Missing Uchiha, who could be the murderer?

Qingguang's body trembled slightly, his fists clenched, but he quickly relaxed them. He turned around, his expression stiff and awkward.

"It seems Senior Orochimaru knew about this from the start."

"That's why he told me back then to close my Sharingan when I first injected the Wood Release cells."

"It appears Senior Orochimaru has considerable knowledge not only of Wood Release, but also of the Sharingan."

Every move Qingguang made was observed by Orochimaru.

Doubt, anger, then he calmed his emotions.

Qingguang, you truly are as Teacher Sarutobi said – naively kind to a fault, even unwilling to hurt anyone with your words or actions.

It's just like that legendary Ninja God.

"A year ago, three ninjas from the Uchiha clan went missing within the village. Do you know about this?"

"Lord Danzo mentioned it to me. Those three compatriots were killed by Iwagakure spies."

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up, Senior?"

Orochimaru's lips curved upwards at that moment, his snake-like eyes glinting with interest.

Qingguang, you're kind, not stupid. Even now, you're still deceiving yourself, unwilling to suspect Lord Danzo?

How interesting.

What should I say?

Is this the result of being raised by Teacher Hiruzen? While you haven't fully mastered the art of playing dumb, the beginnings are already showing.

Allow me to guide you down the correct path.

"If those three Uchiha were truly killed by Iwagakure, then how did I research and discover the connection between the Sharingan and Wood Release at that time?"

"Qingguang, don't you think all of this is just too coincidental?"

"Enough!" Qingguang roared.

"Senior Orochimaru, my body is still uncomfortable after just receiving the Wood Release cell injection."

"We can discuss anything else next time. I want to rest as soon as possible."

He walked straight back into his wooden hut and closed the door.

Orochimaru was left alone not far outside the door.

The moonlight stretched his silhouette, almost swallowing the small wooden hut.

His figure flickered and disappeared.

Qingguang, you mustn't disappoint me. With your kind heart, you won't be able to remain silent after learning the truth.

Let me see what choice you'll make.

Inside the wooden hut, Qingguang waited until Orochimaru's chakra signature outside had vanished before sitting on the edge of his bed, gazing at the moonlit night.

He had been trying to figure out how to connect with Orochimaru.

Only he was the most suitable partner for his current interests. He hadn't expected to have to wait for an opportunity.

Orochimaru himself had come knocking so soon, even using the excuse of the three missing Uchiha.

He knew that incident had been confirmed by Hiruzen Sarutobi and executed by Danzo's Root.

It seemed Orochimaru hadn't paid much attention to it yet.

But now, it had become Orochimaru's reason to stir up trouble between him and those two.

Is Orochimaru... aiming for the position of Fourth Hokage?

And so much earlier than in the anime?

Things being as they are, I should go to sleep first.

The thought of being able to rely on Orochimaru from now on, constantly extracting his various technological means to "wash his points," made Qingguang hum softly, his mood lifting.

He slept until noon.

After waking up, Qingguang hurried to Tsunade's house. It was time for him to teach Nawaki the Water Dragon Bullet technique.

"Brother Qingguang, you're finally here!" Nawaki, on the training ground, bounced over happily as soon as he saw Qingguang.

"Nawaki, good afternoon. Why are you so happy today? Did you manage to master the Water Dragon Bullet?"

Nawaki's face lit up with excitement, and he patted his chest confidently. "I'll show you my training results right now."

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Making hand seals, Nawaki spat out a stream of water from his mouth.

The water flowed rapidly, condensing into a spiral in the air, twisting and dancing.

However, the size of this Water Dragon Bullet was more miniature, only half the size of a regular one.

"What is this?"

"Teacher Orochimaru taught me this morning, saying that my chakra control wasn't good enough to handle such a massive Water Release, so he had me shrink the Water Dragon's size."

"Trying it this way, it was indeed successful. I even saved several hand seals, and now I can release it with just 12 seals."

"I wonder when I'll be able to use the Water Dragon Bullet with just four seals like Big Brother Itsuki."

Qingguang smiled and patted Nawaki's head, "No rush, take your time."

"Hand seals are just specific gestures to accelerate the flow of chakra within the body, making ninjutsu easier to use."

"As long as you practice diligently, you'll eventually reach Big Brother Itsuki's level too."

A smile appeared on Nawaki's face at that moment. Hearing Qingguang say that, he felt energized again and could practice for the entire afternoon!

Qingguang only left in the evening, and after eating at Ichiraku Ramen, he continued his patrol mission for the day.

Behind him, just like before, followed a formation of twenty people.

But at night, while Qingguang was in the small woods, he created a Shadow Clone to distract others and returned home to rest.

His main body, however, secretly went to Danzo's location.

The dark, enclosed, large training base was built underground a few kilometers behind the Hokage Rock.

Its overall structure resembled a giant pit, with several suspended walkways inside and many platforms for people to stand on.

The only light source was a giant incandescent bulb at the very top.

The actions of everyone within were completely visible from the stands above.

At this moment, Danzo and Qingguang were on the circular observation deck at the very top.

"Wood Release: Thorn Dance."

Qingguang also demonstrated the results of his training to Danzo.

His emotions were stable, showing no discernible change.

"Good. I didn't expect you to make such progress in just two months."

"If you continue to improve at this rate, your Wood Release will be able to restrain Tailed Beasts within a year at most."

Seeing the power of Qingguang's Wood Release made Danzo's heart ache with desire.

He wished he could become Qingguang and claim this power for himself, but unfortunately, he wasn't an Uchiha, nor was he Qingguang.

To successfully transplant Wood Release, he still had to rely on that guy Orochimaru.

"If you have nothing else to report, you can go back."

Danzo closed his eyes, calming his inner impulses.

But Qingguang remained in place, not leaving. Instead, he looked up, his eyes fixed on Danzo's back, and asked, "Lord Danzo, I have something I wish to ask you."

"Speak."

"Lord Danzo, regarding the three Uchiha clansmen who were killed by Iwagakure back then, could I have their bodies returned to the clan so they may rest in peace?"