I Know Everything About You

Hiruzen Sarutobi took in everything Xu Fan had done, but he did not give an answer on the spot.

For one thing, the current situation was not suitable for voicing any objections.

For another, he was completely immersed in the joy of regaining Wood Release.

Unlike Yamato's achievement, which had been forcibly induced through human experimentation, Xu Fan had truly inherited the First Hokage's power.

Especially the way he had unleashed Tree World Descent.

His breathing was steady, his fighting style sharp, his thoughts quick, and his grasp of his attacks perfectly measured.

He had only sealed the Hyuga Clan's movements without causing any harm.

It was no exaggeration to say that, from Hiruzen Sarutobi's perspective, Xu Fan's mastery of Wood Release was as smooth and natural as breathing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi even felt that Xu Fan could not possibly have awakened this Kekkei Genkai only recently.

Could it be...

Had he been secretly practicing Wood Release during the five years he had spent hiding in the Senju Clan compound?

But how could that be possible?

Although his sensory abilities were inferior to Lord Tobirama Senju's, using Wood Release would inevitably cause massive Chakra fluctuations.

Even if he failed to notice them, Danzo would have noticed.

"Danzo..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow as another possibility came to mind.

Had Danzo intended to nurture Xu Fan the same way he had nurtured Yamato?

Was it because Xu Fan, like Yamato, had chosen to inherit the Will of Fire that you sent Root to assassinate him?

Danzo, just how much have you done behind my back?

"Let's head back first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke slowly, indicating that this matter required further consideration.

After all, this was a contest between great powers, not children playing around.

Once they returned, they could gather all of Konoha's leadership, discuss it, and make a decision afterward.

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored the Hyuga Clan's reactions and turned toward the ruined entrance hall.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances, then followed Hiruzen Sarutobi expressionlessly.

"Senju."

However, when he reached the doorway, Hiruzen Sarutobi deliberately called out to Xu Fan.

"Mm."

Xu Fan responded. He had thought he could use the momentum of the situation to make Hiruzen Sarutobi nod in agreement.

Unexpectedly, he had chosen to retreat instead.

More importantly, his Sign-in Assistant had shown no reaction.

It seemed the assistant had not yet determined that Hizashi could survive.

To prevent those Hyuga Main Family members from pulling anything behind his back, Xu Fan deliberately looked over his shoulder when he reached the door. "The next time I come here, I want to see Hizashi alive."

Then, Xu Fan directly unleashed his Chakra amount.

Boom!

As a sonic boom erupted, the ceiling, walls, and floor instantly cracked apart.

Even the Hyuga Elder was startled by that aura.

Just the Chakra he had unleashed possessed such destructive power. If Xu Fan fought at full strength...

How terrifying would that be?

Especially the Chakra amount he had displayed—it was practically comparable to a Tailed Beast!

This man...

He was unfathomable!

Only after seeing the deeply shaken expressions of the Hyuga Clan did Xu Fan turn around and disappear from their sight.

However, the ones bearing that tremendous pressure were all members of the Hyuga Main Family.

In the eyes of the Branch House, Xu Fan was not frightening at all. Instead, they rather liked his way of doing things.

Because of the Caged Bird Seal and the Main House's lofty attitude.

Very few members of the Branch House sincerely submitted to the Main House. Most only dared not have their own thoughts or choices because they feared having their brain nerves destroyed.

Even in their hearts, they had wondered whether they were slaves of the Main House.

Xu Fan might have appeared to be protecting Hizashi, but it seemed more like he was speaking up for them because he was dissatisfied with the Hyuga Clan's system.

Before this, even Konoha's leadership had merely turned a blind eye and never considered standing on their side.

Some had even begun to believe that if Xu Fan could become Hokage one day, he might be able to change the Hyuga Clan's fate.

Hizashi Hyuga stood rooted to the spot, staring in the direction Xu Fan had vanished.

That was right. If Xu Fan could one day inherit the position of Fifth Hokage, perhaps the fate of the Caged Bird Seal could be changed.

Neji...

He hoped that day would come soon.

Yet Xu Fan knew nothing of this.

Those Hyuga people probably hate me to death now. I didn't leave them even a shred of dignity.

Xu Fan could not help muttering to himself.

But that felt so damn good. If only I could do it again.

No wonder the protagonists of web novels loved showing off.

"Xu Fan."

After leaving the Hyuga Compound, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly called Xu Fan's name and motioned for him to come closer.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura silently followed behind, seemingly observing Xu Fan.

To reach the village's main street, they had to pass through a narrow path.

No one normally came through here, and Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his voice.

"How did you know the Hyuga Clan intended to sacrifice Hizashi?"

This question was crucial. Although Hizashi belonged to the Branch House, he was still a ninja.

For a ninja, gathering intelligence and protecting intelligence were equally important.

If Xu Fan was a Kumogakure spy, then Hizashi would have effectively exposed their plan to an enemy nation.

That was an extremely serious matter.

But Xu Fan had long expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to ask.

On the surface, he was a thirteen-year-old boy, but in truth, he knew everything about the Third Hokage!

It was true that Hiruzen was kind and loved Konoha, but it was also true that he cherished his own political reputation.

At the end of the day, Hiruzen Sarutobi was human too.

For instance, when it came to Konohamaru's education, Ebisu had said that he had always believed his teaching was Konohamaru's shortcut to becoming Hokage.

Then there were Asuma's students: Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino.

Every one of them was the heir of a major clan.

Even after Naruto became the Seventh Hokage, which one of them did not become part of Konoha's new leadership?

Would someone as meticulous as Hiruzen Sarutobi really rely on randomness for something like this?

Whether anyone else believed it or not, Xu Fan did not.

Or rather, this was what was normal.

Hokage was not merely a title one could obtain by being strong enough.

At the end of the day, a Hokage was also a kind of politician.

And during his tenure, he easily suppressed Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō. The glory was all his, while the blame fell on them.

Did someone like that truly have no methods of his own?

Could he really lead Konoha through kindness alone and a few words about the Will of Fire?

What a joke.

"I deduced it."

Xu Fan took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "But it was only when I saw the change in the Hyuga Elder's expression that I knew I had guessed correctly."

"You deduced it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly. "How did you deduce it?"

Thanks to Curly-Haired Hahaha, Thousand Cups Without Thought, reader 20200222154336774, Little Itachi, Always! Forgetting!, Dao Extinguisher, User Loves Eating Fish, and 02 My Family for their support~