Arata Cannot Move; However, Shisui Has Changed.

Arata's violation of regulations was naturally reported to the Hokage's desk via a formal complaint filed by Tang Sarutobi.

But that was as far as it went.

The incident was like a stone cast into the sea, vanishing without a single ripple.

In recent days, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just been confronted by the Uchiha clan, leaving the situation between them increasingly rigid; how could he possibly be bothered to spar with that clan again over such a trivial matter?

Furthermore, according to Itachi's report, because of the Root's ambush on Arata, the boy's reputation within the Military Police Force had undergone a complete reversal, and even Shisui's attitude toward him had shifted significantly.

If he were to truly make an issue out of such a minor matter as taking a private mission, there was no telling what kind of backlash it might trigger from that group.

One had to realize that any Uchiha clan member capable of joining that force possessed at least the strength of a Chunin, and when combined with the Sharingan, they formed an incalculable special operations squad! And Shisui Uchiha was a powerful ninja who had even brought the Village of the Bloody Mist to its knees.

"Hiruzen, do you intend to hesitate any longer? That Uchiha has already left the village alone!"

"Now is the perfect moment!"

Shimura Danzō emphasized the word "alone" heavily, his left eye filled with killing intent.

There were few people who could make him suffer a setback.

Yet that brat had forced him to endure a lecture from the evil Uchiha for an entire afternoon!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken the brunt of it at the time, Arata was already on his hit list.

"Hoo."

A ring of white smoke rose from the pipe.

"Do you really think the Uchiha would allow that little brat to go on a mission alone?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in return, unhurried and calm.

Compared to Danzō, who only knew how to assassinate, frame, and shift blame, he, as the Hokage, had to think more deeply and consider more variables.

The old fox before him could easily push members of the Root into the Anbu and then shrug his shoulders to make him take the fall, but could he, like his counterpart, simply cast off all responsibility?

Perhaps such tactics worked on other clans, but such petty schemes and maneuvers were useless against the overbearing Uchiha clan; those people would only come looking for trouble with him.

Especially now that Yashiro Uchiha had come to regard the little brat Arata as his most prized disciple, and with Shisui's recent behavior becoming increasingly suspicious.

Could this be a trap intentionally set by the Uchiha? Perhaps they had already secretly dispatched people to protect him, just waiting for his side to take the bait.

Or perhaps Shisui had truly changed his stance, standing firmly on the side of his clan, and was currently watching their every move?

He had to consider every possibility.

Otherwise, one misstep could lead to eternal regret.

After all, this old partner of his had been coveting the position of Hokage for far, far too long.

"So you will just watch as the Uchiha act with such arrogance and tyranny in the village?"

"If they can ignore the rules to take a private mission this time, will they be renaming this Konoha the next?"

"You truly are no longer worthy of the title 'Shinobi Hero' you once held, Hiruzen."

Unconcealed gloom surfaced in Shimura Danzō's eyes; he was determined to use the very thing the other man valued most to force his hand.

And even if Arata hadn't acted this way, he would have found another excuse.

The air grew stagnant.

A look of conflict appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

The Uchiha threat was indeed becoming increasingly severe; even if he had brought Itachi into the fold, how could he guarantee that the boy wouldn't rebel again?

He truly hadn't expected that an eight-year-old brat would provide the long-suppressed Military Police Force with an outlet to vent, boosting their morale significantly.

"Arata is off-limits."

A moment later, he reached his decision, his aged face revealing a majesty that had long been absent.

Danzō fell silent.

The gloom in his eyes deepened.

It seemed his suggestion had once again been treated as wind passing by this old man's ears.

In that case, the task of maintaining the prosperity of Konoha would have to be left to the Root once more!

"However, Shisui has changed."

Just as Shimura Danzō was preparing to leave to arrange the assassination, the white-haired old man sitting in the main seat tapped his desk, his pipe having been set aside at some unknown moment.

"Interesting."

"Though, that fellow doesn't trust me much."

Danzō instantly grasped his "old friend's" intent; the gloom in his left eye vanished, replaced by a sinister grin.

It was hard to tell if this smile was meant for the plan itself, or if he was laughing at that person!

He had only wanted to play it safe and nip a rising star in the bud, but the other man wanted to sever the very pillar of the clan!

This was indeed a better, more effective way to curb the momentum of the Uchiha.

It seems this old fellow has finally given serious consideration to the two suggestions I made that day.

However, thinking back, what was it he said just a few days ago?

"Shisui would never strike against the village, and Itachi will surely stand on the village's side; they are both ninjas who have inherited the Will of Fire."

"How truly interesting."

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not say much more, instead picking up pen and paper to write rapidly.

"I want to let the Uchiha return to their original site to resolve the conflict."

"But this is just a proposal; do not let anyone else know yet."

Finishing his hasty writing, he folded the letter and tucked it into an envelope.

"I will have the Anbu deliver this; you prepare yourself."

The Third Hokage said calmly.

No one could discern his true state of mind at this moment.

"Hm, I know. The Root will be fully mobilized."

Danzō hid his smile; regardless of other matters, when it came to containing the Uchiha, they were, after all, standing on a united front.

"Once you have set things up, I will dispatch two Anbu squads to seal off the area."

Picking up his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi added slowly.

"I will not let you be disappointed."

Having said this, Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane and stood up. Shisui Uchiha was, after all, the strongest of that clan; he needed to plan and organize carefully.

And just as the one-eyed old man was about to step out of the Hokage's office, the voice of that Lord Hokage reached his ears again: "Leave his body intact; he, too, once inherited the Will of Fire."

"Heh, I cannot guarantee that."

Danzō's tone was wrapped in a trace of mockery.

"We have officially arrived inside the Land of Fields now."

Gazing at the street of inns they were about to reach, Kujo Sho wiped the sweat from his forehead and introduced the area cautiously.

What kind of boy was this, exactly!

Along the way, those fierce thugs from black-market inns and blind mountain bandits were dealt with in an instant.

Yes.

Truly dealt with!

Did he not see him still wiping the blood from the Horizontal Blade in his hand?

However, Kujo Sho also clearly understood that the other party was truly just a child.

After finishing off those thugs, the pale, flustered, and nauseated expression on his face could not be hidden at all.

But why did he have to be so ruthless toward ordinary bandits?

He remembered that there seemed to be a prohibition among ninjas against attacking ordinary people, and such prohibitions were becoming increasingly strict in the great ninja villages, seemingly related to some sort of ninja pride.

Kujo Sho wanted to ask, but he dared not.

After all, the sense of security throughout this journey had been more than sufficient.

"Arata, would you like to eat something?"

At the request of Arata Uchiha, the chubby merchant had begun to address him directly by his name.

But Arata did not answer. His gaze swept directly over Kujo Sho's shoulder toward the forest path they were about to enter. That pair of scarlet eyes was just as chilling and terrifying as the bloodstains on his blade.