Chapter 31: Legendary Sannin
Yesterday, Konoha was a sea of joy.
For the first time in years, nearly all senior and family-affiliated ninjas stationed abroad had returned to the village.
Although a few Konoha orphans who had mastered the jonin-level version of the Blut Vene remained deployed at the border as sentries, the majority of the ninja forces—and even the jonin elites—had come home.
In such a tense era, their return reignited the village's spirit. For the first time in a long while, many citizens truly understood how formidable Konoha was.
The streets swelled with pride as powerful clans arrived one after another. Bloodline-limit users, experts in secret arts, and bearers of forbidden techniques filled the village. Medical-nin capable of restoring life itself walked among them.
With the success of the Blut Vene and the growing anticipation for its next evolution—the Blut Arterie—Konoha's confidence had reached its peak.
After all, who could imagine that such a mighty village could ever fall?
The jonin alone were overwhelming, let alone the combined might of the chunin and genin corps.
It was the world's largest nation, and the world's strongest village. Even this small glimpse of Konoha's true depth was enough to terrify enemy spies into silence.
But as the sun rose, within the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was anything but celebratory.
Three figures stood in a dim corner—the pillars of Konoha's leadership.
The meeting had been initiated by Danzo, while Koharu and Homura were deliberately excluded under the pretext of maintaining normal village operations. Only Hiruzen and Aizen remained.
As the saying went: Hold large meetings for small matters, and small meetings for large matters.
Danzo's expression was grim. Hiruzen, having just awakened from his dream of fleeting glory, finally understood the depth of his misstep.
He had believed a single unverified report and recalled the entire Konoha army, leaving countless outposts unmanned—simply assuming that war would erupt between Iwagakure and Sunagakure. It was the kind of decision he would have once condemned as reckless.
Now, drenched in cold sweat, Hiruzen reflected on how far he had fallen from the idealist he once was.
When he was young, he gathered comrades to discuss and deliberate. But as years passed, his meetings had become performances—symbols of authority rather than instruments of wisdom.
Where he once despised empty bureaucracy, he now embodied it.
Age had dulled the fire in his heart. His grand ambitions, eroded by decades of political compromise, had turned into fragile embers.
And if this was his state after a few decades, what would become of him in the next?
As Hiruzen wrestled with his thoughts, Danzo broke the silence, his tone low and cutting.
"I asked Orochimaru about the situation in the Land of Rain, Hiruzen. Did you really dismantle all the defensive lines there?"
"…Yes," Hiruzen admitted.
"There must not be any instability in the Land of Rain. I'll lead Root personally to negotiate with Hanzo. At the very least, we must ensure that Amegakure doesn't side with the Sand or the Rock."
Hiruzen frowned. "Then do it, Danzo."
But the words had barely left his lips before his instincts seized control.
"I will not allow you to act independently, Danzo."
The words stunned even him. They had escaped faster than his reason could stop them.
Yes, he was Hokage and had the authority to command—but he was also supposed to be a leader who listened. Why had he spoken like this? Why had he reacted with instinctive defensiveness instead of reason?
Danzo froze, then sneered.
"I'm not asking for your permission. I'm doing this for Konoha! You know how vital the Land of Rain is! If we've already pulled our forces back, someone has to fill that void. I'm covering your failure!"
"You don't need to remind me of my duties, Danzo. I know what I'm doing."
"No—you don't!" Danzo's voice rose, sharp as a kunai. "You don't even recognize yourself anymore!"
"Enough! You're the one overstepping your place! Don't forget—I am the one who decides what's best for this village!"
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"
"I am the Hokage, Danzo!"
"Tch!"
Danzo glared for a long moment before slamming the door and storming out.
The room fell silent.
Aizen, who had watched the entire exchange with his usual composed indifference, finally rose. Bowing slightly, he addressed Hiruzen in a calm, reassuring voice.
"Sandaime-sama, please allow me to speak with Elder Danzo. You must remain calm. You are Konoha's pillar—if you waver, so will the village."
"…I know," Hiruzen murmured, his tone weary. "I just… Never mind. Go ahead. If Danzo insists on acting, don't stop him."
"Understood."
Aizen inclined his head respectfully and turned to leave. His pristine white haori fluttered as he walked briskly through the corridors of the Hokage building, the faint echo of his steps blending with the morning stillness.
