Konoha cat Breeder

Chapter 19 : Bonds are The Driving force

Back in the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense.

Unlike before, everyone was now aware that Sarutobi Hiruzen had made his decision.

Although his two advisors, Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu, raised objections, their suggestions held little weight against the final authority of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage. In this moment, he was powerful and confident, leaving no room for dissent.

Except for one person.

Boom—

"Hiruzen! Why didn't you let me speak just now?" Danzo's cane struck the ground sharply as he approached the desk, his eyes locking onto Hiruzen with intensity.

Hiruzen placed his hands on the desk, the tobacco in his pipe flickering with his deep breaths. "I know exactly what you want to say, and that's exactly why I stopped you," he replied calmly after a brief pause.

The two old friends understood each other deeply, their history rich and complex.

Danzo refused to give in. He strode closer, his voice low and deliberate. "In that case, you should understand! Keeping this Jinchūriki is a double-edged sword for us. However, if we use him wisely, the benefits will certainly outweigh the disadvantages. Given your character, you'll never do what needs to be done, so you should have let me handle it from the very start! Allow me to bear the sins and the infamy."

He leaned in closer, intensity radiating from him. "Give me that child! Three years! No, one year! I can turn him into a weapon of war that you can control completely! 

Besides, this Jinchūriki originally belonged to Root. According to our agreement, you cannot interfere with Root's affairs!"

The office held only a handful of people. The advisors, Mito Kado En and Utatane Koharu, understood the gravity of the situation. Nara Shikashin, the Hokage's military advisor, was also aware of Root's existence.

BANG!

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his palms onto the table, glaring defiantly at Danzo. "Danzo! Remember who the Hokage is!"

Silence fell as Danzo was momentarily at a loss for words.

Yes, he was the Hokage.

He had the final say in all matters regarding Konoha; even the privileges of Root were granted only at his discretion. The grip around Danzo's cane tightened, his knuckles turning white with restrained anger.

Tonari!

"Danzo, don't be anxious. Hiruzen must have his reasons," Mito Kado En intervened, stepping in as a stabilizing presence. Each time Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo clashed, they found themselves navigating a familiar dance.

Slowly loosening his grip, Danzo replied, "Then, Hiruzen, how do you plan to approach the Jinchūriki? As Hokage's advisors, we deserve to know! Jinchūriki are vital; we cannot afford to make a rushed decision!" His frustration was palpable, simmering just below the surface.

He had long coveted the position of Hokage, and the reasons behind his ambition were clear.

"Baji—Baji—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained thoughtful, taking a moment to smoke in silence, seemingly unfazed by the burned-out tobacco in his pipe. 

When the soothing sensation washed over him, he finally spoke. "This child is no ordinary boy. Do you really think a child could escape the Land of Lightning so easily? To travel such a distance and arrive in the Land of Fire?

Are the Anbu of the Hidden Cloud Village truly that incompetent? The Two-Tails has gone missing, and they can't even track it?"

His voice, though not raised, commanded the room, weighing heavily on everyone present.

They had only seen Tonari's innocent demeanor, which made it easy to view him as an ignorant child. But soon, a knowing smile crept onto Sarutobi Hiruzen's serious face.

"Interesting little guy, indeed. While I'm unsure how he managed it, he seems to have the potential to grow into something formidable. If we cultivate his views, especially in relation to Root's significant apprehensions about Konoha, he might not turn out to be a bad candidate after all."

At this, Danzo's frustration peaked. "Hiruzen, if you recognize the Jinchūriki's potential, why not give him to me?

I assure you, I can mold him into a weapon impervious to emotions, capable of safeguarding Konoha in the years to come!"

Once again, Hiruzen rebuffed Danzo's proposal. Although it might have been a pragmatic path, he firmly disagreed.

"No. How can you be certain about how he communicates with the Two-Tails? What if the beast sees value in him as a person?

If you forcibly exert control over him, the Two-Tails could turn destructive, resulting in consequences that could outweigh any benefit.

What we need is a truly independent strong individual, one with self-awareness and ideals—not a mere puppet!

Do not suggest this again!

Since we have chosen to keep him, and he is a citizen of the Fire Nation, we cannot disregard his rights!

Only when individuals are willing to sacrifice themselves and become part of the flame can the new seedlings growing in the future become stronger."

At the zenith of his powers, the Third Hokage spoke with resolute passion.

In his view, he believed he could suppress the Two-Tailed Beast with effort—this was not an impossible task.

Thus, with Tonari in Konoha, he anticipated minimal trouble.

Moreover, this was a time after Second Great Ninja War had just concluded. Even if another conflict were to arise, it would at least take time to form. They had ample room to maneuver and observe.

"Even so, Hiruzen, I think we cannot afford to overlook this boy. As you've noted, if we want him to develop into a towering tree, his attitude toward Konoha is crucial.

Let's put aside Danzo's Root for a moment; we must have someone capable of guiding him, helping him gradually accept Konoha, including the Two-Tails within him." Utatane Koharu chimed in.

With the Hokage's decision made, it became the job of his advisors to enhance his plans.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, and his face brightened as if an idea had struck him. 

"Speaking of which, Orochimaru and the others should be returning soon, right?

Although Hanzo was restrained, gaining the title of Sannin under him has significantly boosted Konoha's reputation!"

Hanzo of the Salamander was a demigod capable of defending an entire country single-handedly. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't claim he could best him; he was one of the few titans in the ninja world!

At the mention of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—who were recently titled the Three sannin—the atmosphere in the office lightened noticeably.

Except for Danzo.

The more powerful Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciples became, the further away the position of Hokage slipped from Danzo's grasp.

"Hiruzen, are you implying we should assign one or more of these three to monitor the Two-Tails Jinchūriki and gradually adjust his mindset toward Konoha?" Mito Kado En asked, her eyes alight with hope.

Everyone found this suggestion fruitful.

After all, they were all trusted disciples of the Hokage who had grown under his guidance.

"What about in the interim before they return?" Danzo could not easily accept this resolution.

The opportunity was slipping through his fingers, swiped just out of reach by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hiruzen contemplated briefly, then turned to Nara Shikashin, who sat quietly observing the discussion. A satisfied smile grew on his face.

"Before they return, Tonari will stay with you, Nara Shikashin. I believe that with your wisdom, you'll be able to assess what kind of person this young boy is, as well as how he views Konoha."

Upon this declaration, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for the clever decision he made.

With the Nara clan's intelligence, managing a child should be a simple task.

Nara Shikashin: "!!!"

Nara Shikashin was taken aback. This was a Jinchūriki! The Nara clan relied on intellect to navigate the complexities of life, not raw power to subdue a rampaging Two-Tails.

Before he could voice his concerns, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "By the way, even though he is a Jinchūriki, he should attend Ninja School. This will help him better integrate into Konoha and forge friendships.

Bonds are the driving force!"

"And remember! Do not disclose his status as a Jinchūriki to anyone! Otherwise, you're well aware of the potential consequences! 

Alright, let's adjourn the meeting."

"Snort!!"

As Sarutobi Hiruzen wrapped up the discussion, Danzo turned on his heel and exited the room.

A calculating glimmer sparkled in his narrowed eyes as he lowered his head.

Action must be taken swiftly!

Otherwise, the position of Hokage would become even more elusive. Now, he needed to watch not only Sarutobi Hiruzen and his three disciples!

Also… did he truly believe that those sent by Root could be dismissed so easily?

Hiruzen, you remain trapped in an idealistic world; you are far too soft-hearted!

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