Hearing that Uchiha Chen didn't know what had happened, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly and thought to himself, *He must have already guessed something was going on when he learned that, besides Anko, there was someone else involved.
Asking Uchiha Chen now was just a way to confirm it.
Since he doesn't know, there's no need to press him. Once Anko wakes up, I'll naturally learn everything.*
Then he began making small talk with Uchiha Chen.
Meanwhile, after exchanging a few pleasantries, Uchiha Chen—who knew nothing about what had happened—looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and realized he no longer had any reason to stay.
Unless the Third explicitly asked him to stay. But when he thought of the Uchiha Clan's tragic fate in the original story, he knew that was almost impossible.
Uchiha Chen felt a little regretful. "Since you're here, Third, I'll take my leave."
With that, he turned to go.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Uchiha Chen about to leave and suddenly realized this was a perfect chance to grow closer to him.
He had already gone over everything he knew about Uchiha Chen several times. The young man was not only powerful but also aloof, keeping apart from the world and having little to do with the Uchiha Clan.
Those traits made him an especially valuable person to win over.
In that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind. He would seize this chance to build a closer relationship with Uchiha Chen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a keen eye. From their few seemingly casual exchanges, he had already sensed that Uchiha Chen had a soft spot for Anko.
But where did that affection come from?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no way of knowing just then, but he understood that this was an easy opportunity to get closer to Uchiha Chen.
With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly called after him, "There's no rush. Since you rescued Anko, why not wait here until she wakes up?"
As he spoke, he took a long pull on his pipe, then exhaled a cloud of smoke and continued, "After all, we can't let her wake up without knowing who saved her."
Though Uchiha Chen couldn't tell what Hiruzen Sarutobi was really after, the offer suited him just fine, so he didn't refuse.
The two of them began exchanging pleasantries, and the conversation went smoothly.
Meanwhile, in a dark, damp underground base where sunlight never reached, a figure sat motionless in the shadows beneath a dim light.
Thick bandages covered his right eye completely, concealing any expression. His left eye was exposed, its gaze utterly cold.
After listening to a report from a Root operative kneeling before him, masked and radiating an empty, hollow air, Shimura Danzō fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Oh? So that's what happened."
His voice was low and resonant, yet seemed to hold endless darkness.
Then he gave a slight nod of approval. "Good. You reported this in a timely manner. You may leave."
Once the Root operative had slipped away like a ghost, Shimura Danzō rose and stood alone, murmuring thoughtfully, "Hiruzen, Hiruzen. You're always too softhearted.
People like Mitaraishi Anko, who've been abandoned, are exactly the kind of talent Root needs.
Orochimaru once took an interest in her. Even if she's been cast aside now, Root can still uncover her potential.
Besides, she dares to kill someone from Konoha. You can't protect her anymore."
As he finished speaking, a glint flashed in Shimura Danzō's eye.
His body suddenly blurred, as if it were melting into the air around him.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the Root Base and sped toward Konoha Hospital.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Chen was still making small talk with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
On the surface, he seemed relaxed and cheerful, but inside he was irritated and annoyed.
Why does this old man keep going on and on?
He grumbled to himself, If he wants to win me over, he should send some pretty kunoichi instead! This is so annoying...
That was right. In just this short time, Uchiha Chen had pieced things together and understood the Third's intentions.
He thought, *I may not have lived through it myself, but at least I had nine years of compulsory education.
All I have to do is think back on how my original self used to act, and it all becomes obvious.*
Yet deep down, Uchiha Chen couldn't have cared less. *He actually thinks he can win me over?
In two more months, when Kotoamatsukami has fully recovered, both you, Third, and that "5.5th-generation Hokage," Pot Kage, will bow at my feet!*
At the thought, Uchiha Chen's mood lifted. His smile grew more genuine, and he even became a little more tolerant of Hiruzen Sarutobi's ceaseless chatter.
After all, this man would be an important piece on his future chessboard. What was the harm in putting up with his rambling now and then?
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw how sincere Uchiha Chen looked and mistakenly thought that his explanation of the Will of Fire had deeply moved the young man.
He was just about to press on and instill the same ideals in Uchiha Chen when the sound of a cane tapping against the ground reached his ears.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately knew who had arrived, and a helpless smile crossed his face.
Sure enough, the sharp tap of a cane came closer. Before its owner appeared, a gloomy voice rang out. "Hiruzen! Mitaraishi Anko killed Suzuki Hiro, a Konoha Chunin. She must pay for this crime! Arrest her immediately and torture her. We must find out whether she has any accomplices!"
As he spoke, the man fixed his gaze on Uchiha Chen, as if convinced that he was the nonexistent accomplice.
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank. His expression shifted slightly, and he snapped, "Danzo! Anko is my grandstudent. I know her character better than anyone. She would never betray Konoha! Don't smear her with baseless accusations! And Chen is only the person who saved Anko's life. He knows nothing else, so don't even think about trying anything underhanded!"
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared coldly at Danzo.
Hearing Shimura Danzō say something so absurd, and seeing the malice in his gaze, Uchiha Chen was about to lose his temper.
But after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, he forced down his anger and decided to hold back for now.
He quietly promised himself that once he had Danzo under control, he would teach him a proper lesson or two to vent his anger.