Compared to the others, Danzo saw something different.
"Hiruzen… did you not notice Aoyama Ryuyun's strength?"
"..."
The atmosphere in the Hokage's Office instantly grew heavy.
Danzo's tone carried a faint sneer as he continued,
"Cutting through a Tailed Beast Ball with a sword… defeating the One-Tail Shukaku—the title of 'Golden Lion' truly suits him."
It was not an exaggeration. And everyone knew—Danzo Shimura was not a man who offered praise lightly.
A human cutting through a Tailed Beast Ball? Even Danzo had been stunned when he first heard it. Impossible, he'd thought. Yet reality had left them no room for doubt.
"What are you implying, Danzo?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the report in his hand and fixed him with a steady gaze.
"That boy, Ryuyun, has inherited the Will of Fire splendidly."
Hiruzen's tone was calm, but even he had been shaken upon learning of Aoyama Ryuyun's feats.
At this time, Hiruzen was still in his prime—no longer the vigorous youth of the war years, but far from the frailty that would mark his later days. Despite the long hours behind the Hokage's desk, he remained the formidable "Professor" of the Ninja World.
But Aoyama Ryuyun was not like Hatake Sakumo.
Sakumo had been burdened by his family name, torn between clan loyalty and duty to the village.
Aoyama Ryuyun, however, was a different matter entirely—
a commoner with no clan, no family, no bloodline.
In other words, a perfect tool.
Danzo saw that same calculation flicker behind Hiruzen's calm eyes and allowed himself a thin smile.
"Aoyama Ryuyun himself is not the issue," Danzo said smoothly. "But… haven't you noticed? His relationship with Tsunade is rather unusual."
"..."
At once, an uneasy silence blanketed the room.
Danzo leaned back slightly, his expression one of cold amusement.
"You haven't forgotten, have you, that the Senju Clan perished… because of us?"
His tone carried no guilt—only satisfaction. As long as Hiruzen was unsettled, Danzo was content.
"If Tsunade ever discovers the truth and turns against us…"
He paused, allowing the implication to sink in. Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura all fell silent, their faces grim.
"Tell me, then," Danzo said softly. "When that time comes—will Aoyama Ryuyun stand with Konoha, or will he stand with Tsunade?"
No one spoke. The answer was obvious.
If Ryuyun and Tsunade were truly involved, no sane man would choose the village over the woman he loved.
"Impossible," Hiruzen snapped finally. "Tsunade will never find out."
His tone was firm—but the seed of doubt had been planted.
Danzo's expression flickered with satisfaction. His purpose was achieved.
Because from that moment onward, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer fully trusted Aoyama Ryuyun.
Koharu Utatane was the first to speak.
"I think Aoyama Ryuyun still needs more experience."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Let him remain an ordinary Jonin for now."
Anything that could threaten their control—even a remote possibility—had to be eliminated before it took root.
They couldn't confront Aoyama Ryuyun directly—his strength made that suicidal. But they could quietly isolate him, keeping him far from Konoha's political center.
Hiruzen smoked his pipe in silence, neither agreeing nor objecting.
But those who knew the Third Hokage well could read his silence clearly enough.
He had agreed.
No one, not even a hero, could be allowed to threaten the Hokage's authority. That was Hiruzen's unshakable line.
Seeing the decision settle, Danzo's thin smile widened.
"In that case," he said smoothly, "why not have him join my Root division? That would make monitoring him far easier."
"..."
Hiruzen shot him a withering look.
Do you take me for a fool, Danzo?
He could see right through the man's ambition.
"I will issue no such order," Hiruzen said coldly. "If you have the ability to recruit him, then go and subdue him yourself."
"..."
For once, Danzo was speechless.
If he had that kind of power, Aoyama Ryuyun would already be under his command. Even Danzo Shimura was not arrogant enough to believe he could face a man who had slain a Tailed Beast head-on.
No… the research must be accelerated.
Inwardly, Danzo's mind was already racing.
The Wood Release project… it's the only path forward.
Until now, there had been no suitable partner. But lately, he had found one—
Orochimaru, Hiruzen's prized student, whose brilliance in forbidden research far surpassed any other.
A collaboration could prove mutually beneficial… and ensure Orochimaru's leash remained tight.
Hiruzen, unaware of these thoughts, took another long puff of his pipe and finally said,
"Let it be. Ryuyun has rendered great service. To deny him all recognition would seem unjust. Grant him the title of Elite Jonin. The rest can be left aside."
To defeat a Tailed Beast and receive only the title of Elite Jonin—such an outcome spoke volumes about the rot that would one day consume Konoha.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a brief, knowing glance and nodded. Neither voiced any objection.
"Koharu, Homura," Hiruzen said, "prepare for the upcoming negotiations with Sunagakure."
As always, postwar diplomacy would fall to the two elders.
"Understood."
They bowed slightly and left.
---
Meanwhile, back at the frontline camp—
Aoyama Ryuyun was lying comfortably on a cot, while Tsunade knelt beside him, channeling a steady flow of healing chakra into his shoulders and arms.
"This is the life," he said with a satisfied sigh.
Tsunade's careful movements drew a small smile from him.
Seeing his expression, she couldn't help but chuckle softly, saying nothing.
After a moment of silence, Ryuyun's tone turned more serious.
"Do you believe those old foxes in the higher-ups are already thinking of targeting me?"
Tsunade froze, her hands pausing mid-motion.
"That's impossible," she said firmly.
To exaggerate only slightly—Aoyama Ryuyun was the hero of the Second Shinobi World War. Even if he had not been widely known before, his deeds on the battlefield had spread across every hidden village by now.
"You're still too young, Tsunade," Ryuyun said quietly.
He switched hands, offering the other for her to heal.
Tsunade rolled her eyes but took his hand anyway, resuming her work with delicate precision.
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