The ANBU operative remained kneeling on the floor, utterly silent.
Without Hiruzen Sarutobi's command, he didn't even dare to rise.
A long sigh escaped Hiruzen's lips — a weary sound, burdened with too many emotions.
He had always known of Danzō's ambitions. The man had coveted the Hokage's seat for as long as they'd both drawn breath.
And yet, Hiruzen had rarely confronted him.
Because he understood something most didn't — that to maintain the image of a benevolent Hokage, he needed Danzō's shadow to quietly do the work no "good man" could afford to do.
Still… he had never imagined Danzō would die.
And certainly not now.
"Has Aoyama Ryuyun grown this powerful?"
His eyes narrowed, filled not only with anger — but with a fear he dared not voice.
At the site of Danzō's death, there had been no sign of destruction. The surrounding forest stood untouched, as if nature itself had refused to bear witness.
To Hiruzen, that spoke volumes.
He didn't know of Ryuyun's Float-Float Fruit ability — didn't know that Ryuyun could restore the terrain effortlessly.
He simply assumed the man had crushed Danzō without so much as scarring the earth.
That kind of power gap… was unimaginable.
If it had been him instead of Danzō—
He stopped himself.
The thought alone sent a chill down his spine.
He knew too well: he would not have survived.
"You may leave."
His tone was dull, resigned.
"Yes!"
The ANBU finally exhaled, vanishing in a blur.
The oppressive weight in the Hokage's office seemed to lighten with his departure — though only barely.
Danzō was gone.
A lifelong comrade, his sharpest blade in the dark…
Hiruzen's heart twisted with conflict he refused to name.
Still, duty called.
"Light."
A flash of gold illuminated the office. A masked ANBU appeared, cloaked in his own brilliance.
"Lord Hokage," the man greeted.
Seeing him, Hiruzen's expression softened slightly.
"Your Flying Thunder God Technique has improved quite a bit, Minato."
The Fourth's disciple stood tall — Minato Namikaze.
The boy was the pride of Jiraiya, and Hiruzen's own grand-disciple by extension.
Hiruzen had once believed Tobirama's space-time Ninjutsu was beyond replication. Yet Minato had done it — he had mastered the Second Hokage's legacy.
And for that reason, Hiruzen had placed great hopes in him.
Not only because Minato was gifted…
But because Minato was obedient.
"This is all thanks to your guidance, Hokage-sama."
The young man smiled earnestly, his golden hair catching the lamplight.
If not for Hiruzen allowing him limited access to the sealing techniques Tobirama left behind, Minato might never have refined the jutsu to this level.
"Hahaha! Minato, your talent truly shouldn't be hidden away."
Hiruzen's laughter was genuine, though his heart was not.
For the first time since Danzō's death, he felt a glimmer of reassurance.
Minato Namikaze — his loyal student — could become the perfect counterbalance to Aoyama Ryuyun.
So what if Ryuyun's strong?
The Flying Thunder God Technique is the pinnacle of space-time Ninjutsu. Let's see how he fares against that.
"Minato," Hiruzen said suddenly, the air around him sharpening, "I have a mission for you."
"Please instruct me, Hokage-sama!"
Minato's tone shifted instantly, all warmth replaced by disciplined focus.
"No matter what the task," he thought, I will complete it.
"Go and monitor Aoyama Ryuyun's every move," Hiruzen ordered quietly.
"If there's anything unusual… report it directly to me."
"Huh?"
Minato blinked in confusion.
"Monitor… Lord Ryuyun?"
He couldn't comprehend it.
To him, Aoyama Ryuyun was a hero — the man who had brought an end to the Second Shinobi War.
Why would the Hokage assign surveillance on him?
"Minato," Hiruzen replied evenly, "this is all for Konoha."
He didn't elaborate.
He didn't need to.
Minato's eyes softened.
"For Konoha… I understand."
That was all Hiruzen required — a loyal heart and a simple answer.
"Good."
As Minato vanished in a burst of gold, Hiruzen allowed a small smile to form.
Another useful piece on the board.
He exhaled, staring at the lingering traces of the teleportation formula.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique…" he muttered under his breath, his eyes distant.
He'd once dreamed of mastering it himself, years ago.
But no amount of intellect could compensate for his lack of aptitude in spatial manipulation.
Even Hokage have limits.
---
Elsewhere
"Brother Ryuyun!"
The moment Aoyama Ryuyun returned, Kurenai Yuhi ran to him without hesitation, eyes shining with unrestrained joy.
"It seems I've only been gone half a day," he chuckled, catching her as she threw herself forward.
Dealing with Danzō had taken barely any time — not even enough for the village to miss him.
"I just missed Brother Ryuyun!"
He laughed softly, ruffling her hair. "Alright, alright."
Tsunade approached a moment later — calm, composed, but unable to hide the worry in her eyes.
"I'm back," Ryuyun said simply.
She nodded. "Good."
That evening, after Kurenai had gone home, Ryuyun told Tsunade everything — about Danzō, about Hiruzen, and the weight now hanging over Konoha.
He didn't mention it to Kurenai. She was still too young — too pure to bear the truth of Konoha's darkness.
Let her stay that way, for now.
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