Chapter 89: Shadows in the Office
The air in the Hokage's office was thick with the scent of old paper and tobacco, a familiar aroma that now carried an undercurrent of tension. Kagenori stood before the Hokage's desk, his posture perfectly respectful, his mind a fortress of calculated calm. He had just handed the scroll from Orochimaru to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was now reading it with a focused expression.
It was then that Danzo Shimura's gaze, heavy and assessing, settled upon him like a physical weight.
"I have heard," Danzo began, his voice a low, gravelly rumble, "that you led a team comprised of four Uchiha shinobi in the Land of Hot Springs."
The very tone set Kagenori's instincts on edge. This was not casual conversation; this was an interrogation disguised as small talk.
Kagenori gave a curt nod. "That is correct, Lord Danzo. On the orders of my superior, Orochimaru-sensei, I was assigned as team captain with command over four Uchiha shinobi."
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed slightly. "Was it only because of Orochimaru's order?"
The implication was clear. Kagenori's response was carefully neutral. "Yes, Lord Danzo. It was a military assignment."
A silence stretched between them, taut and deliberate. Danzo broke it with a question that was anything but innocent. "What is your opinion of the Uchiha clan?"
Kagenori's mind raced. This was a trap. For a Jonin to openly criticize a founding clan would be insubordinate; to praise them would mark him as a sympathizer to a man who clearly held them in contempt. Danzo was testing his allegiance.
Danzo pressed on, his expression unreadable. "I recall you had… significant conflicts with the Uchiha in the past. Has leading their clansmen resolved those issues?"
Kagenori's reply was a masterclass in political deflection, cool and devoid of personal feeling. "The matter of personal conflict is irrelevant. We are all shinobi of the same village. The mission and the village's security take precedence over any individual grievances."
A man as shrewd as Danzo could not miss the subtext. The conflict was not resolved; it was merely suppressed for the sake of duty. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Danzo's lips. "Kagenori, was it? You are… capable. Have you considered a position within my Root division?"
The audacity of the offer, made directly in front of the Hokage, was startling. Kagenori's mind scrambled for a polite, yet firm, refusal that wouldn't make an enemy of this dangerous man.
Fortunately, Sarutobi Hiruzen chose that moment to look up from the scroll, his voice warm and authoritative, cutting through the tension. "Danzo, Kagenori has become one of Konoha's most valuable field operatives. His place is on the front lines, gathering intelligence and leading from the front, not in the shadows. We cannot spare him." He gestured with the scroll. "The situation in Hot Springs is stable, and other fronts are holding. This gives us a window to deploy our new Genin to the battlefield, to harden them and bolster our numbers."
Danzo let out a dismissive grunt. "Do not be so optimistic, Hiruzen. Intelligence gathered by my Root operatives confirms that the Tsuchikage, Onoki, has dispatched envoys to Kirigakure. Our own overtures were rejected, yet Kiri received Iwa's ninja. This suggests a high probability of an alliance between Rock and Mist. Should that happen formally, Konoha will face a coordinated assault from three of the five great villages."
Sarutobi's face grew weary. "I am aware of the situation, old friend. But after so much grim news, is it so wrong to appreciate a moment of stability?" He set his pipe down. "As for the Iwa-Kiri alliance, we need not be entirely pessimistic."
Danzo's eyebrow raised in genuine curiosity. "You have new information?"
"The Third Mizukage's 'Bloody Mist' policy," Sarutobi stated, his tone turning serious. "You are familiar with it?"
Danzo nodded. "A brutal but effective method to cull the weak and identify the most powerful shinobi."
"Precisely. However, according to our infiltrators, while it has produced a cadre of elite fighters, the overall attrition rate is catastrophic. If it continues, Kirigakure will soon face a critical shortage of manpower. They are bleeding themselves dry."
Danzo's frown deepened. "You believe this will prevent an alliance?"
"Not prevent," Sarutobi corrected, relighting his pipe. "But it changes the dynamics. Onoki and A are not known for their generosity. They will use Kiri and discard them. A village desperate for external validation and weakened from within… that is a potential vulnerability for our enemies, and an opportunity for us. The future is uncertain, but Kirigakure may yet become the crack in our enemies' united front. We still have opportunities."
He then turned his attention back to Kagenori, his expression softening into an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Kagenori. We became engrossed in matters of state and neglected you." He retrieved a scroll from his desk drawer and handed it over. "Your official transfer orders for the Land of Grass front."
Kagenori accepted the scroll with a bow. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"There is one more matter," Sarutobi continued. "Orochimaru informed me that you have declined a standard three-man cell, opting instead to take on a single Genin as your personal disciple?"
Kagenori delivered his pre-prepared reasoning flawlessly. "Yes, Lord Hokage. My combat style and mobility are best suited for independent action or a very small unit. I believe I can provide more focused, effective training to a single apprentice directly on the battlefield."
Sarutobi nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. "A sound approach. The Academy graduation exams are in two days. You may observe and select a graduate then."
Kagenori bowed again, deeper this time. "Understood. Then, with your permission, Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo, I will take my leave."
"Go."
Once the office door closed behind him, Kagenori allowed himself a quiet, controlled exhale. The meeting had been far more perilous than anticipated. To have drawn Danzo's direct attention so suddenly was a significant complication. The man's reputation for ruthless pragmatism was well-known. From now on, every move would have to be calculated with the shadow of Root in mind.
As he stepped out of the Hokage Tower and into the sunlight, a genuine smile finally found its way to his lips. He pushed thoughts of Danzo aside. There was a more important reunion to attend to. He turned his steps toward the residence of Uzumaki Mito.
Back in the office, the congenial atmosphere evaporated.
Danzo turned his grim visage back to Sarutobi. "Do you believe he is a viable candidate?"
Sarutobi looked up from his paperwork, momentarily confused. "For what?"
"The Uchiha situation," Danzo stated, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial low. "His hatred for them is palpable, yet he controls it. He is powerful, connected to Orochimaru, and holds the Hokage's trust. He could be an invaluable asset."
Sarutobi's face hardened, the kindly old man replaced by the stern leader. "Danzo, Konoha needs every able-bodied shinobi, and that includes the Uchiha! Their forces are crucial to our war effort. Now is not the time for your… schemes."
Danzo's gaze was unyielding. "And after the war? Do you think their recent cooperation is out of loyalty? It is a calculated play to reclaim the authority they feel is their due. You know the threat their clan poses as well as I. The problem must be considered, and a solution must be prepared. Sooner rather than later."