The Hakimaster of Naruto

Chapter 207 CHAPTER 207: THE HOKAGE'S HOBBIES

The Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat comfortably in his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he held a crystal ball in his hands, studying the images within with obvious enjoyment.

Since becoming Hokage, his official duties had only multiplied. Life had gradually lost some of its simple pleasures. Fortunately, the development of ninjutsu had created many unexpected conveniences.

Take this crystal ball, for example. With it, he could observe things from great distances. See whatever he wished to see.

Everything in the village lay before his eyes. Of course, with his character, Sarutobi would never look at anything improper. At most, he might take a curious glance here and there.

And with Konoha's great victory on the front lines, he felt absolutely delighted. He hummed a little tune as he played with the crystal ball, thoroughly enjoying himself.

SLAM!

The door to the Hokage's office burst open.

As expected, he had arrived.

Danzo strode in, his face dark as thunderclouds. Anger radiated from every pore, mixed with something that looked disturbingly like murderous intent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands moved with practiced speed. The crystal ball vanished. His expression smoothed into serene innocence. Eyes observing his nose, nose observing his heart—as if nothing whatsoever had occurred.

He took a long, contemplative drag from his pipe.

"Danzo. What brings you here? And in such a state?"

His voice was calm, concerned even.

"How many times have I told you? Intense anger harms the body. The liver. The kidneys. You must take care of yourself! Always maintain a cheerful disposition. Look at you! Really!"

BANG!

Danzo slammed his palms against the desk. The sound echoed through the office like thunder. His knuckles were white.

"Something this monumental happens, and you're here playing with that thing?!"

He didn't specify what "that thing" was—saving some face for the Hokage. As Hokage's Assistant, he was more or less aware of that bad old man Sarutobi's... hobbies.

But to act as if nothing had happened? To sit here calmly while the village's future hung in the balance?

Was he the Hokage, or was Sarutobi?

"What monumental thing?" Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, the picture of innocence. "Danzo, I don't know what you mean. Is there an enemy attack I'm unaware of?"

"Still pretending?!" Danzo's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. His fists clenched so tightly they seemed ready to shatter. "The battle report from the front lines—you've received it!"

"Ah, that." Sarutobi waved a hand casually. "Good news, Danzo. We won! This is wonderful! Why do you seem so troubled?"

"Hmph!"

Danzo turned sharply, stalking to the window. He stared out at Konoha spread below—the roofs, the trees, the people moving through the streets.

"Do you truly not understand, or do you pretend not to?"

His voice was cold, measured, each word deliberate.

"Must I spell it out for you, Sarutobi?"

He gestured at the village below.

"Look at this beautiful village. So peaceful. So prosperous. What a pity it will soon be stolen by an outsider."

SLAM!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's palm struck the desk with enough force to rattle every object on its surface. The relaxed, leisurely facade vanished completely. His eyes hardened into something cold and sharp.

"Danzo. What nonsense are you spouting? I'll pretend I didn't hear that—this once."

"Am I wrong?" Danzo turned from the window, meeting Sarutobi's gaze with burning intensity. "Am I?"

"You speak nonsense! Ridiculous words, Danzo!"

"Ragnar." Danzo spoke the name like an accusation. "Became famous in a single battle. At the height of his power. Defeated a Tsuchikage. A Kazekage. A Jinchuriki. All in one fell swoop."

He stepped closer, each word a hammer blow.

"His prestige now likely surpasses yours. Think about it, Hiruzen. Can Ragnar still control such strength? Can you? Your position as Hokage is no longer secure."

Sarutobi looked at his old friend—his brother in arms for decades—and felt something cold settle in his chest.

"Is that so?"

His voice was quiet now. Controlled.

"Danzo, believe this or not—I have never desired to control Ragnar. He is a member of Konoha. He has made tremendous contributions to our village's peace. This is undeniable fact."

He leaned forward.

"Furthermore, Danzo—do you truly believe I cling to this position out of personal ambition? Every ninja who inherits the Will of Fire, who swears to protect Konoha as their sacred duty—every one of them is eligible to become Hokage."

His eyes bored into Danzo's.

"You simply have too great a desire for power, Danzo. You're too extreme. That's why the teacher didn't pass the Hokage title to you in the first place. You are suited to be Hokage Assistant... and nothing more."

Danzo's face went rigid.

"What did you say?"

"Only suited to be Hokage Assistant"? With these words, Sarutobi had stripped him of his future qualifications. Had blocked him completely.

"You still don't understand the teacher's decision back then?" Sarutobi sighed heavily.

"I understand nothing except this: outsiders cannot be trusted! They will never be trusted!"

Danzo's voice rose toward a roar.

"Ragnar is uncontrollable, Sarutobi! Can you still control him now?! Can you take him down if necessary?!"

"Enough!"

Sarutobi's voice cut through like a blade.

"I will not argue with you, Danzo!"

He rose from his chair, all pretense of leisure abandoned.

"Regarding Ragnar—I hope you will do nothing behind his back. If I discover any such action, even after all our years as friends, I will not sit idly by. I will not spare you."

"For an outsider? For someone who threatens the Hokage at every moment?!" Danzo's face twisted with a sense of profound grievance. "Very well, Sarutobi! Very well!"

"Outsider?" Sarutobi's voice was heavy with disappointment. "You remain stubborn even now. Ragnar is not an outsider. He is Sakumo's nominal disciple. He is Tsunade's little brother. He is the hero of Konoha Village!"

He gestured broadly, as if encompassing the entire village.

"This victory in the Second Ninja War—Ragnar won it for Konoha! If he hadn't turned the tide, our thousands of ninja on that front line would have died at enemy hands!"

His voice softened, but lost none of its intensity.

"Can you not see this, Danzo? Do you think the people of Konoha are blind? Or do you simply not care whether they live or die?"

Danzo stood frozen, bombarded by words he couldn't refute. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

"I... you... uh..."

"Get out."

Sarutobi turned away, staring out the window at the village he had sworn to protect.

Danzo stumbled toward the door, his mind a chaos of indignation and confusion. Why is this bad old man so harsh with me...

SLAM!

The door closed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood alone in his office. Slowly, he exhaled a long breath.

"Fortunately," he murmured to himself, "I managed to frighten him off."

He reached into his drawer, retrieved the crystal ball, and settled back into his chair. Might as well continue where he left off. He adjusted the image—

The door burst open again.

Danzo stood in the doorway. He had left, apparently, and then returned.

Sarutobi froze. His hand hadn't yet switched away from the last image he'd been viewing. The crystal ball displayed, in vivid detail, the interior of Konoha's women's bathhouse.

Smoke curled from Sarutobi's pipe. His expression was a masterpiece of frozen innocence.

"Ah..."

"Danzo. Come. Sit down. Please, sit down. Let me explain—"

(End of Chapter)

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