Resolve and Conviction

Inside the Hokage's office, the work of inventorying the Uchiha Clan's estate was nearly complete. Konoha had finished taking over all its assets.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leafed through the asset list and sighed involuntarily. "Uchiha..."

Complex emotions rose in his heart. When all was said and done, the Third Hokage's character was less deeply calculating than weak and incompetent.

The strongest Hokage in textbook history...

He had always wavered amid contradictions. After the clan massacre, on one hand, he could not resist the temptation of the Uchiha Clan's immense wealth.

On the other, he felt regret and pity at the destruction of this top-tier bloodline clan that had once dominated Konoha.

Thinking back, the Uchiha Clan led by Uchiha Madara had once been so glorious. Back then, they...

Were a force that made the entire Shinobi World tremble.

Yet now, they had fallen to such a state, reduced to dust in history.

When all was said and done...

It was because the First Hokage had become Hokage in the beginning...

So...

The things that truly mattered had to be held firmly in one's own hands.

Before the Third Hokage could sink any deeper into his reflections, an urgent intelligence scroll suddenly arrived from Uchiha Itachi.

Alarm flickered in his heart as he quickly opened the scroll and read it. The information within made his pupils contract sharply.

"Uchiha Yuan... awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. His ability mutated, activating World-Ending Power..."

Hiruzen sucked in a cold breath. Could this be the bizarre matter Hyuga Hiashi had mentioned before?

He had previously thought it was nothing more than an absurd rumor, yet now Itachi, who had witnessed it firsthand, had personally confirmed it. It was truly unbelievable.

"Kakashi."

In an instant, Kakashi, dressed in Anbu attire, appeared inside the Hokage's office.

"Bring me today's Anbu intelligence reports."

"Yes..."

Kakashi vanished in a flash. Moments later, he returned and placed the latest materials on the desk.

After opening the report, Hiruzen's expression turned even uglier.

The black-market intelligence nearly completely matched Itachi's report, and it was even more detailed and specific. Clearly, the situation was far more serious than he had anticipated.

Just as Hiruzen was gripped by uncertainty and immersed in the immense shock, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Danzo strode straight in, his face full of dissatisfaction and accusation.

"Hiruzen! Look at the fine work you've done as Hokage!"

Danzo spoke coldly, his tone utterly merciless as he accused him...

"I told you long ago that the Uchiha Clan was inherently evil. And now someone has actually awakened a Mangekyō capable of destroying the entire Shinobi World. As Hokage, you cannot escape responsibility!"

"...?"

Danzo's accusations caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's already taut emotions to erupt instantly. His brows furrowed as fury flared within him.

He abruptly raised his head and glared fiercely at Danzo, making no attempt to hide his anger...

"Shut your mouth! If you hadn't been relentlessly pressing the Uchiha Clan and suppressing them at every turn, how could things have developed into this?"

Danzo sneered, meeting him head-on without yielding. "I merely inherited Teacher Tobirama's will!"

"After the Nine-Tails Incident, we should have completely purged the Uchiha threat. It was you, the indecisive Hokage, who refused to make up your mind, and that led to today's catastrophe!"

With a single sentence, he firmly pinned the blame on Hiruzen Sarutobi, his words brimming with provocation and contempt.

"Shut up!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, nearly slamming his hand onto the desk as he rose!

"Who exactly is the Hokage here? You or me?"

Danzo met his gaze without backing down, replying in an icy voice, "Nothing more than a derelict Hokage."

"Danzo! You've gone too far!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was utterly enraged. The anger and dissatisfaction he had suppressed for so long erupted completely at that moment.

The atmosphere in the office grew tense to the extreme. The two old men glared at each other, the intense hostility and resentment between them nearly setting the air in the room ablaze.

"Hiruzen, all you know how to do is yell at me!"

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. At last, some of his anger subsided, and his tone softened slightly...

"Enough. Now is not the time to argue. Our top priority is to immediately verify the truth of this World-Ending Power intelligence. Where is Uchiha Yuan's body now? We must inspect it personally and confirm the truth about the Mangekyō Sharingan."

At Hiruzen's question, Danzo arrogantly lifted his chin. "Gone."

"What!?"

"What did you say? How could the body be gone?"

"When I sent people to the Uchiha camp to deal with the bodies, I discovered that Yuan's body had vanished without a trace. Several Root shinobi had even disappeared mysteriously. The Mangekyō Sharingan he left behind disappeared as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face suddenly went pale, and his heart sank. "Danzo, just how much have you hidden from me?!"

Danzo sneered. "Hiruzen, I have no need to hide anything from you. At this point, this entire situation was caused by your failure as Hokage."

"As for Uchiha Yuan... hmph, all of this is the result of your indulgence."

Hiruzen, who had originally intended to speak calmly with Danzo, suddenly flew into a rage...

"Immediately send people to investigate the whereabouts of Yuan's body, as well as all intelligence concerning his Mangekyō abilities. Do not overlook any clue!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the order sternly.

Danzo nodded haughtily, then turned and left, leaving Hiruzen alone in the empty office in disarray.

The office fell silent and gloomy once more. Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a heavy sigh, his face weary and troubled.

Looking at the Uchiha estate inventory before him, Hiruzen felt an indescribable bitterness and regret rise within him.

He finally realized that his past weakness and indecision had indeed planted the seeds of today's crisis.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples wearily.

He felt as though he had aged ten years overnight. Even his eyes carried exhaustion and unease that he could not conceal.

"Kakashi..." he called softly.

From the shadows behind him, Kakashi appeared again. His mask revealed no expression. "Yes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, his gaze holding a little more trust and helplessness. "Please, go find Jiraiya."

Jiraiya had close ties to Mount Myoboku, and the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku had always been renowned for foreseeing the future.

If there was truly a way to deal with the impending meteor disaster, that great prophet might be able to provide some crucial clues.

"Yes."

Kakashi had just turned to leave when his steps paused slightly at the door.

Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed his hesitation. He looked up at him and asked evenly, "What is it?"

Kakashi spoke quietly, his tone carrying a trace of confusion. "Lord Hokage... will the Shinobi World really be destroyed?"

Hearing the question, Hiruzen Sarutobi shuddered. After a moment of silence, he slowly raised his head, as though he had regained the composure and authority of a Hokage.

"No, Kakashi..."

As he spoke, his tone suddenly became exceptionally firm!

"This world will not end like this. So please, you must bring Jiraiya back."

Feeling the resolve and conviction in the Hokage's voice, Kakashi's eyes lit up. He nodded firmly. "Yes!"