Chapter 107: Danzo is retiring? Why I don't know about that?

Ōnoki still wore a worried expression.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had a somewhat triumphant look on his face.

The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Hokage had different mindsets, yet they stood together and drafted an agreement beneficial to both Rock Village and Konoha Village.

"If the Tsuchikage is satisfied, let us sign this agreement together."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took up his pipe, showing his sincerity: "If the Tsuchikage is not satisfied, consider this merely a friendly talk. I will immediately arrange for my Anbu to escort the Tsuchikage to the border of the Land of Earth..."

"Alas..."

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, could not find any fault and shook his head in admiration: "Among the third generations of the Five Great Ninja Villages, it's you who I admire the most. You've inherited the Will of Fire from Konoha, and act with sincerity just like the First Hokage..."

"Hehehe..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh, seemingly very pleased with Ōnoki's praise: "I am still far from matching the First Hokage..."

The First Hokage, Hashirama, was the one who united the other major ninja villages and established a peace treaty. He even naively distributed the Tailed Beasts to other nations, hoping for peace among the ninja villages.

Many in the ninja world thought Hashirama was naïve and foolish, yet they couldn't help but admire his magnanimity. He did not use his power to oppress other villages but gave people from other countries their space to live, believing this would ensure peace.

Unfortunately, after Hashirama's death, the ninja world immediately plunged into war, with Konoha being the first to be hit, and even the Second Hokage, Tobirama, could not escape it.

However, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, continued to maintain the First Hokage's diplomatic policy because he always believed in the First's ideology. If Konoha's foreign policy were to change, the benefits of a power-based diplomacy would be significant, but it would also slowly make the Konoha ninjas believe in the supremacy of power, and the strong might not be willing to sacrifice for the weaker successors anymore...

Similarly, a mild approach to foreign relations is not necessarily useless.

At the very least, it would not provoke more intense confrontations and could maintain peace in the ninja world for a longer time, delaying the arrival of the next war.

In fact, Sarutobi Hiruzen's mild approach did have some use.

Compared to the past, where conflicts and wars would easily erupt, the wars among the Five Great Ninja Villages have indeed been suppressed from breaking out, and the concept of peace gradually took root in people's hearts.

"So, have a pleasant journey."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, seemingly wary of upsetting Ōnoki or causing any rumors, did not take the initiative to invite Ōnoki for a tour of Konoha.

"Thank you."

Onoki just happened to have no interest either.

Now, Onoki is more eager to return to Rock Village as soon as possible, to pass on his Dust Release technique to Deidara, to prevent a situation where Rock Village would find itself without successors should such an incident arise again!

Sarutobi Hiruzen led a group of people watching the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, leaving with the envoy of Rock Village, finally resolving this tremendous trouble.

Akihara Kagura was indifferent to it as well.

Because he had already gained the greatest benefit from this trip, smoothly acquiring both the Dust Release and Lava Release techniques, Sarutobi Hiruzen's release of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, did not cause him to break his word.

"The matter is finally resolved."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long sigh of relief, turning around to see Hatake Kakashi and Akihara Kagura. This team, tasked with tracking Uchiha Obito's whereabouts, really had a knack for attracting trouble...

Last time, in their pursuit of Uchiha Obito's traces, they brought back the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura; this time, following Uchiha Obito's traces, they kidnapped the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki; next time, if they were to pursue Uchiha Obito again, would they bring back the Fourth Raikage?

"During this period..."

"Take a good rest in the village."

"The mission to track Uchiha Obito is temporarily concluded."

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that if this team continued their pursuit, he didn't know how much trouble Uchiha Obito could cause. He knew that Konoha might become the epicenter of a ninja world war.

Really.

Otherwise, just stop looking!

No matter how much trouble Uchiha Obito could stir up, what trouble could it be?

Could there be any trouble bigger than sparking the Fourth Great Ninja War?

"But..."

Hatake Kakashi frowned.

