Chương 199: Chapter 200: Danzo: I Feel Like I've Been Kicked Out of the Group Chat

After returning to a quiet meeting room inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu sat in silence. Even as smoke gradually filled the room from Hiruzen's pipe, Koharu forgot to scold him for it as she usually would. For years, they had dreamed of restoring the Wood Release that once suppressed the entire shinobi world under the First Hokage's reign. To that end, they had even authorized human experimentation. Batch after batch of volunteers had been sacrificed, yet none succeeded.

Eventually, the death toll became too great, forcing them to shut the project down. Well, officially, at least. Danzo and Orochimaru had ignored the order and continued in secret. Through sheer luck, they had managed to produce a single successful case. Danzo had immediately hidden the child away and treasured him like a priceless relic. The moment Hiruzen discovered Yamato's existence, he promptly pulled the boy into the Hokage faction.

A Wood Release user absolutely could not be allowed to fall under Danzo's dark influence. Though Yamato's Wood Release fell far short of the ideal they had envisioned, he was still young. There was room to grow. But today... Today they had witnessed the genuine article. Dongye zhen had forcefully fused Wood Release into existence through nothing but monstrous talent. Experimental transplantation? Senju bloodline? What were those? Completely unnecessary.

The old men liked to boast that they had seen it all in their long lives. Yet today's spectacle? No, they had definitely never seen that before. After a long silence, Koharu finally sighed.

"To think I'd live long enough to see Wood Release rivaling the First Hokage's power... and self-developed at that." She shook her head in disbelief.

"That truly startled me. Tell me, does that child really have no Senju blood whatsoever?" Hiruzen answered immediately.

"No. I had that investigated long ago. Zhen simply possessed an abnormal constitution from childhood and an enormous chakra reserve.

"Things like that occasionally happen in the shinobi world. There's nothing particularly strange about it.

"Or perhaps, generations ago, the Dongye family married a woman from a branch of the Senju clan. We all know our teacher's family wasn't like the Hyūga. They were quite relaxed about marriages both in and out of the clan." He waved the speculation aside.

"But none of that matters.

"What matters is that Zhen is Konoha's shinobi. His parents are Konoha shinobi. His teammates and friends are Konoha shinobi.

"That's enough." Koharu nodded before shifting topics.

"And to think he's mastered Sage Mode as well. It even resembles the First Hokage's. I've never heard of him training in any of the Three Great Sage Regions." Hiruzen shot her an annoyed glance. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"The First Hokage didn't either.

"According to Tobirama-sensei, after Hashirama first learned of natural energy, he completed Sage Mode training in less than two days." The old Hokage shook his head.

"Zhen serves in Minato's guard unit. It's perfectly normal for him to know about natural energy and senjutsu.

"Perhaps people like them simply possess something the rest of us cannot comprehend.

"Natural energy is lethally dangerous to ordinary shinobi.

"To them, it may be no different than ordinary chakra." Homura nodded.

"Hiruzen's right.

"Considering the talent Zhen has displayed since childhood, none of this surprises me.

"Let's not forget what Jōnin Hayami reported afterward—he mastered Ice Release in only ten days." A pause.

"That means he now possesses both Wood Release and Ice Release." His expression turned serious.

"What we should be discussing isn't how extraordinary that is."

"It's how to ensure those bloodline limits are inherited and preserved within Konoha." His gaze darkened slightly.

"We can't repeat history."

"When Hashirama-sama died, Wood Release disappeared with him." Koharu chuckled.

"That's easy enough." Fortunately, Zhen wasn't a girl.

"A woman can only bear one child at a time. A man doesn't have that limitation." She smiled meaningfully.

"If he's willing, once he comes of age, we could—""HOLD IT." Hiruzen cut her off immediately.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" He nearly choked on his pipe.

"This is Konoha, not a breeding program!" Koharu folded her arms.

"And am I not thinking of Konoha's future?"

