Ch 74 : Ambition

When Danzo arrived at the Sarutobi residence, he was surprised to find not only Sarutobi Hiruzen but also Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Akimichi Torifu already present.

Hiruzen and Homura were engrossed in a game of shogi, while Koharu and Torifu stood by, observing the match.

It was a rare gathering of old comrades, and Danzo couldn't help but feel a bit curious.

"Danzo, you're here," Torifu said with a hearty laugh, greeting him warmly.

Danzo responded with a faint smile.

"What's the occasion, Hiruzen? You've invited us all for a meal?"

Hiruzen glanced at him briefly, his tone casual yet sharp.

"What, are you unhappy that I'm treating you to dinner?"

Danzo noticed Biwako busying herself alone in the kitchen as he took a seat beside the others, his eyes naturally falling on the shogi board where Hiruzen and Homura were playing.

Homura's brow was furrowed deeply, lost in thought as he deliberated his next move, while Hiruzen looked entirely at ease, exuding an air of confidence.

After what felt like an eternity, Homura finally moved a piece.

The sight of it made Danzo chuckle audibly.

Koharu remarked, "Homura's skill in shogi is as terrible as ever."

As expected, Hiruzen delivered a decisive checkmate on the board.

Homura twitched his lips in frustration before begrudgingly tossing down his piece in resignation.

Danzo chimed in, "With your level of skill, you shouldn't even bother embarrassing yourself."

Homura retorted, annoyed, "You're not much better than me when it comes to shogi."

Hiruzen, however, wore a confident smile.

"The only one who could truly match me was Kagami."

Uchiha Kagami had long since passed away.

Whenever his name came up, the group spoke about him with an air of ease.

Danzo remarked, "Kagami always went easy on you—didn't want you to lose too badly."

Hiruzen protested, "I sometimes went easy on him too!"

The five of them, with a combined age of over three centuries, sat together reminiscing and chatting idly.

Danzo initially thought Hiruzen had called them over simply because life had grown dull for him after stepping down as Hokage.

When Biwako finally called out that the food and drinks were ready, they all got up and moved to the dining area.

During the meal, as cups clinked and toasts were exchanged, the group indulged in reminiscing about the past.

They spoke of their years on the battlefield and the highs and lows of their lives—perhaps these memories were all they had left to talk about in their later years.

Danzo said little, quietly sipping his drink while listening to Hiruzen and the others wax nostalgic.

He knew these men were content, at peace with their lives.

But he wasn't.

Even at fifty-something, with more than half his life behind him, he hadn't found an appropriate endpoint for himself.

At the very least, he had to reach Hiruzen's level—or better yet, surpass him!

"Danzo." Hiruzen's voice called softly.

"Hmm?" Danzo's expression remained calm.

Homura, his face flushed red from the alcohol, leaned his arm against the table and rested his forehead on his hand.

"I'm telling you…" Hiruzen slurred slightly, his words thick with the influence of drink.

"It's time to let go. Why cling so tightly to things you don't need?"

Danzo rubbed the rim of his sake cup, his mind remarkably clear.

He glanced at Hiruzen, who was clearly intoxicated, though it was hard to tell if it was genuine or feigned.

"Hiruzen, you and I are different," Danzo said slowly.

"You are admired by everyone. Even after stepping down as Hokage, you remain beloved by the villagers."

"But the shinobi in the village—one after another—avoid me as if I were a plague."

"You are the radiant light; I am the shadow shrouded in darkness."

"You've now achieved all you set out to do and let go of everything. But for me? I haven't yet lived the life I want."

"..."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, lightly patted his forehead and exhaled deeply.

He glanced at the others in the room.

Torifu had already slumped over the table, snoring loudly in his sleep.

Homura and Koharu seemed to be on the verge of losing their awareness as well.

Hiruzen asked, "What is it that you want? The position of Hokage?"

Danzo countered, "Hiruzen, what does the position of Hokage mean to you? A responsibility? An honor?"

Hiruzen did not answer the question.

Danzo continued, "Do you still remember our teacher's dying wish?"

"..."

Danzo said, "I know you haven't forgotten it, but you're powerless now."

"In this vast shinobi world, being a mere caretaker of stability is the limit of what you can achieve. Just a few wars have eroded all your resolve and fighting spirit."

Hiruzen took a deep breath and said, "Our teacher's wish was for Konoha to prosper and for the villagers to live in harmony and stability."

Danzo sneered, "The people under the Daimyo's rule—are they starving or freezing? Do they need you to give them stable lives?"

"Hiruzen, you've already forgotten the true meaning of being a ninja! Under the leadership of the First and Second Hokage, when was Konoha ever so humiliated?"

At this moment, Biwako walked over, carrying a tray with several cups of tea.

She said calmly, "Have some tea. It'll sober you up."

Torifu groggily lifted his head, rubbing his eyes as he asked in confusion,

"Did I fall asleep? What time is it?"

Danzo finished the tea in his cup and said, "The meal's done, the drinks are finished—time to leave."

Torifu wobbled to his feet, grinning at Biwako as he said,

"Biwako, your cooking's improved again. It's been a long time since I've had food like yours."

Biwako smiled faintly and said, "You're welcome to come by anytime if you want more."

Koharu helped Homura to his feet, both of them swaying slightly.

Biwako stepped forward to steady them and said with exasperation,

"Why drink so much? It's not like this is your last chance."

One by one, the group dispersed, and Danzo also left.

Biwako began cleaning up the aftermath, removing the leftover dishes one by one.

She nudged Hiruzen, who was sitting there motionless.

"How long are you planning to play dead?"

Hiruzen reluctantly moved aside.

He went to sit by the doorway of the living room, leaning against the doorframe as he gazed up at the sky.

Memories of past arguments with Danzo surfaced in his mind.

At that moment, Asuma returned home.

As he approached his father, he caught a strong whiff of alcohol and wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"You've been drinking?" he said, sounding slightly exasperated.

"Yeah…"

"Asuma."

Just as Asuma was about to head inside, Hiruzen called out to him again.

"Huh?"

"Go to my study and bring me the envelope with the red seal from the left drawer."

"…Oh."

Soon, Asuma returned holding a letter and handed it to Hiruzen.

As he got closer to his father, he instinctively held his breath.

Hiruzen opened the letter.

It was an invitation from the royal family of the Land of Fire.

The contents were simple—it was an invitation to visit.

Some of the prominent families in the village had ties with the royal officials of the Land of Fire, and that was inevitable.

He had originally planned to step back from such political matters now that he had retired as Hokage, letting go of one thing after another.

But now, as he found himself at this point, he realized that when he had truly abandoned everything, trying to stop some things he didn't want to happen might now be beyond his ability.

He shouldn't have given up power.

At least, not yet.

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