Chapter 17

Tsunade crossed her arms and said bluntly, "I've never seen anyone with such talent in medicine and Medical Ninjutsu. He's far surpassed me."

"Don't let the fact that he's only three fool you. He's studied on his own, and his theoretical knowledge has already caught up with the Jōnin in the Medical Corps."

"Of course, that's limited to theory."

"On top of that, he learns everything quickly. His comprehension is frighteningly high."

"He's practically learned all the Medical Ninjutsu I know."

At that, Tsunade's expression turned cold. She stared at the Third Hokage. "Old man, listen carefully. He's a disciple I acknowledge."

"I don't care about the Uchiha clan's mess, but as long as I'm here, no one is laying a finger on him. If anyone dares scheme against him, don't blame me for turning hostile."

After saying that, Tsunade ignored the Third Hokage's face, dark as the bottom of a pot. She glanced at the wooden wall on the right, then coldly turned her gaze back. "Tell that old bastard Danzo for me to keep his claws to himself. If he dares touch Yan, I'll chop his hand off."

"Don't think I don't know what happened to Nawaki and Dan Katō."

"If it weren't for Konoha, and for the efforts of my granduncle and granduncle's brother, I would've flipped the table and walked out long ago. Hmph!"

She threw out those words, turned around, and left. The door slammed so loudly that the whole building shook.

The Third Hokage sat there alone, his face so gloomy it seemed water might drip from it.

Only after a long while did he let out a deep breath. He picked up his tobacco pipe, lit it, took a few puffs, and called toward the hidden door on his left, "All right, come out. What are you still hiding for? Tsunade's gone."

"Creak—"

The hidden door opened, and Danzo walked out, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot. He immediately cut in, "Hiruzen, your good disciple dares point at both our noses and curse us now. Is she going to heaven next?"

The Third Hokage shot him a sidelong glance, his temper rising as well. "How I teach my disciples is none of your concern."

"You know perfectly well why she's acting like this, don't you?"

"You really think no one knows about your dirty deeds? Didn't you understand what she meant just now?"

"What did you interfere with Nawaki for back then?"

"And that Dan Katō—was it you who deliberately arranged for him to get close to Tsunade? Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do?"

The angrier the Third Hokage became, the faster he spoke.

Fifty-one

If that old bastard Danzo hadn't been scheming behind the scenes, how could he have ended up at odds with Tsunade and the others?

This so-called "old comrade" was becoming more and more shameless.

He stared at the Hokage's position all day. Did he really think Hiruzen couldn't see it?

With Danzo's character, did he even deserve to become Hokage?

Could he shoulder that position?

"Hiruzen, you're actually pinning the blame on me?"

Danzo widened his eyes and stared at the Third Hokage with an aggrieved expression, his voice filled with fury. "Who have I been working myself to death for? You, of course!"

"If I hadn't secretly managed Root all these years and settled all those unsavory matters for you, could you have sat securely in the Hokage's position? Could you have enjoyed the prestige you have today?"

His expression made him look just like a wronged young wife.

"Besides, how many times have I said it? Nawaki's death had nothing to do with me, and Dan Katō's death had even less to do with me! He brought it upon himself. Don't pin it on me!"

Whenever he thought of Dan Katō, Danzo ground his teeth in hatred.

That traitor.

He had sent Dan Katō to approach and control Tsunade, but the bastard had actually betrayed him for a woman.

Then he couldn't blame Danzo for being ruthless.

No one could betray him without paying the price!

Danzo roared inwardly.

Looking at Danzo's shameless refusal to admit anything, the Third Hokage felt even more stifled.

The evidence was right in front of him, yet the old bastard still denied everything with his eyes wide open. Had he no shame at all?

Yet Hiruzen truly couldn't do without Danzo. He couldn't tear their faces apart completely.

What a bitter frustration.

"All right, all right, enough about this!"

The Third Hokage impatiently waved his hand, then continued, "You heard Tsunade just now. She's very protective of this disciple. Don't cause trouble for Uchiha Yan."

"Put away those little schemes of yours. If you really anger Tsunade, don't say I didn't warn you when you suffer for it."