It could only be said that Danzo and the Third Hokage shared a strange, silent understanding.
Even after their heated argument, Danzo didn't go far. He stood quietly in the corridor outside the Hokage's office, half hidden beneath the pillars, smoking as sunlight filtered through the window blinds.
When Aizen approached, Danzo raised one bandaged arm slightly, signaling him to stop. He said nothing, letting the smoke curl upward until the cigarette burned down to ash.
After a long silence, his raspy voice finally broke the stillness.
"Hiruzen is the Hokage. There are things he can't say—or do—openly. I understand that. But lately… he's changed."
His one visible eye remained fixed on a crack in the stone floor as his voice grew heavier.
"You're only twenty, Aizen. You haven't lived through what we did. After he left the battlefield, he never returned—not because of fear, but because Konoha needed a Hokage who could stand at the center."
He exhaled deeply, eyes narrowing against the sun.
"That confidence was our strength. It meant that no matter how bad things got, Konoha would always have a leader at its heart. We learned that after the Second Hokage fell. Since then, this method has worked."
He took another drag of his cigarette.
"With the Hokage at the center, Konoha is untouchable. Our other forces—scattered across buffer nations—are free to strike or defend as needed. That balance has kept us powerful. No one dares invade us. Not even the arrogant Cloud Shinobi can move without allies."
His tone darkened.
"But now, that confidence has turned into arrogance. The Water Defense Line must never be abandoned, even if it means using… unpleasant methods."
He glanced briefly at Aizen. "When Hiruzen asked you to join, I told him I was willing to do anything, didn't I?"
"Yes," Aizen replied calmly. "Just as Lord Danzo predicted."
Standing in the sunlight that spilled across the corridor, Aizen inclined his head slightly.
"The Third Hokage was remorseful after the argument. He ordered me to follow you—and to give you full freedom of action."
Danzo smirked faintly. "So he managed to patch it up after all. Typical of him. I'll clean up his mess this time."
He crushed the cigarette underfoot and straightened.
"In the Land of Rain, I'll make contact with Hanzo myself. If necessary, I'll grant him autonomy."
"Is such a high price truly necessary, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo snorted. "What other choice do we have?"
He shot Aizen a sharp look, faintly irritated by the younger man's composure.
"Hiruzen says we're 'clearing out the remnants'—that it's just an excuse to show goodwill to Hanzo."
"Yes. I'll make sure the exchange of supplies proceeds smoothly."
Danzo nodded approvingly. "Good. And one more thing—Jiraiya has taken on three apprentices in the Land of Rain. Details are scarce, but we can support them when the time comes."
"You mean… not relying on Hanzo alone?"
"Exactly."
Danzo's voice dropped to a measured tone.
"We can't bet everything on one side. If Jiraiya's students grow strong, they'll inevitably become Hanzo's problem. When that happens, we'll have two cards to play—both loyal to Konoha."
He paused, thinking aloud.
"Still, those children are too closely tied to Jiraiya. Recruiting them directly would be risky. If necessary, we can approach them under the guise of Rain sympathizers."
"Understood."
Danzo's eye hardened. "They don't need to know the truth. Let them remain pure. That's what's best for us."
"Yes, Lord Danzo," Aizen replied smoothly. "I'll have all related departments coordinate with your operation. If needed, I'll request a direct order from the Hokage to ensure your success."
"Good. Go back and reassure Hiruzen. I'll begin preparations."
Danzo gave a brief nod, satisfied.
Aizen Sosuke, he thought, is sharp, efficient, and loyal to the village. If only his combat ability matched his intellect, I'd entrust even the Root to him.
But being an advisor suited him well. Diplomacy was a weapon in its own right. With Aizen and Hiruzen aligned, Konoha would always have balance—light and shadow.
As for how Danzo already knew the front lines had collapsed, and the precise movements of enemy units—neither Aizen nor Hiruzen questioned it.
That was their unspoken trust.
As long as it benefited Konoha, it was enough.
Watching Danzo's figure fade into the light, Aizen adjusted his glasses, the faint gleam in his eyes unreadable.
Then, turning toward the Hokage's office, he began walking—his white haori trailing behind him like a ripple through the morning sun.
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