Hokage Doesn't Save Rei, But Root Offers an Antidote

"Where is Tsunade?"

More and more Jonin began searching for the legendary master of Medical Ninjutsu.

What was both laughable and frustrating was that the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan, who should have been most concerned about him, were indifferent.

Whether it was the Hyuga elders or the Uchiha elders, they showed no urgency towards Rei, who was poisoned.

Yet, his peers who graduated from the Ninja Academy with him were more anxious than his own family.

Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi... these young ninjas who had studied and grown alongside Uchiha Rei in the academy were now doing their best to find Tsunade.

Meanwhile, at this very moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, sat calmly in his office, slowly unfolding a special scroll.

It was Uchiha Rei's intelligence scroll.

The scroll was densely packed with records of the young man's every practical combat exercise and training session, and the conclusion was astonishing: this seemingly ordinary Jonin's strength far surpassed his peers. His Fire Release Jutsu already possessed power, and his Genjutsu and Taijutsu were on par with elite Jonin. Even more astonishing were his eyes—his left eye was a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, while his right eye was a Byakugan that he could use normally.

"Mastering two Kekkei Genkai simultaneously, with no weaknesses in Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, or Taijutsu..." Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself, his eyes gradually deepening. "Such a ninja... is a true genius, the future of Konoha."

He flipped through the scroll, his expression complex. The intelligence indicated that Uchiha Rei's Genjutsu had surpassed Kurenai Yuhi's, his Ninjutsu had surpassed Might Guy's, and his Chakra reserves even surpassed Kakashi Hatake's. Furthermore, his loyalty to Konoha was beyond imagination.

This was not mere speculation, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's judgment after years of investigation.

Although Uchiha Rei was indifferent to the Uchiha Clan and deliberately kept his distance from family affairs, he had never uttered a single complaint about Konohagakure. He did not join the radical faction of the Uchiha, nor did he bow to the pacifists.

He always stood on the side of the village itself, steadily and silently protecting Konoha.

"A ninja unburdened by clan ties and without obvious weaknesses... perfect." Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes, as if he had already planned his future.

"If he weren't of Uchiha blood, he would be one of the future successors for the Hokage's high command. Even if he were from the Hyuga Clan, he would still be acceptable..."

"Unfortunately... his surname is Uchiha."

And in the Third Elder's memory, this name shouldn't have been so prominent. The first time he noticed this young man was not through mission reports, but from his own son, Asuma—who, after a few drinks, had mumbled, "That guy is too strong... I didn't stand a chance."

Initially, Hiruzen Sarutobi paid it no mind, dismissing it as his son lamenting his defeat. But as time went on, Asuma began to proactively request learning various Genjutsu resistance techniques and asked for advice on countering the Sharingan. This piqued his curiosity, so he ordered an investigation into this Uchiha Rei.

The deeper the investigation went, the more surprised he became.

Whether it was his graduation thesis from the Ninja Academy or his conduct during missions, Uchiha Rei displayed admirable composure and loyalty.

His graduation thesis was titled The Fire of Konoha, Flourishing, which began:

"This fire of Konoha, passed down through generations, is not a gift from the gods, but ignited by the lives of every ninja."

Reading that, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he saw his younger self. That love and faith for Konoha, unmasked, yet incredibly real.

He said earnestly, "He will be Asuma's best friend."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the scroll and gazed out the window at the large tree.

He had already contacted Tsunade. As the Hokage and her teacher, they had their own special means of communication. However, he hadn't asked her to return to the village immediately.

"Only when the Uchiha clan's rebellion is completely quelled will Tsunade have a reason to return," he murmured, his voice so light it seemed to be scattered by the wind outside.

Uchiha Rei had not yet been detoxified. And Tsunade, though she was in a town hundreds of miles away, had had her message deliberately hidden by him.

As for those young ninjas.

Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi were advocating for Uchiha Rei, vowing to find Princess Tsunade within half a month. This camaraderie, this persistence, was the best portrayal of the "Will of Fire."

What they didn't know was that Tsunade could have returned, but the Hokage had deliberately kept her far away.

"The future of Konoha ultimately belongs to them," Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered, a slightly weary yet gentle smile appearing on his lips. "Everything for Konoha, everything for the Will of Fire."

However, in the shadows of Konoha.

In the underground chambers of Root, another conversation about the future was quietly unfolding.

In the darkness, Shimura Danzō sat on a stone chair, his expression grim. Half of his face was still red and swollen.

That was the mark left by Uchiha Itachi.

"Damn that guy," he thought through gritted teeth. "If I had known, I should have dealt with him earlier. Now, it's like letting a tiger return to the mountains, only to become a disaster."

"Reporting, sir." A Root member knelt on the ground, his voice steady. "There is still no concrete information about Uchiha Itachi. The Anbu haven't found him, and the Hokage's intelligence division is also clueless."

Danzō sneered, "Of course. He's too strong, too cautious. His existence has already shaken our control over the Uchiha clan."

"Then increase surveillance," he commanded sternly. "Before the Hokage does, we must capture him first."

"Yes, sir." The Root ninja withdrew.

Another ninja stepped forward, reporting in a low voice, "Sir, regarding our control over the Uchiha clan, we have developed significant gaps. Itachi's defection has alerted the clan, and several informants who were under our control have also gone missing."

Danzō's brow twitched. "So, we need new pawns."

"Yes, sir. There are currently two candidates."

"Speak."

"The first is Uchiha Rekka. An elite Jonin of the Uchiha clan, cautious in nature, and someone you've had contact with before. We believe he won't refuse your recruitment, especially since we hold his sister's fate in our hands."

"Very good," Danzō said with a faint smile. "Continue."

"The second... Uchiha Rei."

Danzō slowly raised his eyes. "That poisoned brat?"

"Yes. Although he is currently poisoned and his Chakra is on the verge of collapse, his combat record shows that his Fire Release and Genjutsu are extremely outstanding, no weaker than Kurenai Yuhi. Furthermore, he doesn't show a strong sense of belonging to the Uchiha Clan; instead, he seems more like a supporter of the village."

"Isn't that perfect?" Danzo slowly sat up straight. "We in Root need sharp blades like this, free from emotional ties."

"It's just..." the ninja lowered his head slightly. "He's been poisoned by Hanzō's Salamander Poison. Even if he takes Konoha's antidote, it will only delay the effects. If Tsunade isn't found within half a month, he's as good as dead."

"Hmph," Danzo sneered. "Hiruzen is too old, too kind. Root naturally has the true antidote."

He slowly stood up, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Tell Uchiha Rekka that we can spare his sister's life, provided he stands with us."

"At the same time, contact Uchiha Rei."

"Tell him that only by joining Root can we save his life. His future only has hope in our hands."

"Yes, sir." Several Root ninjas responded and retreated, disappearing into the darkness.

Danzo slowly sat down again, closed his eyes, and whispered, "Konoha doesn't need a future; it only needs obedience."