Era of Betrayal

As Itari continued to track Danzo's footsteps, he was halted in his tracks. Up ahead, he saw Danzo leaning back against a tree, panting for breath whilst looking up into the sky.

"What's he doing?" Itari asked himself. He, too, looked into the sky in order to spot what Danzo was staring at. He could see nothing. As he focused his gaze back on Danzo, Danzo had returned to making his journey again.

Itari, having previously learned that Izuna Uchiha was an excellent tracker, made it his objective to be the same. He was told that Izuna's upbringing, being exposed to war, drove him to learn the art of tracking. This was to make sure that enemies could never escape him; even if they tried to ambush the Uchiha, he would be able to track them back to their hideout.

As Danzo arrived at Hiruzen's abode, Itari decided to send a shadow clone to listen in on their conversation; in case he was caught.

"What do you want, Danzo?" Hiruzen sternly asked.

"Why are you so uptight? Has the role of Hokage become too stressful for you already?" Danzo sarcastically responded.

"Stop with your games. You've lost your senses, Danzo. What's happened to you?"

"I am doing, and always have done, what's best for the village."

"Well I'm sorry to tell you this, but you've made things worse. Your antics stop now."

"Why have you changed your mind, Hiruzen? You agreed with everything I told you before. You're the one who has changed."

"I agreed with the fact that the Senju rule was the reason for unrest among other clans. But... I was a fool to let you convince me in doing everything else."

"I want this to be a great era in our history!"

"History?! You were the mastermind behind the murder of both Lord Second and Kagami Uchiha. You're responsible for the death of an Uchiha who would have gone on to become a leader for his people, and for the death of a Hokage who has progressed this village by indescribable measures. How's that for being a part of history?"

Danzo looked at Hiruzen in shock. It was rare to see such an outburst. Both breathed rapidly. Danzo, due to nerves, Hiruzen, due to his fury.

"Danzo... this has to stop. You're turning this into an era of betrayal. As the Hokage, I will not let this happen, especially under my rule."

"Then stop me."

"What?"

"Stop me, Lord Third."

Hiruzen, eyes filled with uncontrollable rage, stepped forward.

"Are you forgetting what I have, Hiruzen?" Danzo hastily asked.

"I promised Kagami... that I'd take it off you." Hiruzen asked as he paused his movement.

"With this eye in my possession, we are on equal footing. Trying to take it whilst I am fully aware is ridiculous, and you know it. If you try to kill me now, I will not hold back. If you die... I will take reign as the Hokage. Are you willing to take that risk?"

"The only reason... I am allowing you to live... is because Lord Second didn't want either of us killed."

"I did not come here, Hiruzen, to talk about this nonsense. I have come to let you know, that I will be passing acts and orders through you as the Hokage."

"What?! Are you out of your mind?"

"You can't stop me, Hiruzen. As I said, you'll need to do that behind my back. If at any point, you reject something I want you to pass, I will have clans exterminated. Starting with the --"

Before Danzo could finish his sentence, he remembered what Sasuke Sarutobi had told him. He wanted to say that he would start with the Uchiha.

"-- with the Senju."

"Danzo... Where's the real Danzo?"

"Don't try and be philosophical with me. Hiruzen, it isn't just the eye is it, that's stopping you from killing me?"

"I couldn't care about you having the eye, even though Kagami warned me about how it will benefit you. I know that you have others that are in agreement with what you're doing. If you die, I don't know what they'll do. I cannot risk innocent people being killed over a lunatic like you."

"So it's settled then." Danzo replied, his smile stretching from earlobe to earlobe.

Itari got rid of his clone. He sat for a while, in shock.

"He's made Hiruzen his puppet. No... this is not good news. He could pass laws against the Uchiha."

Whilst Itari started making his way back home, Danzo left Hiruzen's house. Having stepped outside, he saw Torifu and Homura.

Torifu and Homura stayed stuck to the spot, whilst Danzo strolled past with a smirk on his face.

Torifu and Homura entered Hiruzen's house.

"What did he want?" Torifu asked, concerned.

"Nothing, Torifu. Just... empty threats, that's all. Nothing but sky and clouds." Hiruzen responded, forcing a smile on his face.

"Are you sure? Homura and I are here to support you."

"I know. Well, you can start helping me later today. I need to have the Senju relocated."