A Dangerous Gamble
Hijack Konan to control Saigoji Youmu?
Shimura Danzō's idea wasn't surprising.
But did he truly believe Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't thought of that already?
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed in contemplation.
This kind of high-risk maneuver could only be justified if success was guaranteed.
And if it failed?
Konoha would have to face the full wrath of Saigoji Youmu.
Hiruzen sighed.
Konoha was still entangled in war.
They barely had enough manpower to hold their ground, let alone hunt down an unpredictable force like Youmu.
Even if they gathered enough power to take him down—
Who among them could actually complete such a mission?
Hiruzen knew the answer.
No one.
A man capable of defeating Hanzo with ease was a force of nature.
Trying to destroy him would only invite disaster.
And controlling him?
An even greater fool's errand.
No—keeping him close through bondage was the only option.
So, Sarutobi Hiruzen chose the soft approach.
It wasn't desperation—not yet.
Both Youmu and Konan remained in Konoha.
And more importantly—
They had ties to Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya.
If there was a chance to recruit him…
It would come in time.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Shimura Danzō's face.
It hung there—then finally dripped onto the floor.
His body felt heavy, locked under Hiruzen's unwavering pressure.
For a moment, it was as if he couldn't even move.
The Third Hokage, in his prime, was a force to be reckoned with.
No, he wasn't on the level of the First or Second Hokage.
But compared to Danzō?
It wasn't even a contest.
Hiruzen finally withdrew his presence.
The suffocating weight lifted.
Danzō's body slumped in his chair, his breath ragged.
"You may leave, Danzō."
Hiruzen's voice was calm—but absolute.
"Konan is Tsunade's apprentice—my student's student."
"Saigoji Youmu is a hero who fought for Konoha on the battlefield of the Land of Rain."
"Do not bring up this matter again."
Then, a final warning.
"And do not let Root spy on Saigoji Youmu."
Hiruzen's gaze was sharp.
"If anything happens, I will not be responsible for you."
Silence.
Danzō slowly stood.
Without a word, he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Boom.
The door closed behind him.
Hiruzen sat there, eyes dark with thought.
"Saigoji Youmu… who are you, really?"
He replayed their conversation over and over in his mind.
Saigoji Youmu had known.
He had anticipated this.
That someone would try to use Konan against him.
So he made Tsunade her master.
That Danzō would try to act in secret.
So he had warned Hiruzen in advance.
For someone who had never been to Konoha before—
He knew too much.
And in some ways…
He knew Konoha better than Hiruzen himself.
The Hokage exhaled.
"Danzō… I hope you control yourself."
"Saigoji Youmu is not like those you've dealt with before."
Tread. Tread. Tread.
Shimura Danzō walked slowly out of the Hokage Building, head slightly lowered.
His hidden eye burned with rage, humiliation, and ambition.
"Hiruzen… you've made a mistake."
"You think you're placing Hokage's burden on me?"
"No—you're proving that you're too weak to carry it yourself."
He clenched his fist.
"Sooner or later, you'll regret this."
"I'll show you that you're unfit to be Hokage."
"Only I, Shimura Danzō, can lead Konoha to true greatness."
Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy…
Tsunade finally released her grip on Nawaki.
The young Senju was still rubbing his forehead, pouting.
"Hmph! I'll get stronger, you know!"
Tsunade smirked.
"Sure, sure. We'll see about that."
Saigoji Youmu stretched.
"Alright. Enough of that."
He turned to the group.
"How about some barbecue? My treat."
Silence.
Then—
"YES!"
Senju Nawaki immediately perked up.
Konoha's barbecue restaurants weren't cheap.
Even as the Senju heir, he couldn't go there often.
It wasn't that the Senju clan was poor—
But with Tsunade's gambling habits…
Let's just say their financial situation was questionable.
His allowance was naturally…limited.
"Good idea!"
Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Jiuno's faces lit up with excitement.
Even Namikaze Minato, usually reserved, looked tempted.
For someone from a civilian background, barbecue was a rare luxury.
Saigoji Youmu chuckled.
"Alright then, let's go."
For now—
They could enjoy some peace.