"Hashirama-sama had only one child. Tobirama-sensei didn't even leave any children behind.

"Their generation produced only Tsunade and Nawaki." She spread her hands.

"And what was the result?"

"Neither inherited Wood Release."

"If Zhen doesn't leave behind enough descendants, how can we guarantee his bloodline limit survives?" Homura looked uncomfortable.

"That's... not exactly appropriate."

"We're not living in ancient times. Monogamy is the norm now."

"If we follow your idea, we'd be undermining Konoha's social values." Koharu gave both men a disdainful look.

"Oh, please."

"Isn't this every man's fantasy?"

"And besides, once they're adults, if the girls don't mind, that little brat Zhen might enjoy it quite a bit." Her smile turned teasing.

"Men are all the same, after all." Of course, what she was really thinking about was a certain clan girl named Utatane Mai. Ever since seeing Dongye zhen on the Eastern Front, the girl had become unusually attentive to news about him. She had even begged Koharu to transfer her to the hospital and place her under Dongye Hui's department. The old woman had seen through those intentions immediately. Homura instantly straightened his posture. His face radiated righteous indignation.

I am absolutely not that kind of man. Hiruzen and his perverted disciple Jiraiya, however? Different story. Hiruzen rubbed his temples helplessly.

"Let's leave such matters to the younger generation."

"We shouldn't interfere." Then his expression became serious.

"What I'm truly thinking about right now..."

"... is retirement." The room quieted.

"Minato is the Fourth Hokage. I can't continue acting as his substitute indefinitely."

"That will only create problems." Homura nodded.

"I have no objections." Though he still wished to contribute to Konoha's future, he understood the situation clearly. The village's middle and younger generations overwhelmingly supported Minato. That included Dongye zhen. If they stubbornly clung to power, things would not end well for them later. Koharu leaned forward.

"Hiruzen, since you've made up your mind, tell us your plan." Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe.

"Kirigakure in the southeast is no longer a serious concern."

"As for Kumogakure on the northern front..." He tapped ash into a tray.

"According to our intelligence, anti-war sentiment inside their village continues to grow."

"I suspect they won't take long to seek a peace agreement."

"Once they withdraw, Kirigakure won't dare face Konoha alone."

"Only then can this war truly be considered over." He looked at his two old companions.

"When that day comes, I will retire for good."

"And this time..." His voice carried unusual firmness.

"I will not interfere in village affairs ever again."

"Do you understand?" Homura nodded.

"I understand." Koharu hesitated.

"Hiruzen... should we call Danzo over and discuss this together?" The old Hokage's gaze sharpened.

"Koharu."

"It seems you still don't understand." He sighed.

"The positions you and Homura hold can remain for a few more years. You can continue assisting Minato."

"Now that Zhen exists, even if the Uchiha clan makes some dangerous move, Konoha won't suffer serious harm."

"If Minato wants to solve the Uchiha issue in his own way, then let him." A brief silence followed.

"The ones who truly need to retire completely..."

"... are Danzo and me." Homura frowned.

"Hiruzen, we all know Danzo."

"You're practically asking for his life."

"Do you honestly think he'll obey?" He shook his head.

"I'm worried he'll cause trouble." Koharu blinked.

"Surely you don't think Danzo would start a rebellion?" Homura replied without hesitation.

"Hard to say." Hiruzen exhaled a long plume of smoke.

"Haah..."

"I hope he'll accept the arrangement."

"With Minato's personality, even if he uncovers certain things while taking over Root, I doubt he'll pursue them too aggressively." His eyes grew cold.

"But if Danzo refuses to recognize reality..."

"If he insists on chasing that impossible dream of his..."

"Then no one will be able to save him." After all, they had been classmates and comrades for decades. Koharu couldn't help feeling reluctant.

"Are we really going to abandon Danzo?"

"After everything we've been through together..." Hiruzen lowered his gaze. Then, in a calm and resolute voice, he said:"Everything is for Konoha's stability and prosperity."