"Take a rest first."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his thinning white hair, sighed, and said, "You've worked hard this time, making a significant contribution to the peace between Konoha and Rock Village."

But...

Konoha can't withstand any more turmoil for the time being.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at them, glanced at Loli Karin, and asked with some curiosity, "Is this child... a member of the Uzumaki clan?"

"Yes."

Hatake Kakashi first reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen about Karin's background, then mentioned what Akihara Kagura did in Grass Village, making the Hokage's blood pressure rise significantly.

"No wonder Grass Village was destroyed..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, speaking of the Land of Grass, "The Kaguya clan had taken over the Land of Grass, fortunately, they have temporarily reached an agreement with Konoha..."

This team really is…

Just leaving the Land of Fire indirectly caused the destruction of a small ninja village.

Due to the Hyuga clan being relatives of the Kaguya clan, the head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi, personally went on a mission to the Land of Grass, even getting the Kaguya clan to agree to an alliance with Konoha.

"This matter must not be leaked."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had to classify this as confidential, to prevent other ninja villages from thinking that Konoha was supporting the Kaguya clan and manipulating the destruction of the Land of Grass.

"As for Karin's words…"

Hatake Kakashi remembered the advice of Akihara Kagura, and took the initiative to say: "Karin's abilities are very special; she has a strong sensory ability. Obito has always been coveting the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, and Karin could help sense dangers in advance…"

"Place her by Naruto's side?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought deeply for a moment, having known the story about Karin and also knowing she was a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, along with the threat posed by Uchiha Obito…

"It's possible."

Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to this, saying: "Let this child enter the Ninja Academy, after all, she is a descendant of the Uzumaki clan…"

This child named Karin deserves to be nurtured by Konoha.

It would be even better if this little girl could form a bond with Uzumaki Naruto in the Ninja Academy and learn the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques in the future, which could also help with any potential leakage of the Nine-Tails' chakra.

"There's one more thing."

Hatake Kakashi looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, bringing up the matter of Uchiha Itachi: "Uchiha Itachi wants to kill two members of the intelligence department, claiming to be acting on Danzo's orders…"

"…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not blame him for this.

Because he had tacitly allowed Shimura Danzo to handle the matter of Uchiha Itachi, members of the intelligence department could cause information leaks, and these were also for Shimura Danzo to deal with.

However, what Hatake Kakashi said next made Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrow: "The two members of the intelligence department are the head of the Konoha Orphanage, Yakushi Nono, and Yakushi Kabuto, who happened to encounter Akihara Kagura, and some conflicts arose between them…"

"…"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

He had long tacitly allowed Shimura Danzo to cultivate Uchiha Itachi as a high-ranking spy planted within the Uchiha clan, but this was not how he wanted Danzo to train him!

Killing comrades from the same village!

Was this meant to lead a child, who already possessed the Will of Fire, into darkness? And even more so, a genius from the Uchiha clan!

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a headache coming on, trying to pull an extreme Akihara Kagura back was already difficult, and now he had to deal with Uchiha Itachi's issue…

"Let's head back to Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gestured and commanded: "Kakashi, tell me everything about this mission you've carried out… By the way, where is Itachi?"

Hatake Kakashi also frowned and said, "I had him return to Konoha first, to report to Lord Hokage about our situation in the Hidden Rock Village…"

"Uchiha Itachi was taken away by Lord Danzo to carry out a mission."

A person responsible for conveying orders to Shimura Danzo responded, "I saw Uchiha Itachi when I was just delivering Lord Hokage's orders."

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded his head.

This matter would have to wait until Shimura Danzo returns to Konoha!

Inside the Hokage's building.

Hatake Kakashi brought Akihara Kagura with him.

Hatake Kakashi reported the mission's details to Sarutobi Hiruzen, among which the matters concerning Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono were the most important, requiring Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders to resolve.

"I understand."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, agreeing to take care of it.

Since Sarutobi Hiruzen already intended for Akihara Kagura to become a future pillar of Konoha, he naturally wouldn't allow this child's ties to fall into others' hands.

