Sora's report seemed reasonable, but Sarutobi Hiruzen, having been Hokage for many years, was shrewd. He could naturally detect some vagueness and omissions within it.
For example, how did Sora manage to counter-kill one person and successfully escape from the siege of one Jonin and three Tokubetsu Jonin?
Was the timing of the Iwa-nin's appearance too coincidental?
But he did not intend to investigate deeply.
First, there was no evidence.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, the Root personnel could already be considered dead with no way to verify their testimony. It was even more impossible to seek confirmation from the Iwa-nin side.
Second, the outcome was something he was happy to see.
Danzo's plot had failed. Sora had suffered some hardships but successfully escaped back, and would now rely even more on Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After all, someone who has experienced betrayal and danger is often more easily moved by "warmth" and "protection."
Third, and most importantly, the value Sora currently demonstrated was not yet sufficient for him to completely break with Danzo over Sora.
A genius who could open the Fourth Gate of the Eight Gates at age seven and escape from such a deadly trap was indeed rare. But he was still just a "child." Although Hiruzen estimated Sora could reach Kage-level strength, he wasn't there yet, was he?
Moreover, the current Danzo, unlike during Naruto's time, could be considered someone Sarutobi Hirutobi trusted the most.
After all, "Root" was originally a department split off from the Anbu, a legacy left by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. It was only later that it gradually became independent and slowly developed towards being Danzo's private force.
At this time, rather than causing internal strife with Danzo over Sora's matter, it was better to first stabilize the situation, hold their positions and watch for changes, while incidentally giving Danzo a warning.
As long as Sora remained in Konoha, within Sarutobi Hiruzen's sight, he couldn't cause any major trouble.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had this confidence, and the strength to control the overall situation.
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression became serious and filled with authority. He said in a deep voice,
"Sora, I know about this matter. You did very well. Being able to successfully escape in that situation is already very remarkable."
He paused, his tone intensifying, carrying an undeniable meaning,
"Rest assured, I will handle this matter seriously! Konoha absolutely does not allow such acts of harming comrades and internal strife to occur! I will definitely give you an explanation!"
Sora lowered his head, listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's "righteous and stern" words, but sneered inwardly.
'Give me an explanation? Hah, probably it's about giving Danzo a warning, right?'
As a transmigrator, he understood this Third Hokage's governing style all too well. Maintain stability as the priority, balance all factions.
'In the end, the value I've shown now isn't enough for Sarutobi Hiruzen to make up his mind to completely eradicate Danzo, this tumor. In his eyes, I might just be a promising tool, worth investing in and drawing close, but not yet to the point where he needs to risk internal division to fully protect me.'
'But this is fine too, it suits my intentions. As long as things look acceptable on the surface, give me some time to develop...'
Thoughts raced in Sora's mind, but on his face, he revealed an expression of tearful gratitude, as if he had found his main support,
"Thank you, Hokage-sama! I believe Hokage-sama will definitely stand up for me!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed quite satisfied with Sora's reaction. His expression softened a little, and his tone became gentle,
"Mm, you had quite a scare and injuries this time. Rest well for a while first. I'll give you half a month's leave. Go back and recover properly."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Sora bowed respectfully.
"Go on, child. Remember, Konoha is your home. I will protect you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said one last sentence, then picked up the documents again, signaling that Sora could leave.
Sora bowed once more, then turned and walked out of the Hokage's office, dragging his "exhausted" body step by step.
The dialogue between the two master actors ended.
...
Sora walked out of the Hokage Building, looked back at that imposing structure, and let out a long sigh of relief.
'Finally managed to temporarily bluff my way through.'
He dragged his "battered and bruised" body, slowly walking towards the direction of the orphanage, but his mind was rapidly reviewing his performance just now.
Sora understood very clearly that this Third Hokage was most adept at the art of balance.
In the original story, he mostly turned a blind eye to Danzo's various actions. As long as they didn't cross the bottom line, he wouldn't truly break with him.
This governing style had its pros and cons. The benefit was maintaining Konoha's stability. The downside was allowing Danzo's influence to grow increasingly strong.
In the end, Sora was currently just a promising pawn, not yet worth Sarutobi Hiruzen completely breaking with Danzo over him.
In the eyes of this Hokage-sama, a genius who hadn't fully grown yet was far less important than a "Root" that could help him handle dirty work.
'Sarutobi Hiruzen definitely didn't fully believe it, but he won't investigate deeply either. For him, Sora and Danzo checking each other is the best situation.'
Sora walked slowly on Konoha's streets, his mind as clear as a mirror.
Even if he were replaced by Kakashi, or the more important "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" Kushina, the result would be the same. Because this simply wasn't a multiple-choice question.
At most, there would be some difference in the severity of punishing Danzo.
Although the current Sarutobi Hiruzen was at the peak of his strength, he was already beginning to show signs of decline. Mentally, he was gradually becoming indecisive like in the later period.
He wanted to thoroughly cultivate Sora into a true Konoha shinobi, yet he didn't want to punish Danzo too severely. A typical case of wanting the horse to run fast without letting it eat grass.
Sora had already been aware of this before meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen. But when he truly analyzed this meaning from his words, he still felt anger inside.
It couldn't be denied that when Nonō was sent out of the village on a mission by Danzo, Sora did indeed block Danzo's reach by clinging to Sarutobi Hiruzen's side, owing him a favor.
But now, Sora also lowered that shred of regard he had for Sarutobi Hiruzen. He changed his original plan of saving Sarutobi Hiruzen's life during the Konoha Crush Plan to saving his son, Asuma's, life instead.
They're family anyway. Saving Sarutobi Hiruzen or saving his son, isn't it the same meaning.
...
'But this is just fine, it gives me time to develop.'
Sora touched the wound on his arm that was almost healed, his gaze calm.
After this incident, Danzo's forces were bound to be suppressed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he wouldn't dare to move against Sora again in a short time.
'Just give me a few more years. Wait until I can fully control the Azure Dragon Fruit, or open higher stages of the Eight Gates... Danzo? Sarutobi Hiruzen? By then, no one will be able to easily manipulate me!'
Sora thought of Naruto's experiences in the original story and sneered inwardly.
In the end, the shinobi world revered strength above all.
The so-called Will of Fire, bonds, were merely tools used by the strong to bind the weak.
Without strength, you couldn't even protect the people you cared about.
'But for now, I still have to keep acting along with them.'
Sora quickened his pace, heading towards the orphanage.
He urgently needed rest now. Opening the Gate of Pain three times consecutively, then running back all the way, even with the Azure Dragon Fruit supporting him, he had already reached his limit.
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