In the end, the so-called Konoha "F4" parted on strained terms.
There had been no shouting match.
No overturned tables.
But once Danzo Shimura laid his cards on the table, the rift between him and Hiruzen Sarutobi became irreparable.
A crack had formed in their long-standing alliance.
And it would not be mended.
Danzo did not regret it.
If he still coveted the Hokage's seat, this confrontation was inevitable.
He wanted the position.
Hiruzen did not want him to have it.
That alone made reconciliation impossible.
The Fourth Hokage election was approaching. If he intended to compete, he had to step into the light. To hesitate now would be fatal.
Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.
If he lacked even this much resolve, he might as well give up on becoming Hokage entirely.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Danzo did not return to Root.
Instead, he headed toward the Hyuga clan compound.
He no longer had the luxury of retreat.
With several smaller clans already leaning toward him, he now required a decisive answer from the Hiashi Hyuga's clan.
Hokage Tower — Hokage's Office
After reviewing the situation, Hiruzen reached a conclusion.
Neither the radical Uchiha faction led by Setsuna nor the conservative faction led by Yashiro had seized dominance.
Instead, Uchiha Jin had emerged.
Unexpected—but preferable to chaos.
Compared to a reckless extremist like Uchiha Setsuna, Jin's leadership meant the clan was unlikely to pursue armed revolt in the near term.
That alone reduced immediate danger.
Hiruzen ordered Homura and Koharu to quietly disperse the thousand shinobi stationed outside the village. The alert status would be lowered.
Then he had ANBU summon Minato Namikaze.
Once the room was cleared—
"Minato," Hiruzen said gravely, "circumstances have changed."
Minato blinked. "Changed, Lord Third?"
Hiruzen did not sugarcoat it.
"Originally, your succession was all but guaranteed."
"Now—you have an opponent."
Minato smiled lightly.
"Is it Orochimaru-senpai?"
"If so, I have no objections. He has served the village greatly. A fair contest is natural."
"I am prepared for victory—or defeat."
Hiruzen shook his head with a faint sigh.
"If it were only Orochimaru, I would not be concerned. He would have perhaps a thirty percent chance."
"The one entering the race is Danzo."
Minato's expression tightened slightly.
Hiruzen continued:
"Orochimaru has already agreed to support him."
"After your previous misstep with the clan intervention proposal, many major families—led by the Hyuga—have shifted toward Danzo."
"At best, your odds are sixty percent."
"At worst—fifty."
Minato's eyes flickered, but his composure held.
"With respect," he said carefully, "Elder Danzo's methods are… widely known."
"He is ruthless."
"He places results above everything."
"If he becomes Hokage…"
Minato's voice grew heavier.
"Konoha could resemble the so-called 'Bloody Mist.'"
Kirigakure's reputation during the Third Mizukage's era was infamous—harsh rule, fear-based governance, internal purges. Though history was tangled and later complicated by outside manipulation, the precedent remained.
Danzo's governing philosophy bore similarities.
Consolidate control.
Eliminate threats.
Strengthen authority through fear.
If he assumed office without overwhelming prestige or power, he would likely tighten his grip through drastic measures.
Branding shinobi.
Eradicating dissent.
Preemptively neutralizing rivals.
Hiruzen closed his eyes briefly.
"That is precisely why I summoned you."
"The Fourth Hokage must not be Danzo."
Minato considered this quietly before asking,
"Lord Third… Elder Danzo's reputation among the clans is not strong. Can he truly gather enough support?"
Hiruzen's voice turned flat.
"Interests."
"Becoming Hokage requires many factors. Reputation is only one."
"In the face of sufficient benefit, reputation becomes negotiable."
"For this position, Danzo would sell even the shirt on his back."
"He can promise resources. Secrets. Privileges."
"People are short-sighted. When gain is immediate, principles weaken."
Hiruzen felt genuine regret.
He had granted Danzo too much power over the years.
Root possessed copies of restricted techniques.
Confidential research.
Intelligence networks buried deep in shadow.
All of it now served as bargaining chips.
And unlike Danzo, Hiruzen—standing in the sunlight—could not openly barter public assets for political loyalty.
The Hokage was bound by the appearance of fairness.
Danzo was not.
Minato nodded slowly.
"Then what would you have me do?"
Hiruzen's eyes sharpened.
"In addition to everything I have already instructed you to continue…"
"There is one more task."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You must secure the Uchiha."
Silence settled in the room.
The implication was unmistakable.
If Minato could win over the Uchiha—particularly under Jin's new leadership—Danzo's path would narrow significantly.
Politics had shifted.
The battlefield was no longer the front lines of war—
It was Konoha itself.
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