The Light and The Shadow of Konoha

In another place in the village, inside the Hokage building, we find the Third Hokage sitting on a chair. Facing him on his desk, his observation ball shows Naruto's face, indicating that the Hokage had observed the entire interaction happening. Giving a satisfied smile, Hiruzen shuts off the ball, smoking while leaning on his chair, his eyes pensive.

Turning his gaze to the shadows in the room, his voice addresses someone invisible, "Did you watch enough?"

At this, the shadows start moving, and a man appears out of them. A cane in his hand, one arm and one eye in bondage, Danzo Shimura looks like your average veteran out of a war. 

Showing an impassive face, Danzo told Hiruzen that he should be the one telling him this. Now standing near the Third, his eye looking at the village, he informed Hiruzen that leaving Naruto to Kakashi is a waste of time.

"Leaving the fate of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to Kakashi is a gamble, Hiruzen. A luxury we can't afford," Danzo remarked, his tone carrying a sense of urgency.

Hiruzen, with a kind face and seemingly indifferent to Danzo's thoughts, countered by stating that Kakashi is an amazing shinobi, albeit a bit lazy. He expressed hope that assigning Naruto to Kakashi might serve as a wake-up call.

"Kakashi has his methods, Danzo. Perhaps Naruto will benefit from a different perspective," Hiruzen replied, maintaining his calm demeanor.

Danzo, giving a snort of disapproval, slammed his cane on the ground, telling Hiruzen that Naruto would be much better under stricter hands.

"Softness breeds weakness, Hiruzen. We need strength, discipline, not coddling," Danzo insisted, his one visible eye narrowing.

Hiruzen, his smile not fading, responded by saying that some people are better off in the sun, far from the shadows.

"Some shadows protect, Danzo, but not all need to dwell in darkness. Naruto may find his own path in the light," Hiruzen said, his gaze fixed on the pictures of the last hokage, the weight of leadership evident in his eyes.

Danzo, giving a hum, shifted the topic to Sasuke. He began detailing the talent of Uchiha Sasuke, describing how the darkness in his heart could align with the shadows of the leaf, potentially serving the village's interests. He referenced Itachi and Shisui, weaving a narrative of strategic advantage.

"Aside from Naruto, the Uchiha boy possesses a unique potential. His darkness could be harnessed for the village's benefit," Danzo asserted, his tone calculating.

Hiruzen's pipe hit the table, the room filling with a tense silence. Now with cold eyes, he warned Danzo to be careful about what he said next, emphasizing that Sasuke was off-limits. He reminded Danzo of his promise to Itachi, a promise that carried weight and moral obligation.

"Sasuke's fate is not to be manipulated by you. We have made enough sacrifices," Hiruzen declared sternly, his gaze unwavering.

Danzo, though acknowledging the rebuke, maintained a stoic expression.

Changing the subject,knowing it's better to not tease Danzo after refusing him so many time, Hiruzen asked Danzo if he was the one behind Mizuki's sudden confidence, to which Danzo told him that he was merely helping to clean the streets from the rats.Hiruzen, back to his smoking, only smiled and shifted the conversation to the cultists.

"What do you know about the cultists?" he inquired, curiosity etched on his weathered face.

Danzo, with a measured tone, informed him that they had been sighted frequently around the Kingdom of Yu, near the Fire Nation borders. He disclosed that the last group that attacked was a small unit of dissatisfied shinobi within the village in collaboration with the small cultist cell, baited with promises of power and immortality. Continuing, he ended by revealing that the cult had deep roots in the Hidden Mist, and that Kirigakure was currently in turmoil, engaged in a thorough cleanup against the Red Cult.

"The Red Cult has infiltrated the Mist deeply. Kirigakure is in chaos, dealing with internal strife and rooting out these fanatics," Danzo explained, his eye revealing a hint of ridicule.

Hiruzen, exhaling a puff of smoke, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. The shadows in the room seemed to absorb the weight of the information, foreshadowing challenges that extended beyond the village walls.

He also said that Itachi had been sighted around the Mist village years ago and that he may have a relationship with the disappearance of the Fourth Mizukage. Hiruzen, hearing him, didn't offer an immediate answer, lost in deep reflection. Taking a deep breath from his pipe, he told Danzo to keep an eye on the Red Cult movement. Danzo, just nodding, turned around, directing himself toward the exit.

As Danzo reached the door, he paused, his hand on the handle, and turned back to Hiruzen with a penetrating gaze. he told Hiruzen that he should rethink his decision about the young Uchiha "Hiruzen, don't underestimate the Uchiha. Their potential could be a great asset or a catastrophic liability. Choose wisely." 

Only to receive an ambiguous answer from the latter, Hiruzen, with a cryptic smile, told him to "Use more eye drops if he feels his eyes are going too dry," making Danzo freeze.

Danzo's stoic expression faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face as he processed the hidden meaning in Hiruzen's words. The door closed behind him, and the Hokage's office fell into silence, leaving the Third Hokage alone with his enigmatic thoughts.

As the door shut, Hiruzen's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. The room, filled with the aroma of pipe smoke, seemed to hold the weight of unspoken truths and the intricate dance of shadowy politics that defined the village's destiny. The subtle exchange between the two leaders hinted at a complex relationship, one built on the delicate balance of power and secrets that shaped the very foundations of the hidden village.

Hiruzen, this time, retrieved two folders from his desk, reading them for a moment before leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the picture of the Nidaime Hokage hanging on the wall. The soft glow of the office lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance that contrasted with the gravity of the decisions ahead. The room was filled with the steady rhythm of his pipe, releasing wisps of smoke into the air.

On his desk, the two folders lay open. One displayed a picture of Naruto, the young ninja whose fate had become intertwined with the village's turbulent future. The other showcased the shy face of Makoto Mori.

Hiruzen's eyes lingered on Makoto's face, a mixture of contemplation and concern in his weathered features. The silent room seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the choices that would shape the course of the village and the lives of those connected to its hidden threads.