Chapter 11

(Danzo POV)

A knock on the door disturbs me talk with Hiruzen and the door opens as Minato and Hikaru walk in. The most notable thing about them is the giant sword resting on Hikaru's shoulder.

Did Hikaru track down Juzo Biwa? Quite incredible that he was able to track him down so quickly when he doesn't have a spy network to help him. The executioner blade is very valuable and a good tool to force Kirigakure into submission.

"Lord 3rd I retrieved the executioner blade like you told me to when Kirigakure issued the arrest warrant for Juzo Biwa."

A slight look of surprise enters Hiruzen's eye before disappearing replaced by a sense of pride. Judging from his body movement Hiruzen definitely didn't order Hikaru to hunt down anyone. Seems like Hikaru just wants to suck up to Hiruzen in exchange for more jutsu.

If I had know this would happen I would have tried harder to get Hikaru on my side. Perhaps I can still establish some type of alliance between us. Hikaru doesn't have any type of morals binding him considering the missions he takes.

"Good job Hikaru have you decided what seal you'd like in exchange for your valiant service?"

"Yes, I'd like to have the memory erasing seal lord 3rd."

Hiruzen slightly shifts in his seat and I take another good look at Hikaru. Why would this seemingly kind young man want to have a seal that erases memories? Seeing Hiruzen's hesitation Hikaru quickly explains why he wants the seal.

"Remember that mission to infiltrate the Kaguya clan and assassinate the patriarch and bring back any kekkei genkai users?"

That was the mission I requested in order to collect the cells of more kekkei genkai users. Orochimaru and I have been working together attempting to infuse Hashirama cells into the body of a child in order to gain wood release but we haven't been successful. Orochimaru wants cells from people with various kekkei genkai and the Kaguya clan is known to posses one of the strongest yang release kekkei genkai.

"Hikaru do you actually have confidence in assassinating the patriarch of the Kaguya clan."

Hikaru nods at me with confidence and a small smile makes its way on my face.

"Hikaru if you're able to collect the cells of a Shikotsumyaku user and give them to me I promise you'll have the entirety of Konohagakure's collection of sealing jutsu."

Hiruzen gives me a side glance yet says nothing but that is understandable. Konoha needs another clan to stabilize the situation with the Uchiha, recreating a Kaguya clan in Konohagakure will give us the balance we need. The Hyuga simply aren't strong enough to suppress the Uchiha but a violent and proud clan like the Kaguya most certainly can.

Shikotsumyaku is the kekkei genkai that has the most vitality only being surpassed by wood release. If my root can recreate a Kaguya clan full of kekkei genkai users then my influence will skyrocket and I'll be able to contest for the position of Hokage. Once I establish myself as Hokage getting rid of the Uchiha will be easy and I'll have dozens of sharingan at my disposal.

Now is a critical step so I must convince Hikaru to collect DNA samples or even better yet bring back a child with the Shikotsumyaku blood line. To do this the best method is to give Hikaru multiple high ranking Uzumaki seals before he goes on the mission so when he comes back he'll think of my gift and give me the DNA samples.

I signal to one of my roots and they quickly get a special scroll from my hidden library that I present in front of Hikaru.

"This contains five unique Uzumaki seals I'm sure that with your talent you'll make good use of them Hikaru. It's necessary to nurture the next generations so now I'm passing these off to you."

Hikaru deeply bows to me with his face parallel to the ground. In a deep low voice he says the following.

"I promise to complete the mission to the best of my abilities lord Danzo. Although I may not have been a shinobi for more than six years I have risked my life to complete every mission assigned to me no matter how insignificant. If Konohagakure needs me to self sacrifice for the greater good than I'll have no complaints."

This boy...I really regret not taking him into root when he graduated. To say such words to me in front of Hiruzen no less, I cannot allow the Hokage faction to take in such a talent. Minato is also a talent on the same level as Hikaru but he does not have the heart to sacrifice the things and people he loves for the betterment of the village.

"Ever since I was child I recognized what must be done for the greater good and it's because of this that I became a shinobi. I am a murderer. I am a sinner. I am a monster. I have taken husbands from their wives. Deprived children of parents. Refused the elderly the right to see their next generation flourish. If I had a moral code it would be to have no bottom line, and if I had a bottom line it would be to have no moral code. Everything is for the sake of the village, for the sake of Konohagakure, for the sake of the people."

Chills run down my spine at the sharp, almost insane glint in his cold blue eyes. Emotionless and brutal, unforgiving and unrelenting. The eyes of a man who's pile of bodies could stack up a mountain. The air isn't seems to turn cold at his words of self blame, yet it wraps around him like a blanket.

What an incredible shinobi, this boy...he reminds me of my sensei Tobirama. The warm image of my sensei standing over Hikaru appears in my mind as I take a look at the boy once again. Perhaps...he will be my successor that will protect Konohagakure from the shadows like I do. Is this what my sensei Tobirama spoke of when he talked about the will of Fire?