The Light of the Righteous Path, Even the Teacher is Dragged Out to Take the Blame

Hiruzen Sarutobi had always felt conflicted about Uchiha Dan.

Tobirama Senju's order was simple: forbid Uchiha Dan from training, let him live an ordinary life as a civilian.

But he overlooked one thing.

That was the fact that Hiruzen had just taken office, suddenly succeeding after his teacher's unexpected death. His prestige was low, his position unstable, and he needed to rally support and borrow authority.

The best way to stabilize the situation was to resolutely uphold and thoroughly implement every one of Tobirama Senju's commands.

In that process, overcorrection was inevitable.

Tobirama Senju probably never imagined that his own disciple would expel Uchiha Dan from the Ninja Academy, drive him out of the Uchiha Clan, and even assign an Anbu squad to monitor him around the clock.

That was what led Hiruzen to feel that monitoring Uchiha Dan wasn't worth the cost, so he wanted to eliminate him.

As Uchiha Dan's displayed value grew greater, Hiruzen became more reluctant to kill him.

Now, with Uchiha Dan showing even greater value, Hiruzen felt the threat he posed had grown larger.

But all of this was based on the premise that their conflict with Uchiha Dan was irreconcilable.

If Uchiha Dan knew nothing, where did the threat come from?

If Uchiha Dan were still in the Uchiha Clan, maybe he'd have reason to worry.

But Uchiha Dan had long been expelled from the Uchiha Clan, with no ties left between them—only conflict.

And on top of that, there was Tsunade.

Tsunade was Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple. With her as a link, how could he fail to control Uchiha Dan?

Even if Uchiha Dan did find out about this, it would be his own teacher Tobirama Senju's fault.

On the contrary, he could tell Uchiha Dan with absolute certainty that he had never intended to get rid of him, and had even been secretly protecting him all along.

Because that was the truth!

There was only one thing that bothered Hiruzen: not long ago, Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade had joined forces to protect Uchiha Dan.

But looking at it now, Lady Mito had probably seen something and acted for her granddaughter's happiness.

He believed Uzumaki Mito had the ability to perceive certain things.

But they wouldn't tell Uchiha Dan.

After all, they were afraid that revealing the truth would scare him off and leave Tsunade without a husband.

Beyond that, Uchiha Dan was someone who repaid kindness—that was clear from how he treated his adoptive parents and younger brother.

And according to analysis, Uchiha Dan wasn't a petty or vengeful person.

If he really were that kind of person, with his strength and teleportation ability, given Utatane Koharu's attitude toward him over the years, would she still be alive?

But he had endured it all, never turned hostile, never struck back at Utatane Koharu—just been unhappy.

So, as long as the favor was granted properly, why worry about not winning him over?

Thinking this far, Hiruzen felt his reasoning had become much clearer.

"Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Dan suddenly spoke up. "I... can I know why you've been having me watched all this time?"

Seeing Uchiha Dan's earnest and slightly aggrieved expression, Hiruzen immediately formed a plan in his mind.

"Sigh!" Hiruzen let out a long sigh. "This matter involves a certain history of Konoha."

"Huh?" Uchiha Dan was extremely surprised. "Does that history have something to do with me?"

"Have you ever heard of Madara Uchiha?" Hiruzen didn't answer directly, but asked instead.

"Sarutobi, that's enough!" Shimura Danzō immediately interrupted. "Let the past stay in the past!"

"I just want this child to know the truth." Hiruzen's face was full of righteousness. "It's been over seven years—that's enough. It's time for some changes."

"You're defying the teacher's orders!" Danzō accused angrily.

"In my entire life, I have never once defied the teacher's orders." Hiruzen spoke as if he had made a great decision. "But if it's for the sake of the village, I am willing to bear the infamy of going against his command once."

Infamy, my ass.

Danzō cursed inwardly.

Going against the teacher's orders for the good of the village—how the hell would that bring infamy?

It would only raise his prestige!

If word got out, the one blamed would be Tobirama Senju.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, I never saw it in you—you'd even drag your own teacher out to take the fall for you.

Your skin is truly thick beyond measure.

And Uchiha Dan was someone I had my eye on. It's been proven he's astonishingly talented, and now you're jumping in to steal him away?

"Sarutobi, you'll regret this!" Danzō roared with extreme reluctance.

"This old man never regrets his actions. And besides, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen, to boost Uchiha Dan's goodwill toward him, played the good cop thoroughly and sternly reminded Danzō.

"You..." Shimura Danzō was once again rendered speechless, forcibly stunned for ten full seconds, unable to utter a single word. Finally, he flicked his long sleeve once more and slammed the door shut with a heavy bang as he stormed out.

This godforsaken place—he had truly had enough of it.

"Hokage-sama, you didn't have to go this far for my sake!" Uchiha Dan's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke, deeply moved.

"Child, you misunderstand. I did not do this for you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and said, "Everything I do, I do for Konoha!"

Uchiha Dan was stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions and words.

In his mind, it was as if a stirring, impassioned background score had suddenly begun to play.

A beam of light shone from behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, illuminating his entire figure, making him radiate brilliance, utterly sacred, blinding to behold.

So this was what it meant to be great, righteous, and upright?

What a damn riot!

"Hokage-sama..." Uchiha Dan's voice choked up, and for a moment, he found himself at a loss for words.

"Alright, child, there's no need for that!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was thoroughly pleased with both his own performance and Uchiha Dan's reaction.

"It's time for you to know the truth!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze seemed to pierce through time, reaching back into the past.

"Madara Uchiha was the first clan head of the Uchiha Clan after they joined Konoha, and he was also the close friend of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."

"Back then, the village had just been founded, with everything in ruins awaiting restoration. But through everyone's efforts, it flourished day by day, growing more prosperous and stronger."

"At that time, I was still a child, much younger than you are now." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "I thought to myself then—if only the village could keep going like this forever, how wonderful would that be?"

"But there are always those who can't stand a peaceful, stable life and have to stir up trouble!"

"That person was Madara Uchiha, wasn't it?" Uchiha Dan played along perfectly, feeding Hiruzen Sarutobi his cue.

"That's right!" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued his explanation. "Seeing the village grow better and better made everyone happy, but Madara Uchiha couldn't let go of his resentment over not becoming Hokage."

"So he incited the Uchiha Clan to leave Konoha with him, to build a new village where he would become the Kage."

"And... did anyone go with him?" Uchiha Dan asked, looking completely immersed in the story, his curiosity piqued.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a gratified expression. "No, not a single one. Because the Uchiha Clan wanted a good life too—who would want to keep fighting, keep wandering?"

"Then what happened?"

"Then he left on his own!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said angrily. "But even after he left, he still couldn't accept it. In the eighth year of Konoha, he returned alone, vowing to destroy the village."

"How could he do that?" Uchiha Dan immediately grew indignant, voicing his displeasure.

"Yes, how could he do that?" Hiruzen Sarutobi echoed, equally angry. "Many people have asked that same question."

"But that's exactly how it happened—as real as can be."