Shen Ye scratched his head awkwardly. It looked like he had no way to argue back.
After all, all the incredible dojutsu in the entire shinobi world were in Konoha, and he'd happened to run into them one after another.
"Actually, I have my reasons. I wasn't really trying to spy on you."
Yue Xing rolled her eyes at Shen Ye. What he'd done should have been unforgivable, yet somehow she couldn't bring herself to feel even the slightest anger toward him.
No matter what, this guy had just saved her. She had to keep his secret, both out of gratitude and because it was the right thing to do.
Seeing Yue Xing's expression, Shen Ye grew even more embarrassed. Before he knew it, his face had turned slightly red.
"Why did your face suddenly turn red? Don't worry, I won't expose you."
"We should hurry and leave. We'll be in trouble if that guy comes to his senses."
Yue Xing nodded. Staying here any longer wasn't a safe plan, and she still had to report what had happened with Anbu to Lord Hokage.
Worried that Yue Xing might be frightened by what had just happened, Shen Ye took her hand.
Feeling the sudden touch, Yue Xing froze for a moment, but she didn't pull away.
As they made their way through the woods, Yue Xing's attitude toward Shen Ye gradually changed. No matter how she looked at it, she couldn't believe he and the peeping tom were the same person.
Deep down, Yue Xing hoped that the culprit that day had been Jiraiya.
Before long, Shen Ye and Yue Xing reached the village. Without hesitation, they headed straight for the Hokage Office.
From a distance, Tsunade spotted the two of them.
"Why are those two holding hands? I'm going to follow them and find out what's going on."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes and quietly followed behind Shen Ye.
Too focused on what was ahead, Shen Ye and Yue Xing didn't notice Tsunade following close behind.
"Shen Ye, Yue Xing? What are you two doing together?"
At the voice from their left, Yue Xing panicked and hurriedly pulled her hand away from Shen Ye's.
Shen Ye grimaced and scratched his head to ease the awkwardness. When he turned around, he saw the Third Hokage.
"Lord Third Hokage, we have something very important to report to you. We didn't expect to run into you here."
"Oh? Tell me what happened."
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe. He didn't think these two children had anything important to report. After all, they were still students at the Ninja Academy.
Shen Ye took a deep breath and looked up at Yue Xing.
Tsunade, who had been following them, sensed something was wrong and quickened her pace, coming up beside Shen Ye.
"Just now, outside the village, a member of Anbu ambushed Yue Xing and tried to take her Byakugan for himself."
Tsunade frowned. She hadn't expected to hear such news as soon as she arrived.
She looked up at the Third Hokage. His face showed no reaction, as if he'd already expected something like this to happen.
"I already know about this. You three can go back for now. I'll take care of it."
With that, the Third Hokage turned and walked toward the Hokage Office, leaving the three of them standing there, exchanging bewildered looks.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen's back grew smaller in the distance, Shen Ye frowned.
From what he'd learned, Sarutobi Hiruzen really did have the village's best interests at heart—but he was also selfish in the name of the village.
"I don't believe that old man will handle this properly. Let's go find Danzo."
Shen Ye pulled Tsunade and Yue Xing toward Anbu's headquarters, not caring what might happen next.
Tsunade and Yue Xing exchanged a glance. They thought Shen Ye was being a little reckless. The Third Hokage was the only one who could handle this matter properly.
"I have a feeling we'll see Lord Third Hokage there."
"That old man might already be in his office, getting ready to watch the show. Anbu is vital to the village. He'd never offend them because of us."
Yue Xing frowned. Shen Ye's words made sense.
Anbu was an organization that had slipped out of the Hokage's control, yet still served the village.
"You three little brats couldn't resist coming here to see for yourselves."
"Lord Third Hokage, you're here too."
"I've already spread word through the village about the Anbu rogue ninja. Anyone who would attack their own comrades is unforgivable."
Shen Ye nodded. His impression of Sarutobi Hiruzen had shifted a little. He wasn't the heartless machine that guarded the village that Shen Ye had thought he was.
But just then, Danzo, who was in charge of Anbu, suddenly rushed out. In a few strides, he reached Sarutobi Hiruzen and confronted him.
Tension filled the air. Shen Ye felt the pressure around him gradually intensify.
"What makes you think there's a rogue ninja among my Anbu? The word of these two children?"
The Third Hokage smiled and circulated his chakra around Shen Ye and Yue Xing, easing the pressure they were under.
"Don't shout. You're scaring the children."
Danzo turned his head, fixing his gaze on Shen Ye.
"That brat must have brought the enemy into the village. Nothing happened before he showed up."
"Bullshit! Shen Ye is just a child. How could he bring an enemy into the village?"
After hearing what had happened to Yue Xing, Tsunade had already been worried about Shen Ye's safety. Now Danzo was slandering him, and she was furious.
The Third Hokage, however, smiled calmly and stepped between Shen Ye and Danzo.
"I agreed to let this child live in the village, so I won't suspect him. Besides, he just saved the little princess of the Hyuga Clan."
Yue Xing nodded and hurried forward. At that moment, she was probably the only one who could prove Shen Ye's innocence.
"I can vouch for him! Shen Ye nearly got hurt saving me, and that guy admitted he was a member of Anbu."
Danzo was left speechless. The truth was, he already knew the answer. He just didn't want to lose to a child.
Shen Ye's lips curled slightly as he looked at Danzo provocatively.
He knew he and Danzo would clash sooner or later. The outcome would depend on how Danzo behaved.
"You little brat. One day, I'll crush you in the palm of my hand."
With so many people around, Danzo could only curse Shen Ye in his heart a thousand times over.
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