Chapter 73 - Sarutobi Hiruzen's Scheme
Night fell quietly over Konoha, the last rays of dusk retreating beyond the Hokage Monument. Lanterns flickered on throughout the village, bathing its narrow alleys and rooftops in a soft, golden glow. Inside the Hokage Residence, at the very top floor where the air was still and the tension thick, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat patiently behind his desk, waiting.
Kazane arrived shortly after being summoned, escorted into the dimly lit office by a quiet ANBU operative. The old Hokage welcomed him with a practiced, warm smile and gestured toward the cushion across from him.
"Kazane," Hiruzen began in a voice smooth with calculated gentleness, "you've done exceptionally well on this mission."
The elderly man's gaze sharpened slightly as he leaned forward, placing his hands atop his desk.
"You've brought honor to the village, saved countless lives, and secured victory where failure would've meant disaster. Now, as promised, I'd like to offer you a reward. Speak your desire, and if it is within my power, I will grant it."
His smile didn't waver, but his mind was already racing, observing every twitch of Kazane's posture. This moment, this single request, would reveal what the young shinobi truly wanted.
If Kazane asked for something minor, it would mean little.
But if he asked for nothing... then his ambitions likely extended far beyond any reward Hiruzen could give. That alone made him dangerous.
Kazane, however, was already prepared.
"Lord Hokage," he said, meeting Hiruzen's gaze without hesitation, "my teacher once mentioned that you possess a Forbidden Scroll—a compilation of powerful jutsu sealed away by the village."
"I'd like to borrow it. Just for a few days."
He paused, then added calmly, "My chakra reserves are limited. I hoped I might find a jutsu within that scroll compatible with my nature—something I can adapt into a new fighting style."
The request was bold, but not unreasonable.
After all, Naruto Uzumaki—barely a Genin in the future—would one day learn from that same scroll. Compared to the damage Naruto could have caused, Kazane's current request seemed practically tame, especially given the fact that he had just led Konoha to one of its most significant victories in the war.
Yet beneath the surface, Kazane's true intentions were far more complex.
The Forbidden Scroll was more than a collection of jutsu—it was a wellspring of Konoha's deepest secrets. If he could pass its contents to Orochimaru, who excelled in transforming stolen knowledge into terrifying techniques, it might open entirely new paths for both of them.
Kazane was willing to play the role of the loyal hero—for now. But if Konoha refused to share its power with him, he would simply take it elsewhere.
For Hiruzen, however, the request struck a nerve.
The Hokage's smile faltered for just a second.
Had anyone else asked for the scroll, he might've considered it.
But Kazane?
Kazane, who had already grown far too powerful, who commanded the loyalty of thousands of ninja, and who had the eyes of both Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan watching him?
Absolutely not.
The Forbidden Scroll wasn't just a book—it was a vault of explosive power, jutsu once deemed too dangerous to teach or use. If Kazane accessed even one of them successfully… the balance of power within Konoha would collapse overnight.
Sarutobi forced himself to remain calm.
"Kazane," he said with a sigh, feigning regret, "I'm afraid I can't grant this request at the moment."
"The scroll is sealed under the authority of the council. To access it, we would need a formal vote—and unfortunately, one of our key council members is still unavailable."
He folded his hands atop the desk.
"Danzo is still unconscious and recovering from his injuries. Until he regains consciousness, we cannot convene the full council. I hope you understand."
It was a perfect excuse. Kazane couldn't argue against it without appearing unreasonable.
And most importantly—it bought time.
If Kazane was truly desperate to access the scroll, let him deal with Danzo himself. That would keep him busy… and possibly distracted.
But Kazane had already seen through the lie.
Danzo? Still unconscious?
That was laughable.
Konoha's medical system was second to none. With all the resources available to the village—and considering how minor Danzo's injuries had been—he should've fully recovered days ago. More likely, Danzo was lurking in the shadows of Root, waiting for the right moment to strike again.
Hiruzen, it seemed, had already decided to play games.
So Kazane smiled politely, as if satisfied.
"In that case, Lord Hokage, I have nothing further to ask."
Sarutobi's heart eased.
Just as he suspected. The boy's ambitions were too large to be satisfied with simple jutsu.
He's aiming higher… Perhaps the Hokage seat itself? the old man mused with narrowed eyes.
And that made him even more dangerous.
"Kazane," Hiruzen continued, his tone suddenly shifting to a more serious register, "I know you've only just returned…"
"But I must ask you to carry out one more mission. An urgent one."
This was the moment he had been waiting for—the final step of his plan.
A mission Kazane would not survive.
Kazane raised an eyebrow. His patience was thinning. After all he'd accomplished, they wanted to send him away again?
Still, he played along.
"A mission? What kind of mission requires my involvement so soon, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen let out a deep, practiced sigh. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the table.
"Kazane, you do not understand how heavy the Hokage's burden is. Every decision I make is for the village's protection. And this mission… may determine the future of Konoha itself."
He paused, then looked Kazane directly in the eyes.
"We've received intelligence that Hanzo the Salamander is preparing for war. A man once known as the Demi-God of the shinobi world. His strength is no myth."
"To investigate and—if necessary—confront him, I need someone with unmatched strength. You are the only one I trust with this."
Kazane tilted his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Even you, Lord Hokage, wouldn't dare face him directly?" he asked, his tone light—mocking, even.
"You're the legendary Professor, the strongest of the five Kage."
His words were a veil of flattery—but the sarcasm wasn't lost on Hiruzen.
Still, the Hokage forced a chuckle.
"I am strong, Kazane. But even I cannot act recklessly."
"Go to Amegakure. Confirm if Hanzo is truly preparing for war. Do not engage unless necessary."
"And—" he added, as though it were an afterthought, "should you succeed, I'll personally ensure the council grants you access to the Forbidden Scroll."
It was the perfect bait.
An impossible mission, a deadly opponent, and a reward that would never come.
Hiruzen was certain Kazane wouldn't make it back.
Danzo had already ensured Hanzo would know Kazane was coming.
Once he arrived in Rain Country, the trap would be sprung.
No matter how strong Kazane was, Hiruzen didn't believe anyone—especially not a teenager—could defeat Hanzo the Salamander, the legendary Demi-God.
Kazane would never return alive.