After venting most of his anger, Danzō finally sat back down in his chair.
"I've said it before—you should not concentrate all efforts and resources in one area. Hashirama cells, Ōtsutsuki cells, scientific ninja tools… that man's shadow is in every one of Konoha's projects."
Seeing that Takeshi had finally quieted down, Danzō began explaining the reason behind his actions.
"Even if Orochimaru doesn't betray us, one day he could be killed or captured by someone else. Then Konoha's secrets would either be exposed to the enemy or lost forever. A Hokage must understand the principle of balance."
"You pride yourself on being open and straightforward, unwilling to divide the village's factions like Hiruzen did. That's a virtue—but trusting one clan too much, granting them excessive power, will only tear your rule apart."
Although Danzō didn't name the clan outright, his words clearly referred to the Uchiha.
"Hiruko's ability can't compare to Orochimaru's..." Takeshi muttered under his breath.
A vein bulged on Danzō's forehead.
"If you had given Hiruko the same resources as Orochimaru, how could he not have matched him?"
"Right, right, of course." Seeing Danzō's temper rise again, Takeshi quickly yielded.
"Sai, Shin, come in."
Feeling that any further discussion would make his blood pressure explode, Danzō called coldly toward the door.
Two figures flickered into the room, standing with their backs to Takeshi.
Even without seeing their faces, Takeshi recognized them by name.
"Danzō-sama."
"Ahem." Takeshi coughed lightly.
"Fifth Hokage-sama." The two of them immediately turned to face him.
"Ahem, if possible, please don't stand right in front of me." Takeshi's vision darkened. Right now, to put it nicely, he was kneeling on the ground; less kindly, he was kneeling to Danzō.
Standing directly in front of him—what was that supposed to mean?
You think this Hokage doesn't have a temper?!
"Yes." ×2
The two didn't think much of it and obediently stepped aside.
"It's about time you formed your own ANBU. The Fourth's ANBU may be strong, but they're not truly your subordinates. These two are among the best in the training division—especially Sai, who's learning the Super Beast Imitating Drawing technique. From now on, they'll be under your command. Once they come of age, they can be officially assigned to your ANBU unit."
Danzō calmly introduced their identities.
"This is also a good opportunity for you to dissolve the Third's and Fourth's ANBU units. Reassign those loyal to them to serve as these two's guards, and redistribute the rest as you see fit. Talented individuals like Minato can be used as elite jōnin."
Danzō paused, then continued, "Doing this is also to—"
"—make sure all the efforts and resources not in one area, right? Seriously, even Aburame Tatsuma was once your subordinate, and you still don't trust him?" Takeshi cut him off mid-sentence.
This brat.
Your most trusted Aburame Tatsuma still follows my orders.
Danzō nearly grabbed something to beat this insolent Hokage again.
"Enough. Get out!"
Tired of lecturing his rebellious student, Danzō waved him off impatiently.
"Oh." Takeshi quickly got to his feet, taking Sai and Shin with him as he left Danzō's office.
"You're Shin?"
Once they'd left the ANBU training grounds, Takeshi instantly switched back to his usual demeanor—arms crossed, he looked the boy up and down. Shin, who in the original story had been little more than a background character.
"Yes." Shin nodded respectfully.
"So your real name is just Shin?" Takeshi, pleased with his attitude, softened his tone a little.
"My name is whatever you decide it to be." Shin shook his head, then gestured toward Sai beside him. "That goes for him as well. We're both orphans from the Land of Fire. Danzō-sama saved us and taught us ninjutsu. So everything we are belongs to you."
Takeshi was stunned.
Your benefactor is my old man—how does that make your loyalty mine?
Sensing Takeshi's confusion, Shin explained further,
"Danzō-sama told us during training that we have only one master—you. Even if you ordered us to kill Danzō-sama himself, we would obey without hesitation."
Takeshi narrowed his eyes.
He roughly understood Danzō's intention now.
Apparently, Danzō had grown irritated with Uchiha Hikari.
In recent operations, the person always by Takeshi's side had been Hikari.
So Danzō must've rushed to send these two over before they were even adults.
Too hasty. Shin's age was fine—about the same as Haku's. But Sai… he was still a kid, about Naruto's age. Sure, according to his file, he'd become a chūnin at ten, but still...
Like the First Hokage, Takeshi hated the idea of children fighting.
"Alright then. By the way, where do you two live?"
Scratching his head, Takeshi realized he didn't really have any use for them just yet, so he decided to ask where they stayed.
The two exchanged a glance and answered in unison, "At the Shimura residence."
Takeshi's mouth twitched.
That old man really had no shame—openly placing them there just to keep tabs on Uchiha Hikari.
Still, forming an ANBU unit of his own...
...
Before long, Yamato received his orders and arrived at Training Ground 78 with Haku and Kimimaro.
From a distance, he spotted the two boys standing behind Takeshi.
Huh? Did he pick up a couple more kids again?