Hokage And Danzo’s Love Quarrel

On the other side, after leaving the training ground, Kurenai Yuhi immediately headed to the Hokage's office. "Lord Hokage."

"So, it's you, Kurenai. How did it go? How is Aizen doing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and asked with a gentle expression.

"I lost," Kurenai admitted frankly.

"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

According to the information he had, Aizen was talented but not at the level to defeat Kurenai.

Could Aizen have been hiding something?

Thinking this, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, betraying no emotion.

"Tell me exactly what happened." While he liked geniuses, he did not appreciate those beyond his control.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kurenai proceeded to explain the details of her battle with Aizen.

She deliberately left out the part where Aizen had teased her.

"I see. It sounds like you were a bit careless, Kurenai."

Hiruzen quickly relaxed upon learning that Aizen had used knowledge from the academy to break through Kurenai's genjutsu and won because she underestimated him.

That made sense!

Without a bloodline limit, even a genius would at most be another Kakashi. Someone who could help the Hokage but never pose a real threat, unlike the Uchiha clan. There was no need to worry.

"My apologies, Lord Hokage, for disappointing you," Kurenai said, embarrassed.

"Just be more careful next time. Always remember not to underestimate anyone. I believe that kid has potential in genjutsu, so you should teach him more in that area."

Hiruzen tapped his pipe, speaking thoughtfully, "The child has a sad background, much like yours."

"He is like me?" Kurenai was taken aback, suddenly recalling how her father, Shinku Yuhi, had bravely charged at the Nine-Tails six years ago to protect the village, meeting his death with no hesitation. A wave of sorrow welled up in her heart.

Hiruzen nodded, "Both his parents died during the Nine-Tails' attack while defending the village. So help him grow as soon as possible."

"I understand, Lord Hokage." Kurenai responded respectfully and left the office, placing her hand over her heart, feeling a complex emotion.

Kindred spirits. No one understood the pain of watching one's parents march to their death more than she did.

At that time, she had been a teenager, but Aizen had only been five or six.

As she recalled their battle, Kurenai suddenly realized that she might have overthought things.

That little brat, Aizen, while skilled in taijutsu, only knew basic techniques like the substitution jutsu.

The only reason he beat her was that she hadn't taken the fight seriously from the start.

But that brat had certainly been annoying, even daring to confess to her in front of everyone, kiss her hand, and tease her repeatedly.

As she thought about this, Kurenai's face flushed red. Feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, she secretly swore to herself that next time, she would make that brat pay.

Just as Kurenai left, an ANBU member entered the office.

"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo is here," the kneeling ANBU ninja reported respectfully.

"Let him in," Hiruzen said, his brow furrowing slightly.

Several days ago, he had already summoned Danzo.

But Danzo delayed until now, clearly showing his disregard for Hiruzen's authority.

"Lord Hokage... Lord Danzo says he's not able to meet you and is waiting in the conference room," the ANBU ninja said nervously.

"I see."

Although Hiruzen was displeased with Danzo, he maintained his calm demeanor, mindful of his gentle image among his subordinates, and made his way to the sealed conference room.

"You're here, Hiruzen." Danzo greeted him. His left hand had already been replaced with a prosthetic, with no visible signs of injury.

"Hmph," Hiruzen grumbled, flicking his sleeve as he sat down. "Danzo, look at the mess you've caused!"

"You know about it already?" Danzo raised an eyebrow. Could his failed attempt to manipulate the situation have been exposed?

"You've gone too far this time," Hiruzen scolded without waiting for a response.

"Too far?" Danzo sneered coldly. "How so? Everything I did was for the village."

"Ninjas are meant to sacrifice themselves."

"Sacrificing a mere Uchiha Shisui for the village is nothing."

Danzo sat across from Hiruzen, locking eyes with him without backing down.

"I know what you're going to say—that Shisui inherited Kagami's will, that he's a fine ninja embodying the Will of Fire."

"But have you considered the possibility that if he harbored ill intentions, controlled you and me, and instigated a Uchiha coup, the village would be doomed?"

"The legacy of the First Hokage would be destroyed."

"As the root of the village, it's my duty to prevent that. I cannot shirk that responsibility."

Danzo's voice was firm, and by the end, he was standing up, visibly agitated.

He truly believed that the power of the Uchiha clan needed to be checked, or even eliminated, to prevent a potential threat to the village.

Had it not been for this belief, he would not have lost his left arm. Now, he was like someone cursed—any attempt to attach a new arm would cause it to wither.

He could only use a prosthetic.

"And that justifies stealing his eyes?"

Danzo's explanation didn't surprise Hiruzen.

In fact, this was the result Hiruzen had anticipated.

However, he still needed to reprimand Danzo.

Otherwise, Danzo might one day become too powerful to control, continually overstepping his bounds.

But when Hiruzen confronted him, Danzo was momentarily stunned. "You don't know?"

"Know what?" Hiruzen asked, frowning.

"I never got Shisui's eyes," Danzo said, lifting his sleeve to show his prosthetic arm. He explained how his attempt to seize Shisui's Sharingan had been interrupted.

He even shared the difficulties he was having with transplanting a new arm.

"Are you telling the truth?" Hiruzen's face grew serious.

"Do you think I would lie to you about something that cost me my arm?" Danzo snapped.

Hiruzen didn't argue.

It was true that, despite constantly preaching about self-sacrifice, Danzo had never truly been willing to sacrifice himself.

Danzo was, in fact, more afraid of death than Hiruzen was.

At least when the village was on the brink of destruction, Hiruzen was willing to sacrifice himself.

That was the fundamental difference between the two of them.

Otherwise, Hiruzen wouldn't have been chosen by the Second Hokage to inherit the position of Hokage.