Late at night, Hiruzen Sarutobi left his home and headed toward his office.
In the corridor outside the office, Yagyū Masahiko emerged.
"Hokage-sama."
"The children were acting up, so I am a bit late."
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the door and entered.
Masahiko shook his head: "It is I who arrived early."
"Masahiko, I owe you thanks for this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was solemn, yet there was also a hint of relief.
He sat in his chair and gestured for Masahiko to sit as well, adopting a posture for a heart-to-heart talk.
After lighting his pipe and taking a puff, the Third said: "Before you arrived, everyone's attitude leaned toward imprisoning or killing Yakumo."
He sighed softly: "They only see the short-term situation, believing that imprisoning or killing Yakumo would bring stability and benefits, but they fail to see the long-term harm."
"As you said, Yakumo cannot be imprisoned."
Masahiko's expression was serious.
"Yes... indeed!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, "Though Yakumo's body is weak, her Bloodline Limit is too powerful, and with that monster inside her... no one can guarantee she won't be influenced."
Therefore.
Whether it was called imprisonment or killing, in reality, there was only one outcome—
Eradication!
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and took two more puffs.
"Danzo gave you a squad?"
"Yes, three people, code-named Aka, Shin, and Sai."
Masahiko nodded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "Aka... I know of him. He used to be a Jonin instructor in the Anbu Training Department before Danzo took him away."
"The other two should be those who haven't finished training yet. I believe they can be won over," Masahiko said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head slightly.
He put down his pipe and slowly exhaled, saying: "Root is Danzo's Root. As long as he is there, it is useless for you to control one or two children."
"This subordinate is incompetent..."
Masahiko bowed his head.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "It has nothing to do with you; it is my incompetence that led to today's outcome."
"Because you have a heart of benevolence, and you also consider the bigger picture."
"Hehe, your words... spoken at a time like this, they carry a hint of sarcasm."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.
Afterward, he took a puff of smoke, interrupted Masahiko who wanted to explain, and said: "Do you know what the situation in Konoha was when I became Hokage?"
"War, crisis, nearly a dead end."
Masahiko answered.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head:
"It wasn't as miserable as you say, but it was very difficult. That's why I had to cooperate with Danzo. Later, the Ninja World War broke out..."
"With great effort, the war passed and peace arrived, but that's when the rift appeared."
At this point, he let out a long sigh, his mood quite despondent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "I'm not telling you this to complain, but because I hope you can help me."
"Please give your instructions, Hokage-sama!"
Masahiko immediately saluted solemnly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "I believe your abilities are sufficient to take on a position in the Anbu Training Department, so..."
A look of determination flashed in his eyes.
"I must find a way to cut the Root and reshape it. Currently, only you can help me with this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused briefly: "Actually, I've had this idea before. Once, I had a very good candidate..."
"Was it Orochimaru?"
Masahiko asked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback, then his gaze dimmed: "It seems you've heard... Yes, I originally intended for him to take over the work of Root."
"This subordinate does not dare to compare himself to the Sannin, nor do I think I can defeat Lord Danzo, but as long as you believe the timing is right, I can assist in this matter!"
Masahiko looked up, "Moreover, perhaps there is no need to cut off the old Root."
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed.
He sat up straight and said: "You have a new idea?"
"Yes, this subordinate believes that Lord Danzo does have the ability, it is just being used in the wrong place."
Masahiko answered.
Hiruzen Sarutobi signaled for him to continue.
Masahiko said: "From Orochimaru's intelligence, we can be almost certain that some powerful Rogue Ninjas have gathered together."
"Yes, and such an organization couldn't have grown to this extent for no reason; someone must be supporting them from behind," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
Masahiko said: "Yes. Since they can produce Rogue Ninjas, so can we. If they can support an organization, why can't we?"
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi became energized.
He sat up straight and said: "You mean?"
"Lord Danzo should be quite talented in this regard... Of course, whether to do so depends on your decision," Masahiko said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his tobacco pipe for a long time without inhaling, the glow of the tobacco reflected in his eyes.
He came back to his senses, took a puff, and said: "This plan shall be named—Branching Operation."
...Konoha.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
Three days after the school disturbance, Kurama Yakumo and Uzumaki Naruto returned to class.
Most people were indeed unaware of what had happened.
Under the school's propaganda, the incident was characterized as a malicious attack by foreign spies, and Kurama Yakumo was unable to escape in time due to her physical weakness.
Naruto bravely went back to save her and was even commended for it.
Regarding this... Uzumaki Naruto didn't feel much.
Because that was truly what he had been thinking at the time. Afterward, Naruto had only seen that eerie phantom on Yakumo.
As for that phantom being Yakumo herself... Naruto had been knocked unconscious and was truly unaware.
He was especially happy when he received the award. Although the so-called reward was just a certificate and some prize money, he felt as if he had gained recognition.
Kurama Yakumo felt very guilty, but fortunately, she was already weak, and having just experienced the disturbance, most people assumed she simply hadn't recovered yet.
Only a few people knew what was going on.
They had all been warned.
Furthermore.
Masahiko had kept an eye on that suspicious farmer, but the man had truly been selling vegetables in Konoha for years, and no flaws could be found on the surface.
He couldn't easily test him either, so he simply acted as if he didn't know.
On the surface, nothing happened this month; it was almost ordinary.
But in the shadows—
"Hiruzen, your thinking is too dangerous! If something goes wrong, Konoha..."
Danzo's expression shifted uncertainly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was resolute: "Danzo, do you still remember the Will of Fire?"
"The Will of Fire..."
Danzo held back a breath, wanting to snap back, but he had to suppress it, saying, "Of course, it is the precious treasure Sensei left for us!"
"Yes, the Will of Fire!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi lamented:
"We always feel that Konoha needs us, but in truth, we are old... Before, it was Sensei who blazed the trail for us; now it is our turn."
He looked at Danzo seriously and sincerely, "The next generation has already grown up. Even without us, Konoha will still be Konoha; it won't fall!"
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo leaned on his cane and stood up heavily, "I will give it serious consideration!"
"Danzo, you must understand, today I am not asking you as the Hokage, but as a comrade-in-arms and an old friend... Can you understand that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried a hint of sorrow.
Danzo's emotions were complex. He turned back and stared askance at Hiruzen Sarutobi with his one exposed eye.
A second later, he gave a light chuckle: "Of course!"
With those words, he closed the door and left with steady steps.