Hokage’s Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood before the window with his hands clasped behind his back, pipe in his mouth, gazing out at the thousands of twinkling lights of the village.
Lost in thought.
Like a stone statue.
After a long while, the office door was pushed open.
Danzo walked in and said coldly, “Hiruzen, don’t pretend you don’t understand the impact that manga shop could have on the shinobi world.” Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to stare out the window, not turning around.
His tone was equally indifferent.
“It is precisely because I understand that I told you not to act rashly.” “Are you afraid?” “I’m afraid you wouldn’t even know how you died.” Sarutobi Hiruzen’s grim expression was reflected in the window glass.
He said, “Do you truly believe you alone could provoke that person?” “Even if he is strong, could he defeat all of Konoha?” Danzo snorted coldly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen whipped his head around, a chilling iciness in his eyes.
“If I told you he could!” That was his chief grievance with Danzo.
He frequently acted on his own, bypassing Sarutobi Hiruzen entirely.
And he constantly invoked “all of Konoha” and acted “for Konoha.” No leader appreciated such behavior from a subordinate.
If Danzo weren’t, at times, a useful blade—someone who could eliminate certain individuals who should no longer exist on his behalf—Sarutobi Hiruzen would have long since expelled him from the inner circle of leadership.
“What did you say?” Danzo’s expression finally shifted upon hearing this.
Defeat all of Konoha by himself?
The owner of that manga shop was that terrifying?
Even if Uchiha Madara were resurrected, he likely couldn’t accomplish such a feat.
At that moment, Two senior Konoha advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, also entered the office.
Mitokado Homura looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said, “We heard about a rather unusual manga shop in the village.
We assumed this was why you summoned us.” Utatane Koharu added, “We heard you went there yourself.
It seems you already possess a great deal of information.” The expressions on both elders’ faces were grave.
Now that all four of Konoha’s top brass were assembled… such an event hadn’t occurred in a very long time.
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and said, “I imagine you’ve all heard similar accounts.
I’ll dispense with the nonsense and get straight to the point.
First.
What you’ve heard is true.
I visited that manga shop myself and confirmed it.” Danzo, having known this already, remained expressionless.
But Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu shuddered, shock etched onto their aged faces.
What they had heard was actually true?
Such a fantastical manga shop truly existed in this world?
They could scarcely believe it.
But with Sarutobi Hiruzen personally confirming it, there was no doubt.
Immediately, they considered the profound ramifications such a manga shop would have on Konoha.
Even they, who prided themselves on having weathered countless storms, felt cold sweat bead on their backs in an instant.
Konoha… No, the entire shinobi world was about to undergo a seismic shift.
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, “Second.
None of you are to lose your heads and offend the owner of that manga shop.” Utatane Koharu said, “Why?
If we could control the manga shop, or acquire the manga within it, Konoha’s strength could absolutely skyrocket.” Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, then spoke with utter seriousness.
“Because… we cannot afford the price.” “What?” Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exclaimed in unison.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was one of the most renowned and powerful men in the shinobi world today.
He might appear aged on the outside, but within, he remained a man of pride and arrogance.
His position as Hokage of Konoha—the most powerful of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—demanded he never tarnish Konoha’s name.
Yet now, he was actually saying such a thing?
Danzo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Did you clash with him?” “Clash?” Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a self-deprecating laugh.
“That couldn’t even be called a clash.
To be precise, it was merely the slightest contact… and I was utterly crushed.” The three’s pupils constricted simultaneously.
They knew Sarutobi Hiruzen well.
Though he was old, his strength remained formidable.
He was a proper Kage-level powerhouse.
And even Sarutobi Hiruzen was completely crushed?
Could it be that the manga shop owner was an existence even more terrifying than Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara?
Was that… Even possible?
Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen’s unprecedentedly serious expression, they already knew the answer.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe and said solemnly to the three, “Now do you understand why I’m telling you to take no action?
At least for the time being, we absolutely must not act rashly.
That would only bring immeasurable disaster upon Konoha—a price we cannot afford to pay.
Furthermore, while the manga shop carries risks, it is also brimming with opportunity.
It has opened within Konoha.
It is Konoha that stands to benefit the most.
This is, on the whole, advantageous to us.
There is no need to turn a beneficial situation into a catastrophe when the circumstances are still unclear.” The three remained silent.
After careful consideration, however, they all tacitly agreed with Sarutobi Hiruzen’s assessment.
Even the most radical among them, Danzo, adopted this stance.
The manga shop was located in Konoha.
The vast majority of its patrons would be citizens of Konoha, and the rewards they received would bolster Konoha’s overall strength.
There would inevitably be some chaos, of course.
But compared to that, recklessly offending an unfathomable existence was undeniably the worse course of action.
For now, the depth of this manga shop owner’s power remained unknown.
They could only tacitly permit the shop’s existence for the time being.
As for the future… that would be addressed later.
Seeing that none of the three voiced any objections, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, “That is all.
Remember my words.” The three rose to leave.
Danzo and Mitokado Homura departed first, with Utatane Koharu following behind.
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly spoke.
“Koharu.
I have something to discuss with you.” Utatane Koharu oversaw matters related to the research division.
He wanted to ask whether Utatane Koharu’s subordinates had finished analyzing the corpse of the Danger Beast, and if they had gleaned any valuable information.
Utatane Koharu turned back.
“What is it?” “It’s regarding…” As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he accidentally knocked the Hokage robes off the table.
The egg-shaped vibe that had been tucked into the robe’s pocket tumbled out.
The vibe hit the floor and, upon impact, its switch was triggered.
It began vibrating immediately.
Bzzzzz— Bzzzzz— It skittered across the floor like a small animal.
I @#$%!!
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes bulged.
Ten thousand raging horses stampeded through his heart.
How did this happen?!
You forgot this thing was in your robe pocket?!
And not only did it fall out, why is it moving on its own?!
I can’t…!
(End of Chapter)