Malice

"Teacher Kakashi! These people barged in and tried to take Sasuke away! We're all still recovering from our injuries!"

Naruto complained.

"I brought them here."

Kakashi cut in.

"Huh? Oh, so that's how it is. But what can't be discussed here?"

Once he heard that Kakashi had brought them, Naruto immediately relaxed, though he was still confused.

On the other side, Sasuke stared intently at Kakashi, harboring the same doubts.

"It's nothing. There are just some matters that need to be clarified."

Kakashi lowered his head, avoiding Sasuke's eyes.

Sasuke fixed his gaze on Kakashi's face, trying to spot even the slightest clue.

But unfortunately, Kakashi had never shown much of his face to begin with. Now, his eyes were lowered beneath his long bangs.

"Fine. I'll go with you."

After a long silence, Sasuke finally agreed.

"Wait!"

Naruto shouted.

Everyone stopped and turned back.

"Hey, can someone help me scratch an itch?"

Naruto wore a miserable expression.

Everyone was speechless.

Sasuke walked straight back over and reluctantly scratched him a few times at random.

Konoha, Anbu interrogation room.

"So, during your battle with Neji, did you attempt to use Fire Dragon Flame Bullet?"

"Yes."

Sasuke admitted it readily.

"Where did you learn it? When?"

The Anbu interrogator sat hidden in the shadows, facing Sasuke beneath the lamp.

In the corner, another person sat against the wall, carefully recording their conversation.

Daylight streamed through the window onto the paper. Dust drifted silently through the air, and the very concept of time became blurred here.

"A few days ago, I met Lord Jiraiya and received his guidance."

Sasuke answered calmly and without arrogance.

The pen scratched softly across the paper.

The interrogator pondered for a moment before turning to another question.

"Then that final technique—Fire Release, Flame—"

"Flame Armor."

"Right, Flame Armor. How did you learn that?"

Faced with this question, Sasuke fell silent.

Seeing his reaction, the interrogator became even more convinced of his suspicions.

He could not help recalling a conversation in the Hokage Office not long ago.

"Two wins and one draw. Kakashi, you've taught some fine students."

The Third Hokage said with a smile.

"Not at all."

Kakashi, this legendary senior of the Anbu, scratched the back of his head and gave a modest, foolish grin.

"Especially Uchiha Sasuke. I've never even seen the ninjutsu he used at the end."

The Third Hokage's smile did not fade, but those words struck Kakashi's heart like a heavy hammer.

After all, the Third Hokage was a rare ninja proficient in all five elemental natures. It was said that he had mastered every ninjutsu in Konoha and bore the title of Ninjutsu Professor.

And for someone like him to specifically point out that he had never seen the ninjutsu Uchiha Sasuke had used...

Kakashi's mind raced as he tried to discern the Hokage's underlying meaning. Finally, he said cautiously, "Indeed, the Uchiha Clan's foundations run deep. It is truly astonishing..."

"Kakashi!" The Third Hokage's voice remained mild and smiling, but his words were terrifying. "Do you truly think this old man has become senile?"

The Uchiha Clan had been exterminated in its entirety five years ago. Sasuke had only been seven at the time; everyone in the village knew that.

Besides, if it really had been a secret technique of the Uchiha Clan, why had no one ever been seen using it before?

Hearing the Third Hokage's warning, Kakashi hurriedly said that he would not dare.

"This subordinate is slow-witted and truly cannot think of any reason."

The Third Hokage rose and looked out at the treetops beyond the window.

The nest of fledglings had begun spreading their wings to fly, chirping cheerfully.

After a long time, just as Kakashi's taut nerves were beginning to give way, the Third Hokage quietly spoke a name.

"Orochimaru."

In truth, it was not as though Kakashi had never considered that possibility.

As a former Anbu member who had participated in the pursuit of Orochimaru, Kakashi knew very well.

When Orochimaru had defected, he had declared that he wanted to attain immortality, learn every ninjutsu in the world, and grasp the truths of existence.

A never-before-seen ninjutsu like Flame Armor could very well have been developed by Orochimaru over these past years.

Which also meant...

"Lord Hokage! Sasuke would never do anything harmful to Konoha. I believe in that child!"

Kakashi said urgently.

"Can even you be blinded by emotion, Kakashi?"

The Third Hokage turned back and spoke softly, as if talking to himself.

Then he turned toward the active Anbu waiting nearby and raised his voice.

"Whether we believe him is not important. Everything is for Konoha's future."

"Detain Uchiha Sasuke immediately!"

Outside the interrogation room, Kakashi stared fixedly at the scene inside, unable to stop himself from praying anxiously.

Say it. Tell them you would never do anything harmful to Konoha, Uchiha Sasuke.

"Was it Kakashi, or the Third Hokage?"

Sasuke suddenly raised his head, his gaze cold and dark.

"What?"

The interrogator froze.

"So now you suspect me of colluding with Orochimaru? Just because I used a ninjutsu you don't recognize?!"

Ever since he had been detained and summoned, Sasuke had constantly been trying to guess what situation he was in.

At first, he had thought it was merely an investigation he was assisting with.

But judging from what followed, the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

It was not until that question had been asked that Sasuke finally confirmed his suspicions. A tremendous wave of anger and chill rose within him.

The desire he had once held—to become Hokage, protect the village, and restore the Uchiha Clan—now felt like a joke.

At that moment, killing intent surged in Sasuke's heart, and the Cursed Seal showed faint signs of going out of control.

A young man's temperament was volatile, especially Sasuke's, with his powerful pride. To be falsely accused and suspected by those he trusted filled him with such fury.

Seeing this, Kakashi no longer cared about avoiding suspicion. He rushed forward, pushed Ibiki Morino aside from the intercom, and shouted into the interrogation room.

"The subject's emotions are extremely unstable. Calm him down immediately! Calm him down immediately!"

After hearing Kakashi's shout through his earpiece, the interrogator reacted quickly as well, replying as calmly as possible.

"At present, Konoha has reached no conclusion. Don't overthink this."

"No conclusion? You call this no conclusion?!"

Sasuke slapped the interrogation chair that restrained him, waving his hands and pointing wildly at the iron door, the record keeper, and the iron bars over the skylight.

"Where is Teacher Kakashi? I want to see Kakashi!"

"Kakashi!"

Sasuke pounded the table in agitation and shouted at the top of his lungs.

Kakashi looked pleadingly at Ibiki Morino.

After hesitating for a moment, the latter nodded.

"What's all this noise?"

The interrogation room door opened, and Kakashi walked in from outside.

"Senior Kakashi."

Once the Anbu recognized him, they all rose to greet him.

Kakashi gestured for everyone to leave.

They hesitated briefly, but approval from their superior soon came through their earpieces, and they readily agreed.

They stood at attention once more, bowed slightly to Kakashi, and filed out.

Before long, only Sasuke and Kakashi remained in the room.

"You need to believe that we mean you no harm."

Kakashi said in a low voice.

"Hmph."

Sasuke did not respond, merely letting out a cold snort.