"Useless! You can't even handle something this simple!"
"Go take your punishment. If this happens again—you know the consequences!"
As the ANBU operative entered the underground base, he immediately heard Danzo Shimura's furious voice echoing through the hall.
Three battered figures stood before him, trembling.
"Yes!"
They accepted the order in fear and hurried away—casting a quick glance at the ANBU on their way out.
Only after they left did the ANBU step forward and bow slightly.
"Danzo-sama, Hiruzen Sarutobi requests your presence."
"…I know. I'll go now."
Danzo's face was dark as he turned and left for the Hokage's office.
Hokage Office — Confrontation
Before long—
Raised voices echoed through the Hokage building.
Many shinobi outside froze.
They could clearly hear—
The Hokage and Danzo arguing.
"Danzo!"
"I already warned you not to touch Shiro Akira! Did my words mean nothing to you?!"
Hiruzen slammed his pipe down, anger evident.
Danzo kept going on about Sakumo being a threat—
But what about himself?
Did he think Hiruzen didn't see through his ambitions?
If not for still needing him—
Hiruzen would have already moved to restrain him.
"Hiruzen! I was only concerned that the boy would be influenced by Sakumo Hatake!"
"I did it for your sake!"
Danzo retorted, trying to justify himself.
Hiruzen looked at him like he was looking at an idiot.
"You think I'd believe that?"
"I don't care what your excuse is. I'm warning you again—"
"Shiro Akira is not someone you can touch."
"Stay away from him."
Then his voice turned cold.
"And don't forget—"
"I am the Hokage."
"If you defy my orders again, I will revoke your authority over Root."
That—
Was no longer a casual warning.
It was a line drawn.
Danzo's expression hardened.
He stared at Hiruzen for a long moment, eyes filled with suppressed fury.
"…Hiruzen. You will regret this."
Then he turned and stormed out.
Hiruzen frowned.
"…That line again. Can't you come up with something new?"
He clicked his tongue.
"Why would I regret anything?"
To him, Danzo just sounded repetitive.
Danzo's Resolve
Outside the Hokage building—
Danzo's face twisted with suppressed anger.
"You are the Hokage… you are the Hokage…"
"As if I need reminding."
"That's exactly why I'll make you step down… and take that seat myself."
His fists clenched.
"Someday, Hiruzen Sarutobi…"
"I will make you feel the same humiliation I feel right now."
Every time—
That same sentence crushed him.
I am the Hokage.
To Danzo—
It was unbearable.
His thoughts drifted deeper—
To the past.
"To think… Teacher chose you…"
"Why not me?"
In his mind, he was shouting at Tobirama Senju.
"If I hadn't hesitated back then…"
"If I had stepped forward before Hiruzen…"
"Would you have chosen me instead?"
That—
Was his obsession.
His lifelong regret.
He believed—
He was more suited to be Hokage than Hiruzen.
That position—
Had been stolen from him.
"And now…"
"White Fang has interfered again."
Danzo's eyes turned cold.
"Then I'll accelerate the plan."
"I can't leave him alive any longer."
Anyone who stood in his way—
Would be eliminated.
Hatake Residence
Meanwhile—
Sakumo returned and dispelled his shadow clone.
"It's handled."
"It was Root operatives under Danzo. They shouldn't bother you again."
"Don't worry."
Shiro Akira nodded inwardly.
As expected.
Then he bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Sensei. Sorry for the trouble."
If Root had continued watching him—
Too many things would have become impossible.
Now—
He could breathe again.
But—
He wouldn't forget this.
Danzo…
I'll settle this with you someday.
Shiro Akira was someone who held grudges very well.
"Don't say something like that."
Sakumo smiled and patted his head.
"I'm your teacher. Protecting you is only natural."
"Just focus on growing stronger."
"The future belongs to your generation."
As he looked at Shiro Akira—
A thought crossed his mind.
…He really does resemble the Second Hokage.
Silver-white hair.
Red eyes.
Almost identical.
"Perhaps…"
"That's why his talent is so exceptional."
Tobirama Senju had been known for creating countless jutsu.
And Shiro Akira—
In just weeks—
Had created lightning body techniques and lightning sword styles.
The resemblance… wasn't just physical.
"Hehe…"
Shiro Akira smiled, then grew serious.
"Sensei… about what I mentioned earlier."
"Danzo may target you."
"This time you interfered with his plans again—he won't let it go."
"He might sabotage your missions."
"If he sets a trap…"
"You need to be careful."
If Sakumo could avoid that fate—
That tragedy—
Then everything would change.
Just one or two years—
That's all Shiro Akira needed.
By then—
Danzo, Hiruzen… even Madara Uchiha—
Would be nothing more than stepping stones.
"Mm."
This time—
Sakumo didn't dismiss it.
He nodded seriously.
"You're right."
"That man will use any means necessary."
"I'll be careful."
"Both of you—stay alert as well."
Even with Hiruzen's warning—
Danzo was not someone to underestimate.
"We will."
Shiro Akira and Kakashi nodded together.
But in Shiro Akira's heart—
A quiet determination had already taken root.
This time…
I won't let history repeat itself.