"Let them come back."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident about handling this matter himself: "I will command Danzo to no longer harm his fellow villagers without reason. Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono will be moved away from the Root and the Intelligence Department, allowing them to choose their own paths…"

"Yes, Third Hokage!"

Akihara Kagura immediately agreed on their behalf.

However, by the time Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono returned, they had already become spies planted in Konoha by Orochimaru.

"Akihara Kagura."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Akihara Kagura, taking the opportunity to teach: "Danzo's actions are extreme; do not become like him. He always tends to overthink things, worried that Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono might leak information. This is his mistake, and I will strip him of his control over the Intelligence Department."

This was a form of consolation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was worried that this might cause Akihara Kagura to harbor resentments.

"I can understand Lord Danzo's thoughts."

Akihara Kagura shook his head, seemingly understanding such matters: "Lord Danzo always believes that ninjas of the Root should not have ties, as they would become weaknesses. I once also tried to kill Yakushi Kabuto and Dean Yakushi Nono, to sever my own ties, but…"

"Danzo's thoughts are wrong."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately realized the folly of Shimura Danzo, looking at Akihara Kagura with a gentle and kind expression, saying, "Bonds are the most beautiful things in this world. It's because of bonds that we understand we are not alone in this world…"

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura bowed his head.

"Go arrange the matter with Karin."

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe and instructed with satisfaction, "Help the child find a place to live next to Naruto. I hope she gets along well with Naruto."

"Yes."

Akihara Kagura turned and left.

After Akihara Kagura left, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt himself relaxed and sighed, "Dealing with children with extreme views is really a problem..."

"..."

Hatake Kakashi strongly agreed with this.

Since Akihara Kagura became his subordinate, Hatake Kakashi found himself having more and more headaches, especially after Uchiha Itachi also joined.

Being a team leader is too difficult!

"Lord Hokage."

Hatake Kakashi hesitated and then looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, softly saying, "After the incidents involving Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, the relationship between Itachi and Kagura has almost become irreconcilable. Moreover, both of them have been secretly competing for the future leadership position of the Root..."

"I'll think about it..."

"Wait, what did you say..."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen was listening, he suddenly seemed to hear something strange and immediately stopped Hatake Kakashi's words. He looked at Hatake Kakashi somewhat oddly, "The Root... since when is it changing its leader?"

Danzo...

When is he going to retire?

How come I didn't know about this?

Why didn't anyone tell me about Danzo wanting to retire?

And with Danzo's character, would he really be willing to give up power and retire?

"..."

Hatake Kakashi looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in surprise.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was even more surprised than Hatake Kakashi.

"How did you come to know this news?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head somewhat helplessly, planning to ask Danzo about this matter later. The position of the future leader of the Root cannot be decided by Danzo alone.

Because the Root, as a distorted organization, exists solely because Danzo is his childhood friend and companion. It is absolutely unacceptable for others to continue controlling the Root, a nearly private armed force, like Danzo…

Hatake Kakashi felt something was amiss and took the initiative to ask, "Did Danzo recommend Itachi to join the Anbu for training because he wanted to cultivate a future leader for the Root?"

...

Sarutobi Hiruzen was suddenly at a loss for words.

The higher-ups in Konoha wanted to arrange for Uchiha Itachi to become a spy within the Uchiha clan, a matter that simply could not be discussed with any ordinary ninja...

But...

How did such a rumor spread?

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen felt he had no choice but to continue along the lines of the rumor, "Both Danzo and I are indeed getting old, and the future of Konoha must rest on the shoulders of the younger generation. Perhaps Danzo really does have the idea of cultivating a successor..."

"Yes..."

Hatake Kakashi slowly nodded, continuing, "Kagura has always believed that Danzo had chosen him, but Danzo ended up choosing Uchiha Itachi, so the conflict between the two has never stopped..."

"Mm, I understand..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaling a thick ring of smoke, "Don't worry, when Danzo returns, I'll discuss this matter with him…"

~~~

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