After Danzo left, the remaining three Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharuexchanged glances. They were long accustomed to Danzo's paranoia and ambition, so his presence no longer stirred much reaction. Within Konoha, the most politically influential clans, the Hyuga and the Uchiha, remained in silent contention, each guarding their own pride.
"What if the Rain Shinobi front becomes a second battlefield?" Homura asked.
Sarutobi's seemingly passive response to Hanzo's provocations the deployment of younger shinobi appeared generous, but in reality, it was a calculated political maneuver. He wasn't just giving the Sannin an opportunity he was fortifying his own legacy.
Neither Hatake Sakumo nor the Sannin were mere pawns; they were cultivated assets. All of them were directly linked to Sarutobi Hiruzen, not only as comrades but as symbols of his political control. Sending them to the front lines wasn't just about war it was about solidifying influence.
Homura's concerns mirrored Danzo's: "If Rain can bypass both Sunagakure and Iwagakure, then what?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a stream of pipe smoke, eyes glinting with a quiet confidence. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru are ready. This task suits them."
The greatest political gain here, however, wasn't just military victory it was prestige. If the Sannin proved their worth against Hanzo of the Salamander, a known demigod-level ninja, then their fame and by extension, Hiruzen's would skyrocket.
Particularly, the Uchiha were restless. Fugaku Uchiha, already prominent in the Konoha Military Police Force, had made no secret of the clan's ambitions toward the Hokage seat. Few were comfortable working beneath someone like Danzo, whose underhanded tactics and reliance on Root made him feared more than respected.
"Konoha's face cannot be tarnished," Koharu added sharply, echoing the ideology that drove them to agree with Sarutobi's decision.
Notably, their entire conversation wasn't concealed from the fox-masked Anbu standing silently behind Sarutobi. That level of access marked this Anbu as someone of exceptional trust an inner-circle figure.
At this stage, all four elders Hiruzen, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu were bound by overlapping interests. Despite philosophical differences, they each sought Konoha's dominance and their own secure positions within it.
"Will the Sannin be alright?" Homura asked, shifting slightly.
"They are my students," Hiruzen said. "They've walked through blood and war. They're ready."
The Hyuga and Uchiha may have once stood tall as noble clans, but at this moment, Sarutobi's word could command their full obedience. He had grown powerful enough that even giants bowed with a mere command scroll.
Seeing Sarutobi's confidence, Homura and Koharu gave small nods. This wasn't blind trust it was strategy. The question came again.
"Hiruzen, who will lead the army?"
He needed Danzo's ambition but not Danzo's face. Danzo was essential in dirty work Root's black-ops actions, assassinations, information control but placing him in public command could spark fear or resistance.
"Some shinobi just aren't meant to lead," Koharu remarked, implying Danzo.
The fox-masked Anbu behind Sarutobi stirred ever so slightly. This was no ordinary guard. It was Hatake Sakumo White Fang of Konoha the current Anbu Commander, groomed by Hiruzen himself.
In Hiruzen's heart, no storm could uproot the mighty tree of Konoha. Not now. Not yet.
But Danzo was different. His dream wasn't service it was control. Sarutobi had to constantly balance this threat. He puffed again, eyes narrowing with resolve.
Even Sarutobi wasn't naïve. He knew the Sannin were not just warriors they were tools of politics, tokens to be placed with care. Friends, apprentices… all had to be weighed against the scale of governance.
"What about Sakumo?" Koharu pressed.
Sarutobi nodded. "He'll be the sharpest blade in our sheath."
Homura and Koharu would always stand beside Sarutobi. As co-advisors since the First Hokage's time, their positions were tied to Hiruzen's success.
Once Danzo left, the trio quickly aligned: Sannin and Sakumo would lead. Their successes would echo throughout Konoha, reinforcing the idea that Hiruzen's mentorship was the greatest in shinobi history.
For the people, the story would be simple: Sannin were born under Hiruzen's guidance. How could they not revere such a leader?
Yes, Hanzo was dangerous. His reputation as a demigod was well-earned. But Sarutobi needed the world to see Konoha's new generation shining brighter.
Once the others departed, Sarutobi stood at Hokage Rock, gazing over his village. Peaceful for now, but always teetering.
"Shall I go myself… or truly let Danzo act?" he murmured.
Compared to Mist's Anbu, Konoha's division was elite, but the title of Anbu Commander wasn't all-powerful. Even someone like Sakumo, with immense strength, held only a functional title beneath the Hokage.
Still, he had potential. "Sakumo… don't disappoint me," Sarutobi said softly.
"The Hyuga and Uchiha aren't trustworthy. The others lack strength and leadership."
That was the truth in Sarutobi's heart. The Sannin and Sakumo were extensions of himself sharp, loyal, and yet unthreatening in the political arena.
The trio had rejected Danzo's request not out of compassion but as a planned move. With Sannin on the frontlines, the political dividends would fall into Sarutobi's lap.
Homura and Koharu recognized this, trading smiles.
Now Hiruzen turned fully to Sakumo.
"I want you to lead this."
Sakumo's expression didn't change, but the slight tremble of his shoulders betrayed his emotion. The man who would later shake the world as White Fang now received the full trust of Konoha's most powerful man.
Sakumo bowed slightly. "Rain Shinobi isn't enough to require my full force, but… I accept, Hokage-sama."
Leadership in Konoha was isolating. It always was. But Sakumo was not like Danzo, who thirsted for shadows. He sought honor.
"This war is inevitable," Hiruzen murmured.
Compared to Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, or even Danzo himself, the Sannin lacked seniority, but they were icons in the making.
"We'll support this plan," the two elders confirmed.
This wasn't just battle it was a masterstroke of leadership.
Sarutobi's image of gentleness, compassion, and mentorship stood in direct contrast to Danzo's cold pragmatism. Naturally, the people gravitated to the former.
For those with strength, all they needed was a battlefield and a spark.
If Sarutobi fell, their faction would crumble too. Thus, preserving his position preserved their own.
Their choice to tolerate Danzo wasn't brotherhood it was risk management.
Sakumo's body stilled, his mind steady. This was his mission. His test.
He exhaled.
He would become the blade that forged peace.
The White Fang had been called forth.
The Sannin would rise in fame.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's power base would solidify.
Rain Shinobi was the target but power was the true battlefield.
And there was no one else in Konoha better positioned to win than him.
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