In a flash, Genkawa Uchiha appeared before a tree and pressed his palm forward.
Buzz...
First came a clear hum.
Then came an explosive boom.
The trunk, nearly wide enough for two people to wrap their arms around, was punched through with a large hole by the Rasengan. Then the Rasengan exploded, its immensely powerful spiraling force spreading forward in the direction of his palm like blades.
The trunk was torn open into a massive hollow. Amid the billowing smoke and dust, the tree split cleanly in two.
"Hahaha!"
Genkawa Uchiha laughed heartily, extremely satisfied with the Rasengan's destructive power.
This feeling was incredible.
Chakra had never been easy to control, yet Genkawa Uchiha's control over it had now reached a certain level.
As a result, everything came naturally.
"I brought too few scrolls. Next time, I should learn a few more techniques at home before coming here."
Now that he had mastered the Great Fireball Technique, all that remained was accumulating experience and improving it. The Rasengan was the same.
He had originally planned to stay here for the entire morning, but only a little over half an hour had passed.
"I can't waste time. I should familiarize myself with the Body Flicker Technique first."
Among low-level ninja techniques, the only one he truly valued was the Body Flicker Technique.
As for the Transformation Technique and Substitution Technique, learning them was enough. There was no need to study them deeply, since better substitutes existed.
But the Body Flicker Technique was different.
This technique could be said to run through a ninja's entire life. Strictly speaking, the Flying Thunder God could also be considered a form of Body Flicker Technique. Its importance went without saying.
For the rest of the time, Genkawa Uchiha let loose and trained the Body Flicker Technique in the dense forest. His experience increased at a pace ordinary people could scarcely hope to match.
Konoha, Hokage Building, Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, staring blankly at the office before him.
Ever since the village had selected the Fourth Hokage, he had not returned here for a long time. Yet he had never expected to come back today as the Hokage once more.
There was no joy, only pain.
The Nine-Tails' appearance last night had brought immense disaster upon Konoha. Even now, no one knew how many people had died in the calamity.
His wife, Biwako, was dead. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, was dead. The Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki, was dead as well.
All of it was almost unbearable to him.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he had grown old.
Click.
The door opened, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu entered. Anbu ninja stood guard outside.
The two sat on the office sofa, both wearing grave expressions.
"According to the rules left behind by the First Hokage when he founded the village, I will temporarily serve as Hokage until the Fifth Hokage is chosen. Once this matter has been handled, I will leave for the Capital of Fire to meet the Feudal Lord."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu merely nodded, raising no objections.
"Then tell me. How great are the village's losses this time?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
Mitokado Homura sighed before speaking.
"The preliminary figures are in."
"Go on."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers tightened.
"The number of dead and injured is close to two thousand. Among them are two hundred and thirteen ninja: twenty-seven jonin, one hundred and fifty-six chunin, and thirty genin. The rest are villagers."
Utatane Koharu added from the side, "The damage to buildings is even worse. One-third of the homes in the West District have collapsed, the outer wall at the South Gate has been completely destroyed, and twenty percent of the grain stores burned down. The hospital still has enough medicine for now, and the wounded are still being sent there."
"What about the Uchiha Clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
"Their clan compound is in the center of the village, so the damage was minor."
Mitokado Homura said, "But their people are guarding their own territory."
"Leave that aside for now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "We need to move quickly on reconstruction."
Utatane Koharu adjusted her glasses and said, "Funding is a problem. Most of the Feudal Lord's allocation for this year has already been used, and we cannot get any more money right now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment. "First, transfer part of the Hokage's direct treasury. I will seek additional funding from the Feudal Lord for the rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi added, "Have the Anbu inventory the supplies and gather everything that can still be used."
"What about the wounded?"
Mitokado Homura asked, "The Medical Corps is also short-handed right now."
"Have the Nara Clan come help. They deal with medicinal herbs often enough, so they should be able to assist in that area."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood and walked to the window. "Also, transfer a group of students from the Ninja Academy. Tell the villagers that Konoha will not abandon them."
Utatane Koharu nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."
"Mm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him. "For the time being, do not send anyone to the Uchiha."
"But... the Nine-Tails last night was clearly controlled by an Uchiha." Mitokado Homura frowned.
"I know, but that does not necessarily mean the Uchiha Clan was responsible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sank. "The Fourth Hokage told me what happened last night. In my view, the Uchiha Clan would not do such a thing. Besides, the matter of the Nine-Tails has not been fully investigated. We cannot allow more trouble to arise."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance and nodded.
They had no objection to that.
After all, the most urgent matter at hand was still rebuilding the village.
"Also, send the village's ninja to the borders."
Mitokado Homura frowned. "Hiruzen, you mean?"
"Mm. The matter of the Nine-Tails cannot be hidden, nor can the Jinchuriki's death. Other villages will learn of it sooner or later, so we need to prepare in advance. Although the Third Shinobi World War has ended, once news of the Nine-Tails spreads, the other major ninja villages will definitely take action."
Both of them felt their hearts sink at those words.
As advisors, they could naturally think of such matters. In fact, they had thought even further ahead.
"Alright, I'll handle this matter," Mitokado Homura said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then sighed. "How is Danzo...?"
Utatane Koharu spoke gravely. "His sternum is fractured, his right arm is injured, and his right eye was gouged out. His injuries are severe."
This topic was even heavier.
"Genkawa Uchiha... He defeated Danzo through Taijutsu alone without having mastered any ninja techniques. The village needs to place greater importance on his talent," Mitokado Homura said.
"Indeed."
Utatane Koharu nodded. "Genkawa Uchiha was able to contend with the Nine-Tails through Taijutsu alone. Danzo was caught off guard and lost to him, suffering such severe injuries. He likely will not be able to move about for some time."
As she spoke, she added, "Why not let Danzo rest for a while? Root's work can be suspended for now."
Just then, the office door opened.
"No need."
A voice came through the doorway, and then someone was helped inside.
It was Shimura Danzō.
However, Shimura Danzō looked rather miserable at the moment.
He was bare-chested, his upper body wrapped in bandages. Although his right eye had been treated and bandaged, blood still seeped through the wrappings.
"I do not need rest. Root has no problems and will take part in rebuilding the village. But... Hiruzen, this time we must teach the Uchiha a lesson. We cannot simply let this go."
His one exposed eye looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then swept over the desk. Though his face remained expressionless, only he knew what he was thinking.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged looks again. The former said, "I agree with Danzo. Regarding the Uchiha, vigilance alone is no longer enough. We must show our stance."
Utatane Koharu also said, "That's right. Even if the Nine-Tails incident last night was not the Uchiha Clan's doing, it must still be connected to them."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo. "How did you obtain that Sharingan?"
Shimura Danzō fell silent.
Before you continue