CH23 : In the eyes of Higher ups

In the quiet solitude of his clan's training hall, Sakumo sat slumped, the weight of self-doubt pressing heavily on his shoulders. His father's sword lay before him, its edge gleaming faintly in the dim light, a silent reminder of the legacy that his clan had carried for generations.

 With a sigh, he muttered, "Why the hell am I so weak? What am I lacking?"

Sakumo, the last of the Hatake, was known in the academy for his discipline and hard work. To everyone else, he looked like a prodigy, a natural. But deep down, Sakumo knew the truth. 

He was no genius; he was just a boy clinging to the last remnants of a broken clan and its teachings. 

Alone, he had trained himself with what few clan scrolls remained after the war, repeating the same drills endlessly, correcting himself each time until he could achieve something close to mastery.

The chakra blade, his clan's revered technique, lay forever out of reach, mocking him with its difficulty. Sakumo knew why his clan had dwindled: the chakra blade, though powerful, was notorious for how few could master it. Most gave their lives chasing its promise, only to fall short. 

Even now, he felt that insurmountable wall before him, and today, after seeing his teammates' skill, it felt even higher.

"They make it look so easy," he whispered, gripping the wooden training sword tightly. "Kekkei Genkai... skills born into them, like breathing. No matter how hard I try, they're still a step ahead."

But even as frustration welled up in him, he breathed deeply, pushing the anger down. "I can't give up. I'm a Hatake… I'm the last one who can carry this sword."

His voice was firm as he lifted the wooden stick, stepping back into his stance. "I'll overcome this too," he whispered, more to himself than to the empty room, and with a fierce determination, he began his drills again, each movement harder and sharper than the last.

***

As night settled over Konoha, the Hokage's office glowed warmly with the light of a few lanterns. 

Hiruzen sat with his trusted friends, Team Tobirama: the legendary ninja who had shaped Konoha's future just as much as the First Hokage. 

Beside Hiruzen sat Homura and Koharu, his loyal teammates. The soft clink of tea cups echoed through the room as they spoke in quiet tones about the new genin.

Homura took a sip and sighed. "They're an impressive lot, these new graduates. The academy standards were high enough, but the ones who chose the early exam have an undeniable spark."

Hiruzen nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "They're young, but you can see the potential. In Jiraiya, there's boldness, an unpolished strength. Tsunade is precise, smart—she'll become a powerful ninja in her own right, no doubt."

Koharu raised an eyebrow. "And Orochimaru?"

Hiruzen's gaze softened, but there was a hint of concern. "He's… different. There's a quiet strength in him, a depth I've not seen often. He's curious, always looking for something beyond what's in front of him. I see promise in his ambition, but it's also what worries me. If not guided, ambition can become a double-edged sword."

From the corner, Danzo stirred, his eyes narrowing as he listened. "So you trust their potential, Hiruzen," he began, his voice soft, calculating. "But don't you think it's a risk to let these young ones hold so much power without boundaries?"

Hiruzen's gaze hardened, his jaw set in quiet defiance. "They are the future, Danzo. If we bind them too tightly, we will never see them grow."

"Guiding them, yes," Danzo replied, voice calm but hinting at something darker, "But sometimes guiding means curbing their potential, ensuring they remain aligned with the village's interests. Talent left unchecked can turn rebellious."

"Or it can bring greatness," Hiruzen countered. 

"Konoha was built on the foundation of trust, letting each shinobi grow for the village, not just under it. That's the way Hashirama and Tobirama built this place."

Homura shifted uneasily, but he nodded in agreement. "They will need guidance, yes, but they also need freedom. That's how they'll become strong, not by caging them."

Koharu looked thoughtfully at Danzo. "Besides, you saw Sakumo's dedication. He isn't a genius by birth, but he fights with a purpose that's deeply rooted. Maybe his clan has fallen, but he will make his mark."

Danzo's expression flickered, eyes narrowing in calculation as he considered her words. "He's malleable," he murmured, almost to himself. "Dedication like this can be... directed. If he believes his strength serves the village, he will push his limits."

Hiruzen picked up on Danzo's tone and fixed him with a sharp look. "Sakumo's dedication should serve himself and his future, not as a tool for anyone. All of these young shinobi deserve that chance. Our job is to guide, not control."

Danzo merely nodded, though a subtle glint of intent still lingered in his eyes. He glanced once more at the list of students, marking those who showed signs of loyalty, talent, or vulnerabilities he could use if the village required it.

