You Regret, I Shadow, Bang!

Konoha Village.

In the Hokage's office.

Standing guard outside the office door, Uchiha Itachi could faintly hear the commotion coming from within.

"Monkey! Whitebeard's actions have made his existence known throughout the entire ninja world."

Danzo Shimura's expression was grim as he slammed a bounty notice for Whitebeard on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

"A bounty of one billion ryo, almost equivalent to you, the Hokage of Konoha!" Danzo said. "Such a high bounty for Whitebeard will surely pique the curiosity of various ninja villages."

"Once they start investigating, it won't be long before they discover that Uzumaki Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Danzo continued, "In the village, Naruto's Jinchūriki identity can be concealed. If the Nine-Tails' power leaks out, it can be sealed promptly."

"But outside the village, if his Nine-Tails' power leaks out, even a blind man could see he's the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki!"

There was another reason, too: a casino owned by the Shimura clan in the Land of Fire had been robbed by Whitebeard!

Damn, Whitebeard... even demanded that the casino give him no less than seventy percent of its profits every year!

Danzo had been furious ever since he heard this news a while ago.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi leisurely smoked his pipe.

The entire office was filled with smoke.

The acrid smell of second-hand smoke made Danzo frown.

"Danzo, what do you intend to do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo.

"Assassinate Whitebeard!"

Danzo's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Whitebeard has formed an unbreakable bond with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He must die."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe on the table.

The table was covered with recent intelligence reports.

"Whitebeard single-handedly destroyed the entire Kusagakure. He also defeated me in the village," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "What makes you think you can assassinate him?"

Because you're old!

Because you're useless!

Because you should retire!

These thoughts flashed through Danzo's mind, but he didn't voice them. Instead, he said, "Kusagakure was destroyed because they were too weak. Even I could destroy Kusagakure in a single night."

"And don't forget, we are Konoha!" Danzo continued. "As long as you lend me one person, I guarantee I can take Whitebeard's head."

"Who?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked without agreeing.

Danzo uttered a name, "Uchiha Shisui."

"...Shisui." Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes.

"His eyes, you mean?"

After a long pause, he shook his head. "I feel this method is too extreme. This is not Konoha's way. Besides, Shisui is special. He is a unique Uchiha."

"I don't want him to be put in danger," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "This young man holds the future of both the Uchiha clan and the village."

Damn it!

Rejected again!

Danzo gritted his teeth. "Monkey, you're too indecisive. If the Jinchūriki falls under Whitebeard's influence, how will you answer to the Second Hokage? How will you face the First Hokage?"

"Danzo, my word is final."

Even sitting in a wheelchair, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke firmly. "Do not overstep your bounds and issue orders to Root."

"Monkey, every time I come to you with suggestions, you always reject and counter them!"

Danzo snapped, "All my suggestions are for Konoha's sake! If you keep being this indecisive, you will regret it!"

"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.

Bang!!!

Danzo didn't bother listening to the rest of Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

He turned and opened the door, slamming it shut so hard it nearly broke.

Danzo noticed Uchiha Itachi standing by the door as he exited the Hokage's office.

Even though Itachi was wearing an Anbu mask, Danzo recognized him.

Danzo was very interested in Uchiha Itachi.

He took a long, hard look at Itachi but said nothing before leaving the Hokage building.

Outside.

"I am the Hokage, I am the Hokage..."

The more Danzo thought about it, the angrier he became, his hands trembling. "Damn monkey, is that all you can say?"

In just the past few months,

Danzo had approached Hiruzen Sarutobi several times about various matters, including issues with the Uchiha clan, Whitebeard, and the Jinchūriki...

But without exception,

All he ever heard from Hiruzen was those five infuriating words, "I am the Hokage."

"Monkey, if you won't do it, I'll do it for you."

Danzo's eyes gleamed with malice.

He looked toward the Uchiha clan's district: "Uchiha... Shisui!"

...

Meanwhile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently watched Danzo's departing figure.

He continued to smoke his pipe.

Silent.

Until Danzo's figure completely disappeared.

The smoke from the pipe covered half of Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

The visible half showed worry; the half covered in smoke bore a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.

After all, some things were not suitable for him as Hokage to handle.

Not even to mention.

...

Land of Fire.

A remote small town.

A newly rebuilt casino looked shabby, more like a hastily constructed wooden shed than a proper one.

"Cheating! You guys must be cheating!" Tsunade, who had lost almost all the money she had won from Whitebeard in less than half a month, was furious.

Her furious demeanor made the casino's manager sweat profusely.

Because, not long ago...

This casino had been raided by Whitebeard.

That day had thoroughly taught everyone in the casino that when someone wants to break the rules...

They couldn't stop it.

"Tsunade-sama..." the casino's temporary manager, not from the Shimura clan since the original one was still in the hospital, spoke humbly.

"You are welcome to inspect our facilities. If you find any cheating, we will compensate you double." The manager was very polite.

"Hmph!" Tsunade didn't continue with her accusation.

She had just been venting her anger.

"I refuse to believe it! Today, with my last 20 ryo, I will win everything back from this casino!" Just as Tsunade was about to pull out her last bill, Shizune rushed in.

Holding Tonton, Shizune hurried over to Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama! Something big has happened!!"

"Hmm?" Tsunade was taken aback.

Before she could say anything, Shizune leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock.

"What?!"

...

...