The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

Through Danzō's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi was reminded of how little attention he had paid to Asuma. A sense of guilt crept into his heart. He tapped the pipe against his temple, a trace of defeat flashing across his face.

"I don't have the same capabilities as the Second Hokage... able to handle the affairs of the village so effortlessly. Sometimes you have to choose between the village and your own family, isn't that right?"

Hiruzen spoke with his back to Danzō. It sounded like he was answering him, but also like he was trying to console himself.

"You should say that to your own son. I don't care to hear it."

Thinking about his own parenting of Takeshi, Danzō felt that although he had lost to Hiruzen in many ways, when it came to raising a child, he had won — if only slightly.

"Haha, Asuma will understand. Or rather, anyone who carries the Will of Fire will understand, Danzō, you—"

As Asuma's figure entered the academy building, Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzō.

"That kind of thing... can it really protect Konoha?"

Danzō met his gaze with his single eye and raised his bandaged arm.

"The Will alone cannot protect Konoha, Hiruzen. Only steel and blood can. I sacrificed an arm and an eye for this village — you know that very well."

"..."

Hiruzen remained silent.

He had personally witnessed Danzō's sacrifices. That was why, even though some of Danzō's actions crossed the line, he still covered for him, even deliberately indulged him.

Because Danzō truly did fight for this village.

As for how much self-interest was mixed in... Hiruzen deliberately chose to ignore that.

"This year's admissions... any thoughts?"

Putting down his pipe, Hiruzen changed the subject.

Every year, Danzō would pay special attention to a few talented students and plan to recruit them into the ANBU when the time was right.

After all, the true name of Root was "ANBU Training Division." Apart from members personally selected by the Hokage, most were trained here before officially joining ANBU.

As for the shinobi under Danzō's own command in Root, they were recruited and personally trained by him to stay at his side.

"You're the Hokage. Isn't it your call who gets picked?"

Because Takeshi was about to enter the academy, Danzō hadn't been paying much attention to the other students lately. He'd been focusing his energy on raising his own son.

"But this year has some real promising seedlings. Kurenai Yūhi, daughter of Yūhi Shinku. Hatake Kakashi, son of Hatake Sakumo. Shiranui Genma, son of Shiranui Kazama. Plus Yamashiro Aoba, Ayame Raidō, and more..."

Hiruzen took out the enrollment roster, his eyes scanning the densely packed names, a faint smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

These were Konoha's green leaves. As long as they were nurtured properly, the village would continue to thrive. One day, the First Hokage's vision would be realized.

"In the end, the ones who pass the examination are always those with a clan background. True civilian children only get in during off-seasons when there are fewer applicants from shinobi clans."

Danzō's cold voice interrupted Hiruzen's hopeful thoughts.

"As long as these shinobi clans exist — especially the Uchiha — Konoha will never truly be at peace."

A glint flashed through Danzō's eye.

"I know what you're thinking, Hiruzen. Back then, the First Hokage tried to unify the clans by stripping the Senju of their surname and having them merge into the rest of Konoha. But what did the other clans do? They just tried every trick to carve up the Senju's remaining wealth once they disappeared."

"Look at your student Tsunade. As the First Hokage's granddaughter, the only thing she owns now is a single rundown building, isn't it?"

Danzō's words made Hiruzen uncomfortable.

He wanted to say that Tsunade was poor because she had gambled away her inheritance. But then he remembered she was his own student, and exposing her like that might damage his reputation. Besides, most of the land the Senju clan left behind had been appropriated by Hiruzen himself as public property to help Konoha develop.

Even if it was for the village, under the weight of Danzō's words, he couldn't help but feel like he really was one of those selfish shinobi clan leaders.

Damn Danzō. Even now, he can't help but jab at me.

After being shut down by Danzō multiple times in a row, Hiruzen decided not to talk to him again for the next hour.

...

"Groups of four, enter the rooms."

Inside the academy building, a teacher pointed toward several rooms, instructing the children to go in four at a time for their examination.

Takeshi's group consisted of him, Anko, Shiranui Genma, and...

"Yo, nice to meet you all!"

A bowl-cut boy in a green bodysuit struck a pose at them, flashing a brilliant toothy smile.

"My name is Might Guy. Pleased to meet you!"

Damn it—Red Beast. No, not yet... right now he's just Little Red Beast. Actually, scratch that—he's the Green Beast.

Sure enough, the voice he heard earlier really did belong to Might Guy.

Genma, chewing on a toothpick, glanced at Guy but didn't say anything. He simply nodded and turned away.

Anko, on the other hand, examined Guy with interest and then leaned close to Takeshi to whisper.

"I think I've seen that guy before. He's always walking on his hands in the street yelling about 'youth' or something."

"Huh? I've never seen him. Where was that?"

"On the way home. But you live in the center of the village, right? No way you'd spot him. I think he lives out on the outskirts somewhere."

Anko patted Takeshi on the shoulder, reminding him of his privileged location.

"I see."

After listening to Anko, Takeshi nodded knowingly. Then, before Anko could react, he extended his hand.

"I'm Shimura Takeshi. This is Mitarashi Anko. The guy with the toothpick is Shiranui Genma. Nice to meet you, Guy."

"Oh! Let's burn brightly together in youth, Takeshi-kun!"

Seeing Takeshi reach out, Guy froze for a moment. Then he enthusiastically grasped his hand and shouted his signature phrase.

"Alright, next group!"

Before the four could continue chatting, the teacher's voice rang out from the room. The four students who had entered earlier came out one after another, each wearing a different expression.

Some looked dejected, others were beaming with joy, and a few radiated confidence.

Although the results of the exam would be publicly posted in the village next week, based on the teacher's tone and attitude, the students could more or less guess how they had done.

"Shiranui Genma, right? Throw a shuriken and let me see."

The male teacher seated inside looked up at the cocky Genma, pointed at the shuriken on the desk, then gestured toward the target on the wall.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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