Inside the Hokage's office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his brow furrowed.
On the desk lay the file Xingye had just submitted—a detailed investigation report documenting all the evidence of Danzo's plot to exterminate the Uchiha.
"Danzo..." The Third Hokage sighed deeply. "What have you done?"
The evidence was irrefutable: Danzo had plotted to assassinate the Uchiha Clan Head, manipulated the Uchiha radicals, made secret deals with Amegakure, and even purged his rivals within Root.
The Third Hokage closed his eyes, and Danzo's image appeared in his mind. He had once been the comrade he trusted most, and the founder of Konoha's Anbu. They had built Konoha together and weathered countless trials side by side.
But now, Danzo had changed completely. In pursuit of what he called "Konoha's interests," he stopped at nothing—even trying to wipe out the entire Uchiha Clan.
"I have to make a choice," the Third Hokage murmured.
Just then, someone knocked on the office door.
"Come in." The Third Hokage composed himself.
The door opened, and Xingye walked in. His expression was calm, but his eyes shone with determination.
"Lord Hokage, have you finished reviewing the evidence I submitted?" Xingye asked bluntly.
The Third Hokage nodded. "Xingye, this evidence... is shocking."
"Lord Hokage, what do you plan to do about Danzo?" Xingye pressed.
The Third Hokage was silent for a long while before finally answering, "Xingye, Danzo is a veteran of Konoha, after all. If he really did these things, I have to make a choice."
"Lord Hokage, what are you hesitating about?" Xingye's voice was calm, but carried a hint of pressure. "Danzo plotted to exterminate the clan. That's a fact. If he isn't dealt with, the Uchiha Clan can't continue trusting Konoha."
The Third Hokage looked at Xingye, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. This ten-year-old child spoke with such authority, as if he were already a mature leader.
"Xingye, I know how loyal you are to the Uchiha Clan," the Third Hokage said. "But Danzo's situation can't be resolved overnight."
"Lord Hokage, are you stalling?" Xingye called him out. "Or do you still want to keep indulging Danzo?"
The Third Hokage's expression darkened. "Xingye, watch your words."
"My apologies, Lord Hokage," Xingye said coolly. "I only wanted to tell you that if Danzo isn't dealt with, the Uchiha Clan will take matters into its own hands."
"Are you threatening me?" The Third Hokage's anger rose.
"It's not a threat. I'm stating a fact," Xingye said calmly. "Lord Hokage, Konoha needs the Uchiha Clan, but the Uchiha Clan doesn't need a Konoha that indulges Danzo."
The Third Hokage fell silent. Looking at Xingye, he suddenly realized that this child was no longer the naïve Uchiha boy he'd been six years ago. He had grown into a true leader, a powerful man capable of shaking the balance of the entire Shinobi World.
"Xingye, what do you want?" the Third Hokage asked.
"It's simple," Xingye said. "1. Danzo must be stripped of all his positions and investigated; 2. the Uchiha Clan must receive the status it deserves in Konoha; 3. the Uchiha Police Force must be upgraded to the Uchiha Guard Corps and made one of Konoha's core forces."
The Third Hokage was silent for a long while, then finally nodded. "All right. I agree."
"Also," Xingye continued, "I've already foiled Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan. The Sand Shinobi's attack will fail, too."
The Third Hokage was stunned. "What?!"
"That's right, Lord Hokage," Xingye explained. "I laid the groundwork long ago. Orochimaru's plan was doomed to fail. And I've already brought Orochimaru under my control, making him one of my hidden assets."
The Third Hokage stared at Xingye in shock. "You brought Orochimaru under your control?"
"That's right, Lord Hokage," Xingye said calmly. "Orochimaru may be evil, but he's very capable. If I can put his abilities to use, he'll be a great help to Konoha."
The Third Hokage fell silent. This ten-year-old child had already accomplished so much—bringing Orochimaru under his control, foiling the Konoha Crush Plan, gathering evidence against Danzo, and even forcing the Hokage to concede.
