Danzō left, satisfied, accompanied by the Shimura Clan Head. They left behind a deeply troubled Yuta Shimura, lying on his bed and staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind reeling.
His entire plan had just been incinerated.
His strategy was simple: lie low, develop his strength in secret, and rely on his unique advantage to reach the vaunted level of a Kage within a few years. By then, even if Danzō took an interest in him, he'd be strong enough to stand his ground.
If one of his life simulations yielded a truly golden opportunity, he might even be able to eliminate the old schemer altogether.
But Danzō's sudden, unexpected appearance had shattered that plan to pieces.
In the span of a single conversation, he had been transformed into Danzō's student.
'…Damn it.'
He let out a long, weary sigh.
The only consolation was that this version of Danzō wasn't yet the fully-fledged monster of the future. His life probably wouldn't be a living hell. Yet.
He tried to look on the bright side. Perhaps there were benefits to being the man's student.
'Well… on second thought.'
The benefits were so negligible they were practically non-existent.
He didn't need a teacher to grow stronger; his path was to become strong through the simulation's help.
On the contrary, the "Danzō's Student" title was a brand that would be incredibly difficult to remove later. The only way out was to become so overwhelmingly powerful that the association became meaningless.
Or… perhaps he could change the trajectory itself? Could he steer Danzō away from his dark and radical future?
The image flashed in his mind: the next in a line of hypothetical heroes—following a "Healthy Itachi," an "Informed Jiraiya," and a "Hokage Who Lived Minato"—Sunshine Danzō!
Honestly, while "Sunshine Danzō" might not have the raw power stats, his mechanics would be utterly broken! A benevolent Danzō could forge an S-tier, truly united Leaf Village.
Now that would be an overpowered reality.
But such a version of the man likely only existed in a parallel world where the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had pointed his finger and named him the Third Hokage instead of Hiruzen.
No. It was a futile fantasy.
'What's done is done. Dwelling on it is pointless. Time to… eat some food?'
'No.' He shook his head, clearing the frivolous thought. 'Time to train.'
Strength was the ultimate solution. With enough power, every problem became manageable.
—
As Yuta Shimura once again unrolled his father's ninjutsu scrolls and focused on his training, a conversation was unfolding on the streets of the Shimura compound.
"Lord Danzō," the Clan Head began, his curiosity getting the better of him. "If I may ask, why did you choose Yuta?"
Danzō, seeming uncharacteristically pleased, didn't immediately dismiss the question.
"The boy is six years old. Yet, his chakra reserves are already substantial, he can execute a C-Rank ninjutsu, and he detected my presence the instant I used the Body Flicker Jutsu to get in his house."
The Clan Head's eyes widened slightly as the pieces clicked into place. The cleanly severed tree in Yuta's yard—it was the work of a Wind Style Jutsu.
"It seems Hiroshi fathered an exceptional son," he murmured, a touch of pride in his voice.
Danzō offered no response, his silence neither agreement nor denial. Taking Yuta as a student had been an impulse, a fleeting interest. If the boy failed to meet his standards, he would be discarded without a second thought.
—
After a moment of silence, Danzō took his leave, his path taking him directly to the Hokage Tower.
He pushed open the door to the office to find the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, exactly as expected: leaning back in his chair, the familiar smoking pipe in hand.
Without a word, Danzō sat in the chair opposite him.
Hiruzen, for his part, showed no surprise. He took a long, slow puff from his pipe before breaking the silence.
"Danzō," he began, smoke curling from his lips. "I've decided. I will take Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade as my students. In them, I see the future of this village, just as our teacher once saw it in us."
He took another puff. "You should consider it, Danzō. Taking on students. This generation has several promising talents. It is… a worthwhile task."
Danzō's gaze, which had been fixed on the Hokage's cloak—the symbol of the title he so coveted—shifted to Hiruzen's face. He raised an eyebrow, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.
"I already have a student."
Hiruzen's pipe stilled. Had he heard correctly? He looked at his old friend, searching for any sign of jest. Finding none, a genuine look of interest crossed his features.
"Is that so? How unusual. Who is this student of yours?"
"Yuta Shimura."
"Yuta Shimura…" Hiruzen's brow furrowed in concentration before clearing. "Ah. Hiroshi's boy. What prompted this decision?"
Even from the same clan, Hiruzen knew Danzō was not one for mentoring. He didn't nurture; he used. For him to take a personal student, the boy must possess something truly special.
Danzō sidestepped the question, his smirk widening just a fraction. "Let us make a wager of it, Hiruzen. We shall see whose student proves more exceptional."
A bark of laughter escaped the Hokage. "I never thought I'd hear you say such a thing! Very well. But know this—I have every confidence in my students."
His mind conjured an image of Orochimaru—that pale, intense, and unnervingly brilliant boy. He was a once-in-a-generation talent.
Whatever latent gift Yuta Shimura possessed, it could not possibly surpass that.
Seeing Hiruzen's confident, almost paternal smile, Danzō felt no anger. Only a cold, sharp anticipation.
He had seen the Sannin-to-be. He acknowledged Orochimaru's prodigious talent.
But he trusted his own judgment more.
'Just you wait, Hiruzen,' he thought, the conviction settling deep within him. 'My student will surpass yours.'
'Yuta Shimura… do not disappoint me.'
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