Conversation

Hokage Building.

Hokage's Office.

Looking around the spacious, brightly lit room with curiosity, Uchiha Yuzuru took in his surroundings.

Since transmigrating here, this was his first time coming to this place.

After looking around for a while, Uchiha Yuzuru, who never dwelled on things, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was still bent over his paperwork, and said directly, "Third Hokage, what did you want with me?"

"Third Hokage?"

"Hey!"

What a rude little brat!

Hiruzen Sarutobi grumbled inwardly.

Usually, anyone summoned by him would stand carefully in place and quietly wait for him to finish his work.

But this little brat before him was practically about to walk up and slap the desk.

As expected of the evil Uchiha—what a vile temperament.

Still, despite furiously venting his dissatisfaction inwardly, Hiruzen Sarutobi put on a kind, amiable smile.

"Yuzuru, it's because I'm getting old. My hearing isn't quite what it used to be."

"Third Hokage, hearing loss is an illness. You should get it treated."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi choked on his water a few times, then set down his cup and picked up his pipe.

But before he could light it, Uchiha Yuzuru had already frowned. "Third Hokage, I don't like the smell of smoke."

You bastard!

Hiruzen Sarutobi swore he really wanted to summon Enma right then and let this little brat know why he was honored as the Hero of Shinobi!

But to maintain his image, Hiruzen Sarutobi still put down his pipe and said with a stiff smile, "Yuzuru, I heard you were the one who saved Kushina from the Cloud Ninja?"

"It's all thanks to you. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"Is that so? Is Kushina that important?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yuzuru, there are some things I must tell you now."

"Kushina is actually the village's future candidate for Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Only her special constitution can completely control the Nine-Tails."

"If we lost Kushina, the village would be in trouble in the future."

"So that's how it is."

Uchiha Yuzuru suddenly smiled. Like sunlight breaking through after a rainy day, it brightened the entire office.

Although he did not know why Hiruzen Sarutobi had suddenly told him about Kushina Uzumaki, that did not stop him from getting some benefits first.

Thus, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to speak again, Uchiha Yuzuru beat him to it. "Third Hokage, since I've made such a great contribution to the village, shouldn't you reward me with something?"

I'll endure!

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and tried his best to calm himself.

He looked at Uchiha Yuzuru and asked, "You've contributed to the village, so naturally you should be rewarded..."

"I heard the Scroll of Seals contains many powerful forbidden jutsu. Give me that as my reward."

Interrupted again, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared hard at Uchiha Yuzuru.

This guy was definitely causing trouble on purpose, wasn't he?!

The Scroll of Seals?

Why didn't you just ask to fly into the sky!

Was that something an Uchiha could lay his hands on?

But he had just praised Uchiha Yuzuru's accomplishments, so directly refusing was not an option.

After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. "Yuzuru, many of the jutsu in the Scroll of Seals have not been perfected. Reckless training could endanger a shinobi's life."

"But there is one forbidden jutsu that suits you quite well."

"What forbidden jutsu?"

"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled pleasantly.

Compared with the other forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals, the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu was not excessively overpowered.

Besides, if used improperly, it could get the user killed.

It was simply perfect as a reward for this ill-mannered Uchiha brat.

"Alright, I'll have someone copy down the jutsu and deliver it to you later. For now, let's discuss the Cloud Ninja kidnapping."

Without giving Uchiha Yuzuru a chance to refuse, Hiruzen Sarutobi made the decision directly. There was now a hint of scrutiny in his gaze as he looked at Uchiha Yuzuru.

"Yuzuru, according to my investigation, you weren't supposed to be on night duty that evening. It should have been Rika Uchiha, correct?"

"We changed shifts." Uchiha Yuzuru shrugged. "Because Captain Rika wasn't feeling well."

"I see."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment without saying more, then changed the subject. "Then how did you leave Konoha? Why didn't the Barrier Team detect your movements?"

He had already investigated thoroughly. There had been no issue with the barrier that night; even if a fly had left the village, it could not have escaped the Barrier Team's detection.

How exactly had Uchiha Yuzuru left the village without anyone noticing?

Uchiha Yuzuru said indifferently, "Third Hokage, you should ask the Barrier Team that question. I merely followed the traces left behind by those Cloud Ninja, nothing more."

"Did you encounter any Anbu while pursuing the Cloud Ninja?"

"No."

"Really no one?"

Feeling the pressure radiating from Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually increase, Uchiha Yuzuru said coldly, "Third Hokage, Kushina has clearly been rescued, and the Cloud Ninja corpses have been brought back to the village. What exactly are you trying to find out?"

"Is there some hidden truth behind this?"

How perceptive.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected Uchiha Yuzuru to make that connection just because he had asked a few more questions.

If he kept pressing, not only might he fail to uncover any useful information, he might also alert the other party to something.

No, perhaps Uchiha Yuzuru had already noticed something.

He had proactively swapped shifts with someone else, freely entered and left the village without being detected, rescued Kushina ahead of everyone else, and then there were the three missing Anbu...

Although there was no evidence proving that Uchiha Yuzuru had orchestrated these events, Hiruzen Sarutobi was accustomed to preparing for the worst.

Recalling all the information he had read about Uchiha Yuzuru, Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts gradually hardened.

Uchiha Yuzuru absolutely could not be underestimated. He would have to become a priority target for surveillance from now on!

After thinking for a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped dwelling on what had already happened and said, "Yuzuru, since you already know about Kushina, there is something I hope you can understand."

"The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan can influence Tailed Beasts, so for the greater good, you cannot continue having contact with Kushina."

"More accurately, no Uchiha can."

"Of course, this is not directed at you. Everything is for the village."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, Uchiha Yuzuru barely restrained his laughter.

Just as I expected, just as I expected. No, I can't laugh yet. I have to hold it in!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision was simply the best possible help for his plan.

Uchiha Yuzuru was certain that once this news spread, both Kushina Uzumaki and the members of the Uchiha Clan would feel intense dissatisfaction.

As the conflict between the two sides deepened further, even if he decided to leave Konoha, he would naturally receive the support of the vast majority.

"Yuzuru, you may leave for now. I'll have someone deliver the training scroll for the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to you later."

After Uchiha Yuzuru left, Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped on the desk.

A man with long silver-white hair and deep eyes appeared in the Hokage's Office in a flash.

"Sakumo, from today onward, you will use the Anbu to monitor every move of the Uchiha Clan."

"Especially Uchiha Yuzuru. If you discover anything unusual about him, I authorize you to execute first and report afterward."

Today's conversation had convinced Hiruzen Sarutobi that Uchiha Yuzuru was absolutely not someone he could control.

If that was the case, then the other party's talent would become a threat.

He would never show mercy to someone like that.

Hearing this, Hatake Sakumo hesitated slightly. "Hokage-sama, won't this provoke dissatisfaction and resistance from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Just carry out your orders."

"Yes."

After Hatake Sakumo left, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the window with his hands behind his back, a cold smile appearing on his face.

The village's power was now completely under his control. Even the Uchiha Clan—what waves could they possibly stir up?

At most, they would complain a little.

Nothing that mattered.