JOURNEY OF AN ORDINARY NINJA

Chapter-15: Hiruzen Decision

As Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, waited for Tanaka's arrival, his thoughts wandered beyond the confines of the academy and into the broader challenges facing the Hidden Leaf Village. Since the death of his sensei, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen had shouldered the immense responsibility of maintaining peace and prosperity within the village. Under his leadership, Konoha was thriving. The Uchiha clan, once a source of tension, was working harmoniously with other clans, further strengthening the village's unity.

But outside the village, the situation was far more precarious. It had been 11 years since the end of the First Shinobi War, a conflict that had left all villages battered and weakened. While peace technically prevailed, it was a fragile and uncertain peace. Each village was still recovering from the devastation, and Hiruzen knew that this tentative stability could crumble at any moment.

Konoha, however, was an exception. The Leaf had regained its strength and was thriving economically and militarily. Yet, Hiruzen was not without concerns. Among the pressing issues was the lack of S-rank shinobi in the village. Apart from himself and Danzo Shimura, there were no other ninja of that caliber.

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. The gap between Konoha and the other villages is clear for now, but as they rebuild, that gap will shrink. To maintain our dominance, we need to nurture the next generation carefully. I've invested heavily in cultivating talent among the academy students, and the ANBU has proven to be an effective means of sharpening promising young ninja. In time, I believe we can have more than two S-rank shinobi. Perhaps in a decade, our military power will be unrivaled.

His thoughts shifted to Class 1-A, the current group of academy students. This batch is particularly promising. I expect many of them to reach at least mid-jonin level. If I can cultivate four elite jonin from this class, Konoha's strength will be unparalleled. Among them, Akira Senju stands out. His lineage, chakra control, and natural talent make him a candidate of exceptional potential.

Hiruzen's musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.

The Confrontation with Tanaka

"Enter," Hiruzen called, his tone measured and calm.

The door opened to reveal Tanaka Uzumaki, a chunin and instructor at the academy. He stepped inside, bowing respectfully. "Lord Hokage, you summoned me. How may I be of service?"

Hiruzen wasted no time. "Tanaka, I will be direct. I am aware of the incident involving you and Akira Senju earlier today. I'd like to hear your perspective on what transpired."

Tanaka hesitated, realizing that the Hokage likely already knew the details. Deciding it was best to confess, he spoke. "Lord Hokage, I did have an issue with Akira. During my lecture, I noticed he wasn't paying attention. When I questioned him, he burst into laughter—uncontrollable, disrespectful laughter. No matter how I addressed him, he continued to laugh, almost maniacally. In my frustration, I lost my temper and... broke my desk."

Hiruzen's expression remained neutral, his gaze unwavering. "Is that all, Tanaka? Or is there more you've chosen to omit? I know everything, so there is no point in withholding information."

Tanaka's composure faltered. He bowed his head. "Forgive me, Lord Hokage. There is more. I challenged Akira to a duel. My intent was to teach him a lesson about respecting authority and showing him the consequences of disrespecting his elders."

Hiruzen's calm demeanor gave way to a flicker of anger. His voice turned cold. "And this 'lesson' of yours involved humiliating the boy? Threatening to break every bone in his body so he could never walk or function normally again? Or perhaps it was when you implied you might kill him during this so-called duel?"

Tanaka flinched as Hiruzen slammed his fist into the nearby wall, creating a sizable hole. The force of the blow made the room tremble slightly.

"Is this how a teacher behaves, Tanaka?" Hiruzen demanded, his voice sharp with authority. "That child may have wronged you, but he had the maturity to come to you and apologize sincerely. Yet, here you are, acting like a petulant child while he shows the behavior of an adult. Your actions are not only disappointing but reckless. Do you have any idea how far-reaching the consequences of your stunt could have been?"

Tanaka swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Lord Hokage, I... I didn't think—"

"No, you didn't think!" Hiruzen interrupted, his tone heavy with disappointment. "The clans would lose trust in the academy if this had gone forward. Parents would question sending their children here, and the village's unity would suffer. I could strip you of your teaching position, Tanaka. I could even demote you for this disgraceful behavior."

Tanaka fell to his knees, bowing deeply. "Please, Lord Hokage, give me a chance to make amends. I didn't realize the gravity of my actions. I beg for your forgiveness."

Hiruzen's Calculations

Hiruzen observed Tanaka in silence, his thoughts churning. I never intended to fire him outright. My goal was to ensure that the duel didn't happen and to protect Akira from unnecessary harm—or worse, falling into Danzo's hands. That boy is far too important to Konoha's future. His family's business is a cornerstone of our economy, and his personal talent is extraordinary. His chakra control is already remarkable for someone his age. When I watched his interaction with Tanaka, I noticed how the wind around him shifted subtly. For a child to demonstrate such refined chakra manipulation is astonishing. Akira's potential must be nurtured carefully.

Returning his attention to Tanaka, Hiruzen spoke firmly. "Since you've realized your mistakes and are willing to rectify them, I will not fire you or demote you—on one condition. You will ensure that Akira graduates early, preferably within two years."

Tanaka looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Of course, Lord Hokage. I will see to it."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Additionally, I want you to monitor Akira closely, especially when he interacts with the Shimura clan students. You may use any means necessary to ensure his early graduation."

Tanaka's lips twisted into a small, malicious smile. Any means necessary? he thought. This might be a blessing in disguise. I can push that brat to his limits, all under the guise of testing his skills. Maybe even make him suffer a little along the way.

Aloud, he said, "Understood, Lord Hokage. I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations."

Hiruzen fixed him with a stern gaze. "One more thing, Tanaka—this conversation is not to be disclosed to anyone, least of all Akira. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

As Tanaka left the office, a dark determination flickered in his eyes, veiled behind a mask of obedience. Hiruzen watched him go, his own mind already focused on the next steps. Akira remains unaware of the forces quietly shaping his path. The challenges ahead will test him in ways he cannot yet imagine. For better or worse, the decisions made today will shape not only his future but perhaps the future of Konoha itself.

The room fell silent, save for the faint rustle of papers on the Hokage's desk. Outside, the village basked in the late afternoon sun, unaware of the quiet machinations taking place within its heart.