As the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen's strategic vision was in no way inferior to the Third Raikage's.
After listening to his son's report, Hiruzen immediately realized just how enormous Kizaru's value on the battlefield truly was.
He could attack and retreat at will, possessed terrifying offensive power, and was nearly impossible to pin down.
Against an enemy's rear lines, he was practically a nightmare made real.
It could even be said that as long as Kizaru remained on Konoha's side, Konoha would hold an overwhelming advantage in any war.
As long as the village could keep the enemy occupied on the front lines, Kizaru could use his absurd mobility to wreak havoc on their rear, crush their supply lines, and throw the entire battlefield into chaos.
If that happened, Konoha's victory would only be a matter of time.
Thinking of that, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kizaru with even greater fondness.
What a fine boy.
Just as expected of my disciple.
Hiruzen could see it clearly, and Danzo, as one of the village's hawks, naturally saw it as well—perhaps even more sharply.
Hanzo has been moving in the shadows for a while now...
Should I just light the fire myself and force the war to begin ahead of schedule?
With Kizaru's current abilities, a Great Shinobi War would be the perfect stage for him.
As long as Kizaru made enough achievements in battle, then with the right support and careful guidance, the influence and prestige he gained would be unimaginable.
The more Danzo thought about it, the more excited he became.
His gaze toward Kizaru grew increasingly heated.
My nephew is a genius among geniuses.
If only he came with one less mouth, he'd be perfect.
"This mission was arranged by me. Kizaru and Sakumo both performed splendidly."
Before Danzo could even speak, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already stepped in first, taking responsibility for the possibility that this mission might provoke a conflict between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
Danzo looked at Hiruzen with open dissatisfaction.
He had also intended to speak up and shoulder the blame for his nephew—
but he had been a step too slow.
In the end, he could only close his half-open mouth again.
Damn it.
Late again.
"However, we still need to prepare for Kumogakure's reaction," Hiruzen continued. "I'll arrange for more forces to be sent to the border in case they retaliate."
After saying that, he turned toward his son.
"Shinnosuke, increase the ANBU's surveillance on Kumogakure and keep a close eye on their recent movements."
"Understood," Sarutobi Shinnosuke answered seriously.
"Hiruzen, let me lead the team to the border myself," Danzo said at once.
He was worried that if ordinary shinobi were sent and Kumogakure launched a sudden strike, the casualties would be too severe. If that happened, it could affect Kizaru's reputation as well.
So this time, Danzo was prepared to move personally.
"No," Hiruzen refused without hesitation. "You still need to keep watch on Amegakure. That side matters too. As for the border, someone else will handle it."
Danzo fell silent for a moment.
He knew Hiruzen's reasoning was sound, so he did not argue further.
"What a pain~"
Kizaru, who had remained quiet until now, lifted a hand and scratched the back of his head lazily.
"Why not just send me back to the border alone?"
He spoke in his usual casual tone—
yet what he said was absurdly domineering.
"It's only Kumogakure. I can keep an eye on them by myself~"
One man against an entire village.
And he said it as though he were talking about taking a stroll.
For a moment, complicated emotions passed through everyone's hearts.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Kizaru with even greater appreciation.
The same words, when spoken by different people, had completely different weight.
If Hatake Sakumo or Sarutobi Shinnosuke had said something like that, Hiruzen and Danzo would probably have thought they were being reckless.
But when Kizaru said it, no one in the room could dismiss it.
Because Kizaru had already proven he had the strength to back it up.
"No need for now," Hiruzen said warmly. "You've worked hard enough on this mission. Stay in the village and rest for a few days."
Rejected by his teacher, Kizaru did not insist.
He simply fell silent again.
"You've all worked hard these past few days. You may go now," Hiruzen said, looking at the three of them.
"Understood."
"Alright."
"Byee~"
The three answers were different, but their movements were the same. Together, they turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.
After leaving the Hokage Building, they looked up at the sky.
It was still early.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke first.
"There's still plenty of time. How about we go get some yakiniku together?"
This mission had let him witness Kizaru's terrifying strength with his own eyes, and it also made him want to grow closer to both of them.
"That sounds nice," Kizaru said in agreement.
Hatake Sakumo, who had once treated Kizaru to yakiniku before, felt his hands twitch slightly.
Then, in the shameless yet necessary spirit of self-preservation, he asked the most important question first.
"Minister Shinnosuke... you're paying today, right?"
It wasn't that Sakumo was stingy.
The problem was that the last time he had treated Kizaru to barbecue, it had left such a deep scar on his heart that he would probably remember it for the rest of his life.
Whenever he thought about how he had to live frugally for more than a month afterward, he felt a chill run down his spine.
There was nothing he could do.
The Hatake clan was small, and he often had to help relatives and clan members who were struggling.
So this question had to be asked in advance.
"Sakumo, you really are something..." Sarutobi Shinnosuke said with a helpless smile.
Fortunately, he had saved up a decent amount of private money this year.
"I'm paying today."
"Thank you very much, Shinnosuke-san~" Kizaru said at once, smiling brightly.
"You're welcome. Eat as much as you like," Sarutobi Shinnosuke replied generously, patting his chest.
Out of basic human decency, Hatake Sakumo stepped forward and tried one last time to save the man.
"Just order normally," he said, looking meaningfully at Kizaru, his tone full of persuasion.
"Hahaha!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke laughed boldly. "Don't worry, I've got money! Today I'm treating you to the Akimichi clan's high-end yakiniku restaurant."
"Now that does sound exciting~" Kizaru said with a smile.
Hatake Sakumo looked at Sarutobi Shinnosuke with pity.
He had already done everything he could.
"Let's go!"
With a grand wave of his hand, Sarutobi Shinnosuke confidently took the lead and brought the other two toward the Akimichi clan's yakiniku restaurant.
The restaurant was located near the center of the village, beside the tea street, not too far from the Hokage Building.
Led by Shinnosuke, the three arrived in about ten minutes.
"Lord Shinnosuke, it's been a long time!" Akimichi Hachi, the shinobi from the Akimichi clan in charge of reception, greeted him warmly.
"Prepare a private room for us," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said with practiced ease.
Hachi's eyes swept over the three guests before settling on Kizaru.
At once, his eyes lit up.
A big customer.
Having served Kizaru before, Akimichi Hachi's smile became noticeably brighter.
With extra enthusiasm, he personally led the three of them to the most luxurious private room in the restaurant.
Once they were seated, a waiter handed the menu to Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
Akimichi Hachi stood nearby, watching expectantly.
"Kizaru, go ahead and order," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said with a smile as he handed him the menu, completely failing to notice the strange look that had appeared on Hatake Sakumo's face.
"How embarrassing~" Kizaru said, looking almost shy as he accepted it.
"No need to hold back. Just order whatever you want," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said generously.
"Then I'll gladly accept, Shinnosuke-san~" Kizaru said with a smile, holding the menu in his hand.
"Go on!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke said with a bold wave of his hand.
After hearing that, Kizaru didn't even glance at the menu.
He simply handed it straight to Akimichi Hachi.
"Then let's start with three portions of everything on the menu~"
Kizaru said it with a gentle smile under Sarutobi Shinnosuke's puzzled gaze.
"Certainly!"
Akimichi Hachi answered so loudly and quickly that it was almost impressive.
And the smile on his face grew brighter than ever.
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