Chapter 12

While Sosuke was diligently training at the border, things in the Konoha were not calm at all.

In a deep underground, Danzo was anxiously waiting for someone.

He had every reason to be nervous because the shinobi he had sent to eliminate Sosuke this time were among his most trusted subordinates. 

This elite jonin was a rare and valuable asset under his command, making their mission all the more critical.

After all, Root had only been established recently, and he hadn't had time to train subordinates with real potential.

Right now, Danzo only had two elite jonins capable of handling important missions, but one of them had gone on a mission and still hadn't returned.

"What's going on? An elite jonin and three jonin—could something have possibly gone wrong?"

Muttering to himself, Danzo's gaze toward the door gradually darkened.

Just then, someone suddenly walked in from outside. Seeing that it was not the elite jonin he had been expecting, Danzo immediately felt disappointed.

However, the person before him might still bring some news.

"Hiruzen, why have you suddenly come here?"

The person who had arrived was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Your plan has failed. Stop any further actions against Sosuke for now."

Danzo, sitting calmly, immediately stood up upon hearing these words.

"What did you say? How do you know the plan failed? I haven't even received a report yet!"

Hiruzen walked over to Danzo, found a seat, and sighed.

Seeing Hiruzen acting all mysterious, Danzo grew even more impatient, stomping his feet in frustration.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly! Stop sighing and pretending to be thoughtful in front of me!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, "I just received intelligence from Sakumo Hatake—Sosuke has already reached the border!"

Hearing this, Danzo immediately understood and clearly knew the mission had indeed failed. 

If his plan had succeeded, there was no way Sosuke would have survived to reach the border.

However, he simply couldn't understand—Sosuke was merely a Tokubetsu Jōnin.

How did he manage to survive an attack from one Elite Jonin and three regular Jonin?

"Is there any news about my subordinates...?"

Hiruzen nodded upon hearing this and then said, "Sakumo Hatake reported that Sosuke killed an elite jonin and three jonin. Those should be your subordinates, right?"

Danzo's first reaction upon hearing this was disbelief.

"Impossible! He's just a Tokubetsu Jōnin! How could he possibly defeat an Elite Jonin?!"

Tokubetsu Jōnin often had unique secret techniques that could threaten them, but an elite jonin was on a completely different level. 

In any village, they were considered top-tier combat power.

They were capable of fighting Kage-level, and those with powerful kekkei genkai could even pose a serious threat to a Kage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also found it hard to believe. The Sosuke he had always underestimated could not possibly possess such overwhelming strength.

As a Hokage, Hiruzen frequently used his crystal ball to observe the village and was naturally familiar with Sosuke's progress.

Even though he admired Sosuke's determination to train hard, Hiruzen didn't think much of him because his talent was mediocre.

Because of this, Hiruzen had never paid much attention to him.

Who would have thought that today, Sosuke would suddenly pop up and give him such a big surprise?

"I didn't believe it at first either."

Hiruzen continued, "But Sakumo Hatake reported that all four enemies were found dead, and the only one left at the scene was him."

Danzo's face grew even darker. He never imagined that the "ant" he had always seen as weak could actually kill his most trusted subordinates.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with a sad expression.

"That elite jonin was your nephew, right? Such a talented person… and instead of sacrificing himself for the village, he died in an internal struggle…"

Danzo was already furious, but hearing these words made him even more enraged. 

"You don't need to pretend to care! If you really cared so much, why don't you send your own son? If I remember correctly, he's already an Elite Jonin too, right?!"

After hearing this, Hiruzen chose to shift the topic instead.

"In any case, Sosuke is off-limits, and his strength is no longer something to underestimate. If we act recklessly and notice it, Sosuke might think about betraying us. A big war is about to happen, and the Konoha can't afford to lose any more top shinobi."

Hiruzen's noble-sounding words were exactly what Danzo hated the most. He wasn't a good guy either, but he always acted like he was.

Danzo had done all the dirty work while Hiruzen remained untarnished. 

Now, with the future head of the Shimura Clan died, Hiruzen thought he could just say a few fancy words to brush it off.

"No! Sosuke must die. You haven't forgotten that he's getting close to Tsunade, right? They've been childhood friends, and it looks like they might become a couple soon!"

Hiruzen's expression darkened upon hearing this.

"A descendant of the Senju… So, in the end, I guess we really can't let him live?"

Danzo continued, "Tsunade is already at the elite jonin level and holds a significant reputation in the village. If she and Sosuke end up together, then the next Hokage won't be someone we can control!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Danzo also chose to remain quiet, patiently waiting for him to make his decision.

Hiruzen wasn't old and senile yet. He was still the strong, decisive leader of the shinobi world, and Danzo believed he would make the right choice.

"For now, don't make a move on him." 

Hiruzen finally said, "The war is about to begin. Leave Tsunade to Hanzo of the Salamander. As for Sosuke… spread the rumor that he may have mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode to Kumogakure. They'll take care of him for us."

The information about Sosuke possibly knowing the Lightning Release Chakra came from Sakumo Hatake's report, and originally, Hiruzen didn't plan to make it public.

But now that Sosuke threatened his absolute control over the Hokage's position, even this old fox had no choice but to act.

Hanzo of the Salamander was a figure known as the "Demi-God of the Shinobi World," possessing strength on par with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Dealing with the current Tsunade would be no problem for him. He could quietly take care of her as long as her location was secretly revealed.

Danzo was an expert at handling dirty work like this. The moment he heard Hiruzen's words, he knew exactly what to do.

These two old partners appeared to not get along on the surface, but they actually shared the same nature when it came to things done in secret.

"That's settled, then. I'm heading back."

After giving his instructions, Hiruzen didn't stay any longer and walked straight out of Danzo's office.

Danzo, however, suddenly thought of something. He had sent Dan Kato to assassinate Sosuke, and now it was clear that he was already dead.

That meant the girl named Shizune was now worthless. Danzo began contemplating how to deal with her.

"Someone, come!"

At his command, a figure immediately appeared before him.

"Take Dan Kato's niece to the spy division."

In the end, Danzo chooses not to kill Shizune.

After all, she had decent potential. In the future, she could serve as a spy, seducing high-ranking officials from other villages and extracting valuable intelligence.

'I suppose… this counts as making good use of waste?'

Danzo thought to himself.

...

1st Bonus Chapter - 200

2nd Bonus Chapter - 500

3rd Bonus Chapter - 1000