Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura sat with their eyes closed, resting in silence. The spacious office was filled with an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"Sarutobi, do you think he'll come?" Mitokado Homura suddenly asked.
Utatane Koharu also looked at the Third Hokage.
After his question, the room fell briefly silent. Then the Third Hokage said, "I believe Minato, and I believe he'll definitely come."
"If he can't overcome even these dangers, how could he have driven back the Cloud Ninja and Mist Ninja? Even A, of the AB Duo, acknowledged his strength."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura froze.
That was clearly not the answer they had expected.
"Sarutobi, aren't you making things out to be too simple?" Mitokado Homura said.
A moment later, an Anbu Ninja appeared in the office like a phantom.
"We found out who the bounty hunters meeting with Danzo were. Besides the Fuma Clan, there's also Kakuzu, who once attacked the First and assassinated Takigakure's leadership." The Anbu Ninja took out a scroll.
"Him?" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions changed.
Yet a hint of relief flashed in their eyes.
The Third Hokage's aging face shifted slightly.
"Inform Minato Namikaze. Have him come see me at once."
At first, the Third Hokage had felt somewhat at ease about Minato Namikaze's confidence in Qin Yu.
But after learning that Danzo had actually hired a monster like this to ambush him, he could no longer remain calm.
"Sarutobi, you're making far too much of this. If that kid is dead, then he's dead. We don't need to worry so much. Don't forget, it's wartime, and we're at a critical moment," Utatane Koharu suddenly said.
Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement. "Koharu's right. For Konoha, it's a good thing if we can avoid trouble."
Seeing Konoha's two advisors give such an answer, the Third Hokage's expression stiffened. Even so, he strode over to the door, intending to go there himself.
"Lord Hokage, I've brought Qin Yu."
The Third Hokage had just opened the door when he saw Minato Namikaze—and beside him, a somewhat unfamiliar face.
"Him?" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions changed. They couldn't help but rise to their feet.
They stared at Qin Yu, standing beside Minato Namikaze in the office doorway, their expressions dazed.
In their eyes, Qin Yu was far too young.
He was only fourteen or fifteen, yet he had the strength to drive back the Cloud Ninja and Mist Ninja all on his own.
Even they couldn't match that.
And if he grew older, his future strength would be beyond imagining.
"So you're Uchiha Qin Yu?" The Third Hokage secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Come in and rest a while. You're not quite what I expected."
Seeing the Third Hokage step aside, Qin Yu entered without a trace of hesitation.
Minato Namikaze was taken aback. He rubbed the tip of his nose helplessly, then followed him inside.
"Hmph. What an ill-mannered brat," Utatane Koharu snorted.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she met Qin Yu's gaze.
The instant their eyes met, a blood-red hue spread rapidly through Qin Yu's pupils.
As the Nine-Tomoe Sharingan spun, it emanated an inexplicable aura of calamity.
"Ah!"
Utatane Koharu's expression changed dramatically.
"Brat, how dare you!" Mitokado Homura blurred into motion, hurriedly appearing beside Qin Yu. His right hand curled into a talon and reached straight for him.
"Sealing Technique: Water Chain Bind!"
A mysterious seal array spread rapidly from Mitokado Homura's right foot.
At the same time, four chains made of water formed out of thin air and swiftly coiled toward Qin Yu.
But the moment he launched his attack, Mitokado Homura felt the world shift around him, as if the stars had changed places.
"Genjutsu: Release!" the Third Hokage shouted urgently.
Mitokado Homura suddenly came to his senses. Gasping for breath, he realized that the Water Chain Bind he had just used had wrapped around all four of his own limbs.
Utatane Koharu was drenched in sweat.
"Qin Yu, what are you doing?" Mitokado Homura roared. "Someone, seize him at once!"
His furious shout rang through the office.
Yet not a single Anbu Ninja appeared.
"Don't get worked up. I know you're curious about what kind of ocular technique I have. I was just giving you a little demonstration," Qin Yu said with a warm smile.
"Hypnotic Genjutsu Eye. Anyone who makes even brief eye contact with me will be hypnotized instantly."
"Of course, if a ninja is strong, has a firm will, and is experienced in battle, then such a simple Hypnotic Genjutsu Eye won't affect them."
"Release!"
The Nine-Tomoe Sharingan faded from Qin Yu's eyes, and the genjutsu was instantly dispelled.
The Anbu concealed around the office all dropped into the room. There were eight of them.
Every one of them radiated the aura of a seasoned veteran.
"Brat, are you mocking us for being hypnotized?" Mitokado Homura's face darkened as he shouted, "Someone, seize him now!"
The eight Anbu in the room hesitated, exchanged glances, then looked to the Third Hokage.
They were the Hokage's personal Anbu and followed the orders of the Hokage alone.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were Konoha's leaders and advisors.
But there was no chance the Anbu would take orders from them.
"Stand down," the Third Hokage said, waving his hand.
The eight Anbu Ninja vanished from the spot without hesitation.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed.
"Sarutobi, what do you mean by this? He attacked Konoha's leadership and caused a disturbance right here in the Hokage's office. He should be punished for his crimes!" Utatane Koharu cried urgently.
Mitokado Homura said nothing. But the thought of having fallen for a genjutsu—and being bound by his own Water Whip—made him feel humiliated.
"Enough. Qin Yu was only demonstrating a little just now. I'll handle this matter, so there's no need for you to say anything more," the Third Hokage said firmly.
"Besides, I'm the Hokage. If you aren't injured, then keep quiet."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions changed. They knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was usually so cautious, only showed this kind of resolve when Konoha's fate was at stake.
After glancing at Qin Yu, Mitokado Homura snorted. "Since the Hokage has no need for us here, then as Konoha's advisors, Koharu and I will take our leave."
"We hope the Third Hokage won't do anything that endangers Konoha's foundations. Otherwise, we won't hesitate to pay the daimyo a visit."
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