Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of towering trees, casting mottled shadows across the forest floor.
Within those shifting shadows, Haori's figure flashed past at high speed—he had already left Konoha.
"That old man's efficiency really isn't bad."
As he hurried along, Haori couldn't help but reflect inwardly. He had brought the matter up with Uchiha Setsuna just yesterday.
By that very afternoon, Setsuna had already sent people to negotiate with the Hokage, secured the mission approval, and today Haori was free to move out.
Strictly speaking, missions didn't even need to go through the Hokage personally. Konoha's resource management was fairly well organized, and the Mission Office existed precisely to handle task allocation.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen was the type who liked to keep everything firmly in his own hands.
Moreover, this particular mission also aligned with Setsuna's private agenda—Uchiha Shisui.
Shisui was another super-genius of the Uchiha clan, albeit from the "other side."
Despite being several years younger than Haori, he had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan!
A talent like that—especially one belonging to a rival faction—was impossible for Setsuna not to be curious about.
"But just because you tell me to go, I'm supposed to drop my own plans and rush over immediately?"
From Haori's perspective, making contact with Shisui wasn't unacceptable.
As for Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi—one selfish to the extreme, the other arrogant to the extreme, both utterly illogical—
Haori's assessment of them was the classic Bian Que trilogy: Can't be saved. Wait for death. Goodbye.
Shisui, however, was different.
Although he too was technically a traitor, he wasn't a thorough one.
Looking back on his dramatic yet ultimately fruitless life, if there was anything memorable about him—
it was that when he needed to be firm, he collapsed instantly; when firmness was actually required, he never quite managed it.
That, plus his tendency to lose brain cells at critical moments.
Still, at least deep down, he cared about the clan.
Unlike Itachi, who swung his blade without hesitation and wiped out everyone—old, young, guilty or innocent—except for his beloved little brother.
"So even if this guy's a traitor and kind of spineless, at least he's still… human."
That said, Haori would reserve judgment until they actually met.
Right now, though, he didn't have time for that.
What mattered most was going to Akizuki Valley and digging up graves.
—
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office
Smoke curled through the room as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, held his pipe and read the document in his hands.
It was a draft peace agreement he had just written—one he hadn't shown to anyone yet.
But he knew all too well that once it was made public, it would cause massive upheaval.
Just like in the original timeline, he intended to acknowledge that Iwagakure's military actions had been for self-defense—and to waive all demands for war reparations.
In his view, Konoha truly couldn't hold out much longer.
Although Kumogakure in the north had paused large-scale offensives, they showed no intention of negotiating peace.
Iwagakure had been defeated and was also wary of Kumo—but Hiruzen didn't dare underestimate their war potential.
Konoha itself had suffered enormous losses. Even though more war potential could still be squeezed out, he longed to exit the war through peace.
"And letting Iwa clash with Kumo is the better option."
Hiruzen murmured to himself.
By giving up what a victor should rightfully claim, his purpose was crystal clear—
preserve Iwagakure's strength so they could continue bleeding Kumogakure.
Of course, such reasoning could never be stated outright. He was already prepared to bear the blame once the peace talks concluded.
"The most important thing right now… is reaching peace with Iwagakure."
Looking at the document, Hiruzen finally made up his mind.
After all, whoever came after him would still be one of their own—the policies wouldn't change.
Knock, knock, knock—
Just as he reached that decision, someone knocked on the office door.
"Come in."
Hiruzen frowned slightly, discreetly putting the document away before speaking.
"Hiruzen."
The door opened, and Shimura Danzō walked in with a grim expression. He wasted no time and got straight to the point.
"That Uchiha brat—why did you let him leave Konoha?"
"Haori?"
Hiruzen frowned. He instantly understood Danzō's meaning, but deliberately sidestepped the issue.
"Konoha is severely understaffed right now. He's willing to take on some simple missions—naturally that's a good thing."
"Hiruzen, you know that's not what I mean."
Seeing Hiruzen dodge the topic, Danzō's expression darkened.
"That brat's contact with Kushina—don't tell me you're unaware!"
"I'm fully aware of it, and I've already looked into it."
Hiruzen met Danzō's gaze. Though somewhat displeased, he knew Danzō was acting for Konoha's sake.
Having lived through Uchiha Madara's rebellion, neither of them could forget how easily the ferocious Nine-Tails had been controlled by the Sharingan.
Still, in Hiruzen's eyes, Haori was incomparable to Madara—yet he wouldn't fault Danzō for his vigilance.
"Kushina told me Haori approached her regarding sealing techniques, at Minato's request.
And don't forget—Uchiha Obito also had a good relationship with Kushina.
She always treated Obito like a younger brother."
"Don't be naïve, Hiruzen."
Danzō snorted, his tone growing harsher.
"An Uchiha interested in sealing techniques is sheer fantasy.
Even if he truly is interested, don't forget—he's Uchiha Setsuna's man.
Obito may have had potential, but no one noticed it back then, and he never developed it.
Most importantly, he's dead—and he didn't have Setsuna backing him.
Hiruzen, we cannot afford the slightest carelessness when it comes to the Nine-Tails!"
At this point, Danzō hadn't yet been beaten down by reality.
His attitude was still uncompromising.
Only after Root was crushed by Nagato, after Kakashi thwarted his assassination attempt on the Third, and after being surrounded by ANBU and forcibly taken away with "Kō"—
would he finally show Hiruzen real respect, instead of treating him as a rival.
He firmly believed that he had merely spoken a moment too late—that was the only reason his old friend had become the Third Hokage.
"Danzō, I understand your intentions, and I understand your concerns."
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. Though his displeasure was rising, he still spoke patiently.
"But Haori has Minato's trust, and his performance has shown no issues.
Konoha is at a critical juncture—we must unite everything we can to face the outside world together.
And don't forget… that child is a hero of Konoha."
"Isn't that only because you pushed him so high?"
Danzō refused to back down. He knew Hiruzen wasn't wrong—but he didn't believe himself wrong either.
"Even if he has merits, he crossed a line this time.
I stand by my position: he must be recalled for close observation.
If necessary, an investigation is required.
If internal issues aren't resolved, how can we face external enemies with peace of mind?"
"That's enough, Danzō—you're overstepping!"
Hiruzen finally snapped.
He no longer wanted to argue.
He knew perfectly well that their personalities were fundamentally alike—
both believed they alone were right, and that only they could lead Konoha to prosperity.
But while Danzō was stubborn, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still the famed Professor, the "Shinobi Hero" of the ninja world!
"Konoha needs manpower. The war isn't fully over. Unity comes first—just like before. You may leave."
"You—"
Danzō was choked by Hiruzen's words. Seeing the unyielding expression on his old friend's face, he knew the decision was final.
"Hmph. Hiruzen, you'll regret this someday!"
"That's for the future. Right now, ending the war comes first."
Hiruzen looked at Danzō coldly, took another slow puff from his pipe, and said calmly—
"Don't forget.
I am the Hokage."
~~--------------------------------
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