The Third Generation's Choice

Inside the Hokage's office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed in deep concern.

Laid out on the desk was the file Xingye had just submitted—a detailed investigative report documenting all the evidence of Danzo plotting to exterminate the clan.

"Danzo..." Third Hokage let out a long sigh, "What have you done?"

The evidence was irrefutable: Danzo had orchestrated the assassination of the Uchiha clan leader, manipulated the Uchiha radicals, conducted secret transactions with the Rain Village, and even purged dissenters within Root.

Third Hokage closed his eyes, the image of Danzo appearing in his mind. He had once been his most trusted partner and the founder of the Anbu. They had built Konoha together and weathered countless storms side by side.

But now, Danzo had changed completely. In the name of the so-called "interests of Konoha," he had stopped at nothing, even going so far as to eliminate the entire Uchiha clan.

"I must make a choice," Third Hokage muttered to himself.

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

"Come in," Third Hokage said, regaining his composure.

The door opened, and Xingye walked in. His expression was calm, but his eyes shone with a resolute light.

"Lord Hokage, have you finished reviewing the evidence I submitted?" Xingye asked, getting straight to the point.

Third Hokage nodded, "Xingye, this evidence... is shocking."

"Lord Hokage, how do you intend to deal with Danzo?" Xingye continued.

Third Hokage remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Xingye, Danzo is, after all, an elder of Konoha. If he truly did these things, I must make a choice."

"Lord Hokage, what are you hesitating about?" Xingye's voice was calm but carried a hint of pressure, "Danzo plotted a genocide; that is a fact. If he is not dealt with, the Uchiha clan cannot continue to trust Konoha."

Third Hokage looked at Xingye, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes. The aura of this 10-year-old child was so powerful that he seemed like a mature leader already.

"Xingye, I know your loyalty to the Uchiha clan," Third Hokage said, "but the issue of Danzo cannot be resolved in a moment."

"Lord Hokage, are you stalling?" Xingye pointed out directly, "Or are you still intending to indulge Danzo?"

Third Hokage's face darkened, "Xingye, watch your tone."

"Apologies, Lord Hokage," Xingye said faintly, "I only wish to tell you that if Danzo is not dealt with, the Uchiha clan will take matters into their own hands."

"Are you threatening me?" Third Hokage's anger rose.

"It is not a threat, but a statement of fact," Xingye said calmly, "Lord Hokage, Konoha needs the Uchiha clan, but the Uchiha clan does not need a Konoha that indulges Danzo."

Third Hokage fell silent. Looking at Xingye, he suddenly realized that this child was no longer the naive Uchiha youth from six years ago. He had grown into a true leader, a powerhouse capable of shaking the very foundations of the ninja world.

"Xingye, what do you want?" Third Hokage asked.

"It is simple," Xingye said, "1. Danzo must be stripped of all his positions and submit to an investigation; 2. The Uchiha clan must be granted its rightful status in Konoha; 3. The Uchiha Police Force must be upgraded to the Uchiha Guard Corps and become a core force of Konoha."

Third Hokage was silent for a long time before finally nodding, "Very well, I agree."

"Furthermore," Xingye continued, "Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan has already been dismantled by me. The Sand Shinobi's invasion will also fail."

Third Hokage was stunned, "What?!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Xingye explained, "I laid a trap long ago; Orochimaru's plan was destined to fail. Moreover, I have subdued Orochimaru and turned him into my hidden pawn."

Third Hokage stared at Xingye in shock, "You subdued Orochimaru?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Xingye said calmly, "Although Orochimaru is evil, his abilities are formidable. If I can put his skills to use, it will be of great help to Konoha."

Third Hokage fell silent. This 10-year-old child had already accomplished so much—subduing Orochimaru, dismantling the Konoha Crush Plan, gathering evidence of Danzo's crimes, and even forcing the Hokage to make concessions.

"Xingye, your capabilities have exceeded my imagination," Third Hokage said, "What do you intend to do in the future?"

"It is simple," Xingye said faintly, "Change the fate of the Uchiha clan, and then change this cruel world."

Third Hokage looked at Xingye and suddenly smiled, "Xingye, your ideal is grand. But you must know, changing the world is no easy task."

"I know," Xingye nodded, "But I have enough ability and time."

"Good," Third Hokage stood up, "Xingye, I will immediately convene a high-level meeting to address the issue of Danzo. At the same time, the Uchiha clan will become a core force of Konoha."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Xingye bowed slightly.

"No, Xingye," Third Hokage said, "I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, Konoha might have fallen into chaos because of Danzo."

Xingye smiled without saying anything more.

[Obtained Trait: Political Wisdom (Blue)]

The system's notification sounded in Xingye's mind. His exchange with Third Hokage had given him a deeper understanding of politics.

"Lord Hokage, there is one more thing," Xingye said.

"What is it?"

"The Akatsuki has already taken notice of me," Xingye said calmly, "They will come for me on their own initiative. I intend to play along and dismantle the Akatsuki from within."

Third Hokage was shocked, "The Akatsuki? That organization of S-rank missing-nin?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Xingye nodded, "The Akatsuki's plan is to collect the Tailed Beast and launch the Eye of the Moon Plan. I will dismantle them one by one before they can act."

Third Hokage fell silent. The Akatsuki was one of the greatest threats to the entire ninja world, and the hidden villages of every nation were helpless against them. Yet, Xingye intended to take on the entire Akatsuki alone.

"Xingye, do you need help?" Third Hokage asked.

"Not for now," Xingye shook his head, "I have my own plan. When the time is right, I will request Lord Hokage's support."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Very well, I trust you."

Xingye left the Hokage office and walked along the streets of Konoha.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows upon the ground.

"The old man finally agreed," Xingye muttered to himself. "Danzo, your time is running out."

Just then, the system's voice rang out once more.

[System Prompt: Special plot node detected]

[Plot: Danzo learns of the Hokage's decision to deal with him and prepares for a desperate struggle]

[Option: A. Take the initiative and execute Danzo directly]

[Option: B. Wait and see, letting the Hokage take action]

[Option: C. Lay a trap and let Danzo dig his own grave]

A glimmer of contemplation flashed in Xingye's eyes.

Danzo must be furious right now, Xingye pondered. If I choose Option C, I can goad him into making even more foolish moves in his rage, then crush him in one fell swoop.

Ultimately, Xingye made his decision.

[Selected: Option C - Lay a trap and let Danzo dig his own grave]

A plan had already formed in Xingye's mind. He would exploit Danzo's anger, forcing him into extreme actions before destroying him completely.

Night fell, and Xingye stood on a high platform within the Uchiha compound, gazing toward the distant Root base.

"Danzo, your doomsday is approaching," Xingye whispered. "The revival of the Uchiha clan is right before our eyes."

Just then, Itachi arrived at Xingye's side.

"Brother, how did it go?" Itachi asked.

"The Hokage agreed," Xingye said calmly. "Danzo will be stripped of all his duties and placed under investigation."

A flicker of excitement crossed Itachi's eyes. "Really?"

"Yes," Xingye nodded. "But we cannot let our guard down. Danzo may still have contingencies, so we must be prepared."

"I understand," Itachi nodded. "I will lead the Uchiha Police Force into a state of combat readiness."

"Very good." Xingye patted Itachi on the shoulder. "We will work together to change the fate of the Uchiha clan."

Itachi looked at Xingye, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Brother, you are truly amazing."

"This is only the beginning," Xingye said faintly. "There are even grander goals waiting for me to achieve."