"Xingye, your abilities have exceeded my expectations," the Third Hokage said. "What do you plan to do in the future?"
"It's simple," Xingye said coolly. "Change the fate of the Uchiha Clan, then change this cruel world."
The Third Hokage looked at Xingye and suddenly smiled. "Xingye, that's an ambitious ideal. But you should know that changing the world won't be easy."
"I know." Xingye nodded. "But I have enough ability and time."
"Good." The Third Hokage stood up. "Xingye, I'll convene a meeting of the village leadership immediately to deal with Danzo. At the same time, the Uchiha Clan will become one of Konoha's core forces."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Xingye bowed slightly.
"No, Xingye," the Third Hokage said. "I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, Danzo might have plunged Konoha into chaos."
Xingye smiled but said nothing more.
[Acquired trait: Political Wisdom (Blue)]
The system's notification sounded in Xingye's mind. His conversation with the Third Hokage had given him a deeper understanding of politics.
"Lord Hokage, there's one more thing," Xingye said.
"What is it?"
"The Akatsuki have noticed me," Xingye said calmly. "They'll come looking for me. I plan to turn the tables on them and dismantle the Akatsuki."
The Third Hokage was shocked. "The Akatsuki? That S-rank rogue-ninja organization?"
"That's right, Lord Hokage." Xingye nodded. "The Akatsuki's plan is to collect the Tailed Beasts and launch the Eye of the Moon Plan. I'll dismantle them one by one before they can act."
The Third Hokage fell silent. The Akatsuki were one of the greatest threats in the entire Shinobi World, and the villages of every nation were powerless against them. Yet Xingye intended to take on the entire organization alone.
"Xingye, do you need help?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Not for now." Xingye shook his head. "I have my own plan. When the time is right, I'll ask for your support, Lord Hokage."
The Third Hokage nodded. "All right. I believe in you."
Xingye left the Hokage's office and walked along the streets of Konoha.
Sunlight streamed through the leaves, scattering dappled shadows across the ground.
"Old man Third, you finally agreed," Xingye murmured. "Danzo, your time is running out."
Just then, the system spoke again.
[System notification: Special plot point detected] [Plot: Danzo learns that the Third Hokage has decided to deal with him and prepares to fight to the death] [Option A: Take the initiative and kill Danzo outright] [Option B: Wait and see, and let the Third Hokage make his move] [Option C: Set a trap and let Danzo dig his own grave]
A thoughtful gleam appeared in Xingye's eyes.
"Danzo must be furious right now..." Xingye thought to himself. "If I choose option C, I can make him do something even more foolish in his anger, then defeat him in one fell swoop."
In the end, Xingye made his decision.
[Option C selected — Set a trap and let Danzo dig his own grave]
Xingye already had a plan. He would use Danzo's anger to push him into even more extreme actions, then destroy him completely.
Night fell. Xingye stood on the raised platform in the Uchiha Clan Compound, looking toward the distant Root Base.
"Danzo, your end is near," Xingye murmured. "The Uchiha Clan's revival is just around the corner."
Just then, Itachi came to Xingye's side.
"Brother, how did it go?" Itachi asked.
"The Third Hokage agreed," Xingye said calmly. "Danzo will be stripped of all his positions and investigated."
A flash of excitement crossed Itachi's eyes. "Really?"
"That's right." Xingye nodded. "But we can't let our guard down. Danzo may still have something up his sleeve, so we need to be prepared."
"I understand." Itachi nodded. "I'll put the Uchiha Police Force on alert."
"Good." Xingye patted Itachi on the shoulder. "We'll work together to change the fate of the Uchiha Clan."
Itachi looked at Xingye, admiration shining in his eyes.
"Brother, you're amazing."
"This is only the beginning," Xingye said coolly. "There are even greater goals waiting for me to achieve."
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