Chapter 4: Danzo's Thwarted Plan

Four days had passed, and the scheduled meeting had already been postponed by two days since the sudden disappearance of the Third Hokage. Danzo, noticing the turmoil and uncertainty that were beginning to spread through the village, saw a golden opportunity.

In a quiet room, Danzo spoke with his closest confidants. "The Third has disappeared at a critical moment," he said with a voice laden with manufactured concern. "Someone needs to ensure the stability of Konoha."

One of his subordinates, always loyal, responded, "Do you have a plan, Danzo-sama?"

With a half-smile, Danzo nodded affirmatively. "Yes. We'll start preparing the ground. Confidence in the Third is shaken – it's time to present new leadership."

In another corner of the village, the Jounins shared their worries. "It's already two days late. What's happening with the Hokage?" questioned one, his face marked by anxiety.

"I don't know," replied another, "but we can't be without leadership for too long. Konoha cannot afford to appear weak."

Meanwhile, at the Hokage's headquarters, a counselor expressed his concern: "With Sarutobi-sama missing, we're in a delicate position. Danzo has been very... active lately."

Another counselor, older and with squinting eyes, pondered, "Yes, he's moving quickly to fill the void left by the Third. We need to maintain order until Sarutobi returns."

Of course, the gossip that Danzo had cowered during the Kyuubi attack was also spread. However, Danzo acted quickly and said he was not in the village at the time. With no one to accuse otherwise, somehow, this lie was accepted by many.

Moreover, with each passing day, Danzo's shadow lengthened, and his steps became more audacious. "If Sarutobi does not return soon," he spoke in a secret meeting, "Konoha will need to choose a new Hokage. And I will be ready to serve."

It was morning. Danzo didn't know exactly what had happened to Sarutobi, but it didn't matter; he needed to seize this opportunity in his absence, especially now that the village was suffering a great loss and needed more than ever someone to be the pillar of the village. And now that he had spread the news of the Hokage's disappearance, the public pressure on the counselors was stronger than ever.

"I need to act while the iron is hot..." Danzo could hardly wait. He knew it was a unique and rare chance; if he didn't seize it now, it would be too late to regret, and who knows when he would have such a good opportunity again.

Later that same day, under the pressure they were facing and Danzo's constant harassment, a meeting was held without the presence of the Third Hokage.

Although Danzo remained calm, beneath the table, his hands were tightly clenched. He could barely control his anxiety. However, he did not let this show, remaining calm and cold while staying silent.

After everyone was present and properly seated, Danzo pretended to cough, drawing everyone's attention to him. Raising his head, with a look that mixed false modesty with calculated determination, he began to speak. "As everyone knows, we are at a critical moment for Konoha. Without our beloved Hokage, the village is vulnerable... It is crucial that we consider all options to ensure the security and stability of our community." His words, carefully chosen, aimed to position himself as the logical and necessary solution to the village's imminent problems.

The councilors, already tense with the situation and the growing pressure from the community, listened attentively. One of them, older, with an expression of concern etched on his face, responded: "Danzo, we recognize the gravity of the situation. But we need to consider our next actions carefully. We cannot simply..."

Danzo interrupted softly, "With all due respect, we do not have the luxury of time. Every moment that passes without clear leadership increases the risk to Konoha. We must act quickly to protect our village and its people."

Another councilor, with a younger voice, added: "And whom do you suggest take this leadership, Danzo? Do you have someone in mind?" There was a slight tone of challenge in his voice, but also genuine curiosity.

Danzo, seizing the opportunity, answered with calm confidence: "If you allow me the audacity, I am willing to take on this responsibility temporarily. Until Hokage-sama returns, I will do what is necessary to ensure the safety and order in Konoha."

A silence fell over the room. The councilors exchanged looks, pondering the proposition. The idea of Danzo as Hokage, even if temporary, was something none of them had seriously considered until that moment. However, given Sarutobi's absence and the immediate need for leadership, the suggestion could not be so easily dismissed. Especially with the people of Konoha becoming increasingly restless in the absence of the Hokage.

Then, several voices began to blend, talking among themselves.

Seeing this, a smile curved on Danzo's lips. Although he tried to suppress it, it was inevitable. Excitement overflowed in his chest as he waited eagerly.

"Your intentions are indeed reasonable, but they are unnecessary~"

"Who is it?!"

Not just Danzo, but everyone in the meeting room was on alert to see a man enter.

