Chapter 11 - Hiruzen, You Regret It! Danzo, I Am Hokage!
"The Uchiha clan has a new leader. Renji has become the new clan head."
Itachi and Shisui knelt on one knee, reporting the events within the clan to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Upon hearing their report, Hiruzen's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
A change in leadership at this time? The Uchiha clan must be up to something.
"Renji, that child... I remember he was once called one of the Uchiha's twin stars alongside you, Itachi, during your time at the ninja academy. Who would have thought he'd become the Uchiha clan leader so quickly?"
Hiruzen's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia. He hadn't expected Renji, of all people, to become the clan leader.
What was his stance toward Konoha?
"Shisui, have you spoken to Renji about how to handle the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha?"
Hiruzen asked.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama, we haven't had the chance yet. We weren't present at today's clan meeting, so we're not entirely sure."
Clan affairs were no longer shared with them, so Shisui had no idea what Renji's attitude was.
However, based on Itachi's analysis, it seemed highly likely that Renji was part of the radical faction. But without confirmation, Shisui didn't want to voice his speculation.
After all, it was just a guess.
"I see. If necessary, I'll summon Renji and ask for his thoughts directly. I hope he shares your perspective."
Hiruzen sighed, a sense of foreboding settling in his heart.
After chatting with the two for a while longer, Shisui and Itachi left the Hokage's office. The moment they left, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner.
Danzo, his expression dark, stared at Hiruzen and said, "Isn't it obvious? The Uchiha clan changing leaders at this time means their radical faction is gaining power. Fugaku is truly useless, getting ousted by a mere child!"
Originally, they had planned to deal with the Uchiha slowly, but if the radical faction took over, things wouldn't be so simple.
Danzo had long since decided that if the moderates were in control, they would eliminate the Uchiha slowly. But if the radicals rose to power, they would act immediately.
In any case, the Uchiha clan had to be eliminated.
After all, they were the "evil" Uchiha.
"Hiruzen, are you even listening?!"
Danzo glared at Hiruzen, who had been silently smoking his pipe, and couldn't help but feel furious.
He had been talking for so long, but it seemed like Hiruzen hadn't been paying attention.
"I know what you're trying to say, but for now, I still hope for peace between the village and the Uchiha. If there's room for negotiation, I don't want to resort to extreme measures."
Hiruzen exhaled a long puff of smoke and slowly looked up at Danzo.
"You're such a hypocrite, Hiruzen!"
Danzo sneered, unable to resist mocking Hiruzen's hypocrisy.
All the dirty work was done by him, while Hiruzen played the role of the pure, untainted leader, leaving Danzo to bear all the blame.
But Danzo had accepted it. At least he could occasionally enjoy some of the authority that came with being the Hokage's shadow.
The Hokage stood in the light, free from any blemish, while Danzo was the root of Konoha, bearing all the darkness.
"Hiruzen, act now! While the Uchiha clan hasn't fully reacted yet, the radical faction is already gaining power. If we wait any longer, the losses will be catastrophic. The Uchiha have become the most unstable factor in Konoha. Have you forgotten our teacher's will?"
Danzo's face was slightly agitated. In his understanding, Tobirama Senju's will was to target the Uchiha clan.
Moreover, he had his own agenda.
That's why Danzo had been tirelessly pushing for the extermination of the Uchiha clan.
"I said no action is to be taken, at least not now!"
Hiruzen growled, clearly forbidding Danzo from acting.
In his view, if Danzo acted now, what justification would they have?
The Uchiha clan might be arrogant, but wiping out an entire clan? What would the other clans think?
After the Uchiha were gone, the Hyuga clan would be next. If they didn't rebel, it would be a miracle!
"Hiruzen, I told you, I'll bear the darkness. I can have Root handle this!"
Danzo thought Hiruzen was just unwilling to shoulder the blame.
Fine! If Hiruzen didn't want to, he would!
"Danzo, if you dare to act against the Uchiha now, I will immediately strip you of your position as Hokage's advisor and leader of Root."
Hiruzen gave Danzo a deep look, one that sent a chill down Danzo's spine.
It was a clear warning not to act recklessly.
After all, Hiruzen truly had the authority to remove him.
"Fine, fine!" Danzo was so furious he nearly exploded. He turned and walked away. As he reached the door, his anger only grew. Without looking back, he coldly muttered, "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind Danzo as he left, seething with rage.
His mind involuntarily flashed back to the moment when the Second Hokage had asked who would step up to cover their retreat.
It was because of that split second of hesitation that Hiruzen had become Hokage.
For Danzo, that moment had haunted him for years. If only he had been a second faster, he would be the one sitting in that position.
Instead, here he was, dismissed with a single sentence: "I am the Hokage."
Fine! He could still wait. But Hiruzen, you forced my hand...
Danzo's eyes darkened as he began plotting how to eliminate Hiruzen.
He knew very well that as long as Hiruzen was in power, he had no chance.
Then, a figure appeared in his mind.
Orochimaru.
A plan quickly formed in his head. With that, he decided he would need to have a talk with Orochimaru soon.
Back in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen stood up, looking down at the bustling streets below. His gaze then shifted toward the Uchiha clan's direction.
"Troubled times... Why can't you be like the Senju and dissolve your clan, integrating fully into Konoha?"
Although he didn't fully agree with Danzo's plan, Hiruzen couldn't deny that the Uchiha's existence was indeed a threat to his control over Konoha.
(End of Chapter)
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