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After waiting a while without Danzō showing any intention to speak, the group resumed discussing Kirigakure's intelligence.
"It appears Kirigakure is pursuing an elite forces strategy." Homura Mitokado was first to voice his assessment after Sakumo Hatake summarized the gathered intelligence.
"However, such policies create internal contradictions. Were I the Mizukage, the most effective method to eliminate these conflicts would be initiating warfare." As a veteran from the Second Hokage's era, Koharu Utatane proposed the approach most commonly employed by leaders of her generation.
Danzō: "..."
"Hiruzen, we absolutely cannot lower our guard regarding Kirigakure." Understanding Konoha's advantageous geography and knowing that any war would inevitably target Konoha first, Koharu reminded Hiruzen.
"I understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded while holding his pipe, then glanced toward Danzō once more.
At this point, both Homura and Koharu sensed something amiss. The meeting had progressed this far, yet Danzō hadn't uttered a single word throughout—neither promoting his Uchiha Threat Theory nor demanding additional reconnaissance missions to Kirigakure.
Was this truly the Danzō they knew as the Darkness of the Shinobi World?
While such meetings felt considerably more harmonious, they couldn't shake their unease.
"Danzō, what's your perspective?" Koharu finally couldn't restrain herself and directly solicited Danzō's opinion.
"Indeed, we must remain vigilant against Kirigakure's actions." Upon being directly questioned, Danzō nodded in agreement with their proposal.
That's... it?
Where was his usual "You're too weak, you'll regret this, I should be Hokage"?
"Incidentally, Sakumo also brought back a child from this mission." Unable to gauge Danzō's true intentions, Hiruzen decided to drop this bombshell.
Hearing this, Danzō finally opened his eyes, a cold sneer flashing through his mind.
So Hiruzen finally couldn't contain himself.
"A child? Does this child possess important intelligence?" Homura inquired curiously, glancing toward Sakumo while puzzled why Sakumo hadn't mentioned this information earlier.
"That child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai." Seeing Danzō show some reaction, Hiruzen continued revealing his information.
"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? Hiruzen, where is this child now? We must ensure their protection." Understanding the importance of Bloodline Limits, Koharu couldn't contain herself and inquired about the child's whereabouts.
If successful, Konoha would gain a new Kekkei Genkai clan for their service.
"That child is named Feng Bai—Shimura Feng Bai." Hiruzen set down his pipe and smiled while lifting his teacup.
"What?!" Upon hearing this news, Koharu abruptly stood, then quickly reseated herself upon realizing her impropriety: "His name is... Shimura Feng Bai? Could it be..."
Koharu regarded Danzō with incredulous eyes.
"What's wrong, Koharu? Why such—wait, Shimura Feng Bai?" Homura was about to address Koharu's breach of decorum but then realized the implications, directing the same gaze toward Danzō.
"D-Danzō, did you adopt that child?" Koharu tentatively questioned Danzō.
"Not adoption. That child is my biological son, lost to the outside world." Locking eyes with Hiruzen, Danzō publicly acknowledged Feng Bai as his biological son before Konoha's leadership.
Witnessing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile broadened further, while Sakumo Hatake released a relieved sigh.
"What..." Koharu appeared thunderstruck, frozen in bewilderment, while Homura's mind overloaded, frantically mobilizing his mental faculties to process this momentous revelation.
"Then I shall take my leave." Recognizing his dismissal, Sakumo Hatake prepared to depart.
"Yes, thank you for your efforts, Sakumo. Please wait in the rest area briefly—I have additional matters to discuss with you." Acknowledging Sakumo's achievements, Hiruzen smiled warmly at him.
"Understood." Sakumo nodded, choosing not to use Body Flicker Technique, instead walking slowly to the door and departing with extremely quiet movements.
"Danzō, is this true? Is that boy really your..." Having recovered, Koharu persisted somewhat stubbornly, making Homura somewhat envious.
"Naturally. Feng Bai is my son—this fact has been confirmed through ANBU investigation." Danzō again half-closed his single eye, resuming his composed demeanor.
This Koharu—time has truly dulled her edges. In her youth, her boldness far exceeded her male contemporaries, yet now—
Though maintaining his facade, Danzō had long harbored various dissatisfactions with his former comrades.
Hiruzen is too weak, Homura is too weak, and now Koharu displays such excessive weakness.
Indeed, the Hokage position would be better entrusted to me.
"This is wonderful news, Danzō. You've concealed this information so deeply—hardly fair to us." With Sakumo, the outsider, having departed, Homura felt comfortable teasing Danzō.
Who would have imagined that Danzō, who constantly proclaimed dedicating everything to the village, had quietly produced a son—and a foreign variety at that.
No wonder this fellow remained silent throughout today's meeting.
"Hehe, Danzō, with such momentous news, shouldn't we old folks have a long-overdue gathering?" Koharu also recovered from her previous stupor, her tone carrying playful mockery.
"I'm busy, unlike you leisurely individuals." Danzō curtly refused.
Very well—Danzō remained Danzō, perpetually employing his suffocating conversational style.
The others, long accustomed to Danzō's manner, took no offense and seized the opportunity to reminisce.
Years of immersion in power's corrupting influence had stripped them of their youthful sharpness and original intentions.
Using Danzō's sudden parenthood as catalyst, they rarely recaptured fragments of their younger selves.
"Speaking of which, Hiruzen, your son should be approaching school age as well." Koharu suddenly recalled Hiruzen's youngest son.
"Asuma, that boy? I suppose so." Hiruzen helplessly rubbed his head: "You know how it is—I'm perpetually busy, so Biwako handles these matters."
Having been rebuffed by Danzō, Homura chose to tease Hiruzen: "Biwako marrying you was truly misfortune. I recall your childhood habit of peeping—"
"Homura, those were childhood incidents!" Hiruzen hastily interrupted Homura. Any further revelations would completely destroy his Hokage dignity.
These fellows—
Danzō regarded the three enthusiastically chatting individuals with some impatience. According to his usual behavioral patterns, he would have departed long ago, yet inexplicably, his legs showed absolutely no intention of movement.
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