Hiruzen didn't know if Sakumo understood the significance behind this matter, but at least his gaze towards him became increasingly cordial.

Mito had told Sakumo to bring Bee to her first, but Sakumo came to him first, which proved that in Sakumo's heart, the Hokage was above all else.

Although Hiruzen, as the Hokage, would still have to take Bee to Mito later, this was a matter of attitude.

Mito generally wouldn't make an appearance, but once she did, he, as the Hokage, had to give her face. He also understood what Mito was going to do, and he had no intention of stopping her.

If possible, Hiruzen wanted Mito to extract all the information from Bee's mind.

"Send him to Mito-sama, and thank Mito-sama for me."

Hiruzen waved his hand and said, "You don't need to come back right away, go heal your injuries first. Don't leave any hidden injuries."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Sakumo's heart warmed.

Hokage-sama was truly too good.

After Sakumo left with Bee, Hiruzen began puffing on his dry pipe in the Hokage Office again.

Sure enough, about five minutes later, the Hokage Office door was violently pushed open.

Danzo walked in, slammed the door shut, and immediately said, "Hiruzen, give me that Bee! I will definitely get all the information out of his mind."

"Then, while Mito-sama still has the strength to fight, we'll first destroy the Land of Lightning. By then, we'll be in an invincible position."

Hiruzen shivered at his words. He had only wanted to use Bee to negotiate with Kumogakure and perhaps reach a peace agreement.

Any Kage-level expert is extremely important to a village, unless that Kage-level expert is not one of the village's own Kage or poses a great threat to the village.

But now, Danzo actually wanted to destroy the Land of Lightning.

It truly is you, Danzo!

"The One Country, One Village system was a rule set by the First Hokage and the Daimyo back then, Danzo, don't forget that." Hiruzen looked at Danzo sternly.

"Moreover, Konoha currently doesn't have the ability to challenge four villages simultaneously. We must ensure that Kumogakure at least doesn't help anyone."

"Kumogakure also suffered significant losses in that coup d'état, and they haven't recovered after all these years. They cannot afford to lose Bee."

"It's precisely because Kumogakure hasn't recovered that we need to destroy Kumogakure. This might be our only chance." Danzo looked at Hiruzen with burning eyes.

"Danzo, no one will support you in destroying the Land of Lightning."

Hiruzen paused, then added, "Unless Konoha has the ability to take on all other countries alone."

"Mito-sama is not First Hokage-sama and is not in her prime."

"We are also not Tobirama-sensei from back then."

Danzo fell silent. Indeed, neither he nor Hiruzen could compare to Hashirama, and even Tobirama was above them.

But he didn't want to miss such an opportunity.

Hiruzen said earnestly to Danzo, "According to the information I've received, the Land of Rain is already preparing provisions."

"War could erupt at any time, and you should know that once they declare war, the most likely scenario is that they will fight us."

"The Land of Fire is the most fertile."

"Mito-sama might still have the strength for one fight, but that would likely be her last. This power is meant to protect Konoha."

Hiruzen paused again and continued, "You also need to consider the current situation. As long as Mito-sama is still here, even if other villages reach the village gates, we will have the power to retaliate."

"Moreover, Mito-sama is old, and the destruction of the Uzumaki clan is already something we owe Mito-sama. Are we really going to force her to her death?"

"No one can bear the responsibility for such a thing."

Danzo immediately fell silent. If Mito were to die because of this matter, then he would be permanently disqualified from the position of Hokage.

This was something he could never accept.

"Bee must live. He is more valuable alive than dead." Hiruzen then added.

"Alright, you're the Hokage!" Danzo snorted coldly, but he didn't continue to quarrel with Hiruzen.

Instead, he brought up Kazuki, "Kazuki displayed Jonin-level strength in battle, he must be properly controlled."

"He's a genius, isn't he?" Hiruzen shook his head slightly. "I believe Mito-sama will guide him well."

"Hmph!" Danzo instantly fell silent. Kazuki was a young man favored by Mito.

Anyone who wanted to harm Kazuki would have to get Mito's permission first.

They could act in secret, but there was no guarantee that Mito wouldn't uncover something.

Danzo didn't even dare to see Mito now.

Mito was like a great mountain pressing before them, making them dare not act rashly.

Unable to do anything about Bee and Kazuki, Danzo chose to leave.

As for Kushina, he ignored her. Even if he demanded Kushina, Hiruzen would not give her to him.

Mito, Mito, it's all Mito!

Danzo slammed the door shut and left.

Hiruzen sighed softly, "Alas, Danzo, you understand nothing."

He did indeed have the intention of suppressing Kazuki, but as long as Kazuki didn't become Hokage, that was fine.

With the Uchiha's problems, Kazuki would not be able to become Hokage, and other clans would not recognize him.

The Uchiha would not be a help to Kazuki, only an obstacle.

Using the Uchiha to restrict Kazuki was the method Hiruzen thought of, and at the same time, using Kazuki to deal with the Uchiha.

Balance was important. If there were no conflicts, they could be created.

However, that would all be after the Great Ninja War.

...

Ten days later, Kazuki and the others delivered the noble to the Daimyo's Mansion.

After resting for a night at the Daimyo's Mansion, they quickly headed back towards Konoha, taking two days to finally return to Konoha.

As soon as they returned to Konoha, Tsunade had Kazuki and Rinka take Kushina home, while she herself headed towards the Hokage Office.

"Tsunade, what's wrong with you?"

Hiruzen's face flashed with surprise when he saw Tsunade enter with a sour expression.