The Third Hokage's Shock

"Then, can I follow you?"

Seeing Yun Xi agree, the look of disappointment on Sasuke's face was replaced by a hint of nervousness.

His hands subconsciously clenched into fists, his eyes filled with a glimmer of expectation.

"Not for now." Yun Xi had no intention of bringing Sasuke to the Root Division.

At this stage, Sasuke possessed absolutely no combat capability. If he were to die at the hands of Danzo because of him, Yun Xi wouldn't know how to explain it to Uchiha Itachi.

"Why?"

Clearly, Sasuke did not understand why Yun Xi could not take him along.

His small face was filled with great confusion.

"Because I have things to do. When I have time, I will come to find you."

After offering a rare explanation to Sasuke, Yun Xi took Karin and Pikachu and left the spot.

Sasuke tried to follow Yun Xi's footsteps several times, but in the end, he never took that step.

"Is it because you think I'm too weak?"

Watching Yun Xi walk away, Uchiha Sasuke's expression turned dejected.

Standing in the shadow of a corner, he looked pitiful and helpless.

In the distance, Karin felt a pang of sympathy upon seeing Sasuke like this.

Because she saw her former self in him.

The same tragedy of a clan's annihilation...

The same pitiful helplessness...

"There, there. All of that is in the past. Now, no one can bully you."

Suddenly, Karin felt a warm, large hand rest on her shoulder.

Turning her head, she saw Yun Xi looking at her with a grin.

"Pika, Pika~"

Pikachu had also come to Karin's side, looking at her with an encouraging expression.

"Is this what happiness feels like?"

The actions of Yun Xi and Pikachu were like a ray of dazzling light.

They completely dispelled the gloom in Karin's heart.

From the moment Karin saw Sasuke, Yun Xi had noticed that something seemed off with her.

Although the expression on Karin's face had only changed slightly, Yun Xi had still keenly sensed that something was wrong.

"Thank you, both of you!"

Receiving comfort from Yun Xi and Pikachu, Karin smiled as well.

An innocent smile appeared on her face.

Seeing this, Yun Xi understood that the knot in Karin's heart had been untied.

"Karin, the gray world of the past is over. Now you have me, you have Pikachu. If anyone wants to bully you again, they will only have a dead end!"

"Mm!"

"Pika!"

Looking at Yun Xi and Pikachu ahead, Karin finally felt the long-lost sense of happiness once again.

Just as Yun Xi was taking Karin toward the Root Division, Kakashi had been brought to Konoha Hospital by the three Anbu Jonin from earlier.

Upon hearing the news, the Third Hokage hurried over.

"What happened?"

Seeing Kakashi lying unconscious on the hospital bed, a look of displeasure appeared on the Third Hokage's face.

One had to know that Kakashi was definitely considered a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage.

Not only was Kakashi a student of Minato Namikaze, but he was also one of Konoha's high-level combat assets.

"I didn't I order Kakashi to bring Yun Xi to see me? Why has it turned out like this!"

Seeing that those around him did not reply, the Third Hokage asked again!

"Lord Third... the one who wounded Kakashi was that youth, Yun Xi..."

Finally, the three Anbu Chunin who had brought Kakashi to the hospital spoke up.

"How is that possible?"

Upon hearing this news, the Third Hokage instinctively thought he had misheard.

One had to know that Kakashi was considered a powerhouse even among Jonin.

Not only did he possess exceptionally brilliant combat experience, but he had also mastered the S-rank Lightning Style jutsu—Chidori.

Coupled with the enhancement of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he could retreat with ease even if he encountered a Kage-level ninja!

Yet now, someone was telling him that Kakashi had been defeated by a six-year-old brat!

How could the Third Hokage possibly believe this?

"It is the truth. Earlier, after Lord Kakashi discovered that the Root Division ninjas heading to Yun Xi's home were dead, he intended to bring Yun Xi back to the Hokage Building to be dealt with by you."

"But halfway there, Yun Xi had no intention of going with Lord Kakashi, and a battle broke out between the two sides..."

Facing the Third Hokage's inquiry, the Anbu Chunin did not dare to conceal anything.

He recounted exactly what had happened at the time...

"And then?"

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe to calm his chaotic mind and continued to ask about the situation.

"Afterward, Kakashi took the initiative to use the Lightning Style: Earth Flash, intending to defeat Yun Xi and take him away, but Yun Xi seemed to have a summoning beast capable of completely nullifying Lightning Style."

"Although that summoning beast only had the strength of a Chunin, Lord Kakashi's Lightning Style jutsu had absolutely no effect on it."

"A summoning beast that completely nullifies Lightning Style?"

Hearing this news, the Third Hokage was also somewhat startled.

Known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, the Third Hokage's knowledge regarding all things ninja was inevitably profound.

Yet, he had never heard of a summoning beast capable of completely nullifying Lightning Style jutsu!

"Continue."

He temporarily set aside the question of the summoning beast.

Right now, what the Third Hokage wanted to understand most was what exactly had transpired between Yun Xi and Kakashi.

"After that, Lord Kakashi launched another attack, while also activating his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and using Lightning Blade..."

At this point, the Chunin glanced at the Third Hokage, not daring to continue...

Because he feared the Third Hokage would not believe what he was saying.

"What is it? Keep talking!"

Seeing the three Anbu before him suddenly stop, the Third Hokage grew slightly angry!

Under the Third Hokage's gaze, the Anbu Chunin had no choice but to speak again...

"Facing Lord Kakashi's attack, Yun Xi actually used a Lightning Style jutsu as well, and it was Lightning Style: Furious Thunder Tiger..."

"Afterward, Lord Kakashi was struck head-on and fell directly into a coma..."

After finishing his explanation of the events, a look of relief appeared on the Anbu Chunin's face.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed the words he had just spoken himself...

"Are you certain that everything you said is the truth?"

A long while after hearing the sequence of events, the Third Hokage spoke again...

"This subordinate stakes his life on the fact that there was not a single lie!"

Facing the Third Hokage's skepticism, the Anbu Chunin gave a solemn guarantee.

The other two Anbu Chunin who were with him also spoke up at this moment: "Lord Hokage, although this sounds like a story, Lord Kakashi was indeed defeated in exactly this way..."

After speaking, a look of helplessness appeared on the faces of the three Anbu Chunin once more...

"You may withdraw for now..."

After understanding the sequence of events, the Third Hokage waved his hand to signal that the three Anbu Chunin could leave...

"Yes!"

Receiving the order to leave, the three Anbu Chunin felt a weight lifted off their shoulders.

They left Konoha Hospital at top speed.

Gazing toward the Back Mountain in the distance, the Third Hokage found the information he had just received difficult to digest...

"If what they said is true, then this is truly going to be troublesome..."