The Scroll of Seals

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After the mission failed, Team 8 returned to Konoha.

However, from the moment they stepped through the Konoha Gate, Shunren sensed that something was amiss.

First, the guards at the gate cast unfriendly glances at him. Shunren looked at them and realized they were just two extras; he didn't recognize them.

Inoichi's face was stiff.

After entering Konoha, they were on their way to the Hokage Building to report on their mission when pedestrians on both sides of the street looked at them with strange eyes.

"What's going on? These people are looking at us strangely?" Hong asked, puzzled.

"..." Shunren seemed to have thought of something, his brows furrowed slightly, and then he subtly expanded his senses to listen to the whispers of these people.

"Look, those are the ninjas from Team 8 Konoha..."

"Is that the team that failed their mission and had their important secret letter stolen by enemy ninjas?"

"No way? I know that blond guy; he's an elite member of the Yamanaka Clan. How could he have failed his mission?"

"No matter how excellent a captain is, if his subordinates are useless, there's nothing that can be done. I've heard that Inoichi Yamanaka defeated the enemy, but his men were badly beaten!"

"His men? Who are they?"

"Look at that brat, it's the Uchiha Clan crest. Hmph! They say they're the strongest clan in Konoha, but they only know how to bully our own people. They're trash when they face an enemy."

"..." Shunren's expression remained unchanged as he listened quietly to the discussions around him.

I have a general understanding of the situation.

This matter must have been orchestrated by Konoha High Command again. First, to deceive the Cloud Ninja, they had to announce the mission's failure to the outside world. Second, he is currently using the Uchiha name, and Konoha's suppression of the Uchiha is self-evident. Third, the Yamanaka Clan is a powerful family that supports the Hokage's lineage, Konoha wouldn't allow its own people to take the blame.

That's why the blame for the mission's failure was placed entirely on Shunren.

Shunren showed neither joy nor sorrow on his face. He had already personally witnessed the darkness of Konoha, and this level of darkness was nothing to him.

"Shunren..." Inoichi had clearly heard the surrounding whispers and, with his experience, instantly understood the Konoha High Command's meaning. Aside from Shunren's Uchiha name, Inoichi didn't want to see his disciple harmed like this, and said solemnly, "Don't worry, Shunren, I will explain this to the Lord Third."

Clearly sensing Inoichi's concern for him, Shunren's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Teacher Inoichi."

Hokage Building.

Surprisingly, besides the Third, Shimura Danzō, a figure usually shrouded in seclusion and darkness, was also present.

"Lord Third..." Inoichi keenly sensed the awkward atmosphere, but he still Hiruzen, who sat in the head seat, as required by custom.

Hiruzen wasn't using his pipe today; he was simply holding a stack of documents, examining them carefully. After hearing Inoichi's voice, he waited a moment before replying, "Thank you for your hard work, Inoichi. I've got everything sorted out regarding the mission. You must be tired; you should rest now."

"Wait, Third Hokage!" Inoichi knew the hidden meaning behind Hiruzen's words, but he didn't back down. "Regarding Uchiha Shunren..."

"Watch your words, Inoichi Yamanaka!" The sudden, gloomy voice, though not overly loud, struck like a heavy hammer in the chest, leaving one feeling suffocated.

Hiruzen remained expressionless.

It was Danzo who spoke.

"As Konoha Ninja, I must sacrifice myself for the village in crucial moments."

"What's so strange about that? Besides, the outcome of this matter is no longer related to your Yamanaka Clan. What more do you want?" Danzo continued, implying that the outcome had already been very considerate of the Yamanaka Clan's reputation, so they should refrain from further discussion.

Inoichi deep breath and said without backing down, "Shunren is my student, my disciple!"

"You!" Danzo seemed completely taken aback by Inoichi's assertive stance. As far as he knew, Inoichi was preparing to succeed as the future head of the Yamanaka Clan. Logically, at such a crucial moment of power transition, one should keep a low profile and not stand up for others. This was completely contrary to political norms.

Hiruzen seemed to have been offline since the beginning, remaining completely silent throughout.

Seeing that he couldn't handle Inoichi, Danzo turned his undisguisedly malicious gaze to Shunren and said coldly, "As Konoha Ninja, making a small sacrifice for the village, I'm sure the excellent Uchiha disciple won't have any objections, will he?"

Faced with Danzo's aggressive questioning, Shunren only replied with two words.

"Cost."

Danzo hadn't quite reacted yet, but Hiruzen's drooping eyelids snapped open, and he chuckled, "Child, are you saying that as long as you're given some compensation, you'll willingly bear the village's stigma?"

As expected of the Hokage, his eyesight is sharp; he saw through Shunren's thoughts at a glance.

Shunren knew perfectly well that he had to take the blame, whether he wanted to or not, and since Konoha had already issued an official statement, he had no way to defend himself. So, since it was a fait accompli, why bother arguing anymore? It was better to take the initiative to back down and use it as a bargaining chip to seek benefits from Konoha.

"I want the Scroll of Seals."

"Impossible!" Danzo stared at him sharply with his single left eye.

Shunren ignored his words and turned his gaze directly to the Third beside him. The latter's expression was also slightly cold, clearly indicating that he didn't need to consider it either. Shunren had already anticipated this; Konoha wouldn't hand over the entire Scroll of Seals to him. Therefore, he compromised and said, "Then I only want two of them: 'Genjutsu Technique: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique' and 'Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Advanced Chapter'."