"The Uchiha clan has called another high-level meeting—their third this month."
"What's the agenda?"
"They excluded Itachi. He's been exposed."
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Danzō's report while puffing on his pipe, the smoke accentuating the deep wrinkles on his aged face.
"Hiruzen."
Danzō's voice was a low growl, snapping the Third Hokage out of his hesitation.
"The Uchiha's rebellion is inevitable. Our priority is to minimize the damage. I propose Root exterminates the Uchiha—down to the last."
"Not yet."
"But—"
Danzō tried to argue, but Hiruzen suddenly lifted his head. His clouded eyes locked onto Danzō with a killing intent so sharp it felt tangible. For a moment, the old man resembled the legendary "Shinobi no Ō" (God of Shinobi) of his youth.
"Do not act without my order."
Staring at his old friend, now radiating the aura of his prime, Danzō shut his mouth.
"Hah…"
A slow exhale of smoke filled the room as Hiruzen's sharp gaze faded, replaced by exhaustion.
"The Uchiha are co-founders of Konoha, alongside the Senju. Any action against them must be handled with care. Times have changed. Since the village's founding, clans that stand apart have faced extinction—the Uzumaki, and now the Uchiha. They know this. The Uchiha excel in one-on-one combat, but they can't sustain a war of attrition. Konoha's forces outnumber them a hundred to one. Even with five more Mangekyō, how many could they kill before their chakra runs dry? Rebellion or defection—their fate is sealed. Fugaku is no fool. He understands this."
Danzō smirked inwardly.
Root's research on the Sharingan and Hashirama's cells is at a critical stage. We need test subjects. If the Uchiha don't rebel, where else will I get my hands on their eyes?
Watching Hiruzen cling to futile hope, Danzō scoffed.
Weak. He never deserved the title of Hokage. Once I master the First's power and the Uchiha's, I'll unite the shinobi world and prove our teacher wrong.
"Every Root operative has mastered the Darkness Genjutsu. With the Sealing and Water Style units on standby, we can move against the Uchiha at any time."
Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging the preparedness. Even if the Uchiha revolted, Konoha wouldn't be crippled.
With the Uchiha matter tabled, Danzō shifted gears.
"About that promise you made—any progress?"
Hiruzen blinked innocently. "What promise?"
Danzō's eye twitched.
"Tch. Don't play dumb. Root is understaffed and underfunded. You said you'd assign new recruits a week ago. Where are they?"
Hiruzen dropped the act.
"You want young, elite shinobi with kekkei genkai or secret techniques. Those are the clans' treasures. How am I supposed to just hand them over?"
"Fine. Lower your standards, then!"
Hiruzen paused—then remembered her.
Hikari. Young. Gifted. A mystery.
Perfect for Danzō's needs. Sending her to Root would neutralize her suspicious intent to enroll in the Academy while exploiting her talent. If things went south, it'd be Danzō's fault—not his.
"Actually… I might have someone for you."
"Oh? Which clan?"
Danzō perked up. Usually, Hiruzen took from Root—rarely did he give.
"Here. Review this."
Hiruzen slid Hikari's file from under his hat.
Danzō scanned it eagerly—then froze.
Might Guy's adopted daughter? A civilian?
Disappointed but still hopeful, he read on.
Six years old. Blind—
"BLIND?!"
He slammed the file onto the desk and stormed out.
"If you won't cooperate, don't insult me with rejects!"
Hiruzen gaped.
"Wait—keep reading! You're not even—ugh, always so impatient!"
Danzō didn't look back. Antagonizing Might Guy over a disabled civilian? He wasn't suicidal.
"Root doesn't accept liabilities!"
The door slammed shut.
"You'll regret this, Danzō."
"I lead Root. Not you."
Hiruzen sighed, picking up the discarded file.
Hypocrite. You're half-blind yourself.
Still, part of him was relieved. Someone like Hikari didn't belong in Root's darkness.
Fine. If he doesn't want her, I'll keep an eye on her myself.
---
[Later, with Guy and Hikari]
"Hikari, why so glum?"
Guy balanced grocery bags and a tower of books, his bushy eyebrows furrowing.
"It's nothing."
Her heavy footsteps betrayed her mood.
She had considered Root's threat. Allying with Hiruzen and Guy was her shield against the Hyūga—but Danzō? He was unpredictable.
What if he ignores them and comes for me anyway?
Madmen didn't follow logic.
For now, the Uchiha crisis bought her time. But the uncertainty gnawed at her.
If I had Hashirama's power, I'd crush them all.
"Ta-daa! Look what I got you!"
Guy reappeared, now holding a stuffed pink bear backpack.
"A gift for your first day at the Academy! May your dreams bloom with youth!"
"No."
She turned away. A thirty-year-old in a kiddie backpack? She'd rather join Root.
Guy wilted.
"But it's cute! See?"
"I'm blind."
"Liar! You tracked Fūma-sensei's Wind Release: Instant Movement earlier!"
"Still no."
"...Just try it?"
"..."
Ignoring him, Hikari marched ahead, her blindstaff tapping the ground. Guy trailed her, waving the bag like a salesman.
---