Mitokado Homura asked Danzo what urgent matter he had come for, but Danzo only deflected, saying little and asking instead for his help.
Seeing his evasive behavior, Homura guessed Danzo's true intent.
He was likely looking to use this moment of crisis to claw back lost power.
Out of decades of friendship, Homura decided to cooperate. He sent someone to invite Sarutobi Hiruzen and Utatane Koharu.
Ten minutes later, the two arrived.
The four old comrades gathered in the living room.
A pot of tea steamed on the table, filling the air with a soft fragrance. They drank quietly, none willing to speak first. Eventually, Danzo set down his cup, cleared his throat, and forced a smile across his severe features.
"Ahem. Hiruzen… the village suffered heavy losses in the Nine-Tails' attack. We're facing pressure inside and out, and manpower is stretched thin. I want to step forward... to shoulder some of the burden for you."
Hiruzen placed his cup down, his eyes narrowing as he met Danzo's gaze. His tone was calm but edged.
"First, explain what you were doing on the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage."
Danzo froze.
"Don't tell me you've somehow not heard about the beast's attack."
Danzo's face stiffened. "I was forced into retirement. What authority would I have to do anything?"
"Really?"
Hiruzen pulled out his pipe. Fire chakra flared at the tip, and smoke curled slowly from his lips, drifting directly toward Danzo. Danzo frowned.
"Then why," Hiruzen continued, "did I hear that you summoned every Root operative that night?"
Danzo's pupils tightened. He hadn't realized Hiruzen still had eyes inside his organization.
"Why were your men gathered but took no action? Just watching as the Nine-Tails tore through the village?"
Hiruzen's voice sharpened like a blade.
"Danzo… are you still a Konoha shinobi?"
The words struck like a hammer. Even Homura and Koharu flinched at his sudden intensity.
"Of course I am!" Danzo snapped, though his face was pale.
"Then why stand idle?"
Danzo's cheeks burned red. His voice fell to a mutter. "I… intended to intervene at the most critical moment. To turn the tide, earn great merit, and force the Fourth Hokage to reinstate me. But who could have known..."
He stopped, jaw tight. The bitterness in his tone was palpable.
The strongest ninja of the era had chosen death, sacrificing himself for the village. Minato's will of fire blazed brilliantly… but in doing so, he had ruined Danzo's scheme.
Had he known Minato would die sealing the beast, Danzo would have deployed his Root forces earlier. Even without glory, mere effort might have been enough for Hiruzen to restore his post.
Instead, here he sat pleading before old rivals, stripped of dignity.
Hiruzen exhaled a long plume of smoke. "So even in the village's darkest hour, you were calculating."
Danzo's mouth worked silently, then closed. He turned to Homura and Koharu, desperation flickering in his eyes.
The two advisors exchanged a secret smile.
Once, Danzo had thundered at them in meetings, slamming fists and doors alike. Now he sought their pity.
Homura cleared his throat. "Hiruzen, Danzo's actions were selfish, yes… but he still wants to serve Konoha."
Koharu nodded, adding lightly, "As long as that intention exists, there is hope. With the right encouragement, he can still be of use."
Danzo seized the opening, bowing his head. "Hiruzen, I was wrong. I won't repeat the mistake."
Hiruzen smoked in silence, studying the three.
Danzo's pulse quickened. Would Hiruzen refuse?
But in the end, old bonds ran deep. There were always deeds Hiruzen could not be seen doing the sort that required Danzo's shadow. And with Konoha weakened, manpower mattered.
After a long pause, Hiruzen spoke. "Very well. I'll give you another chance. But remember this mistake, Danzo."
Relief washed over Danzo's face. "I will."
Homura chuckled, raising his teacup. "The rain has stopped, the sky is clear. Come—let's toast with tea instead of wine."
The four lifted their cups, clinking gently before drinking. Homura refilled each one in turn, starting with Hiruzen, then Koharu, Danzo, and finally himself.
"Hiruzen," Danzo asked smoothly, "what are the village's priorities now?"
"The reconstruction begins tomorrow. A council will be held."
At that, Danzo's eyes flickered. Malice stirred in his chest.
"In that case," he said slowly, "I believe the Uchiha clan should be relocated."
Hiruzen raised a brow. "Relocated? To where?"
"The outskirts of the village."
Hiruzen nearly choked on his tea. Slamming his cup down, he glared at Danzo.
"Have you gone senile? Moving the Uchiha from the village center to the edge? Do you think their leaders are fools who would agree to such nonsense?"
Homura and Koharu shot Danzo bewildered looks. How long had he been away from politics, to show such clumsy thinking?
Danzo didn't falter. He straightened his back and declared, "The Nine-Tails had Sharingan in its eyes. Someone from the Uchiha clan controlled the beast, killed the Fourth Hokage, slaughtered countless shinobi and civilians, and nearly destroyed Konoha. That is reason enough."
Hiruzen's expression darkened, silence falling heavy in the room.
"Didn't Minato leave a message?" he asked finally.
Danzo sneered. "Yes. He said it might have been Uchiha Madara. But does that clear the Uchiha entirely? Can you say with certainty no one among them is guilty?"
He spoke with conviction, chest swelling as if the argument were airtight.
Hiruzen stared at him, silent, his pipe forgotten.