to hear Kizaru's reform plan from Hiruzen Sarutobi, there was only one word in Danzo's heart.
Joy.
Right.
It was too right.
Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi, who preferred to preserve the current balance of the shinobi world, Danzo, as a hardline hawk, had always carried the ambition to unify it.
The reforms Kizaru proposed might affect the mission market shared among the hidden villages, but there was no doubt they would greatly strengthen Konoha's overall power and wartime potential.
More than that, Danzo saw another possibility hidden within this reform.
A path for Konoha to become financially independent.
Through reforms in medical ninjutsu and scientific research, Konoha might be able to establish its own independent industry and commercial network.
When that happened, the yearly funds allocated by the Daimyō of the Land of Fire would no longer be so important.
And once Konoha freed itself from the restraints of the Daimyō and the nobles in terms of money and resources…
Then, in the future, it would be hard to say who truly had the final say in the Land of Fire.
Thinking of that, even Danzo's cold face could not help but reveal a faint smile.
"Kizaru… that boy is almost like a mixture of the First Hokage and our teacher. Calling him talented is no longer enough."
Seeing Danzo's expression shift from anger to satisfaction, Hiruzen thought he was simply pleased by his nephew's excellence.
Danzo glanced at Hiruzen's moved and admiring expression.
So, old man… why haven't you stepped down yet?
Those were the words Danzo wanted to say.
"Of course. He is my nephew," Danzo said, unable to hide a trace of pride.
"Yes. And I am fortunate to have such a disciple," Hiruzen replied calmly, not backing down at all.
Their eyes met.
At that moment, both old men felt the same thing.
The other one was really unnecessary.
"I fully support these two proposals," Danzo said. Since the proposal matched his own thoughts, and since Kizaru had taken the lead in suggesting it, he was extremely satisfied.
"Once Tsunade and Orochimaru submit their plans, I will convene a high-level meeting as soon as possible and push the reforms forward," Hiruzen said.
Danzo nodded.
Suddenly, he wanted to speak with Kizaru himself.
Seeing that there was nothing more to discuss, Danzo stood up.
"I still have matters to handle. I won't stay any longer, Hiruzen."
After saying that, he turned and left the Hokage's office without waiting for Hiruzen's reply.
Watching Danzo leave, Hiruzen remained in a good mood. He picked up his pipe again and began smoking with a satisfied expression.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Danzo did not return to the Root base.
Instead, he headed straight home.
He knew Kizaru's habits very well.
As long as that boy had nothing else to do, he would almost certainly be at home taking his lunch break.
Just as Danzo expected, when he arrived at Kizaru's residence, Kizaru was lying on a lounge chair beneath the large tree in the courtyard, drinking tea and resting.
Beside him, Namikaze Minato was practicing the nature transformation of Wind Release chakra.
Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Danzo looked at the scene before him, and his mood improved even further.
The future was promising.
Very promising.
"Kizaru-senpai, Father is here," Minato said, stopping his training when he noticed Danzo's arrival.
Kizaru had already sensed Danzo approaching, but only then did he slowly open his eyes.
"Minato, go back and rest," Danzo said as he walked into the courtyard, his gaze softening slightly when he looked at Minato.
Understanding that Danzo had something to discuss with Kizaru, Minato nodded.
"Yes, Father."
Then he turned toward Kizaru.
"Kizaru-senpai, I'll be going back first."
Kizaru did not say much. He only smiled lazily and waved his hand.
Danzo watched Minato leave with approval before turning his gaze back to Kizaru, who was still comfortably lying on the chair.
"Get up. Come inside. I have something to discuss with you."
Looking at Kizaru's lazy posture, Danzo felt even more strongly that Minato was truly a good and sensible child.
If only his own nephew could be half as obedient.
With that sigh in his heart, Danzo turned and walked into the house.
Inside the living room, Danzo sat down at the main seat beside the tea table.
A moment later, Kizaru slowly walked in and sat across from him with that same unhurried expression.
"Hiruzen told me about the reform plan you proposed," Danzo said.
"It belongs to Tsunade and Orochimaru. I only gave a small suggestion," Kizaru replied with a smile, clearly unwilling to take responsibility for the troublesome work that would come later.
Danzo did not argue.
He knew Kizaru's personality too well.
"I will fully support your reform plan."
"As expected of my uncle. How bold," Kizaru said, smiling as he praised him in that slow, casual tone.
"Your reform plan is excellent. If it succeeds, Konoha will pull completely ahead of the other hidden villages," Danzo said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
After saying that, Danzo finally moved to the true reason he had come today.
"Kizaru. What do you think of the Daimyō and the nobles?"
"Hmm… I sit and watch them," Kizaru said with a relaxed smile.
He already knew his uncle's ambition had grown again.
Danzo's temple twitched.
Every time he spoke with Kizaru, his blood pressure rose.
Suppressing his irritation, Danzo said more directly, "If you became Hokage, how would you deal with the Daimyō and the nobles?"
"Take the money first. Then figure out the rest later," Kizaru replied lazily.
He knew that if he did not give a somewhat serious answer, his uncle would keep bothering him.
Danzo's eyes sharpened slightly.
Good.
Very good.
He liked that answer.
"And if the interests of the village conflicted with the interests of the Daimyō?" Danzo asked, raising the difficulty.
Kizaru looked at him with a smile.
"Then change to a new Daimyō."
Danzo was extremely satisfied inside, but his face immediately turned stern.
"Don't speak nonsense."
"It was just a joke, Uncle," Kizaru said lightly, though his smile made it hard to tell whether he was truly joking.
Danzo nodded.
This nephew of his really suited his way of thinking far too well.
Satisfied, he changed the topic.
"What do you think about Minato's instructor?"
"I recommend Jiraiya."
Jiraiya again?
Danzo looked at Kizaru in confusion.
He did not understand why Kizaru and Hiruzen had reached the same conclusion.
"Jiraiya is too young. His personality is reckless, and he is far too frivolous. I don't like him," Danzo said directly. In front of Kizaru, there was no need to hide his thoughts. "I want Hatake Sakumo to become Minato's instructor."
Hatake Sakumo?
Kizaru imagined Minato in the future using the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear behind enemies and cut them down with a blade.
He could only think of one thing.
How terrifying.
"Jiraiya-senpai is a summoner contracted to Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions. He is currently training in senjutsu," Kizaru said.
After comparing Mount Myōboku's senjutsu with Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship, Kizaru still felt that senjutsu would be more helpful to Minato.
As the Hokage's assistant and the leader of the Shimura clan, Danzo naturally had some understanding of the Three Great Sage Regions and senjutsu.
After Kizaru reminded him, Danzo also reacted.
Putting aside his personal dislike, Jiraiya did indeed have more potential value for Minato's future than Hatake Sakumo.
"I understand," Danzo said with a nod, accepting Kizaru's recommendation.
After that, Danzo stood up again.
The matters that needed to be discussed had been discussed. Since he still had many things to handle, he was ready to return to the Root base.
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