The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with the Konoha elder council—Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura—were some of the most powerful and influential elders in the Hidden Leaf Village. When all four gathered, it was inevitably to discuss matters of great importance.
Foreign affairs were no trivial matter. The Executioner's Blade, one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, held significant symbolic and tactical value for both Kirigakure and its shinobi. Now that it had fallen into Konoha's hands, it presented a strategic opportunity—whether to foster diplomacy or strike at Kirigakure's prestige. However, before the blade could be formally retained by the Leaf, the consent of its current wielder was required.
"Team 10 repeatedly violated protocol during the mission in the Land of Waves by offering unauthorized assistance to the client. They must be punished to set an example!" Danzo Shimura, who had appeared to be meditating with eyes half-closed, was the first to speak. A glint of coldness flickered in his half-opened eye. He raised his voice. "The client, Tazuna, falsified the mission rank and concealed the involvement of hostile shinobi. We should take a hardline stance against him!"
"Though the Land of Waves is small, its location is key," Koharu Utatane rebutted, shaking her head. "The Land of Water has been stabilizing recently, and their current isolationist policy is just a temporary retreat. Soon, they will reengage in trade. At that point, the Land of Waves could serve as a critical port between our nation and the Land of Water."
"The Land of Waves has already begun commerce with the Land of Fire," she continued. "Our daimyo is considering signing a protection treaty with them. Tazuna played a crucial role in liberating the Land of Waves from Gato's control. He now has the favor of both their daimyo and ours. While his false report was problematic, punishing him now would be politically unwise. Konoha incurred no loss. We can afford to overlook it."
"As for Team 10..." Homura Mitokado interjected, "Our intel confirms that Tazuna received the daimyo's approval to name the new bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the outside world the Shikamaru Bridge. This gesture has intrigued our daimyo, who appreciates what Team 10 accomplished. Moving against them would send the wrong message."
"Shikamaru Bridge, huh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, smoking his pipe, chuckled softly. He already knew of the bridge's name, but hearing it again stirred a sense of pride. Watching Konoha's younger generation making their mark on the world brought him sincere joy. "The villagers are aware as well. Everyone's waiting to see how the leadership will reward Team 10."
"Reward?" Danzo slammed his cane against the floor with force, his voice sharp with criticism. "They violated mission protocol. If they're not punished, how can we uphold discipline?!"
"Tazuna is a foreign national and not under Konoha's jurisdiction—we can let that slide," Danzo said, scanning the room coldly. "But Konoha is a semi-autonomous military institution. While the Fire Daimyo holds command authority, he doesn't manage internal discipline. Team 10—especially genin Nara Shikamaru—are Konoha shinobi. Their discipline must be handled according to our own laws."
Asuma's mission report had been thorough. Even if the bridge's naming were ignored, the upper echelon knew exactly how instrumental Shikamaru had been during the mission.
"What are you suggesting, Danzo?" Koharu asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Confiscate the Executioner's Blade," Danzo stated coldly. "Demote Sarutobi Asuma, revoke his status as Team 10's jonin instructor. As for Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Choji—strip them of their genin rank and send them back to the Academy for probation."
Danzo's mind echoed with his prior meeting with Shikamaru—the boy's unwavering spirit and blunt honesty had left a deep impression. At such a young age, he already had the courage and will of a true shinobi. Forcing him back to the Academy would leave a lasting scar and shatter his rising "genius" reputation. Ino and Choji, still young, might even resent him for it. And if word spread that Shikamaru's rule-breaking had endangered his comrades' futures, it could be a crippling blow to his own.
"The Executioner's Blade is Shikamaru's rightful trophy," Hiruzen Sarutobi declared, firmly rejecting Danzo's first proposal. His voice was calm but unshakable, a testament to his enduring will despite his age. "Konoha has no right to forcibly seize it."
"As for Asuma Sarutobi, as jonin instructor, he failed to curb his subordinates' misconduct. He will receive a formal reprimand, be required to complete three unpaid D-rank missions, and forfeit one month of jonin stipend."
"Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Choji," Hiruzen continued, "as this is their first offense, will each receive a single warning and forfeit one month's genin stipend. If Shikamaru agrees to donate the Executioner's Blade to the village in atonement, the penalties against the other three can be lifted. As the Chūnin Exams are approaching, Asuma will retain his post as Team 10's jonin instructor—for now."
He scanned the room, his gaze lingering slightly longer on Danzo. "This is final."
Homura and Koharu nodded in agreement. Danzo remained stone-faced, offering no response. Once Hiruzen and the others left one by one, Danzo let out a cold snort and exited the room.
The next day.
"Punishment?! How can they do this?!" Ino fumed, her face red with frustration.
The next morning, the punishment was formally conveyed to Sarutobi Asuma, who then relayed it to his students—Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.
"Well, we did break the rules on the mission," Asuma muttered awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. His own punishment had been the harshest. Hiruzen's impartiality as Hokage clearly played a role. Even if Shikamaru surrendered the Executioner's Blade, it wouldn't spare Asuma from his reprimand. What truly made him uncomfortable wasn't the punishment—it was the fact that he had confidently promised Shikamaru that the blade could be traded for chakra metal… a promise now broken.
"As for the Executioner's Blade…" he started.
"I'll turn it over to the village," Shikamaru interrupted, sounding indifferent. "I wasn't planning on keeping it anyway. If this helps clear the penalties for Ino and Choji, then fine. Shame it doesn't help your case, Asuma-sensei."
Plans rarely survive contact with reality. Shikamaru didn't believe for a second that Danzo hadn't influenced the outcome. Hiruzen's character made it unlikely he alone would have imposed such penalties. Only the other three elders, including Danzo, had the sway to pressure him.
"This punishment is mostly on me," Shikamaru admitted with a sigh, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry, everyone—especially you, sensei. Even though the original plan didn't get us the chakra metal for forging the 'Shadow Fang', it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could to help me. It's not right that you're the one getting punished."