Open and Aboveboard Uchiha

Since the death of his father and closest friend.

Hatake Kakashi had never been interested in anything, but... wasn't his teacher's child about to reach school age soon?

He shouldn't keep wallowing like this either.

He had thought he would waste away forever, but then he realized he had underestimated the power of time. It seemed... there was nothing he couldn't let go of anymore. He pushed open the door and stepped out, only to quickly notice that the people around him were looking at him with pity.

"Did I read too much Make-Out Paradise last night?"

Kakashi wondered if he was still groggy from sleep, until he ran into Might Guy, who patted him on the shoulder and said in a solemn, heavy tone:

"Kakashi, I know you must be furious, but don't do anything rash!"

What?

It was then that Kakashi finally learned the truth from Might Guy's mouth. That lazy eye of his was now like a dust-covered cold sword, flashing with sharp, piercing light!

"Kakashi, what are you going to do?!"

Might Guy was stunned—he hadn't even managed to grab Kakashi.

"Guy, if you consider me a friend, then don't get involved in this."

Kakashi's voice was icy cold. His speed was like lightning, erupting with incredible swiftness, like a blue thunderbolt streaking across the sky, vanishing into the distance!

Might Guy's face turned serious.

In that moment just now.

It was as if he had seen again the sharp edge of the boy who had become a jōnin at twelve!

Meanwhile, the same thing was happening elsewhere. A crow cawed noisily as it flew out of Konoha.

At a gambling den on the border of the Land of Fire.

A blonde girl, looking innocent and cute, said to the furious gamblers: "Uncle, that auntie just now ran off in that direction."

After the gamblers left.

The blonde girl flashed a sly grin: "Heh, a bunch of idiots, thinking they could catch me?"

Shizune emerged from around the corner of a building, a little pink pig perched on her head.

But just then.

A kunai came whistling through the air!

Both of them narrowed their eyes but didn't move at all—the kunai wasn't meant for a sneak attack.

"Lady Tsunade, there's a note on it."

Shizune calmly pulled it off, unfolded it, and her expression instantly changed as she handed it to Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade!"

In an instant.

Tsunade's expression didn't change, but she was like a volcano about to erupt, like dark clouds gathering before a torrential downpour!

Her cloak fluttered in the wind as she said coldly: "Return to the village!"

Root.

For the past two days, Danzo had been studying the Living Corpse Reincarnation, but since it was a technique created from the foundation of human modification, using it required first undergoing human modification.

So he had gone to see Orochimaru and undergone the modification.

Now, he could be said to possess a body similar to Orochimaru's!

But after returning.

He was completely beside himself. His face was as gloomy as an owl's, and all his good mood had vanished without a trace!

"Who did this?!"

Danzo roared: "Who killed my Root shinobi?!"

He was practically going insane. The Root shinobi were elites he had selected, screened, and trained since his youth, pouring his entire life's work into them.

They were the hope of his advance into the shinobi world.

And now, in one fell swoop, they were destroyed!

"Whoever it is, I will kill you!"

Danzo's gaze swept around, trying to find some clue.

But soon, his expression shifted first to surprise, then to shock, and finally to fury!

"Lightning Release?! Could it be Hatake Kakashi? He's the most skilled Lightning Release user in Konoha."

"No, Vacuum Sphere?"

Danzo sucked in a sharp breath. Had someone from my own Shimura Clan rebelled? Trying to take my place?

But he quickly caught on.

"Someone's framing us!"

"No—this Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms is far too seasoned. Without over a decade of solid foundation, no one could unleash such a powerful Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. Could the one behind this be someone from the Hyuga Clan?"

He shook his head again:

"Impossible. The Hyuga Clan has always been as cautious as old turtles—they'd never do anything without guaranteed safety. How could they be so blatant?"

Danzo's cold, triangular eyes burned with fury and irritation, along with a hint of... paranoia.

As if anyone could be the culprit behind it all.

"Who is it behind this? Could it be... the Uchiha Clan?"

No.

This matter had to be investigated to a conclusion.

Root wasn't just my Root—it was Konoha's Root!

An hour later.

Siming, Uchiha Siming, and Uchiha Itachi arrived together at the Hokage's office. Unsurprisingly, that old villain Danzo had come to tattle to Hiruzen Sarutobi again.

Arriving with them.

Were Hatake Kakashi, the Hyuga clan head, and many other clan leaders.

But for some reason, just as Shimura Danzo was about to launch his attack, he felt the clan leaders' gazes toward him seemed a little off.

Hiruzen Sarutobi recounted the matter.

His eyes, murky yet tinged with surprise, spoke cautiously: "Therefore, I've called everyone here not to cast suspicion, but to investigate and find the true culprit behind this! We cannot let the one who slaughtered all of Root roam free!"

His voice was heavy.

His expression carried a silent authority!

Like an aging lion that could still command the plains!

"We understand."

At that moment, Nara Shikaku, a steadfast supporter of the Hokage's line, set an excellent example.

Calm and methodical, he said:

"Having such a killer lurking in the village poses a grave threat to it as well. The Nara Clan will fully cooperate with the Hokage's decision."

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza nodded in unison: "Same here!"

On matters like this, the Hyuga Clan always cooperated while keeping their hands clean, and this time would be no different. Hyuga Hiashi wore a composed, dignified smile:

"The Hyuga Clan will naturally give our full cooperation."

After all, it had nothing to do with them.

"Then let's start with the Hyuga Clan."

Shimura Danzo's face was grim, his viper-like gaze sending chills as it landed on Hyuga Hiashi, instantly leaving him dumbfounded.

What?

Was Danzo insane?

How could the Hyuga Clan have done something like this?

Politely yet with dignity, he reminded him: "Lord Danzo, have you made a mistake? The Hyuga Clan has always abided by the village's rules and would never do such a thing. Lord Danzo could start with someone else."

Hyuga Hiashi was a bit displeased.

Starting with them?

Did they think the Hyuga Clan was easy to push around?

"What? Clan Leader Hyuga, is your guilty conscience showing?"

Uchiha Siming sneered from the side: "Otherwise, let's start with my Uchiha Clan!"

He stood proud and righteous, his voice ringing with conviction:

"The Uchiha Clan has always been open and aboveboard—we fear no investigation!"

He spoke with utter integrity!

As if they could never stoop to such a despicable act!

"No need."

Seeing Uchiha Siming's frank and proud demeanor, Danzo's suspicion vanished at once.

The Uchiha Clan didn't have the brains for this.

Eliminate the Uchiha Clan first!

Danzo's gaze locked back onto Hyuga Hiashi, and he spoke coldly, word by word:

"We'll start with your Hyuga Clan. I'd like to ask, Clan Leader Hyuga, how many of your clansmen can use the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms? And what were they all doing yesterday?"

An instant.

Hyuga Hiashi realized what was happening.

Trouble.

They were coming for him!

And judging by their demeanor, they clearly had solid evidence!