Do Not Resent Danzo

On the night of the sixth day, Arata Uchiha returned from the training grounds, stepping through the moonlight.

The day after tomorrow was the day of the decisive battle. He needed to spend a full day adjusting his state, or at the very least, get a proper night's sleep in his bed instead of simply brushing it off with meditation.

Moreover, Gekko Hayate had already returned home; without anyone to spar with or offer guidance, continuing to train would not hold much significance.

"Arata~"

Just as he was about to open his door, a familiar call reached his ears.

It was the voice of Izumi Uchiha.

In truth, Arata Uchiha had already sensed her presence when he passed by the girl's house earlier.

However, he had suppressed the urge to greet her as he usually did, choosing instead to walk past as if he hadn't noticed her.

Given the current circumstances, Arata did not know how to face her.

He had originally thought that deliberately feigning ignorance would allow him to bypass this bond for the time being, but he hadn't expected that the person closest to him in this life would still follow him.

"Izumi-jie."

The young man turned around and responded calmly.

He could guess her intentions, and he was not one to hide his own thoughts.

The challenge set for tomorrow was truly his, and it was the Uchiha clan's best opportunity!

To ensure that Yashiro, Granny Kome, Shoyaki, Hazuki, and Izumi could survive, even if it meant wagering his life and bearing the infamy of betraying his clan, he would personally slay that white-eyed wolf!

"Must you really fight?"

After hesitating time and again, Izumi Uchiha finally couldn't help but ask, even though she already knew the answer in her heart.

Arata did not speak.

This was the first time he had responded with silence.

Time slipped away in the stillness.

Izumi Uchiha's fingers curled and uncurled repeatedly, and a rare trace of sorrow appeared on her gentle face.

"I understand."

"Rest early, Arata."

After a long while.

When the hanging moon hid behind the clouds, Izumi finally managed to squeeze out a smile, feigning a relaxed tone as she spoke.

As for wishing him luck.

She didn't know how, and she couldn't bring herself to cheer for either side.

"I'm sorry."

Watching the girl's retreating figure, Arata finally spoke.

But it held no meaning at all.

"Lord Third, that is my assessment."

"Cough, cough."

"If Arata could be brought into the Anbu and nurtured further, then in time, he would surely become a powerful ninja capable of deterring entire factions, much like Shisui."

Kneeling on one knee, Gekko Hayate's tone was slightly more agitated than usual.

Being able to witness the growth of a genius and serve as their teacher was a rare experience for him.

This time, he was finally able to personally taste the feeling that the teachers at the Ninja Academy must have had when facing Kakashi Hatake.

"Hmm, you have done well. I will consider your suggestion, but as for joining the Anbu, it still requires the consent of the little one himself and the Uchiha clan."

"After all, he is only eight years old; he is still too young."

"You have worked hard these past few days. Go back and get some rest."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind his desk, wore a kind expression and spoke with a gentle tone, much like a grandfather from next door, showing none of the dominance or majesty of a village leader.

"Yes."

"This subordinate will take his leave."

Gekko Hayate acknowledged the order and rose to his feet, though before leaving, he cast an imperceptible glance toward the door.

Possessing the Transparent Escape, he was most adept at reconnaissance.

However, he did not speak up.

Because he believed that what he could sense, the Third Hokage—known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu"—would certainly be able to detect as well.

The Hokage's office fell into a brief silence after Gekko Hayate departed.

However, this silence was soon broken by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Come in."

Whether it was an illusion or something else, the white-haired old man seemed to have lost his previous amiable demeanor, his voice turning slightly colder.

"Hmph."

A cold snort rang out.

A wooden cane was the first thing to squeeze through the narrow gap in the door.

"Is this the result you said we should wait for!"

"The Uchiha, that evil clan, is about to produce a third Shisui!!"

The person who arrived was clearly furious.

Every word, every sentence was emphasized, without the slightest regard for who he was speaking to.

"Shisui deterred the restless Mist, and Itachi has perfectly completed every assassination mission, clearing away many potential enemies for Konoha. By any measure, they have made contributions, haven't they?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit the pipe in his hand and looked at his old friend in his field of vision, asking back slowly.

"But, the Uchiha are the Uchiha after all!"

"Both Shisui and Itachi have reported the recent unusual movements of their clan. Can you really guarantee that those evil fellows won't rebel? Can you really guarantee that Shisui and Itachi will betray their clan and stand on Konoha's side?"

"Don't forget the Nine-Tails incident five years ago. The only ones capable of forcibly controlling a Tailed Beast are the Uchiha!"

Shimura Danzō slammed his cane hard against the floorboards.

The harsh sound of the impact was a symbol of his rage.

The rise of Arata was not the point.

The point was Hiruzen's attitude, his attitude toward the Uchiha. By delaying suppression, one day those fellows would slip out of control and become the root cause of the village's destruction!

"Shisui will not strike at the village, and Itachi will certainly stand on the village's side."

"I believe they are both ninjas who have inherited the Will of Fire."

Facing his old friend's interrogation, the Third Hokage said decisively.

This was his conviction.

If he couldn't even be certain of this, then he would have lived these sixty-plus years in vain!

However, such words clearly could not convince the head of the Root. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, wanting to use examples to prove the evil and untrustworthiness of that clan.

But before he could get the words out, a warning filled with authority cut him off directly.

"Know your place, Danzō."

"I am the Hokage!"

This single sentence completely drained the one-eyed old man of his temper.

The Hokage was the highest authority in the village; a single word from him could determine his stay or departure.

"Hmph, you will regret this eventually, Hiruzen!"

Staring at the "high and mighty" old man, Shimura Danzō coldly dropped a harsh threat and turned to leave. The sound of his cane striking the floor could be heard throughout the entire Hokage building.

"Don't hold too much of a grudge against Danzō; he does it for the sake of the village as well."

"I will try to correct his way of thinking."

After a long while, and after taking several deep puffs of his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke slowly, his words tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"No, Lord Third has already been tolerant enough toward the Uchiha. It is they who value the reputation and glory of their clan too highly."

A response echoed in the quiet Hokage office, and a figure knelt on the floor. Their attire was slightly different from that of Gekko Hayate, and they wore a white mask on their face.

"Hmm, the relationship between the village and the Uchiha still needs time to reconcile. I will leave this matter to you and Shisui."

"Also, the competition is the day after tomorrow, isn't it? Stop your missions for tomorrow and get some good rest."

Looking at the Anbu member in his field of vision, Hiruzen Sarutobi said gently.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will not lose. This subordinate will take his leave."

After dropping those words, Itachi vanished from the spot.

At this, the white-haired old man who held the reins of Konoha breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As for the boy named Arata Uchiha, he naturally could not trust him easily; Itachi was still more convenient to use.