Third Lord's Guess

Even though he had seen some ambiguous phrases on the clan's stone tablet before, Fugaku Uchiha was still inevitably shocked and lost in thought when Zhang Miao gave him the definitive answer.

"So, the evolutionary condition for the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan is that harsh, even to the point of being cruel?"

If the Mangekyo Sharingan, awakened by the loss of a loved one, was unavoidable, then this Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan required the parents and siblings of the Uchiha Clan to kill each other!

As someone who had been through it, Fugaku Uchiha knew very well that many people would do anything for power!

This made him even more worried about the future of the Uchiha Clan.

"Am I, the Uchiha, truly a cursed clan? If so, how can I save the Uchiha Clan?"

While Fugaku Uchiha was deeply concerned about his clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just returned to the Leaf Village, also frowned after hearing Owl's report.

"What? You're saying that kid Ryunosuke is hanging out with people from the Uchiha Clan now?"

"Yes, Third Lord!"

Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Owl dared not hide anything and answered honestly.

"Ryunosuke is good friends with Itachi Uchiha, the eldest son of Fugaku Uchiha and the clan head. For the past few days, he's been going to Fugaku Uchiha's mansion every afternoon and only returning in the evening!"

"Every afternoon?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's frown deepened. "Besides Fugaku Uchiha's family, who else has Ryunosuke been in contact with?"

"This..."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's question, Owl pondered for a moment before speaking again.

"There is indeed one person. His name is Might Wei. He's said to be Might Duy's younger brother, but the archives have no information on him. Also, the first time I saw him, he called Ryunosuke 'Master'."

"Hmm? Called Ryunosuke 'Master'?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi also realized the significance of this title. He frowned, picked up his pipe, took a deep puff, and exhaled a long stream of smoke.

"How is this person's strength?"

Owl had no hesitation in answering this question, especially remembering Might Wei's kick that could instantly kill him.

Therefore, as soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he immediately replied.

"In terms of Taijutsu alone, his strength is not inferior to our Anbu Captains!"

As an elite of the Anbu, Owl was quite confident in his own strength, believing that no one other than the Anbu Captains could defeat him in a few seconds.

Upon hearing Owl's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's frown deepened, and he pondered inwardly.

"The Third Great Ninja War has just ended. This person is so strong, yet the archives have no information on him. He's likely not from one of the Five Great Nations. However, he calls Ryunosuke 'Master'. Could this person also be a contingency plan left by Minato?"

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's opinion, it wouldn't be difficult for Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of the Leaf Village, to leave some contingency plans to ensure his son's safety.

Especially after sealing the Nine-Tails, the sudden disappearance of the bodies of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki indirectly proved that Minato Namikaze had indeed left behind contingency plans.

With this thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Owl again.

"After Might Wei came to the Leaf Village, besides Ryunosuke, who else has he contacted? What does he usually do?"

By now, Hiruzen Sarutobi had basically concluded that Might Wei was a contingency plan left by Minato Namikaze. He was now asking these questions merely to confirm his judgment.

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's question, Owl thought for a moment and then answered again.

"Besides Ryunosuke and Naruto, Might Wei has had the most contact with a young man named Might Guy. Every day, besides protecting Ryunosuke, he takes Might Guy to the training grounds outside the village to train. He hasn't had contact with anyone else!"

Owl's words undoubtedly confirmed Hiruzen Sarutobi's guess, so his expression softened slightly, and he nodded at Owl.

"Alright, I understand. Continue monitoring Might Wei. Go and summon Kakashi!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Owl quickly agreed and then withdrew. Not long after, a knock was heard at the door again.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in!"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice fell, Kakashi, dressed in Anbu gear, walked in from outside the door.

"Hokage-sama, you sent for me?"

"Mm!"

Looking at Kakashi entering, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with his pipe and slowly began to speak.

"Kakashi, you are the closest to Ryunosuke. I want to know if he has said anything special to you, such as about his parents or his clan."

"This..." Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Kakashi hesitated, but in the end, he shook his head. "No! He hasn't said anything!"

Seeing Kakashi deny it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression softened. He stood up from his seat and slowly walked in front of Kakashi.

"Kakashi, I actually know about the backgrounds of Ryunosuke and Naruto. I also promised their mother that I would take good care of them. The reason I called you here is simply to clarify one thing: has Ryunosuke already learned about his background?"

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, if Might Wei was a contingency plan left by Minato Namikaze, then Zhang Miao must have known his identity.

And as Minato Namikaze's disciple, Kakashi, who was usually so close to Zhang Miao, would surely know something.

However, seeing Kakashi's calm demeanor, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that if he didn't present some "solid evidence," he wouldn't be able to make this suspicious young man speak.

With this thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe in one hand and patted Kakashi's shoulder with the other.

"Ryunosuke and Naruto are the sons of the Fourth Hokage. You know this, don't you, Kakashi!"

"Uh..."

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi directly reveal Zhang Miao's identity, Kakashi immediately looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, surprise evident in his eyes.

Seeing his reaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi already had his answer. He nodded immediately.

"Yes, I already know. Go and fetch Ryunosuke, tell him I wish to see him!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Kakashi immediately agreed to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words and withdrew.

However, as he reached the doorway, he seemed to remember something and immediately turned back to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side.

Noticing Kakashi's action, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, a hint of confusion on his face.

"Is there something else?"

"Yes!" Kakashi nodded immediately, then took a kunai from his pocket and presented it to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "This is Teacher's Flying Thunder God Kunai; Ryunosuke gave it to me!"

Looking at the three-pronged kunai in Kakashi's hand, with "Sword of Ninja Love" written on its handle, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes showed a flicker of surprise. But he quickly regained his composure and nodded at Kakashi.

"Yes, I understand. Since this belonged to your teacher and Ryunosuke gave it to you, you should keep it. Alright, you may go now!"

"Yes!"

Kakashi agreed and turned to leave the Hokage's office. After he was gone, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a helpless smile.

"Is this kid reminding me not to forget the sacrifices the Fourth Hokage made for the village? He's truly a suspicious yet sentimental kid!"