Qingguang, Konoha is counting on you! (Seeking collection!)

"Heh, I knew it. The reason Hiruzen raised you was for this very purpose."

After hearing Qingguang's report, Danzo could only use one phrase to describe Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Sanctimonious!

Qingguang—what a fine child. As the son of Kagami, he had to rely on the kindness of others just to grow up, while Kagami's inheritance was all kept under Hiruzen's shameless guardianship.

Clearly, Danzo had long seen the breadth of this child's heart and wanted to nurture him properly, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had blocked him time and again.

Every single time, that line—"I am the Hokage"—crushed all of Danzo's thoughts and plans into nothing!

How he longed to roar his true feelings in Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

I saw Qingguang first!

But alas... this child had still been stained with the filthy colors of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Lord Danzo, I can actually understand Lord Hokage's thinking. The Uchiha are only part of the factor. This also happens to be my father's dying wish, and my dream as well."

See? Even now, this child was still defending that dog thief Hiruzen!

What a wonderful child!

Still, it was fortunate that Qingguang's insight was outstanding. He could grasp the essence of my Root's will, which was far more beneficial to Konoha's development than the Will of Fire.

"Enough. That man Hiruzen—what he's thinking, do you think I don't know?"

"He just wants you to become the bridge, the bond between the Uchiha and Konoha."

"That's exactly what he said, isn't it?"

Danzo's left eye stared into Qingguang's clear eyes.

Qingguang instinctively turned his head away, as if somewhat guilty.

"I can't hide anything from you, Lord Danzo."

Danzo waved his sleeve and rose, walking toward the door. He lifted his head to gaze at the crescent moon in the sky.

"Konoha today is like this waning moon. Relying solely on the Uchiha cannot restore it to its former fullness. Some things cannot be replaced by sheer numbers."

Danzo suddenly turned back. Moonlight spilled over him, making his silhouette appear towering and majestic.

Like the sole beacon of light in an eternal night, the only savior who could bring illumination.

"Don't think Hiruzen has told you all the secrets. Whether it's Madara's defection or the Yomi Rebellion of the past, these are only the surface."

"Do you know what the highest level of the Sharingan is?"

Danzo's question made Qingguang freeze. Confusion flickered in his clear eyes.

"The Three Tomoe Sharingan—that is the limit of the Sharingan. Even among the Uchiha, only the elite of the elite can awaken it."

"I knew it. Hiruzen would definitely hide the most important things."

Stepping forward, Danzo slowly approached Qingguang and stood before him.

"The highest level of the Sharingan is not the Three Tomoe. It is the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!"

"Mangekyō?"

"Correct. Each pair of Mangekyō Sharingan gives birth to a unique, individual eye pattern, no longer the ordinary tomoe shape."

"Back then, the one who dealt a heavy blow to Konoha and could easily control the Nine-Tails—Uchiha Madara—possessed such eyes."

This truth made Qingguang's pupils contract sharply.

"No wonder... no wonder Uchiha Madara was able to defect and leave Konoha. As long as he wanted to leave, even the First Hokage's Wood Release couldn't stop him?"

"Exactly. Though Madara eventually returned for revenge and died under Lord Hashirama's Wood Release, Lord Hashirama himself was gravely wounded and passed away not long after."

Suddenly, Danzo raised his hand and gripped Qingguang's shoulder tightly. His gaze at Qingguang was like looking at Konoha's only spark and hope.

"Qingguang, remember this. Whether it's Wood Release or the Sharingan, reaching the level of Madara or the First Hokage is nearly impossible."

"In the thousand years of shinobi history, only those two have ever emerged."

"But you—if you can combine the power of both, even if you don't seek to be invincible, as long as you can control the Nine-Tails, Konoha can still return to its former glory!"

Danzo's words were heavy and profound, his voice hoarse.

"I understand, Lord Danzo."

The Nine-Tails was universally recognized as the strongest tailed beast in the shinobi world—no doubt about it.

"Good that you understand. I know your difficulties. Carrying out Hiruzen's orders will inevitably cost you time, but I don't want you wasting too much energy on these trivial matters."

"Just don't forget to train your Wood Release and Sharingan properly."

"Qingguang, Konoha is counting on you."

With those words, Danzo departed.

Only after confirming that Danzo had left, that no one was around and he was alone, did Qingguang finally relax a little and twist his neck.

These two old bastards—why did they both play the same game?

One wants me to be a workhorse for Konoha, the other wants me to obediently be a Wood Release test subject.

Sorry, not close at all. I just want to reset my points—why is it so troublesome?

Orochimaru's the best. He loves experiments, and I need to grind points.

Perfect partners, honestly.

After simply arranging his things, Qingguang lay down on the bed and fell asleep, exhausted.

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window into the courtyard. A graceful figure with black hair landed in the yard, quietly approaching Qingguang, who was still asleep in the bedroom.

"Qingguang-senpai, if you don't get up soon, the sun will be tanning your butt~"

A voice as gentle as water rang out beside Qingguang's ear.

Like a slowly flowing stream, full of vitality and youthful energy.

Opening his eyes.

Qingguang saw Mikoto's clear, beautiful face right in front of him.

Her brows were slightly curved, the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile, and her soft, jet-black hair even draped over his neck, tickling him a little—hard to bear.

"Don't lean over your senior so early in the morning."

"How am I supposed to get up like this? Do you want me to lift you up?"

A faint blush immediately spread across Mikoto's cheeks. She quickly stood up and got off the bed.

"Qingguang-senpai, honestly, how can you say things like that to a girl?"

Her shy face was like an unripe fruit.

Sitting up, Qingguang shook his head to clear his mind a bit and glanced at the clock on the wall.

Not even seven yet.

"Alright, tell me—what brings you here so early? And how did you know I moved back here?"

Qingguang's reaction caught Mikoto a little off guard.

But then she thought about it—this was the senior who used to play with her as a kid, and later at the Ninja Academy, even when so many girls confessed to him, he remained completely unmoved. It made sense that he wouldn't react.

Unenthusiastically tossing the clothes hanging on the rack into Qingguang's arms, Mikoto took out the breakfast she had prepared.

She looked at Qingguang with a resentful gaze: "You promised me you'd teach me Fire Release ninjutsu after this mission."

"You're the one who didn't keep your promise."

She puffed out her cheeks in displeasure, her face full of unhappiness.

Only then did Qingguang remember—because of the Wood Release experiments, he had completely forgotten about it.

"Sorry, I got held up with something else after the mission. I don't have any new assignments right now, so let's do it today."

"Rice balls? Not bad."

"Looks like Mikoto will make a good wife someday."