In the distance, Aburame Shikuroo witnessed this scene and, without hesitation, activated the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Yet the curse seal gave him no response.
"Did he die? Fire Release of that level... could it have been Fugaku Uchiha?
"Or that old man..."
A figure flashed through Aburame Shikuroo's mind.
The next instant, Aburame Shikuroo had vanished.
The mission had failed...
The instant the pillar of fire erupted, it ignited the neighboring house. With the cold wind fanning the flames, the fire rapidly spread.
Inside the house, Uchiha Tunan unhurriedly tossed the money and land deeds from the cabinet into the cellar.
He then tucked the diary and the copy of Will of Fire bearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal signature, which he had bought long ago, beneath his arm.
With a casual step to the left, he neatly avoided a burning section of roof beam.
Then he turned and headed outside.
The attacker this time clearly belonged to the Aburame Clan.
Judging from his attire, if he was not Anbu, then he was Root.
It seemed Danzo had developed some improper designs on me.
Danzo... Orochimaru...
I can't beat them.
Uchiha Tunan considered himself broad-minded and not one to hold grudges.
If they were willing to accept him, Uchiha Tunan would be more than happy to join their ranks.
At that moment, the Great Elder and Fugaku Uchiha were the first to arrive outside the small courtyard.
"This is..." Fugaku Uchiha frowned as he watched the flames soar into the sky.
"It seems we came too late."
The Great Elder's face darkened.
Suddenly, both men raised their brows, a trace of delight flashing through their eyes.
"Hm?"
Crisp footsteps sounded from within the sea of fire.
"Step, step, step..."
Uchiha Tunan emerged calmly from the inferno. The moment he stepped out of the small courtyard, the house behind him abruptly collapsed.
Rumble!
The Great Elder asked with concern, "Tunan, are you all right?"
At the same time, the jonin behind them also arrived, while large numbers of Uchiha ninja continued to rush over.
Against the backdrop of the towering flames, Uchiha Tunan's figure appeared exceedingly small.
Yet no one present dared underestimate Uchiha Tunan.
Uchiha Tunan discreetly exchanged a glance with the Great Elder. Then, with an apologetic expression, he adjusted his glasses and bowed deeply to everyone.
"I'm terribly sorry. The commotion was too great and disturbed your rest."
Fugaku Uchiha hurriedly asked, "What happened? Was it another spy from an enemy village?"
Uchiha Tunan calmly shook his head. "I cannot disclose that. This matter must first be reported to Lord Hokage."
The moment he said this, the Uchiha ninja who had arrived all erupted.
"Damn it, we rushed here in the middle of the night for nothing."
"Hmph. Great Elder, Clan Head, let's go. Stop worrying about this brat."
"That's right. Why should we care whether this traitor to the clan lives or dies?"
The Great Elder had long decided that Uchiha Tunan was concealing something. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Tunan, everyone is worried about your safety. Do you not even trust your own clansmen?"
Uchiha Tunan said nothing, merely standing there in silence.
The Great Elder glanced at the pillar of fire, which was beginning to die down, then at Uchiha Tunan, who stood with his eyes lowered.
A hint of fervor flashed through his eyes.
Strength, wisdom, and such patient forbearance... he was practically a gift from heaven to the Uchiha Clan.
Every Uchiha clansman present looked furious, shouting one after another.
But without Fugaku Uchiha or the Great Elder giving the word, they could only restrain themselves as best they could.
They could neither leave nor stay; staying only felt like offering warm affection to a cold shoulder.
It was unbearable.
Suddenly, the Great Elder's expression shifted slightly. A kind, gentle smile appeared on his face as he addressed Uchiha Tunan.
"Tunan, the clansmen truly care about you. They simply do not speak very pleasantly, so do not take it to heart."
Just then, a group of Anbu appeared in the distance.
"Tunan, are you all right?"
The Anbu moved aside one after another, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in casual clothing, stepped out from behind them, his face filled with worry and concern.
Uchiha Tunan's eyes lit up, and a warm smile appeared on his face. "Lord Hokage, I'm fine."
Hiruzen Sarutobi casually swept his gaze over the two books tucked beneath Uchiha Tunan's arm, then said with lingering fear, "The moment I heard the news, I rushed over. It's fortunate that you're safe. Who attacked you?"
Uchiha Tunan pressed his lips together, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.
"Tunan, Lord Hokage is here now. You can speak, can't you?
"Could it be that even as your clansmen, we have no right to know?"
The Great Elder put on an act, his face dark and grim.
Uchiha Tunan glanced at the Great Elder before turning his gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
"Speak."
Only then did Uchiha Tunan say, "The other party was a ninja dressed like Anbu, and all his ninjutsu involved insects.
"He said he was from Root and that someone named Danzo wanted to see me.
"I had never heard of anyone named Danzo, so I refused his request. Then he attacked me."
Well done!
The Great Elder was overjoyed inwardly, believing Uchiha Tunan was deliberately driving a wedge between Konoha's higher-ups.
He feigned fury and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord Hokage, shouldn't you give the Uchiha Clan an explanation?
"A Root operative attacked a genius of the Uchiha Clan in the dead of night. What exactly was his intention?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. He had not expected Root to be behind this.
But after thinking it over carefully, there was indeed a ninety-eight percent chance that was the case.
Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had planned to have the Anbu use Water Release to extinguish the flames and retrieve the enemy's corpse for investigation.
Now, however, he was somewhat hesitant.
Danzo, look at the mess you've made!
"The Anbu will investigate the circumstances thoroughly. If it is true, I will naturally handle the matter according to the village's rules."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply dissatisfied with Danzo. He reached out and stroked Uchiha Tunan's hair, asking with concern, "Tunan, your home has been destroyed. Have you considered moving somewhere else?"
This time, the Great Elder truly became anxious and quickly spoke up.
"Lord Hokage, Tunan is a member of the Uchiha Clan. Now that his home is gone, the Uchiha Clan can provide him with a house at the center of the clan compound.
"Could it be that Lord Hokage wishes to split apart our Uchiha Clan?"
Why take it so seriously? Can't you see I was only saying it casually?
Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally knew it was impossible to move Uchiha Tunan out of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
He had only said it to deepen Uchiha Tunan's favorable impression of him.
At that moment, Uchiha Tunan slightly tucked himself farther behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking at him with an expression full of hope.
Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head to look into Uchiha Tunan's eyes and sighed.
"I did not think it through. Child, you should follow your Great Elder's arrangements."
Uchiha Tunan pressed his lips together and obediently nodded.
"If there is nothing else, Tunan, come with me. I will take you to your new residence."
The Great Elder spoke coldly, then beckoned to Uchiha Tunan.
"Lord Hokage, I'll be going now."
"Go on."
Uchiha Tunan looked longingly at Hiruzen Sarutobi before finally stepping out from behind him.
Watching Uchiha Tunan follow the Great Elder toward the center of the clan compound, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help sighing inwardly.
That child was so sensible that it made one's heart ache.
Before you continue