Mistaken Identity

"We can go back and report to the Third Hokage now. You two little guys were the key contributors."

Shen Ye nodded. This time, his reputation was at stake, so he absolutely wasn't going to give up the title of key contributor.

The group retraced their route and returned to the Hokage Office, where they handed the scroll directly to the Third Hokage.

"The hidden threat in the village has finally been dealt with. You've made a great contribution this time. If there's any reward you want, just ask."

The several jonin, including Jiraiya and Tsunade, all shook their heads and left, leaving Minato, Shen Ye, and the Third Hokage behind.

Minato tugged at Shen Ye's sleeve, hoping they could leave now. As for the reward, they could forget about it.

But Shen Ye had already decided what reward he wanted, and he was sure it wouldn't be unreasonable to the Third Hokage.

"Then I won't hold back. I hope the Third Hokage will give me a chance to speak with Wu Tian alone."

The Third Hokage furrowed his brow, unable to understand why Shen Ye wanted this as a reward. To anyone else, it wouldn't count as a reward at all.

All sorts of suspicions crossed Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind, but none showed on his face.

"I can grant that. Minato, what reward would you like?"

"I'll answer for Minato. It's time he got to study the ninjutsu sealed away by the First."

The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment. He knew how talented Minato was at training. Perhaps those seemingly dangerous techniques really could be passed down to him.

"I'll agree to both of your requests, but we'll have to wait until the village has dealt with a few things first."

Shen Ye wanted to see Wu Tian alone before the village trial began, but it seemed the Third Hokage definitely wouldn't give him that chance. It might even arouse suspicion.

After leaving the Hokage Office, Minato parted ways with Shen Ye and went home. Shen Ye was left wandering aimlessly through the streets.

The Ninja Academy had suspended classes because of what had happened in the village over the past few days. It was unclear when they would resume.

Now that Wu Tian had been caught, Shen Ye had finally shaken off his reputation as a peeping Tom. The kunoichi at the women's bathhouse that day all felt guilty toward him.

When he returned to his front door, Shen Ye found countless food items and little gifts piled beside the window. Each one came with a note apologizing to him.

With nothing else to do, he read every note. To his surprise, there wasn't an apology letter from Uchiha Mikoto.

"What's her deal? I taught her ninjutsu for nothing, and she even forgot about me after winning first place in the clan tournament."

Shen Ye pursed his lips, but didn't take it to heart. After all, the guy who had impersonated Jiraiya had been caught, and the lie had become the truth.

Just as he was about to open the door and go inside, Shen Ye spotted a familiar figure standing not far away, arms folded as she leaned against a streetlamp.

"Uchiha Mikoto, what are you standing around here for?"

"Shen Ye, you're finally back. I've been waiting here for ages."

"What is it?"

"I was wrong about what happened that day. I mistook you for someone else. I shouldn't have kept suspecting that you were the one peeping at us."

"That was ages ago. There's no need to bring it up again. Besides, I never blamed you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taught you to train."

Mikoto nodded vigorously. The weight she'd been carrying finally lifted, and she looked at Shen Ye with an innocent smile.

"If there's nothing else, go on home. The village still hasn't completely settled down."

Mikoto waved to Shen Ye, then skipped off toward the Uchiha Clan.

Watching her carefree retreating figure, Shen Ye shook his head helplessly. His reputation had finally been completely cleared.

Back home, Shen Ye leaned comfortably against the sofa and thought about Wu Tian.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. From Tsunade, Shen Ye got the latest news: Wu Tian had confessed to everything.

He had admitted not only to impersonating Jiraiya and peeping that day, but also to killing the Anbu members.

Shen Ye couldn't understand it. The guy clearly hadn't done those things, yet he'd confessed to them anyway.

"By the way, Shen Ye, the Third Hokage wants you to find some time to see him soon. Maybe he wants to ask you about Wu Tian."

"I'll go right now."

Shen Ye sprang up from the bed, opened the window, and vaulted out onto the street. Then he strolled toward the Hokage Office.

Tsunade shook her head helplessly.

As Shen Ye drew closer to the office, the Third Hokage's expression didn't change in the slightest. Then, in a flash, he disappeared from the office.

"Shen Ye, over here!"

The Third Hokage's voice came from above. Shen Ye looked around and saw him standing on the Shadow Rock in Konoha, with Shen Ye's own nose beneath his feet.

Shen Ye sighed and leaped over to the Third Hokage in a few bounds.

Following the nose of the Third Hokage's statue, Sarutobi Hiruzen led Shen Ye into its eye.

Only then did Shen Ye realize that the Shadow Rock concealed a secret. Each statue's eye was a separate hidden chamber. Perhaps important enemies were being held in the other chambers as well.

After passing through a dim corridor, Shen Ye saw Wu Tian in the faint light. Both his hands were shackled in chains, leaving him only enough freedom to move his body a little.

Judging by his injuries, he'd clearly been subjected to a brutal interrogation.

The Third Hokage gave Shen Ye a look, then turned and left, standing guard by the eye to keep Wu Tian from escaping.

"It's a shame I didn't kill you, kid. Now you've got the chance to humiliate me here."

"There are a few things I don't understand. I hope you can give me some answers."

"Heh..."

A mocking laugh came from Wu Tian, but Shen Ye showed no reaction.

"Those things weren't done by you. Why did you confess to them?"

"Konoha's methods forced me to admit defeat. I never imagined they'd have torture like this. I didn't do it for you."

Shen Ye furrowed his brow. So this guy knew that Shen Ye himself had done all those things, yet under this torture, he had gritted his teeth and taken the blame.

If the Third Hokage had been acting alone, Wu Tian probably wouldn't have been so badly hurt.

Danzo must have wanted to get information out of him, so he'd abused his authority over the Anbu to have Wu Tian tortured for a confession.

As far as Shen Ye knew, one of Danzo's subordinates was particularly skilled at such methods. He could torture a captured ninja until they completely broke down.