Human distrust is rarely born overnight.More often, it accumulates—layer by layer—through repeated negative experiences, deception, and betrayal.
Sometimes, a person has been betrayed or deceived too many times, and gradually, suspicion toward everyone around them becomes instinctive.
A person's profession—and their innate temperament—also plays a decisive role in how they judge others.
After returning to Konoha, Uchiha Liuhua reported everything exactly as Uchiha Ran had anticipated.
Interestingly, Shimura Danzo found nothing strange about Ran having the intelligence conveyed to him as well.
Wasn't that only natural?
In fact, Danzo even felt that Uchiha Ran was quite decent—important intelligence like this, and he still made sure it reached him through Liuhua.
However—
Inside Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart, a slow-burning anger began to rise.
What is going on here?Since when has Shimura Danzo stopped acting behind my back—privately contacting the Uchiha?
And then his thoughts shifted to his former student, Orochimaru.
Didn't Danzo donate some equipment to Orochimaru recently as well?What—does he intend to buy over my disciples and even my disciples' disciples? Has his hand really stretched that far?
Still, Shimura Danzo was his longtime friend—once his comrade-in-arms.He hadn't committed any unforgivable offense.
So Sarutobi Hiruzen decided not to pursue the matter—for now.
"Hiruzen—this is our chance!"Danzo suddenly grew animated in the Hokage's office."The Third Kazekage has disappeared, and Ye Cang of Scorch Release is now in our hands. Sunagakure is leaderless, their high-end combat strength reduced. Why not exploit this and throw them into chaos?"
"And what benefit does chaos in the Land of Wind bring us?"Sarutobi replied calmly."Do we lack their land? Their wealth? Their population?"
In Hiruzen's view, Konoha already possessed the finest land in the shinobi world, the most outstanding talent, and more missions than it could ever complete.
Why provoke war?
For what—The vast deserts of the Land of Wind?Their pitiful treasury?
Sarutobi truly could not understand.
"Your vision is far too narrow, Hiruzen!"Danzo snapped."War is about steady expansion—seizing land and population inch by inch! If we move fast enough, we can occupy the Land of Wind within ten days. With the resources of two great nations, we would crush the Land of Earth, Lightning, and Water alike! The unification of the shinobi world would be within reach!"
"Hiruzen—listen to me just once. I've made complete preparations!"
"Complete preparations?"Sarutobi's gaze hardened."Danzo, you've gone too far. I will never approve this plan."
He rejected Danzo outright—and immediately summoned ANBU.
"Call Namikaze Minato here."
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's trust in Danzo had already begun to crumble.
When did Danzo start acting with such impunity?Reaching into the Hokage's domain… contacting my people behind my back…And those 'complete preparations'—what exactly has Root been doing? How large has it grown? As Hokage, can I even command them anymore?
One question after another weighed heavily on his heart.
Suspicion was the seed of distrust.Once doubt took root, every action began to look increasingly unreliable.
It took only a single sentence for Sarutobi's suspicion to ignite.
In the end, it all came down to this—
Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen simply did not think the same way.
Before long, Namikaze Minato appeared in the Hokage's office.
"Oh—Minato, you're here already? That was fast."Sarutobi briefly explained the situation to him.
"Then what does the Third Hokage require of me?"Minato asked, already guessing Hiruzen's intent.
"You'll need to make a trip, Minato," Sarutobi said thoughtfully."The Land of Fire is a peace-loving nation, and Konoha will not initiate war. We are deeply regretful over the disappearance of Sunagakure's Third Kazekage."
As he spoke, Sarutobi laid out the mission in detail.
Peace above all.
Although Ye Cang had entered the Land of Fire in search of the Third Kazekage, she had crossed into foreign territory without authorization.
This time, Sunagakure would compensate Konoha with payment equivalent to five S-rank missions.
Minato would then negotiate with Sunagakure at the border.If compensation was provided, Konoha could dispatch ninja to assist in the search—within Konoha's territory.
"No problem, Hokage-sama," Minato replied crisply."I'll depart immediately."
"Go, Minato," Sarutobi said."Move quickly. Don't give the Land of Wind any excuse to make trouble."
The moment Sarutobi finished speaking, Minato activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.
"You may leave now," Sarutobi said to Liuhua."With Minato handling things, Uchiha Ran's safety isn't a concern. As fellow disciples of the Sannin, they'll cooperate and resolve this mission together."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Once Liuhua departed, only Danzo and Sarutobi remained in the office.
"Hiruzen!"Danzo's voice was sharp."If you don't listen to me this time, you'll regret it once the opportunity slips away!"
By now, Sarutobi's displeasure was unmistakable.
"Shimura Danzo."His tone turned cold and heavy."Obey the Hokage's decision. Do not raise matters that contradict the Hokage's will again. The safety of the Land of Fire—and the lives of over a million people in Konoha—rests on my shoulders."
"In this country, no one may command the winds and rain. But I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, will shield the Land of Fire from storms. You are Konoha's advisor. Follow my arrangements. That is all."
Each word carried increasing weight.Sarutobi no longer bothered indulging Danzo's hidden motives.
"Hiruzen… you—"
"Danzo," Sarutobi cut him off sharply."Use titles when we're working."
"…Hiruzen…"
"Hmm?!"
Faced with Sarutobi's stern, businesslike expression, Danzo felt only revulsion.
Who was it that once held my hand and told me Konoha needed darkness—needed Root?And yet now, you feel like a stranger.
Hiruzen…If I had made the same choices as you back then, what would things look like now?
"…Yes, Hokage-sama."Though unwilling, Danzo finally spoke the title.
"Hokage-sama, just trust me once, I—"
"That's enough!"Sarutobi snapped."This is insubordination! Shimura Danzo—how many times must I say it? I am the Hokage! No more unnecessary actions!"
Hearing genuine anger in Sarutobi's voice, Danzo walked to the door.Before leaving, he muttered weakly—
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
After Danzo departed, Sarutobi pulled out his pipe and took a deep drag.
Have I been too lenient with him…?
—
"Bang!""Bang!"
"Hokage—Hokage—Hokage! Now you finally remember you're the Hokage, don't you?"
Back at Root Headquarters, Shimura Danzo grew angrier the more he thought about it.He summoned one of his subordinates.
"Ma."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
"Go to the exchange networks. Spread the news of the Third Kazekage's disappearance throughout the shinobi world."
"If the world doesn't descend into chaos," Danzo sneered,"then I can't accomplish anything."
"Hmph. I'll show Hiruzen—whether the shinobi world falls into disorder or not…That decision lies with me, Shimura Danzo."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
...
"I wonder if Danzo will make a move…"
With Ye Cang slung over his shoulder, Uchiha Ran glanced at the dimming sky.Night was approaching.
He decided it was time to find a place to rest.