This Kid Is Smarter Than You

The indignant villagers' gazes gradually wavered.

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his eyes not cast toward Hayato. Only after Hayato stepped back did he suddenly speak, "Many things have been circulating in the village today. I wonder, which of you saw these things with your own eyes?"

Silence.

They had only heard rumors, and after being incited by a few individuals, they had come here.

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze back to the crowd. "You didn't see it, and this old man didn't see it either, but someone heard about it."

"Things heard through the grapevine change after three people, and become a different story after five. Who can guarantee how many mouths today's rumors passed through? How many times were they retold? Was anyone adding fuel to the fire?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his pipe. "Therefore, I would like to ask everyone to give me some time so that I can investigate whether these matters are true or false."

An old man standing in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up, "Alright, since the Third Hokage has said so, why are we still gathered here? Let's all go home and eat."

Having said that, he walked toward the back of the crowd, and everyone automatically parted to make way for him.

After the old man left, although some hesitated, seeing those around them gradually departing, they had no choice but to slowly disperse.

"Kakashi, starting tomorrow, have the Anbu go to the Uchiha to retrieve files and interview witnesses," Sarutobi Hiruzen commanded directly to Kakashi, who had been staying by his side.

"Yes." Kakashi nodded and withdrew immediately.

"Thank you, Third Hokage. We Uchiha are willing to cooperate with every aspect of the investigation," Fugaku said, stepping forward.

The so-called investigation, naturally, was what had just been mentioned: utilizing the mind-reading techniques of the Yamanaka Clan.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Fugaku's face for a long time.

He knew that Fugaku mentioning this again now was a display of his sincerity; even he was a bit doubtful about whether the Uchiha truly harbored thoughts of rebellion.

However, Sarutobi Hiruzen also knew he could not accept this proposal, at least not for the time being. It was a 'last resort'; once used, it would mean the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha would be brought out into the open.

The Uchiha would feel humiliated; after all, no ninja clan wanted their minds pried into, and the Yamanaka Clan might not even dare to take on the task. Furthermore, even more rumors would emerge by then.

The ninja clans in Konoha would inevitably be filled with anxiety. If the Uchiha could be treated this way, what about them?

If a similar incident happened again, Sarutobi Hiruzen was not sure if he could still control the situation.

At that point, they would have to resort to force whether they wanted to or not, but could Konoha withstand such turmoil?

Glancing sideways at the Uchiha clansmen who had already retreated some distance, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked into Fugaku's eyes.

"Fugaku, I know the Uchiha clan has been wronged, and I know the rumors in the village are false. But as the clan head, you should understand that, many times, one cannot simply speak the truth."

Fugaku was silent.

He understood what Sarutobi Hiruzen meant.

"What the villagers believe is not the truth; it is what they are willing to believe. I am having the Anbu investigate just to go through the motions, to let the villagers see that 'the Hokage is investigating'." Sarutobi Hiruzen relit his pipe. "I will personally go and warn Danzo to keep him in check."

"I will issue a notice regarding this matter later, and we can consider it a closed chapter."

He looked at Fugaku. "Do you think this handling is sufficient?"

Fugaku remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "The Third Hokage likely has more to say than just this."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was startled at these words, then smiled. He realized now that Fugaku had truly changed.

"You... are more perceptive than I imagined."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked Fugaku squarely in the eye. "Fine, I will be direct."

"The village has been unfair to you, and I failed to handle that matter well. But as Hayato said, the village is also the home that you Uchiha need to protect. How to balance these two things is a matter for your clan, a matter for you as the clan head, not for me."

"I am old. Over these years, I have actually been communicating with various clans to see if we can relocate your clan's settlement back into the village, but—these things cannot be done overnight."

"Danzo makes many moves because your clan's situation is constantly in flux, which gives him opportunities. If this is resolved now, he will just find a more covert way next time."

Fugaku's eyes flickered; he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen was telling the truth.

Danzo's rumors might be false, but the soil that bred those rumors was real.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen had just said, some things were what he had to do as clan head, and some things were what Sarutobi Hiruzen had to do as Hokage.

Maintaining the status quo was all Sarutobi Hiruzen could manage at the moment.

He was no longer the Third Hokage in his prime; moving against Danzo was sometimes more troublesome than moving against the Uchiha clan, because Danzo was no longer just one person. The Root and the connections behind him were a system that sustained Konoha, which was why Sarutobi Hiruzen had been maintaining it.

He was keeping the village from shattering too quickly, giving the next generation a chance to grow until someone capable of truly solving the problems appeared.

Just as Danzo once wanted Sarutobi Hiruzen dead, Sarutobi Hiruzen was now adopting the same approach: waiting for this malignant tumor to die of old age.

Just as Fugaku was silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly spoke, "Hayato is quite good."

Fugaku's expression froze as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"That boy is smarter than you. He clearly understands that the Uchiha cannot survive by relying only on themselves."

Fugaku's brows twitched slightly.

"Alright, it's getting late." Sarutobi Hiruzen clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the Hokage Building, then suddenly stopped. "When you have time, come over and have tea with this old man—not in your capacity as the Uchiha clan head."

"How you proceed from here is up to you."

Fugaku stood where he was, watching the Third Hokage's back.

"Let's go."

Fugaku spoke, then led everyone back in the direction of the clan compound.

Along the way, Fugaku had Hayato walk by his side, while all the squad leaders trailed behind them.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had guessed correctly; Hayato had indeed instructed everyone in the Police Force to follow his lead this time, and to follow his decision to put on a performance in the Hokage Office, but it was merely a form of intimidation.

This intimidation was known as the Mangekyo.

Fugaku glanced at the clansmen behind him and said, "The Third Hokage said something just now."

Hayato raised an eyebrow, offering no response.

"The Third Hokage said you are very clever, and that you know the Uchiha cannot survive by relying solely on themselves."

Hayato's expression was subtle; his actions could hardly be considered seasoned. What Sarutobi Hiruzen was praising must have been his approach—even if it looked immature, it aligned with Sarutobi Hiruzen's perspective as the Hokage.

So that was it.

"It seems you understand," Fugaku said softly, observing Hayato's expression.

"Before, when I saw that future, the choices I made were actually about being prepared, so that if the sky were to fall one day, the Uchiha clan would have somewhere else to hide."

"But now, I think perhaps you might have better ideas. So, how do you think I should proceed?"