16 - Shimura Danzo: Sarutobi, You’re Too Soft
Perhaps it was karma for something or other.
At night, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was nursing a headache.
He'd swapped out his pipe again and again, but no matter how much nicotine he inhaled, his brow remained furrowed…
"Is there really no room for compromise?"
Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh.
He was long past regular working hours… At his age, staying healthy demanded extra care.
He'd been in a good mood earlier today.
Three first-year ninja academy students had applied for early graduation.
Two Uchihas, plus the son of White Fang.
Setting aside their clans and backgrounds, as the principal of Konoha's ninja academy, he'd felt a surge of pride…
It would've made great dinner table conversation with Biwako.
But before he could clock out, his good mood evaporated…
The reason? The group of Hyuga clansmen before him.
Led by the current Hyuga clan head, with the young heir and a throng of young clansmen in tow—a formidable presence!
"My apologies, Lord Hokage."
Hyuga Nissei gave a slight bow.
His manners were impeccable—the Hyuga's upbringing was beyond reproach.
But his tone and words made Hiruzen's brow twitch.
"Most of the clansmen heading to the Mist Village front are young, and Hizashi was one of the leaders for this mission."
"This isn't just about giving Hizashi justice—it's about giving the clan's youth an explanation."
"I can't have them shedding blood on the battlefield while worrying about safety back home…"
Hyuga Nissei spoke slowly, delivering the firmest of statements.
Hiruzen inwardly cursed the situation, taking several more drags from his pipe.
This was indeed tricky.
The future branch family head of the Hyuga being crippled right before deployment— their uproar wasn't unreasonable.
The problem was the culprits…
Hiruzen's gaze drifted to the files on his desk.
Three of them.
Two were explicitly named by the Hyuga clan for handover…
Yuto Souta and Obito Uchiha.
He'd gotten a rough idea of these two from the graduation applications submitted by their homeroom teacher, Kuroshu Nen.
Perennial underachievers…
Bottom of the class in both academics and practicals—textbook failures.
This early graduation attempt was likely Obito's stubborn refusal to let Kakashi Hatake outpace him, dragging a clanmate along in a fit of pique.
"I understand Clan Head Hyuga's desire to protect his people," Hiruzen said slowly.
"But… are you certain, Clan Head, that Hizashi was injured by those two kids?"
"From what I know, Hizashi is a special jonin. The two of them together…"
"Of course not," Hyuga Nissei interrupted, his voice rising slightly.
"Two Uchihas who aren't even ninja couldn't possibly match Hizashi!"
"But they're still Uchihas!"
"Those brats even broke the arms of our clan's youths in a spar! Hizashi's injuries must've been caused by one of their clan's ninja!"
Hyuga Nissei was furious—and certain.
The Hyuga clan couldn't possibly be inferior to the Uchiha!
His second son might be a special jonin, but that was still jonin-level!
To leave him in such a state… it had to be an Uchiha jonin! No doubt about it!
Hiruzen paused mid-puff.
Facing the enraged Hyuga clan head, he felt a bit outmatched…
Looked at this way… it did seem like something the Uchiha might do?
The motive didn't need much explanation.
The Uchiha were a warlike clan, long suppressed by the village's higher-ups, likely harboring plenty of resentment.
With war breaking out suddenly and the Hyuga taking the lead in deployment…
Retaliating against the Hyuga? Highly plausible.
Hiruzen began weighing his options.
Suppressing the Uchiha had been a policy set by his teacher, the Second Hokage.
But their combat strength was undeniable…
With war looming, he found himself torn.
"Sarutobi, you're too soft!"
Right then.
An untimely voice cut through the room.
Accompanied by the heavy thud of a cane striking the floor, a cold figure stepped inside.
Konoha Elder and leader of Root, Shimura Danzo.
Danzo's arrival chilled the office further.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Of course it's you.
Always showing up when he faced the toughest decisions.
Thoughtful, yet never welcome—something he'd rather avoid!
"What are you doing here?" Hiruzen asked coldly.
"Hmph!"
With a disdainful snort, Danzo gave his old comrade a chilly glance but didn't reply. Instead, he turned to Hyuga Hiashi.
"The Hyuga young heir should've already departed by now."
Danzo's tone was frigid.
His blunt words made everyone frown, some Hyuga even activating their Byakugan!
If not for the clan's strict discipline, they might've attacked on the spot!
Hyuga Nissei simply closed his eyes.
Not out of fear of this Konoha Elder… but because, in his view, the future Hyuga head would have to face such situations eventually.
Hiashi's response didn't disappoint.
"My brother Hizashi, one of the leaders for this Hyuga mission, was attacked."
Hiashi stood firm, repeating his father's words to the Hokage.
It was the right move…
What the clan head said to the Hokage, the young heir should say to an elder.
Too bad.
He wasn't the clan head, and Danzo wasn't your average elder.
"When a ninja in the village is attacked, that's my Root's responsibility."
"I'll swear on Root's name to give your Hyuga clan an explanation!"
"But right now… if the Hyuga delay the war effort, how will you answer to the Hokage?"