Chapter 267: 260: Struggle
In the office, Hiruzen frowned, appearing worried about sothing.
Seated across from him was Danzo. Despite their political disagreents, as a close friend Hiruzen was still willing to trust Danzo
Regardless of Danzo's intentions, whether good or bad intentions, his loyalty to Konoha wasn't weaker than himself. Danzo's actions, no matter how questionable, could be offset by the rits as long as loyalty to Konoha remained unwavering.
In today's Konoha, where radicals were gaining strength, Danzo's existence had beco crucial.
"You ca to see
specifically; do you have sothing to discuss?" Hiruzen inquired, having been occupied with root affairs for over half a year.
Due to the Root situation, they hadn't t in over half a year. Although Root still needed cultivation and expansion, Anbu's suppression limited their growth. Hiruzen believed Danzo wouldn't bring this up. Danzo considered himself invincible in terms of the balance policy.
"From Kakashi's surveillance, there seems to be so chaos within the Uchiha. Ignoring these problems might lead to disadvantages for the village."
"Such as?"
"A coup."
"You're joking." Hiruzen shook his head.
"I'm just expressing my opinion. If you disagree, I hope you won't regret it when the ti cos." Danzo responded with a cold smile.
In the past, he might not have thought of this, but lessons have been learnt.
Particularly from the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, who ascended through a violent coup, have changed his perspective. And from information received, Yagura's position as Mizukage was secure. Itemphasized that violent coups require strength and decisive actions, sothing the Uchiha possess.
Danzo admitted that the Uchiha radicals have a genuine opportunity, especially considering the impressive performance of Uchiha Fugaku in the Third Ninja World War and the remarkable abilities of Shisui.
"In any case, they're all part of Konoha. As long as they don't cross a line, there won't be a clash. Moreover, I've reached an agreent with Fugaki. After this Chunin exam, I'll recruit his son Itachi into the Anbu to ease relations with Uchiha." Hiruzen said, not willing to waste more ti.
Hiruzen didn't want to waste more ti. Despite ANBU's efforts, Shisui couldn't uncover the hidden spies Uchiha Ruri placed within the Uchiha clan. Monitoring the Uchiha through another avenue seed necessary.
"Has Fugaku Uchiha agreed?"
"Yes, he has."
"I'm afraid they are using him to monitor ANBU and our movents." Danzo's eyes flashed fiercely.
"I have observed that child. He has the ability to think about the overall situation like the Hokage. He will be on our side."
"Ten years ago, your assessnt of Chiba Shiraishi was the sa." Danzo gave Hiruzen a strange look.
Hiruzen's mouth twitched slightly. Danzo's words brought back an unpleasant mory.
"Itachi is different from Chiba Shiraishi. He'll never beco an evil and traitorous ninja like him. He is Konoha's Uchiha Itachi."
"I hope so."
Danzo thought of his cooperation with 'Madara,' feeling a sense of regret towards Hiruzen. However, Hiruzen would eventually forgive him in the end, just like before. Their old friendship stood the test of ti.
"Did Koharu and Homura agree?"
Danzo asked once more.
"No, they are adamantly against it. So, I need your opinion on this matter."
After hearing Hiruzen's words, Danzo nodded. While Koharu and Homura appeared harmless, they followed the Second Hokage's orders regarding the Uchiha. Allowing the Uchiha into a crucial departnt like Anbu was not ideal.
The Uchiha already controlled the Police Force, a significant departnt. Further empowernt of the Uchiha could not only fuel the clan's ambition but also create dissatisfaction among the other clans.
"As long as you, thr Hokage, have no objections, I naturally have no problem. I will support it if it benefits the village."
"I'm relieved to hear you say that. After all, a place like Root isn't suitable for Itachi's growth."
Two years ago, Danzo suggested having Itachi take the Chunin Exam alone and training him to be a sharp asset like White Fang and Yellow Flash. However, Hiruzen rejected this idea, it also made him realize that Itachi had caught Danzo's attention, hoping to have Itachi in Root.
