"Jiraiya is currently active along the Grass Country front."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the map spread across the desk.
"From there, he can move north to block Iwagakure's advance… or head south to reinforce the Wind Country front at any time."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Orochimaru is leading the newly assembled forces within the village. They will remain on standby as a mobile unit, ready to reinforce any front under pressure."
Then—
His sharp gaze shifted toward Shimura Danzo, who had remained silent with eyes closed.
"As for the threat from Kumogakure…"
"Danzo—this front will be yours. You and your Root."
The decision was deliberate.
One reason—
Konoha was stretched thin. Every Kage-level combatant had to be used where it mattered most.
The other—
A subtle rebuke.
If Danzo believed all the "dirty work" belonged to him, then this time, Hiruzen would place him directly on the battlefield, under the open sky.
Let him fight where everyone could see.
Danzo was no fool.
He immediately understood the unspoken warning.
He couldn't openly defy the Hokage's command.
So he let out a cold snort and responded with conditions.
"I have no issue dealing with those barbarians from the Land of Lightning."
"But the northeastern border forces are insufficient."
"Against Kumogakure's advance… I will need reinforcements."
Konoha's standing border forces were already limited.
Based on threat assessments—
The northwest, facing Iwagakure, held 2,500 shinobi.
The southwest, against Sunagakure, had 2,000.
The northeast, confronting Kumogakure, also had 2,500.
The eastern coastline, prepared for Kirigakure, had 1,500.
A total of 8,500 full-time combat troops—
All funded by the Fire Daimyō.
Beyond that, Konoha had around 3,000 active mission-based ninja.
Of those, 2,000 had been mobilized as reserves under Orochimaru's command.
The remaining 1,000 still had to maintain domestic missions within the Land of Fire.
War or not—
The nobles' commissions couldn't simply be ignored.
That was the reality of the shinobi world.
In essence—
Even a general commanding vast armies still had to bow his head to the purse strings of the ruling class.
Absurd, perhaps—
But necessary.
Now, with Danzo demanding more troops, Hiruzen frowned.
He understood the threat Kumogakure posed.
If Danzo lacked sufficient manpower, he could very well be crushed outright.
For both public and personal reasons—
He couldn't refuse outright.
But he had no spare forces to give.
So instead—
He spoke.
"Konoha has no additional manpower to assign you."
A pause.
Then—
"But…"
The other three, who had worked alongside him for decades, immediately sensed something.
"…you can personally visit the major clans."
"Ask whether any of their members are willing to volunteer for the northeastern front."
From Konoha's founding, a clear rule had been set—
The village belonged to the village.
The clans belonged to themselves.
To prevent clans from gaining too much influence, their jōnin quotas had always been restricted.
As a result—
Many clan ninja with jōnin-level strength never formally registered as Konoha shinobi.
They remained within their clans, taking private assignments.
These hidden elites—
Were Konoha's true foundation.
Even for the Hokage—
He had no authority to directly command clan forces like the Uchiha.
Danzo's face darkened instantly.
He saw through it at once.
Hiruzen was making him the villain.
Let Danzo probe the limits of the clans.
When he inevitably met resistance—
Hiruzen would step in as Hokage to mediate.
And then—
Out of respect for the Third Hokage—
Those clans would find it difficult to refuse again.
"Heh."
Danzo's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"You take all the credit."
"What a fine Hokage—so devoted to Konoha."
Beside them, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu remained silent.
Eyes lowered.
As if they hadn't heard a thing.
Hiruzen merely turned his head slightly, glancing at Danzo from the corner of his eye.
He drew slowly from his pipe.
The smoke lingered in his chest before drifting out in a long, steady stream.
Then—
Calmly—
"Danzo."
"I am the Hokage."
Danzo's body stiffened.
His single visible eye widened, locking onto Hiruzen through the haze.
In that instant—
Humiliation.
Rage.
Years of buried resentment—
All surged to the surface.
His thin frame trembled faintly.
He had spent his entire life chasing that seat.
Building Root.
Carrying Konoha's darkness.
He believed he had sacrificed no less than Hiruzen.
And yet—
The one who sat there…
The one who could speak those words so effortlessly—
Was always Sarutobi Hiruzen.
How could he not hate it?
How could he not rage?
If only… back then… I hadn't hesitated when Sensei asked who would stay behind…!
The thought roared through his mind.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning pale, veins bulging.
The office fell into silence.
Only the faint crackle of burning tobacco remained.
And Danzo's heavy breathing.
Finally—
He forced the question out through clenched teeth.
"And the Uchiha?"
"What exactly do you intend to do with them?"
"Leaving them in the heart of the village… is like planting a ticking disaster!"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened behind the smoke.
At a time like this—
He could not allow Danzo to interfere with the Uchiha.
Not now.
"Those matters no longer concern you."
His voice turned cold.
"Focus on your duties."
"Prepare to depart."
Danzo's expression twisted.
"...Hiruzen."
"You will regret this."
He turned sharply, his robes whipping through the air.
"Bang!"
The office door slammed shut with explosive force.
The echo rang through the corridor.
Koharu glanced at Hiruzen, seeing the anger on his face.
"Don't take it to heart," she said softly.
"One day… Danzo will understand your intentions."
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