Is this in your calculations, Sarutobi?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally didn't believe that what Xu Fan said was enough to scare him.
When he was at the Hyūga clan's compound, he had said something similar, and the result was that the Hyūga clan was terrified.
Perhaps it was the same this time. After seeing Xu Fan's terrifying Mokuton (Wood Release), Danzō's heart was likely filled with fear.
But...
Where there is light, there must be darkness. No matter which side is missing, the world cannot function properly.
Konoha needs a genius like Xu Fan to inherit the Will of Fire, but it also needs a figure like Danzō to uphold the foundation of Root.
If Danzō were to die by Xu Fan's hands, it would not be good news for Hiruzen.
He needed Danzō, not only for the sake of the village but also as someone to carry the burdens he himself could not.
"Kakashi."
Gazing at the massive tree towering in front of him, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that this was the result of the jutsu Xu Fan had used in his battle against Danzō.
Xu Fan had used this technique to defeat Danzō.
He had become the true Root.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi acknowledged as he stepped forward.
"Take Xu Fan and ensure he is settled somewhere new," Sarutobi said, his voice calm and unwavering.
Danzō was not just the leader of Root but also Hiruzen's childhood friend and lifelong rival.
His entire life, Danzō had sought to surpass him and become Hokage.
But Hiruzen would not blame Xu Fan, nor would he hold him accountable for Danzō's demise.
After all, Hiruzen knew in his heart—
It was Danzō who had struck first, who had harbored the first intent to kill, while Xu Fan had merely defended himself.
Moreover, the power within Xu Fan was far greater than even Hiruzen had anticipated.
He needed him. And Konoha needed him.
So, after a brief moment of contemplation, Sarutobi simply instructed Kakashi to take Xu Fan away and help him settle into a new residence.
After all, the Senju Clan's compound had been completely destroyed by the advent of the Jukai Kōtan (Deep Forest Emergence).
Even if the trees were cleared, it would take time before it could be rebuilt.
Maybe…
It was time to let the Senju Clan's presence in Konoha fade away.
"Yes," Kakashi replied without hesitation. He then turned to Xu Fan and motioned for him to follow.
Xu Fan looked at the Third Hokage, then at Kakashi, before finally nodding in understanding.
"I thought Sarutobi would question me extensively," Xu Fan muttered to himself. "It seems that Danzō still holds a significant place in his heart."
He sighed but followed Kakashi out of the scene.
"Tenzō."
After confirming that Kakashi and Xu Fan's chakra signatures were moving away, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again.
"Hokage-sama," Tenzō responded, kneeling before him.
"Secure the members of Root first. We will deal with them later," Sarutobi ordered in a firm tone.
Among all the ANBU, Tenzō knew Root's inner workings best. Assigning him this task was the most logical choice.
"Yes," Tenzō acknowledged immediately before glancing at his former comrades. Unlike himself, they were devoid of emotion.
"Perhaps, in their hearts, I was never truly one of them," he thought bitterly before proceeding to detain the members of Root.
Within moments, the once-thriving Senju compound was empty, leaving only Sarutobi Hiruzen standing before the massive tree.
Removing his Hokage hat, his silver hair caught the dim light as he stared up at the towering structure of wood.
But at that moment—
Danzō, who had been thought to have perished, suddenly emerged from the colossal tree's grasp and collapsed onto the ground with a dull thud.
He had lost an arm, but the wound on his chest was healing rapidly. Gasping for air, he struggled to prop himself up against the trunk.
His eyes lifted with great effort, and he realized the figure standing before him was not Xu Fan—but the Third Hokage.
"Sarutobi…"
Danzō's voice was weak, his composure shaken to the core.
"You don't seem surprised…"
Danzō swallowed dryly before forcing out the words.
This time, he had truly miscalculated. Not only had he lost Shisui Uchiha's Sharingan, but he had also nearly lost his life.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen—he stood there like a victor.
Could it be…?
Was this also part of your calculations, Sarutobi…?
"I just didn't believe you would die that easily," Sarutobi stated matter-of-factly.
In Konoha, no one knew Danzō better than he did.
Xu Fan may have been powerful, but killing Danzō was never going to be easy.
If Danzō had truly perished here, it would have almost felt… unnatural.
"So, that was your trump card."
Sarutobi's gaze drifted to Danzō's severed arm. Even though it was gone, he could still make out the faint visage of Hashirama Senju's face embedded in it.
If his assumptions were correct, then after the successful human experimentation on Tenzō, Danzō must have also transplanted Hashirama's cells into himself.
And, of course, he had kept his right arm hidden in the shadows.
How fitting of him.
"But a copy is only ever a copy, Danzō. You should understand by now that in this battle, it was Xu Fan who truly inherited the power of the First Hokage."
Hiruzen's tone darkened. "So… I hope that from now on, you will not attempt to assassinate him again."
Danzō's gaze narrowed as he stared at his lifelong rival.
After learning that Xu Fan had inherited Hashirama's Mokuton, he no longer sought to kill him outright.
Instead, he had wanted to control him.
Just as Hiruzen had taken Tenzō from him—
He had planned to take Xu Fan in return.
But he had failed.
Faced with Xu Fan's overwhelming power, he had been unprepared.
If he had not stolen Shisui's Sharingan, discovered the true nature of Izanagi, and transplanted multiple Sharingan during the Third Great Ninja War, he might not have survived.
"And the secret of your arm… I will continue to keep it hidden," Sarutobi continued, watching as Danzō remained silent.
"Where there is light, there must be darkness. Without one, the other cannot exist."
"I still need you, Danzō. That is why I will not reveal what happened today."
"But in return…"
"You must resign as a Konoha elder and forfeit your position in the village's high council."
Hiruzen's voice carried weight.
Though the battle between Xu Fan and Danzō had shocked him, the outcome had worked in his favor.
More importantly, he now held Danzō's biggest secret.
And from this moment forward, Danzō had lost his ability to challenge him.
That was enough.
Danzō's eyes flickered with emotion as he studied the man before him.
Xu Fan had pushed him to the brink of death—
And yet, Sarutobi had appeared just in time.
"Sarutobi…"
He gritted his teeth.
"Was all of this… truly within your calculations?"