Worst of all was that the meeting room had been isolated so that no one from the outside could easily enter, yet, someone had managed to enter without them noticing. This was a big problem on their hands.

"Do you no longer recognize your Hokage?" The man said with a simple, yet authoritative smile.

"Hokage-sama?"

Upon hearing this, everyone observed the man more closely.

He was an incredibly handsome man, rivaling the appearance of the Fourth Hokage, Minato, even with some similarities, such as the blond hair, but of a darker shade, and light eyes, but of an emerald green that seemed to reflect a wisdom that transcended the age he appeared to have, at most, 30 years. His height was about 180 cm, with an athletic body, though not very bulky, but he seemed incredibly muscular despite being lean.

"Minato-sama?"

At first, someone even thought Minato had come back to life, but soon dismissed the idea by the age; this man only gave a slight impression of being Minato, mainly by the invisible pressure of someone of at least Kage level that this man emitted. However, aside from that, this man clearly possessed a more noble posture and a beauty a degree above Minato...

Who the hell was this man? Why does the voice and his way of speaking remind me of someone... But, who?

Seeing the confusion in their looks, Sarutobi was about to reveal himself, until someone spoke.

"Sarutobi?" Danzo was in shock. After all, he had opposed him all his life. Even with the change in his appearance, upon observing closely, it was possible to notice Sarutobi's traits. But then, why did he change his appearance to appear in the meeting room? Was it some kind of prank? No, he dismissed the idea, Sarutobi was not the type to do something like that. So, why such a change in his appearance?

"Hahaha, you guessed right, Danzo." Sarutobi laughed a bit casually, showing a row of white teeth. He continued without giving a chance for another to speak: "Well, I see you must be curious why I appeared here with this appearance. After all, I am younger. Well, the answer to that question is also the reason for my absence."

Everyone held their breath as Sarutobi paused and coughed to clear his throat before continuing.

"In short, I have awakened a Kekkei Genkai," he said in a deep, authoritative voice. "As for the reason that triggered this, you must have guessed... Yes, becoming the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails Fox has stimulated my bloodline, and I awakened a Kekkei Genkai related to vitality. This explains why I have become younger and why there's a slight change in my appearance."

'Slight?' Koharu Utatane exclaimed in her mind: 'You've literally become someone else?!'

It wasn't just her thinking this, but after some time, especially with the irrefutable proof that he was Hiruzen Sarutobi, they could only accept and consider that Sarutobi must have awakened some type of Kekkei Genkai similar to that of the First Hokage. This, in some way, excited several of them, after all, in the current situation, the stronger the Hokage, the better for the village and for them.

Of course, not everyone was happy about this, especially Danzo, who could no longer disguise his emotions, almost breaking his teeth from clenching his jaws so tightly.

'What damn dog's luck is this? Hell, what the hell is this? How can he be so lucky, how can he, how can he?' Danzo's mind was having a mental breakdown. This was a scenario hard to accept, especially when he was so close to getting everything he wanted.

Moreover, a younger version of Sarutobi appeared? How the hell is he going to accept this? Go to hell!!!

You think I won't flip the table?! ┻━┻︵╰(‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

"Excuse me, I don't feel well," Danzo's voice, though restrained, betrayed a storm of emotions. His face, contorted in a grimace of frustration, reflected the inner turmoil. Rising with forced dignity, he quickly walked away, leaving behind a silence laden with tension.

Staying there was asking to be enraged to death. He couldn't bear seeing Sarutobi in front of him, a younger and more handsome version, smiling from ear to ear, gaining all sorts of appreciative looks and praise from everyone.

"What happened to him?" someone asked, sarcastically.

"Do we need to say? Hehe, he's mad with rage," one of the main clan leaders said.

"True," another agreed, laughing a bit.

"How disrespectful to leave like that!" another expressed his indignation.

Soon, many also agreed and began to speak ill of Danzo until Sarutobi spoke: "Haha, let him be. With my disappearance, my dear friend must have been relieved to see me, and all the tiredness since my disappearance came at once, making him feel a bit ill. Give him a break."

"Yes, Hokage-sama is right."

Clearly, they didn't believe that, understanding how sarcastic the Hokage was being, a bit surprising to say the least, but with so many changes, this was easier to accept.

After much conversation, Sarutobi said, "Very well, first, we must summon everyone to the courtyard for me to make a speech and calm the masses. The stability of the village at the moment is the priority and getting everything back on track. Afterward, we can discuss the less important matters."

"Yes!"