Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his smoke pipe and took a long inhale. In front of him, Shikaku and Ibiki wore similar frowns. The two of them, lost in thought as much as high strung ninjas could be, stood unmoving in front of his desk. Shikaku's gaze was aimed towards the window, possibly the night sky outside the Academy. Meanwhile, Ibiki watched the nearest wall with his least damming glare. If he hadn't known them for so long, Hiruzen would have missed the way Shikaku's fingers flexed sporadically near his hidden kunais or the way Ibiki's right foot leaned forward. While some people would call those actions nervous ticks, Sarutobi knew better. He'd seen it often enough during the Wars. Ninjas in desperate need of direction.

As for the himself, Hiruzen sat seemingly at ease. His back bent slightly, arms loose, and eyes calm. It was all an illusion of course, perfected from years of practice. As irritating as presenting a falsehood to his men was, it was also a necessity. He had to be the strong one, the unyielding, the unshaken. He'd have to be their pillar once again. If not him, who could they turn to in situations like these? Prepared, Sarutobi exhaled the pipe smoke and asked, "Thoughts?"

Ibiki stepped up without hesitation. "Kid's smart and tough. As drugged as he was, he saw through the good cop, bad cop routine and made a conscious effort to give us as little information as possible. Still, he's no ninja. The subtle genjutsu we used met no resistance and his chakra levels were at a civilian's minimum even when highly agitated. He also checks out clean as far as traps go. Completing the medical tests will take my team more time, but I don't see those returning anything positive. Besides what he knows, he's no danger to the Leaf. I say we keep him."

With his colleague finished, Shikaku stepped forward. "I also think we should keep him. I doubt anyone here needs to be persuaded that his information is massively valuable. Instead, I want to point out that he clearly does not know everything about the future and that whatever we learn from him should be checked for validity as soon as possible. His origins will also need to be validated at some point. Most importantly though, if we are to act, aggressively or not, against Danzo, we'll have to set up an identity for Jose and brief him, the quicker the better. Refugee, informant, or a mix of both would work well."

Hiruzen nodded. It was good to hear that everyone was of the same mind. "There will be a lot to discuss in the upcoming weeks. Unless strictly necessary, the three of us will not meet in person. Ibiki, I need you to vet a team of Anbu. Take whatever measures you need, but try to keep them discreet. Shikaku, I need you to compile a list of information to gather from Jose as well as creating an action plan against Danzo and Root. I'll contact each of you within the week.

"Is there anything else that needs our immediate attention?"

The Jonin in front of him glanced at each other. By some unspoken agreement, Shikaku spoke first. "Jose raised a good point about his safety. We'll need someone to keep an eye on him. I'd offer to take him in for the moment, but that would only place me and my family under more scrutiny. With the Anbu potentially compromised, do we have anyone, sir?"

"I have someone in mind that I'll personally verify tonight. Jose will be looked after. Ibiki?"

"Sir, are you okay?"

For just a moment, Hiruzen was at a loss for words. Capitalizing on his silence, Ibiki continued, "Your actions and choices are very ... confrontational. I'd expect that from just about anyone else given our situation, but not you sir."

When was the last time he'd been okay? Thinking about it for a few moments, Hiruzen felt a knot form in his stomach as he realized it'd been a lifetime ago, back when he was still a student under a master of his own. For years and years Hiruzen lost the people closest to him and somewhere along the way, he'd lost the part of himself that looked forward to the future, the part of him that said things would be okay. How could he be expected to lead the village if he wasn't even aware of himself?

Shikaku's polite cough snapped Hiruzen out of his introspection. There'd be plenty of time for that later. Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and allowed his emotions free reign for once. "No, I'm not okay. For years I've watched innocent men and women charge to their deaths for any and every reason. I've seen it happen to our enemies, our allies, and even commanded so myself at times. And all for what? To learn that those sworn to keep this village safe are plotting against it. All that sacrifice, rewarded with treachery.

"No, I am not okay. I'm angry.

"I've neglected our next generation by allowing the previous ones unchecked reign. I've let my age take hold of my motivation for too long. I've turned a blind eye to certain actions until it was too late. I can't allow myself to do that anymore.

"I won't let my people suffer, now or ever, just because I've grown old. Not anymore."

After waiting for a response and receiving nothing but surprised looks, Hiruzen dismissed his ninja. Rummaging in his desk for the correct paperwork required to verify Jose's new identity, inspiration struck him as his Anbu guard stationed themselves in his office. For the first time in ages, Hiruzen slipped away. Leaving a copy of himself to start the paperwork, he flashed towards the training grounds. His men had their part to play, Hiruzen would too in time. He'd be damned if he wasn't ready when it came.