After Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others left the underground chamber of the Hokage Building, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado departed directly.
They each had their own matters to attend to and naturally would not continue following along. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura headed to a small teahouse.
The teahouse was bustling with noise and conversation, as if the arrival of the Third Hokage and the leader of Root had caused no disturbance at all.
People continued chatting and drinking tea as usual.
"Hiruzen, this time you were a bit too hasty," Danzo said bluntly, seemingly unconcerned with the people around them. "Your words will make that boy wary."
"I know. And I know even better what I should be doing."
Hiruzen calmly shook his head. After pouring himself a cup of tea, he continued slowly:
"If the Senju child were still the same as before, I wouldn't have many thoughts about it.
But now it's different. That child has tremendous potential."
Indeed, the potential Natsuhiko had displayed this time—while not yet enough to influence the bigger picture—was somewhat frightening in terms of growth.
Counting in a summoned beast capable of contending with a Kage-level opponent, the boy already possessed considerable influence.
If given time to develop his talent into real strength, he would absolutely become a very troublesome figure.
Under normal circumstances, Hiruzen might not have cared so much.
If the Senju clan produced someone like this, he would not casually target him—just as he had allowed the boy to enter the ANBU.
Ultimately, Hiruzen also wanted Konoha to grow stronger—stronger under his control.
Furthermore, he still needed Tsunade's support. If he continued to suppress the Senju and provoked further dissatisfaction from Tsunade, the blow he would suffer in the Medical Department would be unimaginable.
Hiruzen was very rational about when to extend his hand and when to withdraw it.
But this boy's situation was special.
Before displaying such influence and potential, he had already formed some connection with Minato Namikaze.
Hiruzen did not know the exact nature of their interactions. According to intelligence reports, Minato had been instructing the boy.
But if that favor and relationship were solidified, then this highly promising youth might completely side with Minato.
That was something Hiruzen did not wish to see.
Just like how Minato had sent Kakashi into the ANBU under what Hiruzen considered a very reasonable excuse—it had made him extremely unhappy.
You send your only remaining disciple into the ANBU. No matter how justified the reason, isn't that a sign that you have designs on the ANBU?
And now, besides Kakashi, you've also drawn in an ANBU squad leader. Isn't that another step forward?
Are you really that impatient to take over the entirety of Konoha?
That was why Hiruzen had spoken to Minato earlier in a tone he rarely used.
In his view, Minato had gone a bit too far. Even if Minato had simply been lucky enough to encounter Natsuhiko, a subtle warning was still necessary.
Having sat in the Hokage's seat for so long, Hiruzen never believed in so-called accidents or coincidences. He only looked at outcomes and benefits.
"Hmph. Your approach is far too mild," Danzo shook his head and poured himself a cup of tea. "Actually, I have a better method—"
"Enough, Danzo. Don't say another word." Hiruzen cut him off before he could finish. "I will not agree with your ideas or your methods."
"Why not?!" Danzo slammed the table hard and raised his voice.
"Do you not understand the importance of Root?
Although Root has been reorganized, its numbers are far from sufficient."
"You're aware of the Senju boy's current situation. Letting him enter Root is the best choice!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo but said nothing. Instead, his fingers began lightly tapping the table.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
As the crisp tapping echoed, the once-bustling teahouse suddenly fell silent.
All the customers present seemed as if struck by a paralysis technique, completely freezing in place.
Then, one by one, they stood up and filed out of the teahouse in perfect order, leaving only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura behind.
Hiruzen quietly watched Danzo. Only after everyone had left did he finally speak softly:
"Root is important. But I have my own arrangements."
He paused.
Taking a gentle sip of tea and savoring its fragrance lingering between his teeth, he continued:
"I know what you're thinking. I've always known.
Don't think I'm unaware of what happened with Kusunoki. You wanted that boy Natsuhiko to become the second Kusunoki in the ANBU, didn't you?
But let me tell you, my old friend—I've already allowed you to do this once. You need to know when to stop."
Kusunoki was the division commander whom Natsuhiko had identified to Minato Namikaze as having connections with Root.
It was precisely because of those connections that Kusunoki had taken on the mission to coordinate with Root.
Unfortunately for Danzo, Kusunoki was now dead. And with that, Danzo's past ambition to elevate Orochimaru and thereby seize control of the ANBU had collapsed.
Hiruzen knew very well that Danzo wanted to become Hokage.
And as the leader of Root, if he wanted to gradually step into the spotlight, the position of ANBU division commander would be the perfect stepping stone.
Back then, before Hiruzen had made his final decision about succession, he had not interfered.
But now that he had chosen Minato Namikaze, he would never allow Danzo—who already controlled Root—to also seize control of the ANBU.
Danzo was the shadow. Hiruzen's own shadow.
To a certain extent, what Danzo did represented Hiruzen's will.
Moreover, as the leader of Root, Danzo had deliberately cultivated the image of "the darkness of the ninja world." How could Hiruzen allow someone like that to step into the public eye?
"Hmph!" Danzo's expression darkened, though he restrained himself in the end. "Don't think I don't know your plans. Aren't you thinking the same as I am? Otherwise, why would Yamanaka Inoichi have gone to see that boy?"
"I have my own intentions. I've already said that." Hiruzen remained calm, continuing to sip his tea. "This matter ends here. That child belongs to the Senju clan. I will not allow him to enter Root."
"You're doing this for Tsunade. How hypocritical." Danzo gritted his teeth and stood up, intending to leave before his anger boiled over. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
"You've overstepped, Danzo."
Hiruzen slowly raised his head, his voice still calm.
"Do you think I don't see through you? Weren't you planning to kill two birds with one stone? Use that boy to interfere with the ANBU while also seeking an opportunity to win Tsunade's support?"
Hiruzen paid no attention to Danzo's increasingly ugly expression.
He understood this old friend far too well.
Or rather, he understood his own shadow.
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen stood as well. In that instant, his aura burst forth completely.
It was the overwhelming, suffocating aura of the "God of Shinobi"—a pressure that an old rat lurking in the sewers like Danzo simply couldn't withstand.
His eyes were calm, but his next words made Danzo's face turn ashen.
"And don't forget—
I am the Hokage."