Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand rested on Danzo Shimura's shoulder.
Lightning Style chakra burned against the fabric.
The heat alone made Danzo's neck tighten instinctively. His body reacted before his thoughts could catch up.
But the unease in his muscles was nothing compared to the one in his chest.
When did Hiruzen train the Hidden Cloud's nintaijutsu to this level?
From the moment Blue B's corpse was sent to the Analysis Team to the issuance of the report, even if the Hokage received it ahead of schedule, it had only been ten days at most.
Ten days.
And you're already like this?
Shouldn't you be buried in paperwork, drowning in meetings, crushed under the pressure of being Hokage? Even if some secret technique keeps you looking like you're in your prime…
You've been balancing the clans, drafting policies, holding the village together.
How do you still have time to train?
Danzo's thoughts sank into a swamp of doubt and irritation. His eyes widened slightly. For a moment, he didn't even respond, as if stunned.
"There have always been many geniuses in Konoha," Hiruzen had said.
Wasn't that clearly aimed at him?
Danzo had been called a prodigy of the Shimura Clan since childhood. Then he met Hiruzen Sarutobi. No matter how many times they sparred, he never once won.
His mind drifted further back.
"Don't judge by appearances. I'm confident I'm the strongest among you. I'll stay behind."
The words spoken before Tobirama Senju's death surfaced from the depths of memory.
Hiruzen didn't rush him. The lightning faded gradually from his body.
He placed both hands on the back of Danzo's chair, shook his head with a soft chuckle, and addressed the others.
"Our advisor has been working too hard. We should let him rest properly."
"He personally led the operation in the Hidden Cloud Village, captured targets, planted agents. Living rough in enemy territory is no small feat."
The room filled with good-natured laughter.
The word rest snapped Danzo back to himself.
"No. I don't need rest!"
Forget resting. If he slackened even slightly, the gap would widen.
Was he supposed to lose sight of Hiruzen's back entirely?
That thought was more unbearable than admitting he might never become Hokage.
"When it's time to rest, rest," Hiruzen said warmly. "Balance work and recovery. That's how you go the distance."
"I'm still counting on your Wind Style to sharpen my nintaijutsu."
"So what do you say? Shall we find a day to spar, like the old times?"
Danzo ground his molars.
Sharpen your nintaijutsu?
I'd rather blast you apart with a Wind Style Vacuum Serial Waves.
On the surface, he forced out a tight smile.
"Haha… Hiruzen, it's true. Many once called you a genius. Even Lord Tobirama said so."
"But my Wind Style isn't lacking either. You'd better be careful. I might win."
It was clumsy. An attempt to salvage a shred of dignity.
Hiruzen didn't let the words drop.
"Of course. In my eyes, you're the strongest Wind Style user in the shinobi world. Those from the Hidden Sand Village don't compare."
Danzo blinked.
You're defending me?
Hiruzen, what exactly are you trying to do…
Setting aside the fact that he had just used him to establish authority… maybe he shouldn't be scheming against him.
And truthfully, he had been the one to provoke first.
To his own surprise, Danzo felt the faintest trace of regret.
"Danzo, during this mission I saw your organizational and coordination abilities."
Hiruzen remained standing behind him, posture relaxed.
"You'll take the position of Anbu Minister. Do the job well. Don't disappoint the village or me."
Danzo straightened unconsciously.
"Yes, Third."
Jiraiya let out a quiet chuckle and rolled his eyes.
So his bones aren't that hard after all.
One criticism, one compliment, and he's steadied.
He's softer than me.
For years, due to the existence of Root, which functioned under the banner of an Anbu training division, the positions of Anbu Minister and Deputy had remained vacant. Operations were managed largely by squad captains.
After all, Root was nominally an Anbu branch, yet its commander was the Hokage's advisor. It had always been an awkward arrangement.
In Hiruzen's view, Danzo did have talent in Anbu work.
The problem was his ambition.
So the Hokage's role was simple. He would retain firm control over the selection of squad captains and team leaders.
"Hizashi, I've been watching your recent performance. Do you have the confidence to shoulder more responsibility?" Hiruzen asked.
Hizashi Hyuga had tried to support him earlier. The Hokage had noticed.
The young man had the ability. The right attitude. And strategic value.
There was no reason not to use him.
As for experience, Sakumo Hatake could guide him.
"Hokage! Your will is the direction of my path. I would give my life without hesitation!"
Hizashi shot to his feet, voice ringing clear.
"Not my will. For the village," Hiruzen corrected gently.
"Appointed, Hizashi Hyuga as Captain of Anbu Second Division."
"Koharu, Homura, Danzo. Any objections?"
All three shook their heads.
On another day, they might have discussed Hizashi's relatively short service record. He was diligent, but still young in terms of experience.
Today, however, the atmosphere did not allow for dissent.
Orochimaru watched from his seat below, tongue flicking briefly across his lips.
With casual conversation, the Hokage had drawn Anbu fully into his grasp.
And Danzo's expression almost looked… grateful?
No. That must be an illusion.
One thing was certain.
Their teacher's words were carrying more weight by the day.
When I become the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru thought, these methods will be useful.
"For the time being, increase village security," Hiruzen continued. "The Hidden Cloud Village will certainly dispatch a large number of agents to trace the source of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki incident."
"Intercept them outside the village."
He turned to Sakumo Hatake.
"How is the Patrol Unit progressing?"
Sakumo, who had listened quietly throughout the meeting, rose.
"It's in trial operation. The Inuzuka, Aburame, and Uchiha clans have participated enthusiastically."
"As you instructed, I selected experienced shinobi who carry old injuries or are no longer suited for high-intensity frontline combat. They're grateful for stable work."
"Inuzuka tracking, Aburame insects, Uchiha perception, and Hizashi's Byakugan support."
"I'm confident we can raise the village's security to the next level."
Hiruzen nodded, then teased lightly.
"Hizashi, you're quite the busy man lately."
Hizashi smiled.
Being needed by the village felt good.
And he understood Sakumo's unspoken meaning.
One pair of Byakugan was not enough.
Within Anbu, and as someone close to Sakumo, he knew the Patrol Unit still had several open slots.
Who they were being reserved for required no explanation.
Brothers of the branch house… wait for me.
After the meeting adjourned, Orochimaru remained behind.
He approached Hiruzen and produced a small fragment of Eight-Tails Gyuki's tissue.
"Sensei," he said quietly, eyes gleaming. "Take a look at this."