The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

Tsk, tricks?

Takeshi looked down on Danzō's shallow thinking.

As someone who was second only to the Hokage, a man with power over so many in the village, did he really not understand that the only thing that truly united people... was shared interests?

Just like the Uchiha. Why had they always caused trouble since the time of the Second Hokage? Wasn't it because of unfair distribution of benefits?

Look at Asuma now—if someday they were to choose someone among them to become Hokage, Takeshi swore he'd say the iconic line: "I choose Asuma—because he treated us to a meal!"

They were all part of the Second Hokage's personal guard. The Sarutobi Clan had produced a Hokage, the Shimura Clan a right-hand man, and the Koharu and Homura families each got a village advisor. Meanwhile, the Uchiha got Uchiha Kagami, who died young. Who wouldn't find that unfair?

Forget it. The old man was always fond of ruling through fear anyway. If he tried to reason with him, he'd just be seen as weak. Better to focus on solving his allowance problem first.

On the other side, Danzō had no idea that his son had already mentally reduced him to worthless scrap. He was seriously considering the resources in Asuma's hands.

That Sarutobi Hiruzen... though he didn't say it aloud, he clearly hoped one of his three disciples would succeed him as Hokage.

Orochimaru had been rejected due to... certain reasons.

Jiraiya claimed to be traveling the shinobi world and was always missing.

Tsunade...

No matter which of the Three Legendary Sannin became Hokage, they'd all show favoritism to the son of their teacher. And then it'd be the same so-called "sacrifice test" all over again.

He couldn't let Asuma stay in the spotlight any longer.

Danzō closed his one visible eye. There would definitely be a transitional Hokage between Hiruzen and Takeshi. That person had to be close to him, to suppress Asuma and give Takeshi a fighting chance.

His own subordinates were all shadow operatives—none of them could pass a regular jōnin vote, let alone become Hokage.

Someone more famous than the Three Sannin, with a good impression of Takeshi...

Danzō's eye suddenly shot open. He looked toward Takeshi, who was sitting obediently across from him.

Takeshi perked up as soon as he noticed Danzō looking at him. He thought the old man had understood his hints, and his whole demeanor brightened.

"You, get along with Kakashi."

"Huh? Oh..." Takeshi's face drooped. Why the hell was he suddenly bringing up that reserved weirdo?

What Danzō was thinking was: Someone who could outshine the Three Sannin, had a favorable view of Takeshi, and was easy to win over... in all of Konohagakure, there was only one person—"White Fang" Hatake Sakumo.

Compared to Orochimaru, Hatake Sakumo had far more respect within the village, and his popularity was excellent.

If he could get Takeshi to become his disciple, and then push for Sakumo as the next Hokage, Takeshi, as the student of the new Hokage, would naturally have a shot at the position himself.

And Hatake Sakumo was someone Hiruzen couldn't refuse.

Compared to his three disciples who were always involved in drinking, gambling, and worse, Sakumo was the one who truly embodied the so-called "Will of Fire."

Still, it was too soon to approach Sakumo. Better to wait for the right moment...

Takeshi's initial excitement had long turned to boredom. He was about to get up and leave when Danzō, after long contemplation, finally spoke:

"You are my son, Takeshi. It's disgraceful for you to be eating off the Sarutobi family every day. Starting tomorrow, you're not allowed to accept any more of his handouts!"

Wow, amazing, old man. Not only are you not giving me money, now you're forbidding me from taking free food? Classic you.

Takeshi wore a pained expression, but still forced himself to nod.

"I understand, Father."

"Hmm. Go study," Danzō replied with a blank face, nodding slightly.

...

Months passed.

During this time, Takeshi had gone from getting kicked into walls by Ryōma while standing still, to actually forcing Ryōma to move a few steps during their spars.

And thanks to the "repeated injuries make you a healer" phenomenon, he'd also learned basic medical ninjutsu from Yakume in his spare time, making decent progress.

But none of that mattered.

What mattered was—after countless hints from Takeshi—Danzō finally remembered that he should probably give his son some allowance to live on.

"This is 10,000 ryō. If you run out, ask Ryōma for more." Danzō's rare act of generosity left Takeshi stunned, and for the first time ever, he shouted a heartfelt:

"Thank you, Father!"

Ten thousand ryō! Forget dango—this was enough to treat the entire team to deluxe Ichiraku Ramen!

Clutching his stomach, limping his way to the meeting spot, Takeshi arrived in his signature beaten-up fashion. Asuma and the others were already used to it.

"Yo, got your ass kicked again, huh, Takeshi?" Anko greeted him with a grin, wrapping an arm around him as he wobbled upright.

"Hey, don't go throwing accusations like that..." Takeshi protested. "It's not getting beaten up—it's training. For a ninja, training doesn't count as getting your ass kicked, right?"

The group laughed and joked as they walked through the streets of Konoha.

Just then, they saw Sarutobi Hiruzen chatting with a beautiful shop owner.

"Ara~ Isn't this the young master? Hokage-sama, your son's here to see you!" The shopkeeper, laughing at something Hiruzen had said, spotted Asuma and quickly called out.

"Hm? Oh, it's Asuma." Hiruzen turned with a neutral expression and nodded calmly at his son.

Asuma returned the nod without saying much.

But when Hiruzen looked at Takeshi, his face immediately lit up with a kindly smile.

"Takeshi! How's life in the village treating you?"

Seeing Hiruzen suddenly speak to Takeshi, Anko quickly unwrapped her arm from him and skipped over to Kurenai, eager to observe.

"It's going well, Third—uh, I mean, Third-sama." Takeshi almost tripped over his own words, accidentally downgrading Hiruzen's rank to that of a grandpa.

But you couldn't really blame him. Compared to the black-haired Danzō, Hiruzen already had visible streaks of silver in his hair—he really did look the elder.

"Hahaha, is that so? That's good to hear. Wherever the leaves dance, fire is never far behind. You are all the green leaves—we, the older generation, exist to protect you. Only if you grow strong can the village have a future." Looking at the children before him, Hiruzen seized the opportunity to preach the Will of Fire.

"Third-sama! I will definitely carry on the Will of Fire and strive toward becoming Hokage!" came a young, spirited voice in response.

Surprised by how in-tune this generation was, Hiruzen looked around for the speaker, eyes full of warmth.

And then he saw a boy with goggles and a shirt bearing a ping pong paddle symbol—Obito.

"Hm? And you are... uh..." Just as Hiruzen was about to ask for his name, he realized something—the boy looked extremely excited, and seemed to be... an Uchiha.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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