[Bond] Ch 17: Reverse Scene

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With Fugaku's departure, the battle officially came to an end.

Sarutobi Hiruzen left, and the watching shinobi also started to disperse. Danzo approached Yami, patted him on the shoulder, and couldn't hide his smile.

Though, on his face, it looked a little out of place.

"Yami, well done. But don't get cocky. That cursed Uchiha actually awakened his Sharingan at a time like this. Uchiha Itachi's strength is going to explode soon. You need to keep working hard, or he'll catch up to you."

Yami waved his hand indifferently. "So what if he has the Sharingan? He already lost to me. You think he can surpass me?"

"Not a chance. Absolutely impossible. He'll be looking at my back for his whole life."

Danzo's eye twitched. Where did his grandson get this level of arrogance? Shouldn't he be more like him—a scheming, shadow-dwelling mastermind?

Danzo wanted to warn him about the terrifying power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, but this wasn't the place to discuss such classified information.

He only told Yami to wait for him that evening, then hurried off to catch up with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

— — —

Hokage's office

When Danzo arrived at the the office, he didn't bother knocking. He pushed the door open and walked straight in.

Hiruzen was standing by the window, gazing over the village.

"Drop the act. There's no one else here," Danzo sneered as he sat across from the Hokage's desk.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Hiruzen replied without turning around.

"He awakened his Sharingan at seven. We both know what that means for his future. Along with Uchiha Shisui, is this Konoha really ours anymore, or is it becoming the Uchiha's?"

Hiruzen's eyes darkened, and silence filled the office for a long time.

Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Danzo, the war isn't truly over yet. We still need the Uchiha's power."

Danzo sneered and stayed silent but inwardly.

"Hiruzen, you haven't changed in decades. You want both the reputation and the results."

"Fine. Because of your nature, my Root can continue to grow in the shadows. One day, it will break through the ground and take control of the entire tree."

Hiruzen composed himself, sat back down, and resumed his usual gentle Hokage persona. "Forget about the Uchiha for now. Let's talk about Yami."

"Even if Itachi is talented, so what? Your grandson still defeated him effortlessly. He's already mastered the nature transformation of both Wind and Fire—impressive."

Hiruzen had sharp eyes. From just two jutsu, he had already deduced much about Yami's abilities.

In a head-on jutsu clash, it all came down to chakra control and nature transformation.

Judging by the scale of the techniques, Yami hadn't used much chakra—only slightly more than what Itachi used for his Great Fireball.

The reason he overwhelmed both the Fireball and nearly destroyed Fugaku's Earth Wall was the sheer quality of his nature transformation.

What pleased Hiruzen even more was Yami's combat style. Combination jutsu—that was his specialty.

He had no Kekkei Genkai, no Yin-Yang release, but he had pushed all five elements to their limits and mastered countless combination techniques.

If the situation had been different, Hiruzen might have slammed his desk in excitement and shouted, "This kid is just like me!"

Once his admiration for talent surfaced, it couldn't be stopped. Hiruzen finally revealed his true intent: "Danzo, Yami is a rare talent. You can't guide him properly. Hand him over to me—I'll make sure he becomes a pillar of Konoha."

"Keep dreaming!" Danzo's expression changed instantly, and he slammed his palm on the desk. The loud impact could be heard outside.

"Yami is my grandson. I'll make sure his path is set. I don't need your fake concern!"

They were both in their twilight years—how could Danzo not know Hiruzen's nature?

This guy had a habit of brainwashing people. If he got his hands on Yami, the kid would be spouting nonsense about the "Will of Fire" every other sentence. Danzo would die of frustration.

Hiruzen frowned. "Danzo, you're too wrapped up in darkness. Yami is a good seedling; he shouldn't be ruined by your methods."

"He's still a child. He needs the right guidance. If he follows me, I'll teach him what it means to be a true shinobi."

"Bullshit!" Danzo cursed outright.

"A true shinobi? Look at your three students—one's a pervert, one's a drunk, and one's a drug addict. Two of them even ran away! You think I'd trust you to teach my grandson?"

"And you call me dark?" Danzo shot Hiruzen a look of pure disdain.

"Root shinobi are just tools, but Yami is the one who will wield those tools. Why would I use Root's training on him?"

Hiruzen's face turned red with rage.

Lies don't hurt, but the truth cuts deep.

His students' fates were his greatest shame, and Danzo had just rubbed salt in the wound.

On top of that, Danzo had outmaneuvered him in this argument, flipping the usual dynamic. Normally, Hiruzen was the one suppressing Danzo with logic, but today, the tables had turned.

"You really won't let me train Yami?"

"Hiruzen, I'm his grandfather!"

"Danzo, you'll regret this!"

"BANG!"

Hiruzen stormed out and slammed the door shut.

It wasn't until he was halfway down the hallway that he realized something was wrong. He rushed back, threw open the door, and shouted:

"Danzo! This is MY office! You're the one who should leave!"

Danzo nearly burst out laughing. Normally, he was the one slamming doors—finally, Hiruzen had lost his composure instead.

But outwardly, he remained calm, keeping his mask as the Root leader intact.

If he laughed now, Hiruzen might really explode. Danzo knew just how to handle him.

"Again, Yami's future is none of your concern." Leaving that final remark, Danzo walked away.

Hiruzen let out a deep sigh.

He really envied Danzo for having such a talented grandson. Meanwhile, his own son, Shinnosuke, had been married for years with no children. He spent all his time on missions with his wife, and his youngest son was still single.

This won't do.

"Shinnosuke!" Hiruzen raised his voice slightly. Within moments, an Anbu with a dog mask entered the office.

Hiruzen fixed him with a commanding gaze. "You're on leave starting now. Go home and make an effort with Keiko. Don't come back until you give me a grandchild!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke: "???"

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