"Jubei," Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to the empty office.
The moment his words fell, a young man wearing an ape mask dropped from outside the window into the room, kneeling on one knee seemingly respectfully.
The young man was lean, with thin arms and legs, appearing quite young.
His codename was Jubei, his real name was Sarutobi…
"You may leave," the Sandaime said, waving his hand at Jubei. "Do whatever you want."
This was the Sandaime's son, who had only reported to Anbu a few days ago. Originally, the Sandaime had kept him close to personally look after him.
But now the Sandaime had changed his mind.
Hearing this, the young man hesitated for a moment, then after a while, he softly asked, "Really? You're not lying to me?"
A few days ago, he had just experienced a 'love beating' and was forced to report to Anbu. The young man was a bit bewildered by his loving old father's sudden change of heart.
The Hokage wouldn't be Hokage for long. His child staying in Anbu had no future, so it was better to let him fly and see for himself.
And he, the Third Hokage, would lead Anbu to do what needed to be done.
The Third Hokage's eyes sharpened as he said, "When have I ever lied to you?"
You've always lied to me.
After staring at his old father intently for a while, confirming that he wasn't being played with…
The young man stood up, ripped off his mask, and threw it to the ground, revealing his mature, seasoned face, and cheered, "Yay!"
His expression was flippant, his demeanor careless; one look and you knew he wasn't a serious person.
Looking at his old father, the young man pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and put it in his mouth, saying, "Want one?"
A vein throbbed on the Sandaime's forehead.
Since becoming Hokage, he hadn't had time to discipline his child, and Biwako, having her first son, lacked experience and spoiled him too much.
Therefore, he was very rebellious.
With his child being a typical example of 'I'll do it again next time,' the Sandaime had despaired of education.
The 'fist of love' might be toxic, but it was effective.
"Jubei, don't tell anyone outside that you're my son," the Sandaime solemnly instructed. "I can't afford to lose face."
"Are you kidding? If I didn't have a choice, would I want to be your son?" Jubei waved his hand, saying, "I won't tell anyone. From now on, I'm just Jubei."
As the young master of the Sarutobi Clan, he hadn't attended the Ninja Academy, always receiving elite education within the clan.
Almost no one in the Village knew him.
Tsunade, also a young master, had to set an example, because she was a Senju.
And this was a form of protection. The Sandaime couldn't let everyone think his child could become Hokage.
Therefore, he could not be his own child.
A vein throbbed on the Third Hokage's forehead as he took a deep breath.
"So, you don't have the privileges of the Hokage's son. You'd best remember that."
"I don't need such things," the young man said, his expression serious. "Stop looking down on me, old man."
As for this Hokage, he had barely seen his shadow a few times since childhood. In his memory, he was always a busy figure, making it seem like he didn't have a father.
He'd rather play with his three disciples than with him…
Therefore, Jubei hated the Hokage.
"That's for the best. Get out of here, you brat," the Third Hokage said wearily.
"Hey, see ya," he said, cigarette in mouth, hands in pockets, walking with an arrogant stride, swaying with each step, humming a tune as he decisively left.
This son was too troublesome; he couldn't keep him.
He had to have another one!
The Third Hokage thought of this, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards, amusing himself.
It seemed one matter had been resolved.
Jubei, if I die in the Shinobi World War…
You must live well…
The Third Hokage looked at the documents on his desk, feeling a headache, and buried himself in processing them.
He had to be consulted on every matter, big or small, in the Village, so things were numerous and complex. He constantly maintained high-intensity work with Shadow Clones, and even the speed of his aging accelerated.
There were always things to do, endless things. Before old problems were solved, new ones emerged.
And this busy period lasted until deep into the night.
Looking at the moonlight outside, the Third Hokage, taking a break, lit a cigarette.
Biwako should be asleep by now.
It was time to go home.
He didn't want to engage in another deadly battle after a day of hard work.
