If the Uchiha Clan were really that powerful, they would have become Hokage long ago!
Just as the Anbu were puzzling over the situation, a white figure appeared in a flash.
He wore a Hokage hat and a ceremonial robe. It was none other than the current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!
Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared on the rooftop, accompanied by even more Anbu.
Dozens of Anbu surrounded the scene, while more Jonin led Chunin over from a distance.
Sarutobi Hiruzen saw the carnage and frowned, his expression grave as he spoke.
"Which ninja village invaded? How many of them were there, and where have they gone?"
The Anbu Captain replied awkwardly.
"These children say they got into a fight with each other. There was no invasion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his eyebrows and stared in disbelief.
"This battlefield is a complete disaster, and you're telling me it was a fight between children?"
Aburame Ryoma spoke again, gritting his teeth through the pain.
"That Uchiha brat burned all my Kikaichū to death and stabbed both my kidneys! Hurry and arrest him!"
"Another kidney stabbing..."
The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Uchiha Kurohane, he remembered that the boy had previously stabbed three Genin in the kidneys, leaving them unable to go to the Land of Rain.
He couldn't understand it. Had the Uchiha Clan not punished the child after his previous fiasco? Why was he doing this again?
And he had actually defeated Ryoma?
He was a genius of the Aburame Clan!
Besides, had the boy really unleashed a Fire Release technique with that much power?
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Uchiha Kurohane, utterly dumbfounded.
"Kurohane, explain yourself. Why did you attack your comrades in Konoha?"
"And why did you have to be so heavy-handed?"
"Ryoma was supposed to head to the front lines in the Land of Rain. He's an important asset to Konoha!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was full of frustration and anger.
Everyone knew how terrifying Hanzo's salamander poison was in the Land of Rain. Most ninja would rather go to the northern front and face the Raikage head-on than go to the Land of Rain.
After all, when they encountered the Third Raikage, they could hide in a cave. But the salamander's poison spread over a wide area, and even hiding in a cave wouldn't save them from being poisoned to death.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had spent the past few days searching for ninja brave enough to go to the battlefield in the Land of Rain. The worry had nearly made him go bald.
At last, he'd found capable ninja with the courage to go, only for Uchiha Kurohane to injure them one by one—and stab their kidneys, leaving them unable to recover for some time.
Wasn't that going against him?
Faced with Sarutobi Hiruzen's stern questioning, Uchiha Kurohane answered without a hint of hesitation.
"I saw them attacking my classmate. It looked like they were about to do something to her, so I stepped in to save her."
"Lord Hokage, was I wrong to protect my classmate?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze, then asked in confusion,
"What do you mean, protect your classmate?"
Uchiha Kurohane pointed toward Yakushi Nonō, who stood in the corner looking utterly bewildered.
Yakushi Nonō had been stunned by the shocking battle. The army of ninja who arrived one after another had left her completely terrified.
But Yakushi Nonō wasn't an ordinary little girl. She soon calmed down and spoke.
"Yes. They grabbed me from behind just now. I don't know what they intended to do, but they threatened to knock me out."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Anbu immediately turned to look at Aburame Ryoma.
Under their stern gazes, Aburame Ryoma froze.
Although he'd had Pumpkin Head attack Yakushi Nonō to lure Uchiha Kurohane into making a mistake, the fact remained that they had grabbed her.
Uchiha Kurohane had been justified in attacking them.
If the matter were investigated, Ryoma would be punished!
Aburame Ryoma thought for a moment, then put on an innocent expression.
"I don't know what Pumpkin Head did to her! When I arrived, I saw him injure Pumpkin Head. I only wanted to help my comrade. It looks like it was all a misunderstanding."
Everyone then looked at Pumpkin Head, who was lying on the ground.
Pumpkin Head was sweating all over in a panic.
What's going on? Is he trying to pin the blame on me?
He came up with this plan. Why should I take the fall?
Pumpkin Head immediately protested.
"No, Ryoma told me to do it! He told me to grab that girl and use her to threaten Kurohane!"
When Aburame Ryoma heard him reveal the truth, he panicked too.
Idiot! I had no grudge against that Uchiha brat. I fought him because I was sticking up for you.
Now my mutated Kikaichū are gone, and so are both my kidneys. I got hurt that badly trying to help you.
It's only right for you to take the blame for me. You don't expect us both to get punished, do you?
Besides, the Aburame Clan has strict rules. If the clan head found out I'd abducted a girl, he'd never let me off!
That little girl didn't see me attack her. She has no proof. I should stand my ground!
"No, he's making that up! He's framing me!"
Pumpkin Head clutched his bleeding waist and demanded furiously,
"You told me to do it! Are you going to deny it and lie right in front of Lord Hokage?"
Blood poured from both sides of Aburame Ryoma's waist, but he was so concerned about his reputation that he ignored the injuries.
"Idiot! You're the one lying in front of Lord Hokage. Why would I abduct this woman for no reason?"
"You were worried you couldn't beat Kurohane, so you wanted someone to threaten him!"
"That's nonsense! I've always believed the Aburame Clan was the strongest. I had an enhanced, mutated Kikaichū. Why would I think I couldn't beat him..."
Aburame Ryoma and Pumpkin Head turned on each other and started arguing in public.
Uchiha Kurohane watched the two dogs snapping at each other and chuckled to himself.
But his goal was Yakushi Nonō. He didn't want to waste time listening to them argue.
"Lord Hokage, the facts are clear now. My actions were justified, and I'm not responsible for this incident."
"Yakushi-senpai was frightened. I'd like to take her home first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a politically astute old man. He guessed that Pumpkin Head had asked Aburame Ryoma for help to get revenge on Uchiha Kurohane.
Kurohane had been too heavy-handed, but he'd acted in self-defense.
Besides, they'd been the ones to attack a girl first. Kurohane hadn't done anything wrong.
In fact, it would have been a problem if he'd seen his classmate attacked and hadn't dared to step in.
The next generation of Konoha needed brave and righteous young people like him.
"All right. You two can leave. I'll handle the rest."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen's permission, Uchiha Kurohane hurried over to Yakushi Nonō.
"We're no longer needed here. Let's go."
Keep arguing all you want. I'm taking senpai with me!
After speaking, Uchiha Kurohane saw that Yakushi Nonō was still standing there in a daze, as if she hadn't quite come to her senses.
He took her soft hand and led her away.
Before you continue