Danzo's gaze sharpened as he brought up Kagami Uchiha. His words were careful, but a barely concealed distaste crept into his voice. "And Kagami? Hiruzen, I know you trust him, but an Uchiha's loyalty can be… unpredictable. His potential is clear, but how certain are we of his intentions?"

Hiruzen's face remained calm, though there was a hint of disapproval in his eyes. "Kagami has been nothing but loyal to Konoha, Danzo. He's proven himself time and time again. His clan may carry burdens, but Kagami knows his purpose."

Danzo's jaw tightened. "He's loyal now, but can we trust him if circumstances change? The Uchiha carry darkness in their blood, a lust for power that can overwhelm even the best of them."

Koharu chimed in, offering a more measured tone. "Danzo, Kagami has demonstrated more restraint than many. If anything, he could be a bridge between the village and his clan. His presence is valuable to maintaining unity."

Danzo's expression soured slightly, but he did not push further. His eyes turned instead to the list of the newest team members. He scanned the names, then stopped at Yuichi's.

"Yuichi," he began, musing aloud. "A civilian, wasn't it? He's not from a prominent clan, but his abilities are… interesting." 

His tone carried a note of intrigue, though his expression showed calculation. "He has resilience, determination, but something in him hides an edge."

Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "Yuichi's path has been complex, but he has the makings of a skilled shinobi. There's a sense of duty in him that's rooted deeply. He's one to watch."

Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly. "And to steer, perhaps. His strength could serve us well if given the right guidance… or direction." His words lingered with a faint hint of manipulation, one that didn't go unnoticed by the others.

Moving down the list, Koharu looked at Mio's name. "Mio Uchiha… Now she's a talent with natural precision. Her adaptability and her focus are remarkable, but if her teamwork could improve."

Danzo glanced at her name with an unreadable expression. "Another Uchiha," he said quietly. "One with potential, certainly, but I've noticed she holds herself apart, almost like a lone flame. We should be mindful of that. Talent like hers can either burn for the village or against it."

Hiruzen stepped in with a firm tone. "Mio may be independent, but she'll learn the value of comradeship. Like Kagami, she has a good heart, and I think she needs some time to adjust after her mother's death."

Homura moved to the next name. "Dan. His Taijutsu is impressive, but his gentle nature might hold him back."

Danzo snorted softly. "Gentle nature? That's another way of saying weakness. A shinobi's role is to cut down threats, not coddle them. He'll either need to harden himself or find he's expendable."

Hiruzen's tone was calm but firm. "Dan's gentleness isn't a weakness, Danzo. It's a strength that tempers his fighting spirit. With guidance, he'll become a powerful shinobi—and a dependable one at that."

Koharu turned to Takeshi's name, thoughtful. "Takeshi… he has an intense loyalty to the village, almost unshakeable."

Danzo's eyes sparked with interest. "Loyalty is a powerful weapon, but one that can be forged or broken. Takeshi's loyalty will need to be tested, reinforced. If his allegiance is as strong as we think, he could be an asset worth molding."

Hiruzen listened, though a touch of frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior. "Loyalty cannot be tested by constant manipulation, Danzo. Takeshi's devotion is genuine, and that's exactly what Konoha needs, people willing to trust, not just obey."

Danzo's silence spoke volumes, though his gaze remained fixed on the list, every name still a prospect in his mind, each skill and flaw something to exploit or control if needed. 

To him, the line between protection and power was thin, nearly indistinguishable. The conversation shifted back to the promising skills and traits of each genin, but a quiet tension lingered. 

Hiruzen couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest, knowing the seeds of ambition Danzo had planted within this room could one day fracture everything he'd fought so hard to protect.

As the meeting went on, Hiruzen looked back out the window, his mind lingering on his students. Somewhere out there, he could feel each of their lives slowly weaving into the tapestry of Konoha's future, bright and full of promise. 

~~~~~

Author this side...

first of all this was a big chapter with lot of dialogues that i purposely set to show personalities of different characters that are important to storyline. So here i want to clearify my perception about Hiruzen to all of you which will greatly differ to how other chinese fan factions used to portray.

From the beginning i maintained his character like a person who was good overall but had bad dot in middle, the counterpart to Danzo. His decision making and unusual believe in his friend even though knowing their wrongs were proof of that. His bad side shows in the area where he holds the power as Hokage and it will become more evident as we move further in the story and that's all....

Lastly share your thoughts, i very much like to know them.