I'm the Hokage!

"I understand. Lead the way."

When Yayoi saw the ninja who had suddenly appeared, wearing an animal mask and ANBU attire, he immediately knew who they were.

ANBU

The assassination force directly under the Hokage.

It even had departments like Genbu, which handled dirty work.

Its leader, Danzo, was even known as Pot King.

Yayoi had been on his way home and had planned to stop by, but he hadn't expected ANBU to intercept him.

He had no secrets to hide, so he agreed without hesitation.

After moving his alchemy laboratory to the Uchiha Clan Territory, Yayoi had relocated all his equipment there.

Hokage Tower

"Hokage, Uesugi Yayoi is here."

"Come in."

A gentle, kindly voice came from inside.

The ANBU ninja opened the door and gestured for Yayoi to enter.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw a kindly middle-aged man smoking a pipe, hazy smoke rising around him.

When he saw Yayoi, the Third Hokage set down the documents in his hands and looked at him with a smile.

"This should be our first proper meeting, shouldn't it?"

"Yes, Hokage. The last time was at the Ninja Academy."

Yayoi wasn't intimidated.

He had nothing to worry about. He couldn't imagine any reason the Third Hokage would want to harm him.

Besides, the Hokage hadn't yet let the years cloud his judgment or rob him of his confidence and spirit.

And he was close to Tsunade, even destined to become her student.

There was even less reason for the Hokage to harm him.

In fact, becoming Tsunade's student would bring nothing but benefits.

Her specialty was exactly what he needed, and the advantages of having that status were substantial.

Even if he left Konoha, there was no need for them to become enemies. Tsunade would leave a few years after the war ended, anyway.

Perhaps the next time they met, he could even treat Tsunade to a meal.

"Haha, you were only this big back then. I never expected you to grow into a child who carries on the Will of Fire."

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and said with a laugh.

He was quite pleased with the boy.

Though Yayoi wasn't one to talk about his devotion to the Will of Fire, his actions unquestionably embodied it.

To reduce casualties among the wounded on the battlefield, he had not only suggested improvements to the hospital's surgical and treatment methods,

but had also led by example, personally staying at the hospital to treat the wounded returning from the front.

The Third Hokage was very satisfied with him.

"You don't need to be nervous. Relax and sit down."

The Third Hokage was kind to Yayoi and didn't put on airs. He simply told him to sit in a chair nearby.

"I called you here today just because I wanted to meet you."

"After all, it would be a grave dereliction of duty for the Hokage not to meet an outstanding young person in Konoha."

The Third Hokage smiled.

"You flatter me, Hokage."

Yayoi simply waited for the Third Hokage to make his move.

To be honest, he had done a good job shaping his image.

He didn't like ninjutsu, but he did like Medical Ninjutsu. He had met Tsunade in the medical training class and learned enough to protect himself.

He had also put himself on the line, treating people on the front lines.

That résumé would undoubtedly please the Hokage.

"You're Tsunade's student, which makes you my grand-student, in a way. But you can't devote yourself to Medical Ninjutsu alone.

"You should learn a few techniques to protect your life. After all, the first priority for a medical ninja is to stay alive."

"Yes, Hokage."

Yayoi nodded to show that he'd taken the advice to heart.

"All right, this old man won't keep you any longer. Go get some rest."

Only then did Yayoi open the door and leave.

Not long after Yayoi left, a strange man wrapped head to toe in bandages, with only one eye showing, pushed open the door and walked in.

"Hiruzen."

"Danzo, I've already met Yayoi. He's a good boy."

When he saw Danzo enter, the Third Hokage's kindly expression immediately stiffened and turned stern.

"Hiruzen, you're too softhearted.

"Give Uesugi Yayoi to me. I'll make absolutely sure he becomes someone who's completely loyal to the village."

A flash of certainty appeared in Danzo's one remaining eye.

"He's a good boy, a child who carries on the Will of Fire. He's also Tsunade's student."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sounded resolute. Clearly, he wouldn't let Danzo have his way.

He was still in his prime. Though he was past his peak, he remained a peerless hero of the Ninja World.

"The Will of Fire? That might not be the case."

"Here's the evidence I've gathered. Uesugi Yayoi has been secretly collecting other ninjas' blood for research.

"And that child you claim carries on the Will of Fire has recently been spending far too much time with the Uchiha.

"Hiruzen, have you forgotten what our teacher once said?"

Danzo laid the evidence he'd collected before Hiruzen.

He didn't believe the Hokage would show no reaction to this.

The former was something he could tolerate. It was only simple research, and it was perfectly natural for a medical ninja to be interested in it.

But the latter was clearly beyond what he'd expected.

Yayoi was one of the Hokage Lineage, yet he was getting much too close to the Uchiha.

With every page of evidence Danzo had collected that the Third Hokage read, his expression grew more serious.

Just how close were they? They were practically sharing clothes and sleeping in the same bed.

Damn the Uchiha—and that old Warring States relic. He'd been plotting since his granddaughter was a little girl.

The Third Hokage no longer thought Yayoi had done anything wrong.

He simply thought Yayoi had fallen for the Uchiha's schemes.

There was no way this had all been a coincidence. He refused to believe it.

There was also a list of Yayoi's purchases of gold and jade.

None of that mattered. The Third Hokage flipped through the list, then closed it and said gravely:

"Danzo, this proves nothing. The Uchiha are members of the village, too."

"Hiruzen, stop dreaming. The Uchiha are a destabilizing force in the village.

"Our teacher once said they were a naturally wicked clan. Uesugi Yayoi has been associating with the Uchiha for a long time. It's inevitable that he'll develop ideas he shouldn't have."

Seeing the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, begin to waver, Danzo knew he had a chance. He pressed on:

"Give him to me, Hiruzen. I'll make absolutely sure he becomes loyal to Konoha."

"Genbu is darkness, but Yayoi is light, Danzo.

"You've turned your back to the sun, so all you can see is your own shadow.

"But he's still a child. He was born to stand facing the sun. Even with his eyes closed, he can still see the light."

At that moment, the wrinkles on the Third Hokage's face seemed to deepen.

He looked at his old friend and spoke with a sigh.

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this. Uesugi Yayoi will choose the Uchiha.

"When that happens, you'll regret what you said and did today!"

"Enough, Danzo!"

The Third Hokage shot to his feet. Standing tall, he radiated the imposing presence of a peerless hero.

For a moment, Danzo could hardly look at his old friend, Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Third Hokage.

"I'm the Hokage!"