Danzo's Decision

"Koharu is right. Until Uchiha Qin Yu's true intentions are clear, this kind of pressure is unavoidable. Having Danzo play the villain is the best possible arrangement." Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement.

"Damn it, have you both gone senile?" the Third Hokage suddenly barked.

"Do not forget Minato's report. Try your best not to force Uchiha Qin Yu into rebellion, or he will become Konoha's number one enemy."

The inexplicable statement left Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stiff with shock.

"Sarutobi, what do you mean by this? What happened between Yamanaka Tatsuya and Uchiha Qin Yu?"

In their eyes, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had always been a pacifist.

His emotions had never fluctuated so violently before; such an anomaly surely signaled a disaster.

"He is dead, killed in a single strike by Uchiha Qin Yu." The Third Hokage pulled out a scroll and tossed it to Mitokado Homura. "This is the intelligence sent by Minato. Read it first, then think of a countermeasure."

"Yamanaka Tatsuya was killed in one strike?" Mitokado Homura's expression shifted.

He hurriedly opened the scroll to examine it.

As time passed, the complexions of both him and Utatane Koharu turned increasingly ashen.

In their eyes, Yamanaka Tatsuya was a master of the Mind Transfer Jutsu and had even undergone inhuman training within the Root Division.

He specialized in binding and sensory-type ninjutsu.

If the two had engaged in combat, given Yamanaka Tatsuya's powerful sensory capabilities, he should have detected the opponent's movements and changes first.

However, the scroll described how Yamanaka Tatsuya had been bound by a genjutsu before he could even react, only to be reduced to ash by an inextinguishable Black Flame.

Although they had not witnessed the battle themselves, the descriptions between the lines were enough to send a chill down their spines.

"According to Minato's description, Uchiha Qin Yu has only shown a fraction of his strength so far. Furthermore, he possesses an heaven-defying ability to learn ninjutsu, which is likely related to his unique Sharingan," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice.

"Minato once mentioned that Uchiha Qin Yu has always hated trouble, which is why he hid his talents. This time, he was forced to act, and he even repelled the main forces of the Cloud Ninja and Mist Ninja."

"He even killed Suikazan Fuguki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielder of Samehada, as well as Raiga Kurosuki. Such a record is something only a handful of people in our Konoha could achieve."

Having said this, the Third Hokage looked at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

"Now, tell me, how should we decide?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions changed.

Originally, they had viewed Uchiha Qin Yu as nothing more than a brat similar to Uchiha Shisui.

Such a person would be easy to handle; a little threat regarding his clan would be enough to make him fall into line.

However, Uchiha Qin Yu had not only been lurking for over a decade, but his first move had also revealed such terrifying strength.

He had even dared to kill one of Danzo's subordinates.

This was a sign of someone who had nothing to fear.

"Hmph, you really have grown soft in your old age."

Danzo suddenly pushed open the office door.

"Lord Hokage..." The two guards stationed at the door looked conflicted.

"Step aside. I knew he would come," the Third Hokage said with a wave of his hand.

In Konoha, Danzo was a special existence, and the Root Division he established was independent of the Anbu under the Hokage.

In a sense, the existence of the Root Division did not belong to the Hokage's power structure.

Therefore, Danzo often dispatched members of the Root Division on his own to monitor the entire Konoha.

The Hokage's office was no exception.

"Hmph, Sarutobi, you really have grown soft. You can't even handle a mere brat. I don't think you are fit to be Hokage or hold such a heavy responsibility."

Danzo walked in with a cold face. "If I hadn't left a contingency plan in advance, I don't know what kind of decision you would have already made."

"Danzo, don't misunderstand. Sarutobi didn't mean that," Mitokado Homura said, trying to mediate.

He knew his old classmate's personality all too well.

"Hmph, Mitokado, it seems you also think the Third's ideas are correct. You truly disappoint me," Danzo sneered.

"Konoha is in a precarious position now. Every nation dares to intervene and bully us, all because of your habitual cowardice. If you had listened to me from the start and used an iron fist to deal with them, Konoha wouldn't be fighting on three fronts simultaneously."

This!

Mitokado Homura's expression faltered, and he sighed, "Danzo, don't misunderstand. Everyone here wants Konoha to prosper, Sarutobi included."

"If you have any opinions, feel free to voice them so we can discuss them."

"Danzo, Mitokado is right. If you have any suggestions, speak them out so we can deliberate. If it is beneficial to Konoha, I can agree to it," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice.

Utatane Koharu had remained silent, but her expression indicated her agreement.

"Hmph, no need," Danzo snorted coldly. "Since that Uchiha Qin Yu is such a massive variable, he is nothing but a scourge to our Konoha."

"Furthermore, do not forget that if the Uchiha Clan learns that such an unruly existence still remains within their ranks, it will surely embolden their arrogance. Therefore, I have already dispatched men to deal with him."

This low voice caused the expressions of the Third Hokage and the others to shift drastically.

They had just been discussing how to appease Uchiha Qin Yu and utilize him for the sake of Konoha.

Now, Danzo had already secretly sent people to deal with Uchiha Qin Yu.

This completely overturned Minato Namikaze's plan.

"Danzo, have you lost your mind? Attacking Uchiha Qin Yu again and again—you are forcing him to defect!" the Third Hokage roared in anger.

"If Uchiha Qin Yu escapes the village, given his current strength and combat record, any other village would be willing to extend an olive branch to him. When he eventually becomes a sharp blade aimed at our Konoha, you will be the one primarily responsible."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces could not help but change.

It was the first time they had ever seen the usually mild-mannered Sarutobi Hiruzen fly into such a rage.

Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen had always felt a sense of indebtedness toward Danzo for securing the position of Third Hokage.

That was why he had allowed the Root Division, an organization beyond the Hokage's control, to exist for so long.

Yet now, the Third Hokage was furious with Danzo over the matter of Uchiha Qin Yu.

This was enough to show just how highly the Third Hokage valued Uchiha Qin Yu.

"Danzo, I am warning you now: recall your men immediately, or do not blame me for being discourteous." The Third Hokage shouted in a deep, stern voice.