"Born evil, you cunning brat!"
Danzo's voice rang out, and Hoshita Shūichi, startled like a rabbit, instantly leaped behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen's eyes gleamed—impressive speed, but more importantly, his reflexes were exceptional.
Could he have talent like Minato's? Hiruzen wondered silently.
Meanwhile, Danzo glared at Shūichi with a darkened expression. "Hiruzen, this boy is trying to drive a wedge between us! I suspect he's being influenced by forces outside the village!"
Shūichi quickly retorted, "Lord Danzo, can you deny that you threatened me? You've had Root operatives monitoring me for a long time, haven't you? The only reason you approached me now is because school is about to start. You feared I'd shine and catch the Third Hokage's attention, so you tried to recruit me into Root before he could learn about me."
"As the Hokage's advisor and subordinate, your actions amount to deceiving Lord Third—betrayal! Using fellow villagers to threaten me is a violation of the Will of Fire!"
Danzo coldly replied, "All of this is for the village. Some sacrifices are necessary."
Shūichi fired back, "Then why aren't you the one sacrificing? Why target a mere academy student, an orphan from the nursery, or the kind and gentle Director Yakushi Nonō? As the Hokage's advisor, inheritor of the Second Hokage's Will of Fire, shouldn't you be the one shielding the younger generation, protecting Konoha's future?"
Danzo's face twisted in fury. Shūichi's words struck a nerve, reminding him of his defeat to Hiruzen in the race for Hokage. The verbal assault left him speechless, and his killing intent surged uncontrollably.
Nearby, Tsunade watched with delight. Shūichi's tirade was cathartic, echoing her own sentiments perfectly.
Hiruzen, however, narrowed his eyes at Danzo's murderous aura and barked, "Danzo!"
Snapping out of it, Danzo reined in his killing intent. Hiruzen turned to Shūichi with a gentle tone. "Shūichi, don't worry. I'll handle this."
He then addressed Tsunade, "Tsunade, take Shūichi and leave for now."
Reluctant to miss the drama, Tsunade hesitated but knew better than to push her luck. She grabbed Shūichi's hand to leave, only for him to scratch her palm subtly. When she shot him a questioning look, he mouthed silently, "Director..."
Remembering, Tsunade halted and called over her shoulder, "Oh, old man, Yakushi Nonō is an excellent medical ninja. Wasting her as a spy is a shame. Besides, I might leave the village soon." Her voice grew somber at the end.
Hiruzen sighed and nodded. "I'll transfer her to Konoha Hospital."
Tsunade gave a satisfied hum and led Shūichi away.
Once they were gone, Danzo immediately protested, "Hiruzen, Yakushi Nonō has exceptional intelligence-gathering skills—"
Hiruzen cut him off. "I've already promised Tsunade. The matter is settled."
Danzo gritted his teeth but pressed on, "That boy possesses alarming maturity and intellect. Without proper control and training, he'll become a threat to Konoha. Root is the best place for him. Hand him over, and I'll forge him into a blade rivaling the White Fang of the Leaf!"
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe. "Shūichi is better suited for the Anbu."
More than talent, Hiruzen valued the boy's grasp of the Will of Fire. Konoha didn't need another mindless weapon—it needed successors who could uphold its ideals and protect the village.
Perhaps Tsunade could mentor him... It might even convince her to stay.
Aloud, he added, "Danzo, submit Shūichi's dossier to me tomorrow."
Danzo's frustration boiled over. "Hiruzen, that boy must be restrained. His thinking is dangerous!"
"Precisely why he needs proper guidance," Hiruzen countered.
"I am the Hokage!"
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzo stormed out, robes flaring.
Silence settled over the office. As Hiruzen smoked, Shūichi's words replayed in his mind—each one undeniably true. He was well aware of Danzo's ambitions, after all.
After a long pause, Hiruzen suddenly ordered, "Shinnosuke, summon Orochimaru. I'll see him tomorrow."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Later, at a diner...
Shūichi, Tsunade, and Shizune shared a late-night meal.
Having enjoyed the spectacle, Tsunade ate heartily, while Shizune fretted. "Lady Tsunade, Shūichi just made an enemy of Lord Danzo. Won't this cause trouble later?"
Tsunade glanced at Shūichi. "That's up to him now."
Shūichi grinned. "Don't worry, Shizune. I'm a genius!"
Tsunade snorted. "Dead geniuses don't count." Her mood darkened, memories of her brother Nawaki—another "genius"—flashing through her mind. How many of Konoha's prodigies had died too soon?
She downed a cup of sake and warned, "Kid, overconfidence kills. Even jonin can't afford carelessness on the battlefield."
Shūichi nodded earnestly. "Thank you for the advice, Lady Tsunade. I'll be careful."
Back at home...
Shūichi lounged on his sofa, reflecting. Danzo's threat was neutralized—for now.
But until the old schemer was dead, the problem wasn't truly solved. If Danzo didn't come for him, he'd hunt Danzo down.
"Guess I'll have to revise my plans..."
Originally, he hadn't intended to graduate early from the academy. But his summer training results had planted the idea, and now, he was determined to accelerate it. The academy couldn't fuel his growth anymore—not with the Skill Tree waiting.
His focus shifted to the Skill Tree's dormant branches:
[Fire Release Mastery], [Clone Mastery], [Substitution Mastery], [Taijutsu Mastery], [Tool Mastery], [Medical Mastery], [Seal Mastery].
Each was tantalizing, but unlocking them required significant effort. For instance:
Skill: Clone Mastery
Unlock Condition: Master at least five distinct clone techniques.
Effect: +100% mental energy; ability to perform clones effortlessly, without hand signs.
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