Chapter 54

This year's Chunin exam proceeded uneventfully. In the absence of the prodigious Uchiha Shisui, Kakashi stood as the lone individual to pass the exam and attain the rank of Chunin.

To honour Kakashi's successful promotion to Chunnin Minato treated him to a meal at a barbecue restaurant, the money he had left after Kushina took most of it away to eat ramen. Was enough to throw a party for the team.

The party, however, unfolded amidst a bleak atmosphere of awkward silence, contrary to the bright and sunny personality Minato was known for.

The table's occupants—Kakashi, Obito, and Asuma—remained reserved, their mutual dislike for each other strained the air. Even Minato's sunny spirit couldn't dispel the tension.

Months had passed since Minato became the jonin of the squad and yet the interpersonal dynamics remained unchanged—strained and distant. How could they work with each other without talking to each other?

As Minato celebrated Kakashi's achievement, Sarutobi Hiruzen paced restlessly within the Hokage's office, a splitting headache gnawing at his thoughts.

A Day prior, Danzo had brought a report of the First Hokage's cell experiment's failure, revealing that all subjects, Uchiha Shisui included, had died.

Uchiha Shisui was dead—a chilling realization that left Hiruzen breaking out in a cold sweat.

Simultaneously, he faced the implications of his earlier decision to assign Shisui to Orochimaru and Danzo for experimentation—an error in judgment of colossal proportions.

After countless years, the Uchiha clan had finally birthed a prodigy, only to see their hopes extinguished.

How could he possibly justify this to the Uchiha clan?

And what if this incident propelled them toward rebellion?

Admittedly, the Uchiha clan wasn't a clan to be underestimated. But he held the means to subdue them—the power of the entire Konoha rested under his control.

But what will happen after the rebellion?

If he admits the truth—that Danzo's human experimentation led to the demise of the Uchiha clan's prodigy—how will that affect his carefully cultivated image of the kind old man?

Such a claim could be disastrous to his reputation, erasing years of goodwill in an instant. It might even encourage the village's other shinobi clans and civilians to question his leadership.

The implications are too severe. He might even have to confront the Uchiha rebellion, followed by another.

While contemplating these ramifications, Danzo's calm voice sliced through his thoughts, "Hiruzen, maintain your composure."

Hiruzen, gritting his teeth, retorted, "Composure? And how should I manage that, Danzo? I explicitly stressed caution in these experiments—this isn't just about other subjects. Even the Uchiha clan... How am I to face them now, given what's happened?"

Danzo's tone remained composed as he articulated, "Why should we bother explaining to them? Altering the report should suffice."

Hiruzen's countenance underwent a sudden shift as he questioned, "What do you mean?"

Danzo, with two fingers raised in his left hand, calmly continued, "There are two options."

He elaborated, "We can announce that Uchiha Shisui fell during a mission, attacked by ninjas from the Sunagakure who aimed to obtain Sharingan's secrets, thus shifting Uchiha's animosity towards Suna."

The audacity of Danzo's approach left even Hiruzen momentarily speechless.

Blaming a village they had recently established a peace treaty with, only to sully its reputation in this manner?

Danzo's demeanour didn't waver as he continued, "Of course, this could work with blaming any other nations as well, though we'd choose the softest target. The Sunagakure is the least problematic among the Five Great Villages, a suitable scapegoat, don't you think?"

Hiruzen drew a deep breath, eventually regaining his composure to inquire, "And what's your second proposition?"

It was a measure he would only consider as a last resort—a path toward igniting a third Ninja War.

Danzo's lips curved in an almost imperceptible arc as he revealed his alternative plan, "Then, you'd need to implicate your student, Orochimaru."

He continued, "Claim it as his grievous blunder, labelling him as a traitor. The transfer of Uchiha's resentment toward him would be a natural outcome."

Hiruzen's astonishment was evident. "Why?"

Danzo, leaning back on the sofa, maintained his cool as he articulated, "After all, Orochimaru's relationship with you isn't exactly warm. When compared to a potential war with the Suna, I find this alternative more discreet, minimizing potential loss."

Hiruzen fell into prolonged silence, weighed down by contemplation.

Seeing his counterpart immersed in thought, Danzo rose from his seat and headed for the door, remarking before his departure, "The decision is yours. Let me know your choice when you've made it."

...

...

Left alone in his office, Sarutobi Hiruzen occupied his chair, deep in meditation.

Time passed unnoticed—the sun's ascent to its zenith, its gradual descent into the horizon, and finally, the emergence of the full moon.

Ultimately, Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his teeth, his voice tinged with reluctant resignation, "Anbu! Summon Orochimaru."

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