Morning light filtered through the Hokage Tower, but the atmosphere inside was anything but peaceful. The Elders' Council Chamber—normally used for high-level village affairs—was now sealed tight by ANBU guards. Not even the secretaries dared to approach.
Inside, three of Konoha's highest authorities were present: Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, his lifelong advisors. And across the table— Shimura Danzo, sitting calmly with his cane resting at his side.
But there was no warmth between them today. Only tension. And accusation.
Hiruzen set down the official ANBU report with deliberate care. His voice, when he spoke, was quiet—but the tone beneath it was colder than steel. "Ten Root operatives attacked Uzumaki Naruto last night. Six severely injured, four unconscious. All without authorization from the Hokage's office. "
Danzo didn't flinch. He met Hiruzen's gaze evenly, his face unreadable. "I acted in the interest of the village. "
"The interest of the village? " Hiruzen's hand struck the table suddenly—the sharp crack echoed through the chamber. "Don't twist your treachery into patriotism! "
The old man's voice shook the air, his calm mask breaking for the first time in years. "Danzo, you defied direct orders! You attempted to abduct the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki! "
Koharu flinched slightly at his outburst. "Lord Hokage, please—this isn't the place to—" But Hiruzen cut her off. "This is exactly the place! We are the council of Konoha, are we not? Then let the truth be spoken here! "
Danzo's expression remained calm, but his voice dripped with quiet defiance. "The truth, " he said slowly, "is that Uzumaki Naruto is a growing threat. He possesses Storm Release—a fusion of Wind and Lightning. A child with power equal to the Sannin, and he's only seven. "
He leaned forward, his single eye gleaming like a blade. "Tell me, Hiruzen—how long before he loses control? Before the Nine-Tails' chakra overwhelms him? "
Hiruzen glared back. "Enough! You use fear as a weapon because you have nothing else left. "
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Then, more quietly, he said, "Danzo, your paranoia has already cost too many lives. Your Root organization was disbanded after the Third War. You had no authority to act. None. "
Danzo's lips curved slightly. "Authority? You speak of rules, Hiruzen, while hiding behind children to protect this village. "
The silence that followed was suffocating. Koharu and Homura exchanged uneasy glances. For all their loyalty to Hiruzen, they knew Danzo was not entirely wrong. Naruto's power was dangerous.
Danzo continued, his tone measured but cutting. "You coddle that boy because of sentimentality. Because he's the son of your beloved student. But sentiment has no place in leadership. "
He slammed his cane onto the floor. "The village must be secured through control—through discipline! Not hope. "
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed sharply. "And you would achieve that control through fear and blood. "
He turned to the ANBU captain standing by the door. "Bring it in. "
The door opened, and two masked ANBU entered, carrying sealed scrolls. They set them on the table and withdrew silently.
Hiruzen unrolled one, revealing lines of signatures and reports. "Your 'disbanded' Root organization, " he said coldly, "has conducted at least seventeen illegal missions in the last six months. Abductions, assassinations, forced recruitments. All under your personal seal. "
He tossed another scroll onto the table. "This one details your collaboration with underground intelligence networks in the Land of Fire. Espionage against our own allies. "
Koharu inhaled sharply. "Danzo… is this true? "
Danzo didn't answer. He didn't need to. His silence said enough.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his fury now hidden beneath a heavy calm. "Danzo Shimura, " he said, "you stand accused of treason against Konoha. You've violated the Hokage's decree, endangered the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, and used forbidden Root operations within our own borders. "
He straightened. "By the power vested in me as the Third Hokage, I hereby—"
Danzo's voice cut through sharply. "Don't delude yourself, Hiruzen. "
He rose to his feet, the sound of his cane echoing ominously through the chamber. "You can't erase me. You need me. "
Hiruzen froze, eyes narrowing. Danzo's tone grew softer, almost pitying. "You think your precious ANBU can handle the darkness? You think your council can survive without my network of spies? If I fall, half of Konoha's intelligence structure collapses. "
He took a slow step forward. "And when our enemies come—and they will come— your sunlight won't be enough. "
The two men stared at each other across the table—one representing Konoha's light, the other its shadow.
Finally, Hiruzen turned away, his voice weary. "You've always mistaken darkness for strength, Danzo. You think sacrifice means cruelty. But true strength… is restraint. "
He faced him again, his expression resolute. "From this moment forward, Root is under direct Hokage surveillance. All of your operations, all of your agents—disbanded permanently. "
Danzo's fingers twitched slightly on his cane. But he said nothing.
"Disobey again, " Hiruzen warned softly, "and I will name you a traitor publicly. Even your shadows won't save you from that. "
For a long moment, the chamber was silent. Then Danzo chuckled lowly, a sound that sent a chill through the air.
"So be it, " he said quietly. "Play your game of peace, Hiruzen. But when the storm you nurture finally turns against you…"
His one eye glinted dangerously. ". .. don't expect me to protect you. "
He turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing faintly. Just before leaving, he paused and said without looking back: "The boy is already beyond your control. "
And then he was gone.
Hiruzen stood there for a long time, his pipe forgotten on the table. The old man looked tired—tired of politics, tired of lies, tired of the weight of the village on his shoulders.
Koharu finally spoke, "Lord Hokage… should we have him detained? "
Hiruzen shook his head slowly. "No. Danzo's roots are buried too deep. Cutting them all at once would only tear the village apart. "
He looked out the window toward the Hokage Monument, where sunlight glimmered over the carved faces. "Let him crawl in the dark for now, " he murmured. "Because when the day comes that his darkness reaches too far… Naruto will be the light that burns it away. "
That afternoon, far from the political storm brewing above, Naruto stood alone in the forest again, his Storm chakra swirling faintly around him.
He could feel the distant tension in the village—the whisper of schemes unraveling, the weight of eyes turning toward him.
He smiled faintly. "So the old man finally confronted him, huh? "
He looked up at the sky, where sunlight broke through drifting clouds. "Good. Because next time Danzo moves… I won't just defend myself. "
Lightning flickered in his eyes. "I'll end it. "
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