Chapter:18

After leaving the training ground, Kurenai Yuhi headed straight for the Hokage's office in Konoha.

"Hokage-sama," she said upon entering.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, putting down his pipe, asked gently, "You're back, Kurenai. How is Kirito? Is everything alright?"

"I lost," Kurenai admitted plainly.

"Oh?" Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his eyebrows, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

According to the reports, Kirito showed promise, but he wasn't expected to be strong enough to defeat Kurenai. Could it be that the boy had been hiding his true capabilities?

"Tell me everything that happened," Hiruzen requested, his expression calm but curious. He liked geniuses but was wary of those he couldn't control.

Kurenai then recounted the battle between her and Kirito in detail, though she omitted the parts where Kirito had teased her.

"I see. It seems you were indeed a bit careless," Hiruzen commented.

Upon learning that Kirito had used basic knowledge from the ninja school to break Kurenai's genjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen's concern eased. A young ninja with talent but no special bloodline was nothing to worry about in the grand scheme.

"A genius, but without a kekkei genkai, Kirito could only become someone like Kakashi—helpful to the village, but not a major threat," the Hokage thought, calming himself.

"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I let you down," Kurenai apologized.

"Don't worry. Just be careful next time. Don't underestimate anyone, Kurenai. I think that boy has a natural talent for genjutsu. Teach him more about it in the future," Hiruzen said, offering advice. He then added with a thoughtful tone, "This boy's life has been hard... He's much like you."

Kurenai was taken aback. "Like me?"

Hiruzen nodded. "His parents died during the Nine-Tails' attack, sacrificing themselves for the village. He's been alone ever since, much like how you lost your father, Yuhi Shinku, during the same disaster."

Hearing this brought a rush of painful memories to Kurenai's mind, as she recalled her father's selfless act to protect the village from the Nine-Tails. It struck her heart deeply.

"I understand, Lord Hokage," Kurenai responded, bowing before leaving the office.

As she walked away, Kurenai placed her hand on her chest, feeling the familiar ache of loss. She knew firsthand how difficult it was to lose one's parents. Kirito had been even younger than she was when it happened to him.

As she reflected on the battle, she realized she might have overestimated Kirito. His physical abilities were impressive, but the techniques he used were nothing more than basic ninja school skills like the Substitution Jutsu. Her loss could be attributed to her not taking the fight seriously enough.

Still, Kurenai felt embarrassed as she remembered how Kirito had teased her during the fight, even daring to confess to her in front of her students. Her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment. "Next time, I'll teach that brat a lesson," she swore to herself.

Just after Kurenai left, an Anbu ninja entered the Hokage's office.

"Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama is here," the Anbu reported.

"Let him in," Hiruzen said, though his tone revealed a hint of frustration.

"He's waiting in the conference room, Hokage-sama. Danzo-sama said it's inconvenient for him to come to your office," the Anbu added nervously.

"I see," Hiruzen replied, his displeasure evident. He had asked Danzo to come days ago, yet the man had delayed until now. Still, Sarutobi Hiruzen forced himself to remain calm, maintaining the gentle and approachable demeanor expected of him.

In the enclosed conference room, Hiruzen met with Danzo, who now wore a prosthetic on his left arm.

"Hiruzen, you're here," Danzo greeted him.

"Danzo, look at what you've done!" Sarutobi snapped, not hiding his frustration.

"You already know?" Danzo's expression shifted slightly. Could Hiruzen already be aware of his failed attempt to seize the Sharingan?

"You've gone too far this time," Sarutobi continued, accusingly.

Danzo sneered. "Too far? Everything I do is for the sake of the village. Ninjas exist to make sacrifices. Sacrificing someone like Uchiha Shisui is a small price to pay for Konoha's safety."

Danzo's words were resolute as he sat down, maintaining eye contact with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I know what you're thinking. That Shisui was a great ninja, carrying the will of fire, just like his mentor Kagami. But have you considered the danger if he had turned on us? If Shisui had controlled you or me with his Sharingan, the Uchiha could have staged a coup. Konoha would be destroyed."

Danzo stood up, his voice rising as he declared his belief in the necessity of his actions. He saw the Uchiha as a ticking time bomb, one that had to be defused before it was too late.

"And that's why you took his eyes?" Hiruzen asked, trying to gauge the full extent of Danzo's intentions.

Danzo, however, was caught off guard. "What are you talking about? I never got Shisui's eyes."

He rolled up his sleeve, revealing his prosthetic arm, and explained how his plan to steal the Sharingan had failed and how he had lost his arm in the process.

"You're serious?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone shifted, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Do you think I would sacrifice my arm just to lie to you?" Danzo snapped back, his frustration evident.

Though Hiruzen didn't like Danzo's methods, he knew the man wasn't lying. Danzo, for all his faults, was terrified of dying. He wouldn't give up a limb lightly, even in pursuit of his misguided ideals.

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained quiet, contemplating the implications of Danzo's failure and what it meant for Konoha's future.

(End of the Chapter).