Unlike the tense, misty atmosphere of Kirigakure, Konoha bustled with life. Missions were the lifeblood of the village, and combined with its strategic location, it was clear why Konoha had an edge over other villages.
Inside the Hokage's office, the monthly routine meeting was underway.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, set down a document, rubbed his temples, and asked, "Of the thirteen tasks assigned to Root, why are four still incomplete today?"
Danzo remained composed and replied calmly, "Root already handles a large number of assignments. Receiving more tasks suddenly isn't too troubling, but they must be done carefully, step by step."
"Give me a definite answer."
"I will dispatch teams to complete them immediately, but…" Danzo narrowed his eyes. "If I do, Root will be entirely occupied. In the end, Root still bears responsibility for protecting Konoha. Should anything go wrong, I, as Root's leader, will be accountable. Hiruzen, what do you think?"
"You want to expand Root?" The Third Hokage stared sharply.
"That is correct," Danzo replied, unfazed. "Root was originally meant to cultivate talent for the Anbu. Now that it's understaffed, unless we expand significantly, are we going to rely on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to protect the village in the future?"
"Why not? The Nine-Tails is incredibly powerful. If Kushina can control it, what harm would it do to entrust her with the village's protection?"
Danzo's expression darkened. "Don't speak such platitudes here. Even Mito-sama, who was exceptionally capable, never mastered the Nine-Tails' power."
"Don't think I don't understand your thoughts," Hiruzen said expressionlessly. "You want the Nine-Tails to gain merit through the Barrier Team and then be freed from obligations to the village."
"Is that true, Hiruzen?" Homura Mitokado asked from the side.
The Third Hokage didn't respond directly, only noting, "You still resent that I allowed Kushina to serve on the Barrier Team. This was Mito-sama's request before her passing, and Kushina has the ability to fulfill it."
"The Nine-Tails must be controlled, not let loose. It's only been a few years since the Cloud Village kidnapping incident!" Danzo sneered.
"I will decide this matter myself," Hiruzen said, glancing at Danzo. "I agree to Root's expansion, but with one condition."
"What condition?"
"You must not target children from major clans."
"Then where do I find talented youth to train?" Danzo asked.
"After the Second Shinobi World War, countless civilian orphans remain. You may absorb them into Root."
Danzo hesitated, then nodded slowly. "There is also one more matter—recall all ninja sent to Kirigakure. Don't let them die in vain."
Danzo looked surprised. "What news have you received?" His surveillance of Kirigakure had increased since the Third Mizukage's visit, yet the situation remained unclear. Hiruzen's intelligence was impressively thorough.
"The Mizukage may have been attacked." Hiruzen produced a sealed letter and passed it around. Danzo shook his head first. "Based solely on battle traces, you think the Third Mizukage was attacked? Uchiha Fugaku's son… how naive."
Koharu Utatane, who had been silent, smiled gently. "Hayashi's analysis makes sense. Kirigakure's lockdown indicates that something significant is occurring."
Homura Mitokado agreed. "The Mizukage's unusual measures suggest an internal threat. Perhaps one of his own ninja carried out a major purge."
"Whatever is happening in Kirigakure, suspend all exploration missions there. Do not accept assignments in the Land of Water. Eventually, the village will reach out, and the truth will emerge," Hiruzen concluded decisively.
Danzo asked, "And what of Uchiha Fugaku's son?"
"Uchiha Fugaku?" Hiruzen replied in surprise. "What of him?"
"Uchiha San assigned an S-rank mission to his son."
"Not to the Land of Water, I hope?"
"Not exactly," Danzo clarified. "It's the Land of Rainbows."
Hiruzen frowned. "Why such a distant location?" The Land of Rainbows was one of the most remote areas in the shinobi world. Travel by boat could take half a year.
"If the location weren't extreme, the mission wouldn't rank so high," Danzo said. Everyone fell silent, realizing the mission was deliberately designed for Fugaku. At nineteen, recently promoted to Jonin, his prestige had suffered due to last year's incident. As the future clan head and head of the Military Police Force, he needed to rebuild his reputation.
A high-level mission would restore it. Completing an S-rank task independently at his age was impressive, yet these missions carried high risk. The Land of Rainbows, remote and dangerous, could even hold creatures capable of killing experienced ninja.
Uchiha San had requested Danzo's help in finding this mission, balancing prestige with safety. However, unforeseen events in Kirigakure now intersected with Fugaku's path, as travel through the Land of Water for supplies was unavoidable.
Hiruzen sighed. "Has Fugaku departed?"
"Yes."
"Then let it be. Passing through the Land of Water is routine. Nothing should occur."
Homura Mitokado smiled. "A father who guides his son well makes all the difference. Hiruzen, what of Shin'nosuke? Has he returned?"
Hiruzen gave a wry smile. "No, he refuses to come back."
Koharu asked, "And Biwako?"
"She's been admitted to the hospital. Delivery is imminent."
"Have you decided on a name? Asuma sounds fitting, though Naruto, as Jiraiya suggested, is also appealing."
Hiruzen rolled his eyes. "Let him choose for his own child." Standing, he looked at the setting sun and muttered, "I don't know where Jiraiya and Tsunade are, how they are faring, and they haven't even sent a letter to this old man…"