Naruto: Becoming Stronger through Bonds

Chapter 17: Hiruzen needs grandchild

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As Fugaku left, the battle was declared over.

Hiruzen departed soon after, followed by the other ninjas who had been watching the match. Danzo approached Ervin, placed a hand on his shoulder, and couldn't suppress the grin spreading across his face, though it looked slightly unnatural.

"Ervin, you did well," Danzo said. "But don't get too proud. The Uchiha brat actually awakened his Sharingan during the fight. Itachi's strength will grow explosively now. You need to keep working hard, or you'll be overtaken."

Ervin waved his hand dismissively. "What's so great about the Sharingan? He thinks he can surpass me after I defeated him?"

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. For the rest of his life, he'll only be able to look up at my back."

Danzo's eye twitched. Where did his grandson's arrogance come from? Shouldn't he be like him—a shrewd, cautious operator?

Danzo considered explaining the terror of the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he decided this wasn't the time or place for such secrets. Instead, he instructed Ervin to wait for him at home later that night, then hurried off to catch up with Hiruzen.

---

When Danzo reached the Hokage's office, he didn't bother to knock. He simply pushed the door open and strode in.

Hiruzen was standing by the window, gazing out at the scenery of Konoha.

"Drop the act. There's no one else here," Danzo said, sitting opposite the Hokage's desk with a sneer.

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

"Don't play dumb. A seven-year-old awakening the Sharingan—both you and I know what that means for the future. With Shisui already in the picture, tell me, is this Konoha still ours, or has it become Uchiha's?"

Hiruzen's eyes darkened, and silence filled the office.

After a long pause, Hiruzen sighed heavily.

"Danzo, the war isn't over yet. We still need the Uchiha's power."

Danzo let out another derisive laugh.

"Hiruzen, you haven't changed a bit. For decades, you've clung to the same methods—trying to balance fame and results."

He leaned back in his chair, his mind turning.

"But that's fine. It's exactly because of your nature that my roots can thrive. Sooner or later, they'll break through the ground and take over the whole tree."

Danzo straightened, shifting the conversation.

"Let's leave the Uchiha for now. Let's talk about Ervin."

Hiruzen returned to his seat, his demeanor softening into that of the gentle Hokage he presented to the world.

"Even with Itachi's abilities, your Ervin still defeated him with ease. The Nature Transformation of his wind and fire attributes—truly remarkable."

Hiruzen's sharp eyes gleamed as he dissected the fight in his mind. Just from watching two ninjutsu, he had gleaned significant insights into Ervin's abilities.

Generally, ninjutsu collisions were a test of chakra and Nature Transformation. Judging from the scale of the techniques, Ervin hadn't used much chakra. The combined fire and wind techniques only required slightly more chakra than the Great Fireball, yet they had decisively overwhelmed it and nearly destroyed Fugaku's Earth Flow Wall. The power came from Ervin's mastery of Nature Transformation, which elevated the quality of his ninjutsu to an exceptional level.

What delighted Hiruzen even more was Ervin's fighting style.

Combination ninjutsu—his own specialty.

Hiruzen didn't possess a kekkei genkai, nor had he mastered secret Yin-Yang techniques. Instead, he had trained the five Nature Transformations to their limits, creating an impressive array of combination techniques.

If the occasion had been more appropriate earlier, Hiruzen might have slammed the table, stood up, and proudly declared, "This kid is just like me!"

Once his desire for nurturing talent surfaced, it couldn't be suppressed.

Hiruzen finally revealed his true intentions. "Danzo, Ervin is a promising talent. You can't properly nurture him. Why don't you let me train him? I guarantee he'll become the backbone of the village."

"You're dreaming!"

Danzo's expression darkened as he slammed the table, the loud impact echoing beyond the office door.

"Ervin is my grandson! I'll plan his future myself. There's no need for your hypocritical concern!"

At their age, Danzo knew Hiruzen all too well. He could see through his intentions immediately.

This was brainwashing. If Ervin ended up parroting the Will of Fire at every opportunity, constantly praising Konoha as the ultimate haven, Danzo might as well cry himself to death.

Hiruzen frowned, dissatisfied. Hypocrisy? He truly cherished talent!

"Danzo, your temperament is far too dark. Ervin is a bright prospect and shouldn't be ruined by your underhanded methods. He's still a child and needs proper guidance. Let him stay with me, and I'll teach him how to become an outstanding ninja."

"Outstanding ninja?!" Danzo's fury boiled over.

"You're one to talk! Among your three disciples, one's a gambler, another's addicted to... other vices, and the last abandoned the village entirely! And you think I'd trust you to teach Ervin?"

Danzo's tone was biting as he stared at Hiruzen like he was an utter fool.

"You accuse me of being dark? Let me be clear. The Root's ninjas are just tools. But Ervin? He's destined to master those tools. Do you think I'd train my grandson the same way I train the Root?"

Hiruzen's face turned red with anger.

Words of falsehood might sting, but the truth was a dagger.

The fate of his three disciples was his greatest regret, and Danzo had struck that wound perfectly.

To make matters worse, Danzo's sharp rebuttal had undermined his authority. Hiruzen, usually the one to outmaneuver Danzo intellectually, found himself on the receiving end this time.

"You really won't hand over Ervin to me?" Hiruzen asked in frustration.

"Of course not. Hiruzen, I'm Ervin's grandfather!"

"You'll regret this, Danzo!"

- Bang!

Hiruzen stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He nearly made it out of the Hokage building before he stopped in his tracks, realizing his error. Turning sharply, he hurried back, threw open the door, and barked:

"Danzo! This is my office! You're the one who should be leaving!"

Inside, Danzo was nearly in hysterics, suppressing his laughter with immense effort. Usually, he was the one storming out, slamming doors in frustration. But today, it was Hiruzen.

Still, Danzo kept his composure, his years of scheming as the Root's leader serving him well.

If he laughed now, Hiruzen might lose his temper entirely. Knowing when to press and when to retreat was Danzo's specialty.

"You don't need to worry about Ervin's future," Danzo said calmly as he exited the room.

Hiruzen sighed deeply, watching him leave.

He couldn't help but feel envious of Danzo. Unlike him, Danzo had a capable grandson. Meanwhile, his own eldest son, Shinnosuke, had been married for years without any signs of children. Instead of building a family, he spent his days going on missions with his wife. As for his youngest son? Still single.

Enough was enough.

"Shinnosuke!" Hiruzen called, his tone carrying an edge of command.

Moments later, an Anbu with a dog-faced mask entered the office.

Hiruzen fixed him with a stern gaze, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Effective immediately, you're on leave. Go home and focus on one task: giving me a grandchild. Until you and Keiko succeed, you are not to return to Anbu!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke: "...???"