Danzo Offers the Knife, "It's the Thought That Counts"

In Nonō's understanding, the Hokage was the person with the most authority in the village.

Danzo had obtained the Hokage's approval with an official document from the Hokage.

Even Hoshiryu Uchiha could not help her.

She had even decided that, in order not to burden anyone else, she would bear it all alone.

So after hesitating, Nonō still did not tell Hoshiryu Uchiha what had happened.

But it was precisely Nonō's hesitation that told Hoshiryu Uchiha his guess was most likely correct.

However, since Nonō did not want to talk about it, Hoshiryu Uchiha did not press her.

Danzo's Root could not possibly have targeted Nonō alone. There had to be other victims.

With the Senju Clan's influence, they could easily find a few with a simple investigation.

If Danzo had merely recruited some graduated ninjas, it would certainly have been proper procedure.

But he had targeted children in the Ninja Village, using threats and inducements.

That touched Konoha's taboo. Children were humanity's bottom line in any world.

Since Danzo had already made his move, Hoshiryu Uchiha felt that they needed to act immediately.

That way, they could avoid causing unnecessary losses to Konoha's future.

With that in mind, Hoshiryu Uchiha said to Tsunade:

"Tsunade, I need to head back for something urgent. Please ask Teacher Tsukiji for leave on my behalf."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at his words.

"You're asking for leave on the second day of school. Aren't you afraid the teacher will make things difficult for you?"

Hoshiryu Uchiha smiled but did not answer her question.

To Hoshiryu Uchiha, Tsukiji's teaching methods were not suited to him.

He had come to school mainly to interact with his classmates and build bonds.

Once the time was right, he might take a whole group of people with him to skip class.

When that happened, Tsukiji would definitely find him irritating.

But anyone capable of being this class's teacher would naturally not be an idiot.

Even if Tsukiji disliked him, as long as Hoshiryu Uchiha's grades kept up, he would turn a blind eye.

So Hoshiryu Uchiha was not worried about what Tsunade had said.

He pointed at Nonō and said:

"Please. I really need to speak with Grandma Mito about something important. It concerns Nonō."

Although Tsunade did not know why the matter Hoshiryu Uchiha mentioned concerned Nonō,

seeing how serious he was, she knew it was no small matter.

So Tsunade became serious as well and agreed to ask for leave for Hoshiryu Uchiha.

After seeing Tsunade nod, Hoshiryu Uchiha turned and left.

Nonō, who had witnessed everything from the side, was filled with gratitude, yet she had no idea how to stop Hoshiryu Uchiha.

While she was still hesitating, Hoshiryu Uchiha had already left.

Seeing Hoshiryu Uchiha leave, Nonō hurriedly rose, wanting to chase after him and stop this.

But the moment she left her seat, Hoshiryu Uchiha, who had reached the doorway, blurred and vanished instantly.

Nonō stretched out her hand, wanting to say something.

Tsunade looked at Nonō and walked over to comfort her.

"Don't be afraid. Hoshiryu never does anything unless he's certain of it."

"Besides, my grandmother is here."

Nonō had not yet become the priestess she would be in the future. Though she was as kind as ever, her heart was not yet as strong as it would later become.

Especially after seeing Hoshiryu Uchiha preparing to interfere in this matter, she finally could not bear it any longer and burst into tears.

Nonō's crying left Tsunade at a loss, so she could only step forward and gently embrace her.

After leaving the classroom, Hoshiryu Uchiha used the Body Flicker Technique to travel.

Compared with the slow pace of ninja running, the Body Flicker Technique consumed more stamina and Chakra.

But for Hoshiryu Uchiha, that expenditure was not even as fast as his recovery.

The Body Flicker Technique was already fast, let alone Hoshiryu Uchiha's version, used without regard for consumption.

Before long, he returned to the Senju Compound.

Mito Uzumaki was sitting in a chair, basking in the sun and drinking tea.

Although she was somewhat surprised to see Hoshiryu Uchiha return, she was not overly so.

She knew Hoshiryu Uchiha was a sensible child. He would not come back for no reason if nothing had happened.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Hoshiryu Uchiha said something that made her pupils contract.

"Grandma Mito, I suspect someone in the village is targeting children."

The instant Mito Uzumaki heard that, she shot upright.

Those who had survived the Warring States knew how cruel that era had been.

Hatred and interests had tangled across this land. To take revenge against other ninja clans, and to cut off the future hopes of other ninjas,

children born into ninja clans were at constant risk of assassination.

And at the most critical moments for a ninja clan, as long as they could hold a kunai,

children also had to go to the battlefield and sacrifice themselves.

The Uzumaki Clan of Mito Uzumaki was no exception. Many children had been assassinated at a very young age.

Back then, every pair of parents lived with extreme caution.

They feared their children might be gone the next day.

Hashirama Senju had founded Konoha so children could grow up safely and adults would no longer have to live in fear.

But now, Hoshiryu Uchiha was telling her that someone had extended evil hands toward children.

At first, Mito Uzumaki found it hard to believe. Then she was filled with overwhelming fury.

Looking at Mito Uzumaki's livid face, Hoshiryu Uchiha continued.

"There's a girl in our class who appears to have been threatened."

After saying that, Hoshiryu Uchiha said no more.

Someone as intelligent as Mito Uzumaki would investigate it herself no matter how much more he said.

So it was better to let the truth speak for itself.

After all, Hoshiryu Uchiha had not falsely accused Danzo. Danzo really had done this.

Mito Uzumaki quickly emerged from her anger. She took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

Turning to Hoshiryu Uchiha, she said:

"I'll investigate this matter. Don't spread word of it yet."

"Bring that girl back. She can stay here with me for the time being."

Hearing that, Hoshiryu Uchiha naturally had no objections.

He nodded, then said:

"Grandma, I've already taken leave today. How about I investigate with you? I actually have some ideas already."

Mito Uzumaki gave Hoshiryu Uchiha a surprised look, unable to understand why he cared so much.

What she did not know was that Hoshiryu Uchiha had long wanted to deal with Danzo.

If there was anyone in the Hokage world Hoshiryu Uchiha found most unpleasant, it was definitely Danzo.

By now, he did not merely possess sufficient strength.

The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan, Konoha's two great clans, could both be said to stand behind him.

Now Danzo had even handed a knife right to Hoshiryu Uchiha. If he did not go after him, Hoshiryu Uchiha himself would feel sorry for wasting this opportunity.

Mito Uzumaki had originally wanted to refuse.

But after hearing that he had some ideas, Mito Uzumaki narrowed her eyes and thought for a while before finally speaking.

"Fine. Then come with me to see the Hokage."