In the Third Hokage's view, it was a good thing that Tsunade had taken Uchiha Yan as her disciple.

Ever since Kagami's death, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village had grown increasingly strained. They appeared harmonious on the surface, but in reality, they had long been united in name only.

That wasn't what he wanted to see.

He admitted that he did indeed want to suppress the Uchiha clan's arrogance somewhat.

But he wanted even more to win the Uchiha clan over and make them serve him completely.

After all, the Uchiha clan's people were truly powerful, with one genius after another emerging.

They were also very useful blades.

If Konoha wanted to establish itself firmly in the Ninja World, it couldn't do without the Uchiha clan.

Now that Uchiha Yan had become Tsunade's disciple, he was also Hiruzen's grand-disciple.

On top of that, the boy was Uchiha Senichi's son.

Senichi held tremendous influence within the clan and was also the deputy captain of the Konoha Military Police Force.

The Third Hokage was already making plans. He wanted to use Uchiha Yan as a link to ease the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village.

The Third Hokage calculated that this would benefit him as well, making it easier for him to control the Uchiha clan.

"I need to find an opportunity to meet that Uchiha Yan and see what he's really like. If he's worth cultivating, I'll win him over with all my strength."

"When the time comes, if the opportunity presents itself, I can even push him into the position of Uchiha clan leader and help him place the entire clan in the palm of my hand."

He lowered his head and mulled over this thought again and again for a long while.

"Hiruzen, have you lost your mind?"

After hearing the Third Hokage's decision, Danzo's face was full of resentment. He slammed his cane against the floor twice, keeping his voice low but lacing it with anger.

"Precisely because that boy's talent is so abnormal, you absolutely can't let Tsunade teach him!"

"Didn't you see that girl's attitude just now? She's been dissatisfied with the two of us for a long time. Who knows what twisted ideas she'll fill Uchiha Yan's head with!"

"Besides, she can't suppress an Uchiha."

"Hand him over to me and put him in Root. I'll personally train him. I guarantee I can turn him into a loyal hound of Konoha, utterly devoted to the two of us!"

"Hiruzen, you must listen to me this time!"

The more outstanding Uchiha Yan was, the less willing Danzo was to let him go. He didn't want to give up this piece of meat already at his mouth.

He sneered inwardly. This boy might really awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan. When that happens... won't those eyes belong to me?

He coveted the Uchiha clan's power far too much.

If he had a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, he was confident he wouldn't be inferior to Uchiha Madara.

Unfortunately, his Wood Release experiments kept failing. If he could obtain Wood Release and combine it with the Mangekyō Sharingan, even the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara would have to stand aside. In the future, the entire Ninja World could only kneel at his feet.

But after hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage's expression instantly darkened. He stared at Danzo, his eyes filled with icy light.

"Danzo! Have I been too lenient with you? Do you take my words for nothing?"

"How much clearer do I have to make myself?"

"Uchiha Yan is my grand-disciple! I'm warning you, don't harbor any improper thoughts about him. Otherwise, don't blame me for showing you no mercy! Hmph!"

The Third Hokage saw through every one of Danzo's schemes. If Uchiha Yan fell into Danzo's hands, he would sooner or later be used against Hiruzen. Danzo had never hidden his ambition.

Besides, they had already agreed that Uchiha Yan's matter was related to whether Hiruzen could bring the entire Uchiha clan under his control. There was no room for discussion.

Danzo was determined to destroy the Uchiha clan. That idea was too foolish and shortsighted. Wouldn't it be better to subjugate them and use them for himself?

Neither of those two old foxes had considered asking whether Uchiha Yan himself was willing.

Those two men were already celebrating inwardly, convinced that Uchiha Yan's fate had been decided.

No one cared about Tsunade's opinion, and even fewer people had asked Uchiha Yan a single question.

As expected of old foxes who shared the same pants, they had exactly the same ugly faces.

"You..."

Pressed so bluntly by the Third Hokage, Danzo's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. A ruthless glint flashed through his eyes. He slammed his cane into the floor and gritted his teeth. "Hiruzen, you'll regret what you've done today!"