3. The situation at the village

A crow arrived in the Hokage Office, pecking at the window.

Hiruzen has been distressed after loosing communication with the main camp in Iwa, so as soon as he saw Kei's crow, he let it in and the crow spat a scroll, and fled away towards the Uchiha clan.

Since the crow arrived directly at the Hokage Office and not the border camp, it was definitely a serious matter.

He unfurled the scroll, and sighed.

"Onoki directly attacked the camp. I have barely managed to escape after he turned my arm and legs to dust. Survivors: Unknown.

I am retiring. Please prepare the compensation for the assassination attempt, and the loss due to someone obviously leaking our location. If I was properly rewarded for my war efforts and given Flying Thunder God, not only I wouldn't have lost my limbs and turned cripple, but I could have saved many heroes.

And I hope you won't share my survival to the whole world, especially your 'friend' Danzo. He might become so happy that he might send another Aburame or Yamanaka to finish the job that Onoki couldn't."

Hiruzen sighed as he read it, and the scroll disintegrated by itself.

Just then, Danzo barged in.

"Hiruzen! Did any news arrive from that camp!? I saw a crow flying in."

Danzo was grumpy. Kei Uchiha is a threat. His last assassination attempt failed. Not only she killed Onoki's son, but his elite Aburame ROOT was 'killed in crossfire'.

Recognising that she has gained the strength to become the next Hokage, he decided to sacrifice the whole main camp.

Afterall, she is very good at escaping. And her guard would be the lowest in the camp itself.

He had to play both Iwa and Kumo that both are about to betray their alliance, and somehow managed to make a deal with Onoki.

But after informed by his ROOT that a crow entered Hokage Office, Danzo seethed.

Useless Onoki! He calls himself a Kage and can't even kill a brat!?

Hiruzen decided to ignore the wishes of a now retired kunoichi, and spilled the beans.

"Onoki attacked the main camp. Someone leaked the location. His main target was Kei. She somehow managed to escape, but lost her limbs. She won't be able to handle Iwa anymore.

So Danzo, take your ROOTs and immediately head to the Iwa battlefield. Minato and Jiraiya are overwhelmed against Kumo, and Orochimaru can't leave the Suna battlefield."

Danzo was satisfied with this outcome.

Even if Kei survived, after loosing her limbs, she won't be able to compete for the Hokage seat. And her frightening learning speed means that her Sharingan is powerful. He will take her eyes and use them for the greater good.

But, heading to Iwa battlefield is dangerous. That Onoki might turn against him and kill him. Dust Release is too formidable.

"Hiruzen, I am crippled-"

"I heard that you have been meeting with Hanzo in secret. Dust Release can be countered by dodging. Hanzo's poison can't, without Tsunade.

I believe you are more than capable."

Danzo frowned. His most powerful ROOT was killed by Kei by him getting caught in crossfire.

And there is no powerful enough ninja to protect him if he goes in person.

Hyuga Hizashi is likely killed by Onoki. And Hiashi won't step on dangerous battlefield because he is from the main family.

"Let Orochimaru come with me-"

"No. Orochimaru can't leave the Suna battlefield."

"Shikaku-"

"Ino-Shika-Cho also can't leave the Kumo battlefield."

"You are the Hokage. A Kage should go against another Kage."

"Danzo, you are my friend and rival. I consider you to be have strength equal to me. Afterall, you were just a hand-raise late than becoming the Hokage, right?"

Danzo gritted his teeth, and said,

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage."

"Fine! I will go!"

Danzo grumbled and left the office, shutting the door behind him with force.

Hiruzen sighed in relief and slumped down on his chair, looking at the Uchiha clan compound in the center of the village.

Senju clan has disappeared. Many died in the First Ninja War, many died in hopes of awakening Wood Release by transplantation of Hashirama cells, and the the remaining ones slowly left the compound and mingled with the village, abandoning the Senju name in fear of getting targeted.

Nawaki died in Second Ninja War. Tsunade developed haemophobia and left the village, and Kushina now lives with Minato. Moreover, Tsunade has gambled away all the assets of the Senju clan.

Right now, Uchiha clan is undoubtedly the strongest clan. Gaining much more strength since they had to be deployed in war and gained Sharingan because of it. Thankfully, the comerades that died for awakening their Sharingan were mostly Uchihas as well.

While Fugaku has been handling Kiri well enough, he can't compare to Minato. But Kei's reputation had been very strong.

Afterall, because of her vapourising the Iwa camps underground, the casualties on the Iwa battlefield was the least. And she had developed good friendship with Hizashi who helped her in finding Iwa camps.

While Minato has been holding against the Third Raikage and the A-Bee combo with Jiraiya, he hadn't been able to kill anyone major, aside from a thousand Kumo troops that made Raikage to come to the battlefield.

And Kei has actually killed Onoki's son. And the news is that Han has left Iwa, which Uchiha clan will surely boast that he got scared of Kei.

And she had stormed into the Aburame clan and handed over the body of the traitor who led her into the trap that Onoki's son had placed, and demanded huge compensation from the Aburame clan after the war ends.

Shibi threw Danzo under the bus, telling her that the Aburame was Danzo's subordinate.

And rumours have spread about Danzo targeting her, which was no doubt spread by her.

'Sigh... she doesn't care that it is war-time, causing internal conflict...'

Uchiha clan has already been enraged about their next Hokage candidate aside from Fugaku being targeted, and once they know that she has lost her limbs, rumours will surely spread that Danzo betrayed the village and colluded with Onoki.

That's why, he sent Danzo away from the village.

Well, since the main camp is most likely wiped out by Onoki, and it will take time before Kei arrives...

'Kei abandoned the camp...'

That will be enough to suppress the rumours against Danzo. Afterall, her own teammates also died one after another, and only she survived.

Compared to Kei who can't fight anymore, Danzo is more important for the village.

Hiruzen sighed and looked at the portrait of the First Hokage.

If he was as strong as First Hokage, he wouldn't have to sacrifice some people of the village for maintaining stability of the village.

Well, he have also punished Danzo by sending him to Iwa battlefield, and negotiate with Onoki.

Hiruzen could only let out a tired sigh.

He has decided, after the war ends, he will retire for all the lives that were lost because of him being not as strong as First, or even Second Hokage.

Still...

"Kitsune, tell Tsunade to come back to the village, even for two-three weeks."

The most he can do for Kei is to have Tsunade treat her of possible infections.