Chapter 19: Interlude 2: Uncomfortable Meetings (Sarutobi Hiruzen)

After the departure of the Uzushiogakure delegation, I just wanted to sigh. That had not gone at all as I was expecting.

“Thank you for your time tonight. I'll want to have a meeting with you tomorrow, Mitokado, Koharu. Say, 2 o'clock? Danzo, I'd like to see you in my office; we have some village business to discuss.” I turned towards the Daimyo's representative. “Thank you for hosting our discussion, Yasu-sama.”

“Not at all, Hokage-sama. It was very interesting.” Ahhh… I just wanted to sigh again.

After arriving at my office I dismissed my security detail and put up the privacy seals. I sat down but pointedly did not offer Danzo a seat.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded.

His face didn’t even twitch. “I apologize. I should never have let a child get under my skin like that.”

“No, you damned well shouldn't have. We'll discuss that, and him, and the many intelligence failures later. You know what I'm talking about. Don't dodge the question.”

“You know you're not meant to know what measures I take for Village security. That was our agreement when I formed Root,” Danzo stonewalled.

I snarled. “Yes. That was the agreement BEFORE WE WERE SUSPECTED OF SPREADING PLAGUE TO AN ALLY!” I had lost it, flaring Killing Intent and shouting. “Explain yourself. Now, Jonin Shimura. Did we even do it?”

“We're not responsible.” God. When had it gotten this bad? Even directly questioning him, I couldn't get a straight answer out of the twisted bastard.

“So why do they suspect us?” I asked as if he were a particularly unintelligent child.

“Likely because the infiltrators had seals to penetrate their sensor network and we pressed so hard for a new host for the Kyubi.”

“Wait, what? How did they get seals capable of penetrating Uzushio's sensor network?”

The silence was damning.

“Gods above Danzo, how could you let this blow back on us! They probably suspect that it was Root that launched the attack!” I exclaimed.

“We needed a host. I did what was necessary. There's no proof I supplied the seals.”

“No. Because Uzumaki trained sealers grow on trees, do they?” I asked rhetorically, sarcastically. “I'm surprised they didn't declare war.”

“Against the wishes of Uzumaki Daichi from the looks of it. Why the hell would an eight year old have known about this?”

“Well he's clearly no ordinary eight year old. I think that's obvious. I never would have thought I'd see the day where a child managed to get such advantage over you. Your insult almost cost us our future Jinchuriki.”

Danzo grimaced at the reminder. “At least we know what to expect now,” he replied.

“They really pulled a fast one on us,” I said. Honestly it was a pretty admirable political move, one I’d appreciate infinitely more if it wasn’t aimed at Konoha. “I didn't expect it from Kazuo-dono. And the information we received from Mito-sama didn't even mention him as a possibility.” What a fucking mess.

“Clearly her influence is far less than she would have us believe.”

“But we've been basing all of our interactions on it.” I hated this. I hated lacking information, being less informed than someone who was eight damned years old. It was an embarrassment. “What could they do, if they wanted to?” I asked Danzo. He was likely more informed than I.

“Well, it's likely from what Daichi said that they now have stocks of the disease, and have weaponized it,” he answered with a grimace. “And their Sealing Department, well… there's a reason they are feared, even if I suspect there are many exaggerations.”

“Danzo. This was a disaster. I just… *sighs* Let's discuss the other intelligence failures first.” Obviously I’d have to bring Danzo to heel. This was just inexcusable. But changing the subject gave me time to consider how to manage that.

“You mean the fact that we didn't know we were getting an eight year old from a samurai family as both our Consul and future Jinchuriki?” he clarified.

“Yes. How the hell did our agents miss that?”

“I think because they weren't looking for it. Clearly the training will need to be improved.”

“Clearly,” I semi-mockingly deadpanned. “Do we know anything about him?”

“Other than what we learned tonight? No. He may be related to the Sea-Hawk Samurai. He was a Naval officer, though he's retired now. Very effective, very old-school samurai if I remember correctly.”

“Well that's something. Now we just need to find out everything else.”

“How do you intend to?” he asked. “We'll lose Mito-sama's contacts soon.”

“No, Mito-sama's contacts are clearly unreliable. I think I'll just ask him.”

“Of course,” Danzo chuckled. “Where will you put him?”

“The Academy, I think. With his diplomatic status, and as someone who is 'indefinitely seconded' it's vital he makes bonds with the village. He's young; he may even forget his previous suspicions.” But I sincerely doubted it.

“I doubt it. I think he is far more like me in that respect,” Danzo voiced my concern.

“Danzo, let me make myself clear. You may, under no circumstances, act against him in any way. His protection, and Uzushiogakure's protection, have by necessity become our greatest priorities. When word reaches the court of our discussion… we need to go above and beyond.”

“I could have the representative removed from play.”

“Are you fucking insane! Daichi is likely in contact with his embassy. If he heard of that, he would certainly ensure that the Daimyo heard of his suspicions, both about the plague and about the representative's death.”

“It was just a possibility.”

“No. In fact, double the guard on him. If he even had an accident… that's the last thing we need right now. And post a guard on Daichi and the rest of his mission.”

“Of course.”

“Good. Now, Danzo… this can't be without consequences. From now on, I expect a weekly or daily update on planned Root operations as appropriate to their timing. Further, you will undertake no mission involving the destabilization of a foreign power without permission. Is that understood?” This, this I expected a fight on. Danzo had always itched at the thought of even light oversight, and this was heavy.

“Hiruzen! You can't be serious. You know your own limitations, why Root is needed and why I need to run it! You've always been too moral to do what's truly necessary.” That. Disrespectful. Little. Fuck.

“Jonin-Captain Shimura Danzo, you forget yourself!” I roared, standing up and putting my finger in his face. “I am your HOKAGE, damn you! You serve at my wishes, and if you've forgotten that fact I'll accept your retirement. There's a reason Sensei picked me as his successor. You lack something. It makes you a wonderful weapon, but you've begun to cut indiscriminately. I will be wielding you directly. Is that understood!”

At some point in my tirade he had come to a formal kneeling salute. “Yes, Hokage-sama!”

I sat down in my seat. “Good. I'll expect the first update on Root in person tomorrow, and weekly updates from those watching over Daichi. Dismissed.”

Danzo wasted no time leaving. As I sat back in my chair, and pulled out a flask of sake from a drawer, I wondered when things had gotten this bad.

But whatever the answer, I knew I was getting too old for this shit.