Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 102: Frontline
HALF AND HOUR AFTER MEETING
DANZO PRISON - HOUSE
"What? I don't want to join. And remember I'm a prisoner thrown by you in this prison," Danzō said coldly.
After Hiruzen had home imprisoned him, Danzō no longer cared about what happened in Konoha. All of his former ambitions, schemes, and hunger for power had long since faded away, replaced by something far simpler and far more selfish. He only cared about his wife and his child.
Strangely enough, life in confinement had been peaceful so far until today. Although it all thanks to Hiruzen. He still received a pension to support his own family.
Now he had all the time to spend with his family and loves them, so how can he replaced it with more work like before. When he was a root leader, he would back late everyday and his relationship with his wife and child become colder and distant.
But a year after his imprisonment he could he could laugh, play and spend quiet afternoons with his family without worrying about politics or betrayal. At night, he could share intimate moments with his wife, something many people spent their entire lives yearning for but never achieved.
This was happiness.
A quiet, ordinary happiness that most people are seeking for in their life.
So why should he care about a war that no longer concerned him?
Konoha shinobi lost? It wasn't his fault but Hiruzen. Yeah all of this are hiruzen, so he won't care about it anymore.
Yet today, Hiruzen had dragged him out of his home prison and forced him to stand here.
"This is your punishment, Danzō," Hiruzen said calmly.
"What punishment?" Danzō scoffed. "I'm already imprisoned. Why would I care about a war?"
Hiruzen gaze hardened. "Very well. Then your wife will be sent to the front lines. And when your child turns twelve, he will be forced to join the war as well. I give you my word."
"You!" Danzō shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Hiruzen's face. "How dare you!"
"If that is what you choose," Hiruzen continued evenly, "your wife will be deployed today. And your child will follow when the time comes."
"Damn you…" Danzō growled. "Tobirama-sensei should never have chosen you as Hokage."
"I'll give you five minutes," Hiruzen said, turning away. "Join now, or say goodbye to your wife."
He left Danzo alone without another word.
Danzō cursed under his breath, his fists clenched tightly. When he saw no one was watching, he turned and walked quickly to his room.
There he saw his wife who are waiting for him.
"Wife," he said softly, forcing himself to stay composed. "I'm sorry… but I have to join the war."
She looked at him quietly, then nodded. "I understand. Just… come back safely."
"I am sorry, I never become a good father and good husband before," said Danzo while tears are coming out from his eyes.
"Yeah you are such an idiot and greedy person," replied his wife also had formed a tears on her face.
Danzō embraced her, then knelt to kiss his child forehead one last time.
"I will try my best to return safely," said Danzo.
Without looking back, he headed toward the Hokage office.
His wife just looking at Danzo figure who become smaller and finally vanished from her eyes.
Meanwhile, Raiken waited quietly inside the Hokage office, with several clan leader and finally their wait is over when they saw the Hokage opened the door.
"Is everything all right, Hokage-sama?" Raiken asked.
"Yes," Hiruzen replied after a brief pause. "We're waiting for Danzō. He's preparing to join the war as well."
Raiken eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
Earlier, Hiruzen had instructed Raiken to remain in the office while he handled something personally. He had said that he needed to bring another person onto the frontline, someone who are usefull and strong.
For Hiruzen, Danzō was not merely a former subordinate.
He was his shadow and also power.
Someone who had walked beside him since their youth, someone who understood the uglier truths of war that others even Koharu and Homura lacked. With Danzō present, Hiruzen felt a strange sense of confidence, an assurance that no matter how dark the battlefield became, someone would be willing to do what had to be done.
To be honest, Hiruzen had long forgotten Danzo only when something bad happen would he suddenly remembered about Danzo.
Because Danzo would always have the right answer, although he didn't question what method he would use to deal with problem.
Now, Hiruzen hated the fact that Danzō had been able to rest while he was forced to join the war.
He as a Hokage was forced to go to the frontline, seeing shinobi died on the borders or the one who woul died and Danzo can lived in peace while receiving the pension. Enjoying the quiet life that so many others would never have.
That is why his thoughts had immediately gone to Danzō when Raiken forced him to go.
Because when enemy attacking them before, Danzō had always borne the burden of darkness so that Hiruzen could remain in the light.
Now it was time for that shadow to return.
'You want to be angry?' Hiruzen thought grimly. 'Then turn that anger toward the enemy.'
'You want to live in peace?Then make sure the enemy can never threaten it again.'
Yes, he had gone too far. Threatening Danzō with his wife and child crossed a line Hiruzen had never thought he would done it before, that Dark Thing always done by Danzo and not him. Yet the oncoming war left no room for mercy, not when the village itself stood on the brink and not when his life himself are in danger.
'If I must suffer… then I will not suffer alone. Danzo my good friend, you will always become my shadow and my helper.' thought Hiruzen.
Hiruzen straightened his back as he reached the office doors.
Whatever happened next, there would be no turning back and if Danzo dared to not join the war he would force his wife and child.
...
There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 128: Strongest In The World
Chapter 129: Madara Adjust Plan
Chapter 130: Raiken Attack Again
Chapter 131: Anticipation
Chapter 132: I Can Do This All Day
-patreon.com/zorojurown