Chapter 46: A Conversation of Value
"This is the composure one expects from a Hokage," Ryouma remarked, taking the proffered sword. He ran a finger lightly along the flat of the blade, feeling the subtle vortex of air that swirled around it, a faint, mesmerized smile on his lips.
"Then, shall we talk?" Hiruzen Sarutobi allowed a slight curl to his own lips, though internally he noted that the young man before him seemed fundamentally changed from the academy student he once knew.
"Are your words the final authority?" Ryouma's gaze turned mocking. "Why not call Danzō here so we can all have a chat together."
As expected, Hiruzen's brow furrowed at the name. Kakashi and Kurenai tensed visibly, and Asuma's hand twitched as if reaching for a weapon. The temperature in the room plummeted to a freezing point.
Seeing their reactions, Ryouma judged the timing was right. His smile returned, softer this time. "Lord Hokage, I lived in this village for over ten years. Not everyone here was kind to me, but there are people I care about deeply. My heart has always belonged to the village."
"Then why did you defect? Merely because Danzō demanded you join Root?" Hiruzen's question was pointed, the palliative effect of Ryouma's words being minimal.
"That's correct," Ryouma nodded.
"Why? And... you seem to know precisely what Root is..." Hiruzen produced his pipe from a drawer, lighting it and taking a long draw, his wise, old eyes fixed on Ryouma.
"It seems irrelevant now, even if I am a rogue ninja. It changes nothing." Ryouma reached back and unbuckled the scabbard for his original 'Flash' sword from his back.
"Then what do you believe is important?" Hiruzen exhaled a plume of smoke, a glint of sharp interest in his eyes.
Ryouma tried to fit the Divine Wind Sword into the 'Flash' scabbard, but the swirling air currents around the new blade made it impossible to sheath. He gave up with a sigh. "Value is the most important thing." He let the scabbard drop and met Hiruzen's gaze squarely. "I believe the value I can create far exceeds any value Danzō represents."
"Oh? On what grounds?" Hiruzen's eyes narrowed to slits, as if trying to peer into Ryouma's very soul.
"On the grounds of my strength." Ryouma shrugged, as if stating a simple fact.
"Kakashi has briefed me on your capabilities," Hiruzen acknowledged, his brow furrowing slightly. "But you must understand, Konoha does not lack for geniuses. Danzō's... importance is not something that can be replaced by mere power alone."
"Heh." Ryouma chuckled darkly, continuing to toy with the Divine Wind Sword. "So what is it you wish to tell me?"
"I heard from Jiraiya that you possess a gift for foresight, is that correct?"
Ryouma was momentarily taken aback, then remembered the lie he'd told Jiraiya during their encounter in the Land of Tea. "Ah, that. Yes, it's true."
"Then, have you had any new... visions?" Hiruzen asked, his voice deceptively casual.
Is this his goal? Is it really just this? Ryouma was uncertain of the old fox's true intentions, but he maintained his calm. "Even if I have, what of it?"
His ambiguous answer clearly frustrated Hiruzen. "Speaking with you feels like negotiating with a politician from the Daimyo's court. You are a shinobi. Speak plainly."
"And you are making me feel as though I am not speaking with the Hokage," Ryouma countered. "So, what is your decision?"
"I have rescinded your bounty and withdrawn the official warrant for your capture," Hiruzen stated abruptly.
"So what?" Ryouma remained unmoved. While the gesture was significant, it wasn't enough without a clear resolution to his status.
"In other words, you are no longer a nukenin. Konoha is still your home."
"Will Danzō agree?" Ryouma's sneer returned.
"He will agree," Hiruzen said with a finality that brooked no argument. "Now, tell me of this foresight."
"I have foreseen your death." Ryouma decided the Hokage had shown enough good faith by neutralizing Danzō's influence, at least for now. Seeing a path to completing his mission, he dropped the aloof act and offered a piece of the truth.
"What?!" Asuma exploded, his glare turning murderous, a kunai now visibly gripped in his hand. Kakashi and Kurenai shifted instantly, placing themselves as living shields between Ryouma and the Hokage.
Hiruzen himself stiffened, his aged face twitching. He raised a hand, signaling his guards to stand down. His eyes, however, were locked on Ryouma. "When?"
"Today. The Kazekage from Sunagakure is Orochimaru in disguise." Ryouma had decided. Saving the Third's life, while altering the future, was a necessary step. With Danzō waiting in the wings, the Third's survival was crucial for his own plans.
"What?!" The exclamation echoed around the room. Even Sarutobi's composure cracked, his expression shifting to one of profound shock and seriousness. "Is this the truth?!"
"Of course."
"If that's the case... then Sunagakure is complicit..." Though a veteran of countless storms, the news sent a jolt of panic through him. The visage of his former student, Orochimaru, flashed in his mind. "That man... to think he would attack Konoha... What is his goal?"
He didn't fully believe Ryouma, but he believed him enough. He turned to Kakashi, his voice regaining its command authority. "Notify Intelligence. Recall every Jōnin on external missions. Immediately!"
"Hai!" Kakashi vanished in a Body Flicker to carry out the order.
"As for Sunagakure... summon their lead Jōnin liaison." Having issued the commands, Hiruzen turned his weary gaze back to Ryouma. "Ryouma."
"Lord Hokage."
"In the eyes of the villagers, you are still an S-Class rogue ninja. It would be best if you did not show your face just yet—"
"Lord Hokage," Ryouma interrupted gently but firmly. "As long as the pursuit is officially ended and I am free to walk the village, I do not care what they think of me."
"Very well... you are dismissed for now." Hiruzen judged that Ryouma had no more immediate use here and waved him away.
Once Ryouma had left the office and the door clicked shut, Hiruzen's face grew grim. He stared at the closed door for a long moment before speaking softly to the empty air. "Dragon."
"Here, my lord." An ANBU operative with the codename 'Dragon' materialized silently in the center of the room.
"Follow Ryouma. Report any suspicious activity immediately. If you are detected, do not persist. Break off contact."
"As you command." Dragon vanished as silently as he appeared.
Alone once more, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look out the window at the bustling, peaceful streets of his village. He let out a soft, weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his years.
"I wonder how long this tranquility can last..."