzen's voice came through the smoke, carrying the clarity of someone who saw the structure of the Ninja World. "Whether to avenge the 'defection' back then and subsequent frictions, or to curb the Land of Stars' undisguised expansionist ambitions, Konoha and the Land of Stars have irreconcilable conflicts. The superficial peace and exchange of this Chunin Exams are merely the brief, fragile calm before the storm."
Kakashi listened quietly. He understood the deep meaning behind Hiruzen's words.
Sasuke, as the only 'orthodox' bloodline of the Uchiha Clan left in Konoha, a genius who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at only twelve years old… his identity and potential were far too sensitive.
Against the backdrop of two major powers about to collide, he absolutely could not lean towards the Land of Stars, nor could he become a pawn or banner in their hands.
And the appearance of Shisui was itself full of temptation.
"I understand, Hokage-sama. Since it is your wish, I will do my best to try. However..."
He hesitated slightly, as if weighing his words.
"However what?" Hiruzen raised his eyelids.
"My use of the Sharingan mostly comes from practical experience, limited to basic applications and copying." Kakashi pointed to his left eye, hidden by his forehead protector. "As for higher-level Dojutsu, the Uchiha's secret transmissions, the deeper mysteries of the Sharingan... I know very little. With such knowledge to 'guide' a Uchiha genius who has just awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and is extremely emotionally unstable, I fear I would be inadequate, and might even be counterproductive."
He raised his head, his gaze frank as he looked at Hiruzen: "So, if possible, I hope to obtain permission to consult the relevant secret technique scrolls of the Uchiha Clan."
Towards the end, Kakashi's tone carried a hint of caution, his eyes carefully observing Hiruzen's reaction.
He knew this request touched upon certain sensitive areas.
After the Uchiha and Hyuga branch family's [Night of Defection], the vast wealth of the Uchiha in Konoha became a fat piece of meat coveted by all sides.
Real estate like clan grounds, shops, and fields was quickly carved up by the major Konoha clans under various pretexts. Meanwhile, higher-value 'legacies' such as Ninjutsu scrolls, secret transmission texts, and Kekkei Genkai research materials were confiscated by Konoha's higher-ups under reasons like 'confiscation', 'custody', and 'preventing loss', then sealed in confidential Ninjutsu storage vaults.
This was both a means of controlling knowledge and, to some extent, a seizure of spoils.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment, his pipe pausing in mid-air.
Only the faint hiss of the quietly burning tobacco remained in the office.
"Approved." Finally, he slowly nodded. "I will notify the Secret Technique Archive to grant you limited access rights. The Uchiha legacy... indeed should be used to guide the descendant of the Uchiha."
Kakashi breathed a silent sigh of relief inside, though his face remained impassive as he gave a slight bow: "Thank you, Hokage-sama. Then, I will go prepare."
"Mm, go on, Kakashi." Just as Kakashi turned to leave, Hiruzen's voice sounded again, carrying a rare gentleness and affection. "That child... must be in great pain inside. I leave it to you."
Kakashi's footsteps paused slightly. He did not turn around, only nodded lightly. Then he pulled open the office door, stepped out, and gently closed it behind him.
After the soft click of the wooden door closing, the office fell silent once more.
Hiruzen slowly sank back into his wide Hokage chair, leaning back as if shedding a thousand-pound burden.
He closed his eyes and massaged his throbbing temples with his fingers, trying to sort through the chaotic thoughts in his mind.
Sasuke's placement, the threat of the Land of Stars, the security of the Chunin Exams, the balance among the major clans, Danzo's restless stirrings...
However, this brief tranquility did not last long.
Bam—!!
The office door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, slamming heavily against the inner wall with a tremendous noise, causing the windowpanes to tremble slightly.
Hiruzen's eyes snapped open, his brow furrowing deeply as he looked towards the doorway.
Danzo walked in slowly, leaning on his ever-present cane.
His single eye burned with anger. Every wrinkle on his face seemed twisted with fury, and his entire being radiated a chilling, bone-penetrating aura.
He hadn't even bothered to knock ceremonially as usual, or wait for an announcement. He simply barged into the Hokage's office as if entering his own territory.
"Hiruzen!" Danzo's voice was harsh and grating, suppressed with anger. He stopped before the desk, his cane striking the floor heavily with a dull 'thud'. "Look! Look at what Uchiha Sasuke did today!! Where has he put Konoha's dignity?! And where has he put the village's safety?!"
His roar echoed through the spacious office, a stark contrast to the silence when Kakashi had left.
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
He slowly sat up straight, folded his hands on the desk, and his gaze calmly met Danzo's single eye, which seemed about to spit fire.
This behavior of barging in and shouting reproaches was itself out of bounds, a public provocation to the Hokage's authority.
"Danzo." Hiruzen's voice was not loud, but it carried the unique authority of the Hokage. "A child of only twelve, who lost all his loved ones in childhood and grew up alone, suddenly encountering clansmen he thought long dead… I believe... some impulsive behavior is understandable."
"After all, he is still just a child, bearing too much that he shouldn't have to bear."
His words seemed to defend Sasuke, but in fact highlighted Sasuke's experiences and age, defining the incident as 'youthful impulsiveness' rather than a 'political action'.
"A twelve-year-old child?" Danzo seemed to find it the funniest thing in the world, the corner of his mouth twisting into a sarcastic arc, his single eye fixed on Hiruzen. "An Uchiha who awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at twelve?! Hiruzen, you and I both know what that means! Even in the Uchiha Clan's most prosperous era, those who could awaken the Three-Tomoe at twelve were absolutely rare! That is talent worthy of being recorded in the clan's history!"
