The next day.
Yoru showed no surprise as he looked at the ANBU ninja standing respectfully before him.
The man had come under orders from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to invite Yoru to the Hokage's office.
After giving a few instructions to the three girls, Yoru followed the ANBU ninja toward the Hokage Tower.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from inside.
Click.
"Hokage-sama, Yoru-sama has arrived," the ANBU said respectfully as he opened the door.
"Oh? Yoru is here?" Hiruzen smiled. "Come in."
Step. Step.
Yoru walked in, a smile on his face. "Grandpa Sarutobi, you were looking for me?"
Hiruzen looked at him—the image of the boy making his declaration during the academy ceremony still fresh in his mind.
"I called you here because I want to ask you something," Hiruzen said with a gentle smile.
After a brief pause, as if making up his mind, he continued, "Your contributions on the battlefield of the Land of Rain are second only to the overall commander, Senju Senra. So I want to ask… what do you think about the position of Deputy Captain of the Konoha ANBU?"
As he spoke, Hiruzen's gaze sharpened slightly, watching Yoru's eyes carefully, as if trying to read something within them.
Yoru waved his hands exaggeratedly. "Grandpa Sarutobi, you must be joking. I'm still so young—there's no way I can take on such a heavy responsibility."
Hiruzen stared into Yoru's eyes.
They were still as clear and pure as before.
There was no trace of ambition.
It seems Yoru is still that same child…
Hiruzen relaxed inwardly.
Recently, quite a few Konoha elders had come to him, saying that Yoru was getting too close to the Senju clan. Combined with his outstanding military achievements, it was enough to make anyone wary.
At first, Hiruzen didn't pay much attention. Yoru was still young, and as Tsunade's disciple, it was only natural for him to be close to the Senju clan.
But as such voices grew louder—
A hint of unease began to form in Hiruzen's heart.
Then yesterday's incident happened.
Danzo's Root had many informants placed by Hiruzen himself, so he knew everything that had occurred.
However—
Danzo had provoked Yoru first.
Even if Hiruzen felt Yoru had gone a bit too far, he couldn't say much.
After all, Yoru was a great hero of Konoha!
And his achievements alone were enough to qualify him for entry into Konoha's true upper echelon.
Hiruzen found it hard to believe that someone so young, if he had ambition, would ignore such a perfect opportunity.
During the elders' meeting, Hiruzen had even sent someone to notify Yoru—
But Yoru had declined.
And now, seeing those clear, untainted eyes—
Hiruzen was finally at ease.
He had always been confident in his judgment of people.
There was no way he could be wrong.
Yoru—
Was still a young man devoted wholeheartedly to the village.
"If you're unwilling, then we'll leave it at that," Hiruzen said with a smile, not forcing the matter. "As for what happened yesterday… I've already suppressed it. Though, Yoru, your actions were a bit excessive."
Yoru showed a slightly apologetic smile. "I acted impulsively at the time. I'll handle the aftermath properly."
Hiruzen chuckled inwardly.
Still a young man—quick-tempered and impulsive. That was understandable.
In fact, it was precisely because of this that Hiruzen trusted him more.
If Yoru had been deeply calculating instead, Hiruzen would have been far more wary.
"Alright then, Yoru," Hiruzen said. "At the moment, there aren't any suitable positions available in the village. Your achievements will be recorded, and when an appropriate role opens up, I'll have someone inform you."
"No need, Hokage-sama," Yoru replied with a smile, changing his tone slightly. "Being able to contribute to the village is already my greatest wish. Both my parents died on missions, and the village has already given me a lot of special care. I'm very grateful."
Hiruzen watched Yoru's departing figure with a faint smile.
What a good child.
He thought to himself.
Having accomplished so much for the village, yet asking for nothing in return.
Danzo…
A cold glint flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
Even someone like this—you still want to target him?
Your ambition is completely out of control.
It seems I need to teach you a lesson.
Yoru walked out of the Hokage Tower, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.
Looks like Hiruzen Sarutobi has been stabilized for now, he thought.
Hiruzen was, without a doubt, a seasoned politician.
Once, he had been full of passion, wanting to build Konoha into the greatest village. And to some extent, he had succeeded. Though it couldn't be denied that much of that success came from the strong foundation left behind by the Second Hokage.
But over time—
Hiruzen had grown intoxicated by power.
Holding absolute authority… was addictive.
And this was not the old, indecisive Third Hokage from later years.
Right now—
Hiruzen Sarutobi was at his peak.
He firmly held all of Konoha's power in his hands.
The reason he hadn't dealt with Danzo immediately was twofold.
On one hand, it was for appearances. They were fellow disciples under the same master—if Hiruzen acted too harshly, it would make others uneasy.
On the other hand—
Danzo only thought he was clever.
In reality, he was a fool.
Hiruzen believed he wouldn't be able to stir up any real trouble.
Still, Danzo often did things that displeased him, and his ambition was completely undisguised. That was why Hiruzen constantly kept him in check.
So long as Yoru showed no desire for power—
Then even if Yoru punished Danzo, Hiruzen would actually be happy to see it.
As for the elders aligned with Danzo—
They wouldn't have anything to say.
After all, Danzo had provoked Yoru first.
And the Root ninjas who died?
Just tools.
Neither the elders nor Hiruzen cared about them at all.
The only real loss this time—
Was Danzo's face.
Yoru looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.
Did they really think politicians playing power games could guess his true ambition?
Until he had absolute certainty of killing in one strike—
He would never let them see through him.
And by the time they realized—
It would already be too late.
"Hmm… I wonder what delicious food Mikoto has made today."
A warm smile appeared on Yoru's face.
Only when he thought of the women waiting at home—
Did he feel any warmth in this dark world.
"I'm looking forward to it."
With that, Yoru walked toward home.
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