Hiruzen wanted to ensure Itachi remained an Anbu ninja under his authority, not under Root's control.
"Wouldn't it be better to let Itachi decide for himself? That child has darkness." Danzo suggested with a frown.
"The light of the fire will illuminate the darkness in his heart." Hi Zhan firmly asserted, ntioning Shisui Uchiha as his trump card.
Hiruzen said firmly. He held a trump card.
Uchiha Shisui who was a top-secret Anbu operative only known to him as Hokage. Shisui was Itachi's best friend, and Hiruzen trusted he would guide Itachi on the right path.
Danzo left without saying anything.
...
"Participating in the Chunin exam alone? What is Konoha doing?"
This year's Konoha Chunin Exam was exceptionally lively. Not only did Konoha genin take part, but also genin from other countries, making it a joint Chunin Exam between various nations.
With ho advantage, Konoha clearly stood better odds. Though the reason the other ninja villages agreed was to test Konoha's upcoming ninjas, while showcasing their own strength to the other countries.
Konoha had also revealed a vital piece of information..In this year's exam there will be a Konoha genin who will participate in the Chunin Exam solo.
And the Konoha Genin participating solo in the exam was revealed to be Uchiha Itachi.This had caught Kazuhi's attention
Uchiha Itachi, another genius after Uchiha Shisui, was gaining fa. Participating alone set him apart in the history of Chunin Exams.
Ninjas typically don't fight alone, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, whether a Genin, a Chunin, or a seasoned Jōnin. Teamwork was a focal point in Konoha, driven by the Will of Fire.
While there were exceptions like speed ninjas such as Namikaze Minato, who wasn't suited for teamwork due to the nature of his ninjutsu.
However, Uchiha Itachi, from all perspectives, didn't fit the mold of a ninja like Namikaze Minato. Considering this, Kazuhi speculated that Konoha's senior managent might have planned Itachi's solo participation. Otherwise, the exam would prove highly unfavorable for Itachi alone
"He will likely fail the second test," The Miko beside her spoke.
The Konoha Chunin Exams had also drawn Genin from the other ninja villages. All forming a three-man team.
While Itachi excelled in the written exam, showcasing a perfect theoretical score from his academy days, the second exam, testing their abilities, should prove challenging for him acting alone.
"Since the Uchiha hailed him as a rare genius, he cant be judged using common sense. His results should prove interesting regardless," Kazuhi mused.
Common sense acted as a limitation for ordinary people, but for geniuses, particularly that of Uchiha Itachi, transcended such limitations. Perhaps, there might be so unexpected surprises from a genius of his caliber.
...
"He cleared the second exam in less than six hours... the fastest ever in history."
An Anbu reported to the Hokage and the Root leader. Upon hearing this result, both were unable to conceal their surprise.
The examinee ntioned by the Anbu was none other than Uchiha Itachi, who had undertaken this Chūnin Exam solo. He had achieved almost perfect scores in the initial written test. Moreover, on the second test, which was to traverse the Forest of Death, he had also successfully reached the central tower of the Forest of Death in under six hours, ranking first place.
Hiruzen took a deep breath, possibly contemplating sothing.
"Such an achievent is comparable to Minato's back then."
However, the difference lay in Minato completing the Chūnin Exam as part of a three-person team, while Itachi undertook it alone. From this standpoint, Itachi hadn't necessarily surpassed Minato completely, but his accomplishnt was undeniably impressive..
"Next is the third exam. For Itachi, it shouldn't be a problem."
Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he hadn't been sure about allowing Itachi to participate in the Chūnin Exam as a solo entrant initially. But, seeing Itachi's performance thus far, he now had full confidence in Itachi's ability to succeed in the third exam.
In the third round, there was absolutely no ninja who could defeat Itachi. He even ventured that none of the ninja could stand in the sa level as Itachi.
Not even official chūnins were capable of achieving these results that Itachi had obtained. Itachi's strength had already surpassed that of most chūnins despite being only 10 years old.
"Are you relieved now?" Danzo asked.
Hiruzen nodded without attempting to hide anything.
