Under Uchiha Genya's downward stare, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately took a defensive stance.
Genya hadn't done anything. Hiruzen simply feared the power of the Uchiha Family.
The gorge lay right beside them. No one could speak calmly to Uchiha Genya under these circumstances.
But some things could not be compromised.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to offer an argument when Genya cut him off.
"Third Hokage."
"Lord Hashirama founded Konoha so children would no longer have to carry weapons onto the battlefield."
"Ask yourself: did everything you learned about the Will of Fire go straight to the dogs?"
Choked by Genya's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head in shame.
But the sight of Hiruzen's guilt only sickened Genya.
That was how Hiruzen had always been. He turned a blind eye to Danzo's dark dealings in the village, yet couldn't commit fully to wrongdoing himself. He still cared about his reputation, and in the end, he pleased neither side.
Genya snorted and turned to leave.
"Wait. I have one more question."
The matter of Minato's child could be discussed later. Even if they gained the Nine-Tails' power, they still couldn't stand against the Uchiha Family.
Tonight had already proved that.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen had a more pressing question weighing on him. He needed an answer, or he would not sleep tonight.
"That slash just now—was it yours or Fugaku's?"
When the Nine-Tails had gone berserk, he had still been rushing back from outside the village. Only members of the Uchiha Family had seen who manifested such a powerful Susanoo.
He had not yet had a chance to question his informant inside the Uchiha Family about who possessed that kind of power.
But whoever it was, such power spelled trouble for the Hokage's faction.
Namikaze Minato and Kushina had died in battle, while the Uchiha Family had displayed power surpassing the Nine-Tails—perhaps even the entire village.
The balance of power had collapsed. Given how assertive the Uchiha Family had been lately, Sarutobi Hiruzen could already sense the storm ahead.
Genya glanced back at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Does it matter?"
He was running out of patience.
He had just shown everyone in the Uchiha Family what he could do. He needed to get back, collect his mission rewards, and make his draws. He had no time to waste talking nonsense with this old fool.
Political maneuvering was only a tool to him. Only by growing stronger himself could he face whatever malice came his way.
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth, but in the end, he asked nothing more.
The malice in Uchiha Genya's eyes was different from Danzo's.
Danzo's murderous intent was mostly impotent rage. Hiruzen was confident he could keep Danzo in check, which was why he had repeatedly let his actions slide.
But the way Genya had looked at him just now was different. It was the gaze of someone looking down from far above.
It wasn't the hatred one held for an enemy. If anything, it was more like looking down at a bug he could crush without effort.
How could a person hate a bug he could squash underfoot?
Hiruzen already knew the answer to his question.
In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen only said stiffly, "There will be a Jonin Conference tomorrow. Every jonin in the Uchiha Family must attend."
Genya vanished with the Body Flicker Technique, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen standing there with words left unsaid.
After returning to the Uchiha Clan Compound, Genya went to the clan head's house and knocked on Fugaku's door.
Fugaku was still out helping with disaster relief, so his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, answered the door.
She was surprised to see a baby in Uchiha Genya's arms.
"Genya, this is..."
"This child is Namikaze Minato's orphaned son," Genya said. "Could I ask you to look after him?"
Genya had no experience raising children and no desire to take on such a troublesome task. Better to entrust the baby to someone dependable.
Of the people Genya knew, only Mikoto had experience caring for children.
Besides, she was already raising one child. Raising another would not be much different.
The word "orphaned" told Mikoto what had happened, and her heart sank.
"The Fourth Hokage... died in battle?"
Genya said nothing more. He simply handed her the baby.
Mikoto took him and gently rocked and patted him, an abiding sorrow filling her eyes.
She and Kushina had been close friends since their school days. They had even served as bridesmaids at each other's weddings.
She had never expected to hear such terrible news today.
Genya hadn't said what had happened to Kushina, but Mikoto could guess.
A Jinchuriki could not survive having a Tailed Beast extracted. The moment the Nine-Tails appeared, Kushina's life had begun its final countdown.
And if Kushina were still alive, Genya would not have brought her child here for Mikoto to care for.
The baby in her arms had not even had his umbilical cord cut, yet he had lost both parents in a single night. Mikoto's maternal instincts surged.
"Leave him with me. I'll care for him as if he were my own," Mikoto promised.
The Uchiha Family had ample resources. One more child would hardly eat them into poverty.
And she had been close to Kushina. Her heart ached for the baby.
Genya nodded and was about to leave.
But just then, Mikoto called out to him.
"Genya."
Genya turned back. Mikoto hesitated, then held Naruto close and gathered her courage to speak.
"Genya... I know it isn't my place to interfere, but I heard your argument with Fugaku."
"That's how he can be sometimes. He's stubborn. I hope you won't hold it against him."
With that, Mikoto bowed deeply to Genya while holding Naruto, apologizing for her husband.
Genya looked at the uneasy Mikoto.
Clearly, that Thoughtless Blade strike that had cut across the sky had frightened her. She did not want her husband and Genya to become enemies.
She had not seen the strike itself, but the tremors from outside the village alone had sent a chill through her.
After a moment of silence, Genya said, "Fugaku's temperament doesn't suit a Hokage. It doesn't even suit a clan head."
Mikoto was about to say more, but Genya raised a hand to stop her.
"But this is a matter within our family. I promise you, as long as he doesn't cross the line again, there won't be bloodshed."