Chapter 106 Epilogue: The Roots of the New Era
The bitter irony wasn't lost on Danzō. He had once considered Orochimaru a prime candidate for recruitment, seeing in him a kindred spirit of ambition and pragmatism. He never imagined the snake sanin would become the instrument of his own political demise, directly usurping his position. The sheer injustice of it was galling.
But his indignation was useless. Stripped of power, he was forced into retirement. A profound sense of despair settled over him. Akatsurugi was young and impossibly powerful. Outliving him was a futile hope, and assassination was an even more impossible dream. As long as the Blaze God drew breath, Danzō's ambitions were ashes.
Without the Hokage's backing and without Root, who was Danzō? He was a relic. The same applied, though less severely, to Hiruzen. He saw it clearly now: when a leader departs, they are swiftly forgotten. Hadn't he witnessed it himself? The clan heads had offered no resistance, no defense of his long service. Their compliance was deafening.
It was worth noting that this was an earlier Danzō. His Root organization, while a dark and secretive arm of Konoha, was still perceived by many as a necessary evil, its roots buried deep to nourish and protect the tree. While he had certainly crossed lines, his actions had not yet risen to the level that would make his immediate removal a popular necessity. The systematic suppression of the Uchiha, after all, was a tradition inherited from the Second Hokage himself, a burden shared by the entire administration.
"Very well. This meeting is adjourned," Akatsurugi's voice cut through his thoughts. "Also, summon Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. Orochimaru, ensure a swift and thorough handover with Senior Danzō."
The clan heads filed out. Orochimaru turned to Danzō with a thin smile. "Lord Danzō, shall we?"
Danzō could only respond with a dismissive snort and follow him out. Hiruzen, Homura, and Kohura trailed behind. A grim part of Danzō acknowledged that Akatsurugi had shown them a measure of face. While he had been stripped of his advisory role and Root, Homura's control of logistics and Kohura's seat on the elder council remained—for now. It was a small, precarious mercy.
Back in the Hokage's office, Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and Jiraiya stood before the new leader. They had already heard whispers of the meeting's outcome.
Akatsurugi sat behind the desk. "Hatake Sakumo. Your performance on the Sand front was exemplary. You held the line against their full force. Therefore, I am appointing you Captain of the Second ANBU Brigade."
Hatake Sakumo bowed crisply. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Akatsurugi then turned to Jiraiya. "Jiraiya—"
"Lord Hokage," Jiraiya interjected, uncharacteristically solemn. "I'm not suited for a stationary post. The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku has spoken a prophecy. A Child of Prophecy has been born, one who will be my disciple and change the world. I must leave the village to find him."
Akatsurugi's brow furrowed. A prophecy? Even with my presence? He found it difficult to believe any "destiny" could outweigh the power he now wielded. Even Uchiha Madara no longer seemed an insurmountable threat.
Seeing the Hokage's displeasure, Tsunade subtly elbowed Jiraiya, a silent warning that this was not the lenient Third Hokage he was addressing.
Jiraiya could only offer a pained smile. In his heart, he believed the path to true peace still lay with this prophesied child.
"Very well," Akatsurugi said after a moment's consideration. "I will assign you an S-Rank mission. Investigate this... Child of Prophecy. But you will report your findings directly to me. Is that understood?"
"Understood, Lord Hokage! I will not fail!" Jiraiya affirmed, relieved.
Finally, Akatsurugi looked at Tsunade. Though a shadow of grief still clung to her, her resolve was steely. "Tsunade, you will assume the position of Director of the Medical Department."
Tsunade accepted the appointment without hesitation.
"Now," Akatsurugi continued, "I must journey to the Daimyo's court to formalize my appointment. Sakumo, Tsunade, you will accompany me." Hatake Sakumo nodded immediately. Tsunade also agreed, understanding the logic. Her status as the Daimyo's grand-niece—the very reason for her royal title, "Princess Tsunade"—made her a valuable asset in such diplomatic matters.
Deep within the abandoned Root headquarters, Orochimaru sifted through the files Danzō had provided, a slow, intrigued smile spreading across his face. "Lord Danzō... you have been... industrious."
Danzō remained impassive. "I have always believed we are two of a kind, Orochimaru. I was not mistaken. Those files contain the research of myself and the Second Hokage. I trust you will see its value."
Orochimaru idly flipped through a page detailing human experimentation, specifically on the cells of the First Hokage—research officially banned for decades. The most explosive revelation was that the initial research had been initiated by the Second Hokage himself, studying his own brother's flesh.
"I will be reporting all of this to the Hokage, of course," Orochimaru stated, watching for a reaction.
"Do as you wish," Danzō replied, his voice devoid of concern.
Orochimaru's eyebrow rose in genuine surprise. "As I said," Danzō continued calmly, "we are the same. Nothing you do will shock me."
A long moment passed before Orochimaru finally smiled. "Well then... thank you for your... support, Lord Danzō."
Danzō merely waved a hand and turned to leave the base that was no longer his. Just as he reached the exit, Orochimaru's voice slithered after him. "Should any... significant progress be made, I will be sure to inform you."
Danzō paused, the ghost of a smirk touching his lips, and then he was gone.
Unseen by either, the soul of Kato Dan observed the entire exchange. Having witnessed the treacherous handover, he departed, a silent specter carrying a dangerous secret.
Back in the Hokage's office, now empty save for its occupant, Akatsurugi looked up from his desk. "Well? What did you observe?"
To any other, he would have been speaking to empty air. But he could perceive the spirit of his student.
"Teacher," Kato Dan's voice echoed in his mind. "Lord Danzō was conducting research on the First Hokage's cells. He gave all the data to Orochimaru. Before he left, Orochimaru told him... he would inform him of any future progress."
Akatsurugi nodded, a contemplative smile playing on his lips. "I see. Thank you, Dan. Your work is not yet done. Keep watching them. Both of them."
The foundations of his new era were laid, but even the most solid ground could hide serpents in the grass. And Akatsurugi intended to know every single one of them.
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