A Run and a Sway

"..."

Uchiha Ao stared at Kagami, who still had his eyes closed, his own eyes wide.

What the hell is "Mother's scent"?!

Brother Jing, I never expected you to be this kind of person.

He now seriously doubted that the other party had actually woken up long ago and was deliberately flirting.

No, this couldn't even be called flirting anymore. This was pure perverted behavior...

"...Ah!"

Senju Rinon had been blushing almost constantly since entering the tent. Kagami's sleep-talking had completely shattered her psychological defenses. Gritting her silver teeth, she ignored the treatment, stood up with a "snap," and ran out of the tent, covering her pretty face.

"Hey, Rinon, don't go."

Uchiha Ao quickly called out from behind:

"How are Brother Jing's injuries?"

"..."

Senju Rinon was, after all, a healer with a compassionate heart. She hesitated for a moment, then finally stopped outside the tent and said in a small voice:

"He, he just overused his Chakra. After medical treatment and half a day of rest, he should be able to wake up."

After saying that, she ran off without looking back.

Running and swaying...

Uchiha Ao was slightly relieved upon hearing this. He turned back to look at Uchiha Kagami, who still had his eyes closed and was breathing steadily, a look of doubt on his face.

Is he really not awake?

As he spoke, he used his finger to pry open Kagami's eyelid.

Alright, his pupils really haven't changed.

It seemed he was genuinely speaking from the heart. He wondered what expression Brother Jing would have when he woke up and learned about this.

Kukuku...

So exciting.

Just then, a sudden argument erupted outside the tent. Judging by the voices, it sounded like Hiruzen and Danzo were arguing.

Uchiha Ao's ears twitched, and he heard the gist of the situation.

It was nothing more than Danzo not participating in the encirclement of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, being questioned by Hiruzen, but managing to brush it off with reasons like eliminating Rogue Ninjas and the complete annihilation of his subordinates.

"Heh... the complete annihilation of his subordinates? If Rogue Ninjas had that kind of strength, why would they still be wandering around? Danzo probably just found a high-sounding excuse to clear out his own team."

From the fact that this guy would later create the inhumane Root, one could see his iron-hearted nature.

Uchiha Ao let out a cold laugh and couldn't be bothered to pay attention anymore. He'd rather spend this time summarizing the chakra secret technique similar to the Lightning Release Armor he obtained from Ginkaku.

Although his chakra was almost depleted and not enough to add it to his Skill Panel, analyzing the chakra circuits within it could still provide some inspiration.

At this moment, the argument between the two outside gradually faded. However, based on Ao's understanding of Hiruzen's personality, the best outcome they could discuss would be to charge Danzo with dereliction of duty.

A moment later.

Stomp, stomp, stomp...

Footsteps sounded outside the tent.

Uchiha Ao's heart tensed. Could it be that Danzo, upon learning that Brother Jing was unconscious, came to make a move?

Thinking this, he began to gather his chakra, preparing to activate the Eight Inner Gates at any moment.

"Ao, it's Hiruzen. Is it convenient for me to come in?"

The footsteps stopped abruptly. The person outside seemed to have sensed the alertness within the tent and announced himself beforehand.

"..."

Uchiha Ao silently withdrew the chakra he was using to activate the Eight Inner Gates. After a moment of silence, he replied:

"Please come in."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled aside the tent flap. Without mentioning the intelligence matter, he first looked at Uchiha Kagami on the bed, asking with concern:

"How is Kagami?"

"He's alright. Rinon has already healed his internal injuries. He just needs to rest well afterward."

"I'll have someone bring some food later. Eating will also help with his recovery."

"...Thank you."

"You're welcome. This is what I should do."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand with a smile. "Speaking of which, I also need to apologize to you..."

Uchiha Ao looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Actually, for your reconnaissance mission, you were supposed to come to the base first, and then we would send you reconnaissance ninjas to a safe location before you carried out the mission.

But didn't Danzo mislead you midway... So, as the commander of the frontline position, I should indeed apologize to you.

I have already reported Danzo's recent actions to the Hokage, and you will receive a satisfactory reply. That guy has indeed gone too far recently. He fears Teacher Tobirama the most. I'll have Teacher Tobirama punish him then!"

Fears Teacher Tobirama?

Uchiha Ao looked strange upon hearing this. That guy actually had someone he feared?

But thinking about it, it made sense. Senju Tobirama's schemes ran deep. Dealing with a young Danzo would be a piece of cake.

It was estimated that Danzo's twisted and cold personality was learned from the Second Generation, who ended up creating a mongrel that was disliked by everyone.

"By the way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that the relationship between the two had become much closer. He pulled a stool from under the bed and casually asked:

"Why did I just see Rinon run out with her face flushed?

Did something happen here?"

As he spoke, his eyes held a hint of playfulness.

The look clearly meant: "Admit it, brother, you must have done something naughty."

In fact, similar things had happened before, but most of the time, they were either beaten half to death by the capable Senju Rinon and thrown by the roadside, or simply ignored.

But why were there no injuries on Brother Ao's face?

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have thought of something and sighed with emotion: "Alas, it's convenient to have a good character model when pursuing girls."

"This really isn't my fault."

Uchiha Ao suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and said innocently, "If anyone is to blame, it's Brother Jing. The girl was fine, but he suddenly muttered in his sleep, 'Mother's scent,' which scared her away."

As for the action of touching her shoulder and teasing her, he naturally skipped it entirely.

Anyway, Brother Jing already had children, so it didn't matter if his reputation was a little bad. But he was different; he still had his best years ahead of him.

So, he could only make Brother Jing suffer for now.

"Mother's scent?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had the same reaction as Ao earlier. He widened his Titanium Alloy Dog Eyes, looking incredulous.

Could it be that this kid Jing, who seemed honest and straightforward on the surface, was actually a repressed pervert?

Should I invite him along next time I use the Telescope Technique to peep at the women's bathhouse?

Cough, cough, cough... Forget it. The fewer people who know, the longer I can keep this up.

If Teacher finds out, I'm afraid I'll be chased all over the village with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Heh heh... But maybe I can tell Hizuki and the others another day, let them have a good laugh too.

He chuckled sinisterly, then collected his thoughts and asked with a serious expression:

"Ao, when I came in just now, I set up a soundproofing Ninjutsu and barrier formation in advance. Now, can you tell me the specific reason Kinkaku and Ginkaku are chasing you?

What was that intel..."

Judging by how seriously Kinkaku and Ginkaku took it, that intel might truly be able to delay the war.

If that were the case, he, the people on the front lines, and the children in the village would all have to thank Uchiha Ao for his contribution this time.

That's why he had been so friendly towards Ao since entering.

"Actually, I only found out by chance through overhearing their conversation."

Uchiha Ao's expression turned serious upon hearing this. He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's importance in the Second Generation Hokage's heart, so informing him was no different from informing the Second Generation Hokage. He decided to honestly reveal all the intel.

"Kinkaku and Ginkaku, in order to completely ignite the war with Konoha, plan to have ninjas belonging to the Raikage's faction die in large numbers on the front lines. This way, they can easily start the war between the two sides. As for their true objective, it is Lord Hashirama's wife, Lord Mito.

As for the specific time and place for this suicidal mission, they placed it at..."