"This achievent is indeed sothing to be proud of. It would be even better if he weren't from the Uchiha clan." Danzo remarked, intentionally or unintentionally.
Hiruzen fell silent. Indeed, it would have been better if Itachi wasn't a ninja from the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha, after all, was a thorn that was difficult to pull out.
Regardless of the era, there never seed to be a shortage of powerful ninjas bolstering the Uchiha clan.
It was because of this that Hiruzen wanted Itachi to join Anbu and serve. However, as Danzo pointed out, no matter how talented Itachi was, he still belonged to the Uchiha clan.
"Itachi is not that kind of kid." Hiruzen protested mildly.
"If you cannot control such a dangerous blade, it does not matter if you let
ta it instead." Danzo responded.
'You simply do not have what it takes to wield such a dangerous weapon!' These were Danzo's true thoughts.
Accustod to the Hokage's more virtuous thods, Hiruzen didn't truly grasp the darker nature of ninja conduct.
To Danzo, Itachi was a shinobi crafted from darkness itself. Even the Anbu couldn't be Itachi's ultimate destination. The Root was where the Uchiha genius rightfully belonged instead.
"Such discussions are impossible. Your current Root forces are sufficient for your needs." Hiruzen dismissed firmly with a shake of his head.
Regardless of whether such a deadly blade could be controlled or not, entrusting it to Danzo would be an extrely dangerous decision.
"Still so confident. Forget it, I'll go back and rest first. There is no need to call
for the third exam. There is also no need paying attention to a blade that won't belong to ."
Danzo snorted coldly and strode out of the room.
Hiruzen knew that Danzo was unhappy, but it didn't matter. As Konoha's Hokage, he was the one who truly made the decisions. With Danzo conceding defeat and retreating despite his displeasure, Hiruzen was spared much unnecessary effort.
....
The massive circular wall resembled a cage, its roof open to the sky so the clouds and blue expanse were visible. At the top of the tall barricade was an enormous platform where audiences could view the ninja battles happening below.
Officials, businessn from various nations, Konoha residents and ninja alike had all gathered here to watch the third phase of the Chūnin Exams.
Kazuhi had also been seated in the VIP section. As a princess of a country, Konoha would naturally spare no effort in catering to her needs and comfort. Such royal treatnt was accorded without Kazuhi needing to voice out any requests, Konoha took it upon themselves to arrange everything befitting her stature.
Sitting here and spectating the ninja duels unfolding below was quite a novel experience for Kazuhi. While there were so children her age present, most of the audience comprised adults, officials from different nations and big businessn/woemn, and so influential figures
It was fair to say that anyone who could secure seating in this exclusive zone was either trendously affluent or influential.
Sitting next to Kazuhi on both sides were her two handmaidens, who also served as her personal guards. At the edge of the passageway, a jōnin from their country who stood vigilantly, attentive to any occurrences in the vicinity.
Although Konoha Anbu forces had also deployed protective asures, but with so many prominent dignitaries congregated here, any sudden accidents would still overwhelm their defensive capabilities.
Hence, important guests like Kazuhi who brought their own security details also stationed accompanying ninja guards to protect them.
The first phase of the Chūnin Exams had been a written test. The second test took place in Konoha's Forest of Death. The goal was to reach the central tower within the allotted ti, by any ans necessary.
The third and final stage comprised one-on-one duels. Any ninja who erged victorious from their fight would be eligible for promotion to chūnin rank.
The assortnt of ninja who had progressed to this concluding trial from the previous two tests represented the elite of their respective villages. making victory in a one-on-one duel challenging.
After all, none of the genin who had survived thus far were anything but exceptional. Many likely operated at chūnin capacity already.
However, Itachi was determined to claim total victory here. And it was going to be an overwhelming and absolute victory.
He intended to impress upon the congregation of influential figures from various countries observing from the spectators' platform the formidable might of both Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
In doing so, he would be one step closer to his goal, protecting Konoha, protecting everything precious to him, and eliminating any lingering thoughts of war from the ninja world.
Therefore, the mont the referee shouted "Start!
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