Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out of the room, his body leaning heavily against the wall.
Ever since Biwako Sarutobi passed away, he had kept himself restrained for years. He never imagined that, for the sake of power, he would cross this line today.
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes.
All of this was because of Uchiha Ran.
Utatane Koharu soon followed him out, naturally looping her arm through his.
"Hiruzen," she said softly, "did you remember what I told you earlier? Besides questioning the legitimacy of Uchiha Ran, you must also bring your student Jiraiya back to the village."
"Tsunade may be more suitable on paper, but her position and beliefs mean she'll never stand with us. Jiraiya is different. He values bonds and loyalty. As long as you guide him a little, he'll remain devoted to you."
"By then, even if he becomes the Fifth Hokage, he'll still have to consult you on everything."
"You won't need the Hokage title. You'll still wield Hokage-level authority." Koharu laughed softly. "Isn't that perfect?"
Hiruzen didn't reply.
His silence was answer enough.
Just then, footsteps echoed.
Asuma Sarutobi walked in.
"Father," he said, "Shikaku has already announced it. The preparations for Uchiha Ran inheriting the position of Fifth Hokage will be completed in three days. You—"
His words cut off abruptly.
His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood stiffly, his expression dark and oppressive, like an aging tiger. Utatane Koharu, on the other hand, was smiling brightly, a trace of calculation gleaming in her eyes.
"Fa… Father? You… you two—" Asuma clenched his teeth.
His mother had been gone for six years. In those six years, Hiruzen had avoided all women, presenting himself as a devoted widower.
And now—
He saw Utatane Koharu holding his father's arm, and his father hadn't pushed her away.
The shock hit him like lightning.
Asuma's voice snapped Hiruzen out of his thoughts. He noticed the resentment in his son's eyes.
Instinctively, he tried to pull his arm free.
Koharu tightened her grip instead, smiling calmly.
"We've already crossed this line," she said. "Sooner or later, we have to face it. Hiruzen, you're not planning to use me and then discard me, are you?"
Hiruzen's expression wavered.
"Let go first."
This time, Koharu released him.
She understood when to advance and when to retreat. For now, she still needed Hiruzen's influence and connections.
Hiruzen turned to Asuma.
"You said the ceremony for Uchiha Ran to become Fifth Hokage is in three days?"
Asuma nodded, his gaze cold. He had no desire to say another word.
Hiruzen sighed.
"What must come will come."
"Asuma," he said slowly, "go and contact Jiraiya. You must reach him before Uchiha Ran officially ascends to the Hokage seat."
"Remember—be fast."
"The future of the Sarutobi clan depends on you."
He patted Asuma's shoulder and turned away.
Asuma stood there, staring blankly at his father's retreating figure, emotions in turmoil.
He couldn't understand it.
His father was nearly seventy. Why was he still so obsessed with power?
The Hokage's workload was crushing. Endless meetings, constant decisions—did he even have the stamina left?
Asuma had read countless issues of the Konoha Times, and he didn't agree with many of his father's governing methods. Whenever he questioned him, Hiruzen would grow irritable and dismiss him outright.
Utatane Koharu sighed softly, her gaze drifting toward Asuma with faint disappointment.
She truly couldn't understand how that cunning old monkey had produced such a dull son.
If Shinnosuke Sarutobi were still alive, Hiruzen would have been far more at ease. In both temperament and sharpness, Shinnosuke had been the one most like him.
It was a pity he died in the Third Great Ninja War.
Otherwise, there would have been no Minato Namikaze, no Orochimaru, no White Fang, and no fierce competition over the Hokage seat.
Back then, the clans either lay low or maneuvered secretly, trying to place their bets correctly. Open and hidden struggles never ceased.
It was Danzo Shimura who arranged the downfall of the White Fang and forced Orochimaru into defection.
He had even intended to kill Minato Namikaze.
Yet Hiruzen struck first, appointing Minato as Hokage.
All of this was overheard clearly by the figure hidden in the corner.
Kakashi Hatake.
He had always known Hiruzen Sarutobi was not someone who would give up easily.
After hearing everything, Kakashi's eyes turned icy.
So the old fox still wasn't done.
His next move was clear—he would report everything to Uchiha Ran.
There was no other reason.
The man who caused his father's death had already been dealt with by Uchiha Ran himself.
According to rumors, Danzo Shimura had been killed, revived, and killed again—five times in total—before being permanently eliminated.
Kakashi knew that if he had faced Danzo himself, he could have killed him at most three times before running out of chakra.
After that, the outcome was obvious.
His Sharingan would be taken. His body would be used for experiments.
Or worse—his genes would be preserved, a clone created, branded with the Tongue Curse Seal, and raised to obey Danzo absolutely.
Elsewhere.
Uchiha Ran lay back, holding an authentic copy of Icha Icha Paradise. His breathing was slightly uneven, his body warm.
"This book… really is something," Ran muttered. "I've barely read a few pages, and my blood's already boiling."
"Rich content, solid substance. Shame there's no rating system."
"If there were," he said seriously, "I'd definitely give it five stars and request more chapters."
He flipped the page.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Ran froze.
He shoved the book under the covers, took two steady breaths, and suppressed the heat on his face.
"Enter," he said calmly.
He stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind him, posture dignified.
The moment Kakashi Hatake entered, his body trembled.
He dropped to one knee.
"Former ANBU Captain Kakashi Hatake," he said solemnly, "greets Lord Uchiha Ran."
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