After Danzo and Shisui left, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, clapped his hands. A figure opened the door and walked in. He wore an Anbu uniform and a mask.
"Kakashi, what do you think about this?"
Kakashi, his face masked and only one eye showing, pondered for a moment before answering:
"I can't make a definite judgment without seeing it with my own eyes!"
"But judging by what Shisui and Itachi said, it's most likely true!"
"As for Uchiha Zhoucheng's real identity and true purpose, we'll need to keep watching him!"
"Shisui said that, on the surface, he looks like an ordinary Genin, but his name isn't in Konoha's ninja records."
"That's not surprising. There are plenty of people like him in the big clans!"
Just then, someone knocked on the Hokage's office door. Kakashi and the Third Hokage stopped talking.
The Third Hokage motioned for Kakashi to stay, then called toward the door:
"Come in!"
A boy walked in. He was also dressed in an Anbu uniform, but he wasn't wearing a mask.
"Itachi, you're here!"
"Shisui has already told me all about what happened to you today!"
"You had close contact with Zhou Cheng. I need a definite answer from you: just how strong is he?"
"Was his offer of rewards a trick, or was it real?"
Itachi's expression grew serious as he recalled what had happened.
"It was real!"
"Senior Zhou Cheng is definitely a good person!"
"He has no attachments and seeks only death, so he set up that Arena under the pretense of wanting to die."
"But I think he did it to benefit others before he died!"
"That's why he offers all kinds of rewards to people. The only price is that you have to attack him!"
Kakashi furrowed his brows. How could someone like that exist in the world?
"Could it be some kind of large-scale genjutsu?"
"Maybe all of you have already fallen under his illusion!"
Itachi glanced at Kakashi in surprise. Who was this guy?
"Don't forget, I'm an Uchiha, and I've awakened the Sharingan. Genjutsu doesn't work on me!"
"Besides, the second time I attacked him, I used genjutsu. I could tell for certain that he'd fallen under it, but after just one second, it stopped having any effect!"
The Third Hokage was stunned. Genjutsu didn't work?
That was terrifying!
Could he really be some kind of ancient monster? Why did he look so young?
Was it something like that girl Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Technique?
"Go see for yourself tomorrow, too!"
Kakashi nodded, then left the office!
"What did your father say? Is he still planning to support the Uchiha Clan's coup?"
Itachi's face instantly darkened. This matter was driving him to the brink of madness!
On one side was the village he loved dearly. On the other was his own family. How was he supposed to choose?
"Lord Hokage, give me a little more time. I'll find a way to resolve this!"
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe. His expression remained unchanged as smoke billowed around him!
"I'm not in much of a hurry. There's still time!"
"But Danzo isn't as patient as I am!"
With just those two sentences, the Third Hokage put enormous pressure on Itachi. It felt as though two mountains were weighing down on his back!
But who would feel sorry for him? He was only a boy in his teens!
Without meaning to, he thought of Zhou Cheng and the Arena.
Maybe Senior Zhou Cheng really could offer a way to resolve this.
No, I have to train hard!
I need to earn a higher-tier reward.
"Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave!"
Shisui followed Danzo to Root.
Danzo studied Shisui carefully. His presence seemed different!
"You've gotten stronger!"
Shisui still hadn't discovered Danzo's true nature, and he held the Will of Fire in the highest regard.
He trusted Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi deeply, so he told them about his situation without hesitation.
"I've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"It's the legendary eye, more powerful than the Three Tomoe!"
"The strongest celestial eye, capable of seeing through the three realms, with a world-shaking ocular technique!"
Danzo's eyes narrowed. The legendary Mangekyō!
No wonder he was widely recognized as the strongest of the Uchiha Clan's younger generation!
What enviable talent!
"Don't worry, Lord Danzo. My ocular technique is special. If we can't resolve this peacefully, I'll use it to control Clan Head Fugaku and stop the Uchiha Clan's rebellion!"
Danzo's pupils instantly widened. So Shisui's ocular technique could control others, just like genjutsu!
What a powerful and wonderful technique!
Only I deserve to wield such power!
His gaze toward Shisui had quietly changed.
"What do you think of Uchiha Zhoucheng?"
"Is he putting on an act?"
Shisui shook his head. How could Senior Zhou Cheng be putting on an act?
Those extraordinary treasures would cause a sensation wherever they were shown!
People would fight over them until they were covered in blood and corpses littered the ground!
But he'd given them away so casually!
How could someone like that be just a Genin?
Shisui explained what he thought.
After listening, Danzo fell into a long silence.
Could the box contain the Hokage Position?
If so, I wouldn't mind attacking him twice every day!
As long as he wouldn't die from it!
He'd heard about some of what had happened among the Uchiha Clan these past few days. Once he confirmed they weren't yet planning a rebellion, he felt reassured.
Then he sent Shisui away!
"For now, we'll wait and see!"
The next day, Zhou Cheng woke up in the hotel's soft bed.
He stretched at length. He hadn't slept this comfortably in ages!
Sure enough, there were no good or bad men. As long as you had money and power, nothing was a problem!
He got up, washed up, and looked at his handsome face in the mirror. His lips curled into a smile.
Another day of Shield Breaking!
I wonder how many people will show up today?
Will any important characters come?
Full of anticipation, he bought breakfast and ate as he walked toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
"Quick, hurry up! If we're late, we might not get in line!"
"Why did that senior set up the Arena inside the Uchiha Clan compound? It's so far away!"
"Those Uchiha are ambitious. It's only natural that the higher-ups have pushed them to the margins."
"Keep it down. This has nothing to do with us. Hurry!"
Two Hidden Leaf ninjas wearing Forehead Protectors jogged past and bumped into Zhou Cheng.
"Watch where you're going!"
The breakfast in Zhou Cheng's hand nearly flew out, but he reacted in time and managed to keep hold of it.
The ninja only glared at Zhou Cheng before turning and running on.
Zhou Cheng frowned. So what if I didn't go? You think getting in line will do you any good?
He wasn't in a hurry to follow. He'd see them at the Arena anyway.
He continued eating as he walked. More and more people hurried past him, and Zhou Cheng clearly heard them say they were heading to the Arena.
Zhou Cheng's lips curled into a smile. It looked like the people from yesterday had spread the word about him everywhere.
That meant free labor!
Before you continue