Just then, the office door was unceremoniously pushed open.
Only one person in the entire Village would do this.
Danzo Shimura.
Like the Third Hokage's wife, he showed no respect at all.
The Third Hokage looked at Danzo as he walked in and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Where are the people you promised?" Danzo was full of questions. Everything had been agreed upon, and he was just waiting for them to get started, but he waited and waited, and no one appeared. Danzo wondered if he had been stood up.
The Third Hokage looked at Danzo, rubbed his forehead, and said, "People? There are none left."
"Huh?" Danzo said coldly, "Hiruzen, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" Sarutobi said, "Anbu has been restructured. People from all the Shinobi Clans have withdrawn from Anbu. Now Anbu only has people from the Sarutobi Clan."
"There's no one left to give you."
"I've always said, Hiruzen, none of these Shinobi Clans are trustworthy," Danzo said. "They only look at their own short-sighted interests. They have no Village, no Konoha in their hearts."
The Sandaime looked at Danzo and said, "Your Root, there's nothing that can be done. Unless you figure it out yourself."
"Hmph!" Danzo said coldly, "I'll go to those Shinobi Clans and demand people. Hiruzen, you're too weak and useless. It'd be better if I were Hokage."
"Honestly…" the Sandaime said, "Stop boasting, Danzo. I'm tired."
"In that case, I suggest selecting personnel from orphans to form Root," Danzo said.
Orphans?
"What do you plan to do?" the Sandaime inquired.
"Of course, train them into qualified Shinobi," Danzo said. "The Ninja Academy's training isn't enough. I also want this year's civilian graduates."
"That's too many," the Sandaime instinctively felt something was wrong, but couldn't pinpoint what it was. He said, "Does Root need that many Shinobi?"
"You have to give me something," Danzo said. "This is for Konoha."
Having grown up together, Sarutobi knew what kind of person Danzo was. This statement was sincere.
Otherwise, the Sandaime would not have tacitly approved the establishment of Root.
This itself was part of the expansion of Anbu.
The Sandaime was also going with the flow.
But…
"I know, Danzo," the Sandaime said. "You figure out the people yourself. You can choose people from the orphanage, but Ninja Academy students are impossible."
"Your word is enough, Hiruzen!" Danzo said confidently. "I'll handle the rest myself!"
With that, Danzo was about to leave.
"Wait, Danzo," Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to Danzo.
"What else is it, Hiruzen? I'm busy," Danzo said arrogantly, not turning around, only looking over his shoulder.
This guy…
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little annoyed. He wondered who had been so exasperated a few days ago, saying he would regret it.
Hiruzen did regret it.
This guy, give him a little light and he shines, give him a little paint and he'll open a dye shop.
However, as a friend, Hiruzen had long been accustomed to this attitude.
So…
"Danzo, what do you think of the position of Hokage's Advisor?"
"Huh?" Danzo turned around in confusion, looking at Hiruzen. What was this guy suddenly thinking?
"Do you want it?" Hiruzen asked.
"It's not impossible," Danzo nodded, replying calmly. "This isn't what I want."
The corners of his mouth curved slightly.
This guy, has he finally come to his senses?
With us two brothers working together, what Shinobi Clans in the Village do we need to fear?
"Then you are now, the Hokage's Advisor," Hiruzen said seriously.
If he were to be shamefully removed from office, wouldn't there be a ready-made scapegoat?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased with his cleverness.
Presumably, Danzo wouldn't mind.
He understood Danzo.
Just as Danzo understood him.
As childhood brothers, they should share hardships.
Danzo said, "Then I'll help you, Hiruzen. Without me, it really is disgraceful."
"I thank you, you guy," the Sandaime said, genuinely thankful.
The thought of Danzo helping to take the blame immediately eased his pressure.
This is great! Brother!
"Hmph," Danzo left the Sandaime with a dashing departing back.
Now this is more like it, truly a brother!
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