Shimura Danzo was extremely angry.
People always hate it when others talk behind their backs.
Even Shimura Danzo is no exception, especially when the one talking about him is Sarutobi Hiruzen, the person he despises most in his life.
Upon hearing that Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned him to Akihara Kagura, he couldn't even bother to continue brainwashing Akihara Kagura; he just wanted to know what exactly the old guy said.
"The Third Hokage didn't say much..."
Akihara Kagura seemed a bit intimidated by Shimura Danzo's gaze, hastily covering it up with clumsy words to avoid causing too much anger in his superior.
"Jia, tell me everything as it happened!"
Shimura Danzo immediately saw through Akihara Kagura's thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Don't hide anything about tonight. That monkey is always deceitful; you can easily be fooled by him..."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura nodded slowly.
"After passing the second round of the Chunin Exams, it was already late. On my way back, I encountered the Third Hokage and a kid named Naruto Uzumaki..."
"The Third Hokage wanted me to go fishing with them. I worried that Lord Danzo would be angry, so I just wanted to hurry back to the base..."
"However, the Third Hokage wouldn't allow me to return quickly, telling me that in the village, even Lord Danzo must follow his orders..."
When Akihara Kagura spoke to this point, he seemed somewhat sad and uneasy: "I was worried that disobeying the Third's order might cause trouble for Lord Danzo..."
"Hmph..."
Shimura Danzo snorted coldly, speaking in a frosty tone, "In the future, don't worry about causing trouble for me. No one in the Ninja World can bring trouble to me."
"Yes."
Akihara Kagura quickly agreed.
No matter if the superior was boasting, as long as the superior made a promise, it was best to take note to prevent any future incidents that might make himself, the subordinate, take the blame.
"By the way."
Akihara Kagura keenly sensed his superior was on the verge of getting angry, so he temporarily reversed the order, saying something his superior liked to hear.
"The Third Hokage also said that he and Lord Danzo were old friends..."
"The Third Hokage seemed to mention some past events, talking about matters related to the Hokage, but I couldn't quite understand..."
Akihara Kagura rubbed his own forehead, casually shifting the blame while reminiscing: "Because that kid Naruto Uzumaki kept asserting he would become Hokage, I wasn't listening accurately, and I'm not sure if I remembered correctly..."
"Just telling me is enough."
Shimura Danzo didn't doubt that Akihara Kagura would lie.
That Nine-tailed Jinchuriki kid Naruto Uzumaki was indeed instilled with the thoughts of Hokage by Sarutobi Hiruzen from a young age, and he was always clamoring about becoming Hokage every day...
Such matters...
Many people were aware.
"The Third Hokage said..."
"The position of Hokage is not something to be contested, but it bears the expectations and recognition of the entire village, requiring the responsibility of safeguarding the village..."
"The Third Hokage even stated when talking about this that Lord Danzo once wanted to compete with him to become Hokage, but the Hokage needs to shoulder many people's responsibilities. Lord Danzo felt he didn't have the responsibility to become Hokage, so he later gave up the idea of taking on the role of Hokage..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo's face suddenly fell.
That old bastard Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was fine for him to indoctrinate the Will of Fire to the village brats, but this time he even took the chance to belittle me!
Who said I didn't have the responsibility to become Hokage?
As long as I become Hokage, I can bear the responsibility of Konoha, and I can do better than that old bastard monkey!
"I got a bit angry and argued with them..."
Akihara Kagura cautiously glanced at Shimura Danzo, continuing: "I told them, Konoha can do without anyone, but it absolutely cannot do without Lord Danzo. Only Lord Danzo can become the next Hokage of Konoha."
"...Mm."
Shimura Danzo nodded slightly.
This was the moment Shimura Danzo was most satisfied with tonight. These were words he wanted to say himself, but didn't dare to say directly to anyone.
"Continue."
Shimura Danzo wanted to hear more.
"I remember after I said that..."
Akihara Kagura's expression grew a bit odd as he continued: "The Third Hokage's face seemed somewhat scary, but he quickly smiled again..."
"Hmph, still so insincere!"
Shimura Danzo immediately criticized his old friend.
That monkey, hearing Akihara Kagura mention I should be the next Hokage, became so unhappy; he never even considered letting me take the position of Hokage!
"What else did you say?"
Shimura Danzo glanced at the slightly paused Akihara Kagura, continuing: "Monkey... didn't he talk about anything else? Like whether he mentioned anyone in the village capable of taking on the responsibilities of Hokage?"
"..."
Akihara Kagura felt that Shimura Danzo wanted to know a bit too much.
Sometimes, a superior's curiosity about certain things might bring trouble to subordinates, so one must find a way to promptly put an end to it.
Besides...
The more said.
The easier it is to expose loopholes.
Most importantly, today's goal wasn't to sow discord but to remind this superior that he still holds a crucial weakness against him.
Akihara Kagura wanted to tell Shimura Danzo that as long as this weakness is in his hand, he need not worry about betrayal after joining the Dark Department.
"The Third didn't mention those things."
"And it's somewhat odd..."
Akihara Kagura wrinkled his little face, seemingly puzzled: "Tonight was a bit chaotic, maybe because that kid Naruto Uzumaki was being noisy beside us. I don't know why I mentioned my family secret to the Third Hokage..."
"What!"
Shimura Danzo's face immediately tightened with tension.
"I was wondering why he suddenly met with you!"
The elder finally couldn't stay seated, silently cursing: "That monkey bastard actually used inducement techniques on you, trying to probe your background. If he finds out..."
"I only mentioned being from an orphanage."
Akihara Kagura immediately reassured his superior, regaining control of the conversation: "The Third Hokage already knows I am a child from the orphanage, initially kidnapped for Wood Release human experimentation..."
"That's good."
Shimura Danzo slowly nodded, his demeanor also eased. He quietly scrutinized Akihara Kagura and finally recalled an important matter.
This kid absolutely can't betray me!
Because this kid is not a Konoha Orphanage child, but an experimental product from Orochimaru; I always hold the leverage that can threaten his life.
"Go get some rest."
Shimura Danzo gestured dismissively at Akihara Kagura, his attitude turning indifferent, even reverting to the lofty demeanor from their first meeting.
"I trust..."
"You won't disappoint me in the Dark Department either."
"Don't forget one thing, it was I who brought you to Konoha."