Chapter 7 Confidence

Konoha.

Hokage Office.

In the office located at the top floor of the building right under the great stone faces, sat on the seat a figure donning a white haori and white and red colored pointed hat on his head, on his back with red written "Third Hokage"

The figure looked to be in his mid-forties, jet black hair sticking out from the sides of his pointed hat, a black goatee.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, The Third Hokage.

On the table before him was placed an unsealed scroll, Hiruzen going through the contents of it with a serious face.

In the room aside from Hiruzen three more people were present as well, all around the same age as Hiruzen.

"It seems Hanzo has figured it out that he alone can't threaten Konoha."

Said Hiruzen after reading the whole content on the scroll, passing it towards the other three.

The man with jet black hair and with his forehead and right eye covered with bandages and "x" mark on his chin stepped forward to take the scroll, the other two taking a look as well.

"Orochimaru must have reached the sand battlefield by now, even with rain shinobi joining those three should be able to keep the situation under control!"

"Hn!"

Said Mitokado Homura while pushing up the glasses on his nose, Koharu next to him nodding agreeing with him.

"But what if Hanzo himself joins the battle and adding the Third Kazekage and Chiyo to the equation, it will be a miracle if even your students are able to come back alive let alone the rest of the army!"

But Danzo without hesitation poured water on the optimistic thoughts of Koharu and Homura.

Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest kazekage ever, Chiyo a master of puppetry, poisons and demi-god Hanzo, facing them together Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru would undoubtedly lose their lives.

"You're right, just in case we need to send more reinforcements; we can't afford to take risks"

Said Hiruzen, agreeing with the point brought out by Danzo.

"Then who are you sending?"

Asked Danzo with an eager look on his face, the desire to go there himself clearly noticeable.

To his question, Hiruzen gave Danzo a long look before leaning back on his seat, rubbing his goatee with a thoughtful expression.

"Now that we are sending reinforcements, I need complete assurance so I'll call back Sakumo watching over Kirigakure!"

"You!!"

His words fell along with Danzo's face, nearly yelling out loud, anger and humiliation clearly on his face.

What does Hiruzen's words mean indirectly? Simply Danzo is too weak to bring complete assurance to Hiruzen unlike Sakumo, whose strength Hiruzen acknowledges.

*Ha*

Taking a deep breath Danzo forced himself to calm down and thinking about something, spoke up.

"Sakumo is a good choice but don't forget Hiruzen if you keep giving him opportunities to shine he'll eventually outshine you!"

"The deed of injuring the Third Mizukage and forcing him back to Kirigakure is already quite loud, if he does something even more attention catching, you should prepare yourself for the golden handshake"

Finished Danzo his words with a grin on his face, looking forward to Hiruzen's angry response.

"And what's wrong with that?"

But the grin didn't last long, the response nearly making Danzo choke, truly out of words.

"No one doubts Sakumo's strength and love for the village Hiruzen, but to be a hokage a broad perspective and being able to make tough and ruthless decisions is necessary as well"

"His thinking is too one dimensional and acts more on emotion"

"Moreover, all though he was taught by our late friend Kagami but… it was still an Uchiha, he has too shallow understanding of the Uchiha, not every Uchiha is like Kagami!"

Koharu and Mitokado came forward to help Danzo when he was left speechless, coming up with well thought points to convince Sarutobi.

There words brought silence in the office, only the sound of Sarutobi inhaling the tobacco through the smoke pipe audible.

"Your concerns will only be worth considering if there is a village left in the first place; the most important thing for now is to balance the situation at sand front"

"But still I'm willing to give you a chance Danzo; try your best to prevent Hanzo from personally taking action at least till we deal with sand"

"If you fail, then I'll have no choice but to call Sakumo back, don't let me down Danzo!"

The words of Koharu and Homura seemed to have worked somewhat, temporarily able to stop Sakumo from participating in the sand war and giving Danzo a chance to shine.

"Hmph! You just wait for the good news!"

"Thup!"

Fireworks were going off in the heart of Danzo but on the surface he still pretended to be unfazed, leaving a haughty statement walking towards the door, though not before giving Koharu and Homura an acknowledging look.

20 chapters ahead on p@treon.com/Gojo6666.