Chapter 66: Rising Storm, Danzo's Scheme
Sarutobi Hiruzen was visibly agitated. He clenched his fists but controlled the anger burning inside. His voice was low but resolute as he said, "Because of the hostage mission's failure, the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers has issued a decree. For the next ten years, all their official missions will be entrusted to Sunagakure. Do you realize how much Konoha has lost because of Aburame Ryoma?"
Shimura Danzo calmly folded the scroll and looked up, his voice a mere whisper: "Hiruzen, tell me plainly—what is it that you want?"
Hiruzen's tone hardened with finality: "Ryoma must be eliminated."
Danzo nodded without hesitation. A head must roll for a failure this severe. Ryoma, merely a pawn in Danzo's eyes, was expendable. Yet this alone did not satisfy Hiruzen's sense of justice. He pressed on: "Root will be drastically downsized. Its annual funding cut by half. Many personnel will be dismissed."
Danzo's voice rose sharply, laced with venom: "Hiruzen, do you intend to destroy Konoha itself?"
Hiruzen scoffed dismissively, "In three days, I will convene a council with the village's clan elders and senior officials to discuss this matter. Prepare yourself."
With that, Hiruzen left the Root headquarters, leaving Danzo standing alone in the shadows, silent and unmoving for a long moment.
Later that day, Ryoma's voice echoed within Root's inner chambers. "Danzo-sama, I failed to complete the mission. I accept any punishment."
Danzo sat stoically, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest.
Tap… tap… tap…
The silence stretched unbearably long until Danzo finally spoke, breaking the tension: "Spread the news throughout Konoha. By dawn tomorrow, everyone must know what happened."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
"You will accompany me to the council meeting in three days. There, you must insist that White Fang—Sakumo Hatake—was the one who chose to abandon the mission. That he alone gave up. I do not believe Hiruzen will punish him. This is your only chance to save yourself and Root."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
The next day, whispers about the failed S-ranked mission spread like wildfire across the village.
"Did you hear? White Fang-sama and Aburame Ryoma were sent to rescue the Land of Rivers' princess. White Fang saved the hostage, but Ryoma was poisoned by Sunagakure. To get the antidote, White Fang exchanged the hostage."
"I heard that too. And now, as thanks, the Land of Rivers is handing over all their missions to Suna for a decade."
"That's a huge blow. Those missions should have been Konoha's."
"Konoha's been starved of missions lately. My son has been stuck at home for a whole month without a job."
"If you ask me, it's all Ryoma's fault. He's useless."
"Why did White Fang save him? A shinobi should put the mission first."
"I heard Ryoma is an Anbu, stronger than most jonin. He's completed countless S-ranked missions. Anyone would have saved him."
"Anbu? So he really is White Fang-sama's comrade… makes sense now."
"How do you think this will end?"
"No idea. I heard there'll be a meeting in two days."
"Konoha took a serious hit. I bet Ryoma's going to be executed."
Tonan caught these rumors as well while passing through his clan's district. His thoughts churned darkly.
"This is bad. If Ryoma claims the failure was entirely Sakumo's decision, the villagers will turn on Sakumo. No one wants to see him dead, but this affects everyone's interests. The backlash will be harsh."
"For some, words are harmless. But for a sensitive man like Sakumo, they cut deep, like blades scraping bone. I must prepare."
Tonan carefully drew his chakra tanto from its sheath. His fingers stroked the polished blade, shining under the sunlight. In his mind, he recalled the unyielding samurai spirit Sanbo Motoyoshi had taught him—the honor, the endurance.
That afternoon, Tonan arrived at the Hatake residence to train with Kakashi as usual. Sakumo sat quietly beneath the eaves, watching the two with unreadable eyes. On the surface, he betrayed no emotion—perhaps because the villagers' gossip targeted Ryoma, not him.
After training, Kakashi panted heavily. "Tonan, you've gotten stronger again."
Tonan adjusted his glasses, voice calm and measured. "I push myself every time, just so you can train to your heart's content."
Kakashi's brow furrowed. "Really? You always say that, and I believed it… but today you seem fake."
Tonan shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Whether it's true or not doesn't matter to us."
Kakashi blinked, momentarily dumbfounded by the remark. Then, a slight smirk appeared beneath his mask. Hands shoved into his pants pockets, he shifted the topic: "The white pigeons are back again."
Tonan looked toward a flock gathered in the garden courtyard and walked over. Stroking the head of one, he said, "They've basically become my ninja beasts."
"Ninja beasts?"
"Yes. I'm raising them. But they're not very smart. I doubt how much help they'll be."
Kakashi considered this. "Weak ninja beasts like those can only be used for basic reconnaissance."
Tonan nodded. "That was my thought too. No matter what special feed I give them, they won't develop any communication skills."
Kakashi hesitated briefly. "If you want, I have some summoning scrolls sealed at home. You could pick a summoning beast that suits you."
Tonan shook his head. "No. Even if they're useless, I've grown attached to them over time."
He patted the pigeon's head again. "Alright, go."
The flock flapped their wings and scattered into the sky, except for the one in front of him, which cooed twice and turned its back to him.
Tonan chuckled warmly. "I just said a few words, and you're sulking? Forget it, I don't care. Kakashi, I'm off now."
He said goodbye and walked toward the gate of the Hatake household. Passing through the front courtyard, he bowed respectfully to Sakumo. "Sakumo-senpai, sorry to disturb you."
Sakumo returned the bow with a faint smile. As Tonan left, he glanced at Kakashi. "Kakashi, you need to train harder."
"I know," Kakashi replied quietly.
"Tonan's already surpassed you."
"I know…"
Kakashi exhaled and returned to the courtyard, resuming his training.