He stepped forward, leaning in slightly, the pressure he exuded even greater.
"According to the historical records preserved in our Konoha, even that Uchiha Madara who stood shoulder to shoulder with the First Hokage... he only awakened a single tomoe at thirteen!"
The name Uchiha Madara, thrown out by Danzo at this moment, seemed to instantly solidify the air in the office, the temperature plummeting.
Hiruzen's gaze suddenly became extremely sharp.
Danzo's words were not false.
The age of awakening certainly does not completely determine future achievements, but without a doubt, the earlier one awakens a high-level Sharingan, the earlier one obtains powerful strength, enjoying a longer growth period and first-mover advantage.
A Three-Tomoe at twelve...
Its potential was terrifying!
Seeing the gravity flash in Hiruzen's eyes, Danzo knew his words had taken effect.
He continued to up the ante, his voice carrying a deliberately exaggerated sense of crisis: "And look at who Uchiha Shisui brought back to Konoha this time! Not only three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but also that Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku, the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai... and even Wood Release!"
"The strength of this team is enough to silently annihilate a medium-sized Ninja Village! Did they really mobilize such a force just to escort a few Genin to take the exam? Or..."
"Do they have other intentions?"
The cold light in his single eye flickered: "For example, taking advantage of the chaos of mixed personnel and distracted defensive attention during the Chunin Exams to 'reclaim' Uchiha Sasuke, that genius seed they 'left behind'?!"
"Danzo!" Hiruzen raised his voice, interrupting Danzo's increasingly dangerous speculations. "The Anbu report is clear! Sasuke did try to force his way in today, but was immediately stopped by the Land of Stars' guards and Gaara. Then Shisui appeared. The two had only extremely brief contact, after which Yamato arrived promptly and took Sasuke away. The entire process was under our surveillance. They had no opportunity for a private conversation!"
"No opportunity?" Danzo sneered, making no effort to hide his distrust. "Hiruzen, you are too naive! Who knows if they have some unknown method of transmitting information?"
"Like that Uchiha Shisui back then. His Mangekyo ability, Kotoamatsukami, isn't it capable of modifying others' will without anyone noticing? What if they have already planted a 'suggestion' or 'command' in Sasuke's heart using a similar method?"
His suspicions were steeped in conspiracy theories, yet because they were based on some facts, such as Shisui's Dojutsu, they were difficult to completely refute.
"Hiruzen! We cannot take risks! We must strangle the danger in the cradle!" Without giving Hiruzen a chance to refute, Danzo suddenly straightened up, a nearly fanatical gleam shining from his single eye, and he revealed his true intention.
"Uchiha Sasuke's talent is a double-edged sword. Used well, he is a pillar of Konoha's future... used poorly, he is a kunai aimed at our hearts! In his current state, we cannot guarantee that once he grows up, he will be loyal to Konoha!"
"Therefore—" He paused, his tone shifting to one of self-righteous, 'sense of responsibility'-laden gravity. "The best and safest course of action now is to hand him over to me, to Root!"
"I will train him using the most severe and effective methods, erasing the unnecessary weakness, hesitation, and obsession with the past from his heart!"
"Root's refinement will ensure he is molded into a sharp weapon absolutely loyal to Konoha!"
"Only this can completely eliminate the possibility of him being bewitched by the Land of Stars, or even turning around to harm Konoha!"
The mask had fallen, the true intent revealed.
Hiruzen looked at Danzo's face, slightly flushed with excitement and ambition, listened to his high-sounding yet selfish words, and felt his last shred of patience and tolerance wear thin.
He knew Danzo too well. He knew what Root's training meant.
It was the complete destruction of personality, turning living people into tools that only knew how to execute orders, devoid of their own thoughts.
Hand Sasuke over to Danzo?
What would be the difference between that and personally destroying that child, turning him into Danzo's private armed force?
"Hand him over to you?" Hiruzen's voice also turned cold. He slowly rose from his chair. Though aged, his presence as the Hokage at this moment rose like a mountain, pressing down on Danzo. "So you can turn him into a puppet that obeys Shimura Danzo's every whim, like a walking corpse?!"
"Danzo, put away your tricks!"
"Hiruzen! You—!" Danzo's face turned livid at this direct exposure and reprimand, bloodshot veins faintly appearing in his single eye. He glared at Hiruzen as if deeply insulted. "Are you questioning my loyalty to Konoha?!"
"Everything I do is to eliminate dangers to Konoha, to make this great tree of Konoha grow more lush and flourishing!"
"Your loyalty?" Hiruzen did not back down. He walked around the desk, step by step, until he stood before Danzo. The distance between them was within arm's reach. Their gazes collided fiercely in the air, sparking invisible sparks.
The aged Hokage straightened his spine, his eyes blazing like torches, each word hammering into Danzo: "What you are really plotting in your heart, you know full well! But don't forget!"
Hiruzen's voice suddenly rose sharply, carrying the undeniable absolute authority of the Hokage, like a thunderclap exploding in the office:
"Danzo! I am the Hokage!!"
"!!!!"
Those final words struck hard at Danzo's heart.
His body shuddered violently. His single eye was filled with shock, anger, and a sense of unwillingness at having his disguise torn off in public.
For a long moment, Danzo squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth:
"Hiruzen! You will regret this!"
The door: BAM!!
The office door was slammed shut again, shaking even the Hokage's straw hat hanging on the wall.