Hokage Office
Bang!
Danzo slammed his palm against the armrest.
"Hiruzen! Elder Koharu is dead!"
"This has to be connected to Kazuki!"
Jiraiya frowned.
"Elder Danzo, Minato already reported that the assassin used Water Release."
"It's likely the Hōzuki clan's Iron Cannon Technique from the Hidden Mist."
"How is that related to Kazuki?"
Jiraiya didn't particularly like Kazuki either.
But Danzo's obsession was getting ridiculous.
Danzo's eyes darkened.
"Koharu offended him."
"She was killed on the street hours later."
"Investigate him!"
"If we let this slide, where is the dignity of Konoha's leadership?"
He stared at Hiruzen.
Homura sat beside him, silent and grim.
Across the room—
The Three Sannin watched quietly.
All of them were curious how their teacher would handle this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head of the room.
Though streaks of gray had begun to appear in his hair—
He was still at the absolute peak of his power.
His prime body.
Decades of combat experience.
The same man who could fight the Third Raikage head-on.
He finished reading the report.
Then looked up calmly.
"So… what are you proposing?"
He met Danzo's gaze without flinching.
Homura spoke in a low voice.
"What is there to propose?"
"Kazuki is acting like a tyrant."
"Give him a little power and he thinks he can do anything."
"How is this any different from Uchiha Madara?"
"If we don't suppress him now, Konoha won't remain Konoha."
"He will become the next Madara."
"He'll destroy this village."
Tsunade cut in immediately.
"That's a stretch, Elder Homura."
"Kazuki isn't Madara."
Homura glared at her.
"Tsunade-hime, I'm speaking facts."
"Would a kind person force the Two-Tails into my body?"
Tsunade shrugged.
"Why not?"
"Kazuki inherited the Wood Release of the Senju."
"He mastered Uzumaki sealing."
"He's a once-in-a-generation genius."
"If he judged your body suitable, that's a professional decision."
"You're the one who always says you'd sacrifice everything for Konoha."
"Funny how that changes when it's your turn."
Homura's face twisted.
"Tsunade, you—!"
Suddenly—
Blue chakra flared from his body.
His eyes turned feline.
His teeth sharpened.
Matatabi's chakra leaked out violently.
Danzo instinctively stepped back.
"Homura! Get a grip!"
In a flash—
Hiruzen appeared in front of him.
Five chakra natures surged through his fingers.
"Five Elements Seal."
He slammed the seal into Homura's abdomen.
A roar echoed—
Then the Two-Tails' chakra was forced back inside.
Hiruzen sighed.
"Homura, go home."
"You're not stable enough right now."
Homura stood slowly.
His face filled with humiliation.
He looked ten years older.
He already knew—
The moment he became a jinchūriki—
Everything changed.
Elder?
Advisor?
Respected leader?
Gone.
Now—
He was a monster.
Watched.
Restrained.
Feared.
Kazuki's move was ruthless.
After Homura left—
Hiruzen turned to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru."
"Have Anbu monitor Elder Homura discreetly."
"He's newly bonded with a tailed beast."
"Yes, Sensei."
Then Hiruzen looked back at Danzo.
"Everything you said is speculation."
"Kazuki isn't Uchiha."
"He won't follow Madara's path."
Tsunade nodded.
"This whole crisis started because you destabilized the Two-Tails' seal."
"If Kazuki hadn't acted, Konoha would've suffered real damage."
Danzo's jaw clenched.
"If Kazuki hadn't interfered, we could've handled it!"
"Look at the northern training grounds—they're destroyed!"
Tsunade snorted.
"With what sealing knowledge?"
"Wishful thinking?"
"You—!"
"Enough."
Hiruzen cut them off.
"Danzo."
"Your prejudice against Kazuki is clouding your judgment."
He tossed a file onto the desk.
"Read this."
Danzo opened it.
His expression shifted.
The Third Mizukage.
Killed by Kazuki.
Body recovered.
For a full ten minutes—
He reread the report.
Then stood.
"…I understand."
And left.
Hiruzen dismissed the Sannin.
Soon—
He was alone.
He looked into the empty office.
"Hashirama-sensei…"
"I didn't want to go this far."
"But he's already walking a dangerous path…"
That Night
Kazuki returned home.
He sensed someone outside his door.
He opened it.
Uzumaki Mito stood there.
"Not sleeping?"
"Not yet. What's wrong?"
She studied him.
"You handled things well today."
"Don't worry."
Kazuki smiled faintly.
He wasn't worried.
Killing Danzo or Homura outright would be too easy.
Their crimes would die with them.
He wanted exposure.
Public disgrace.
He wanted the truth dragged into the sunlight.
Let the entire village see.
Let history remember.
Mito said quietly,
"Hiruzen will give us a satisfactory answer."
Kazuki didn't respond.
She still believed in him.
As Hokage—
Hiruzen always tried to balance everything.
Even when that balance protected rot.
Seeing Kazuki's silence, Mito only smiled.
"Just wait."
Then she left.
The Next Morning
Kushina woke him early again.
But this time—
It was Hiruzen waiting outside.
Without hesitation—
Hiruzen invited Kazuki to join the Administration Department.
Not just join—
He offered him the position of Director.
A direct appointment.
"Akimichi Torifu's health has declined."
"It's time to let the younger generation step forward."
"What do you think?"
On top of that—
He also offered Kazuki the position of Deputy Commander of Anbu.
Under Sakumo Hatake.
Dual roles.
Then—
The system activated.
[Ding. Based on current circumstances, three options are available.]
Option 1: Refuse all invitations and stay home.Reward: Full Wind Release Techniques of Danzo Shimura.
Option 2: Accept only one position.Reward: Akimichi Clan Secret Technique — Expansion Jutsu.
Option 3: Accept all invitations.Reward: Evidence trail against Danzo + Ultra Long-Range Video Recorder.
Kazuki didn't hesitate.
"I accept."
The Expansion Jutsu was tempting.
But what he needed now—
Was leverage.
The Ultra Long-Range Video Recorder was compact.
Earth-like technology.
Capable of recording from 1,000 meters away.
Maximum duration: 10 minutes.
Apparently—
Not all technology in the shinobi world was primitive.
Before leaving, Hiruzen said quietly:
"As Hokage, I'm always balancing the scales."
"Sometimes I must lean one way."
"From today on…"
"You are my direct appointee."
After Hiruzen left—
Kazuki understood.
Hiruzen wasn't indecisive.
He valued reputation.
He didn't want to dirty his own hands.
He handed Kazuki the blade.
Whether it was used—
That was Kazuki's responsibility.
Hiruzen would remain clean.
Kazuki smirked.
"How cunning."