Chapter 17

Tsunade crossed her arms and spoke bluntly. "I've never seen anyone with such talent in medicine and medical ninjutsu. He's far better than I was."

"Don't let the fact that he's only three fool you. He studied the books by himself, and his theoretical knowledge has already caught up to the medical corps' jonin."

"Of course, only in theory."

"And he learns everything quickly. His comprehension is frighteningly high."

"By now, he's learned almost all the medical ninjutsu I know."

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

"I don't care about your Uchiha mess, but as long as I'm here, nobody will lay a finger on him. If anyone dares set him up, don't blame me for turning hostile."

With that, Tsunade ignored the Third Hokage's face, dark as the bottom of a pot. She glanced at the wooden wall to her right, then fixed him with another icy stare. "Tell that old bastard Danzo to keep his claws clean. If he dares lay a hand on Xuan, I'll chop his hand off."

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

"If it weren't for Konoha, and for the blood and sweat my grandfather and granduncle poured into it, I would've flipped the table and walked out long ago. Hmph!"

After throwing those words down, she turned and left, slamming the door hard enough to shake the room.

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

After a long while, he let out a deep breath, picked up his tobacco pipe and lit it. After taking a few puffs, he called toward the hidden door on his left, "Enough, come out. What are you still hiding for? Tsunade's gone far enough."

"Creak—"

The hidden door opened, and Danzo stepped out. His face was as black as a pot's bottom as he rushed to speak. "Hiruzen, what a fine disciple you raised. She actually dared point at our noses and curse us. Is she planning to fly into the heavens next?"

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

"Don't you know perfectly well why she acted that way?"

"You think nobody knows about your dirty dealings? Didn't you understand what she meant just now?"

"Why did you go after Nawaki back then?"

"And Kato Dan—did you deliberately arrange for him to get close to Tsunade? Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do?"

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

If that old bastard Danzo hadn't been pulling strings behind the scenes, how could his relationship with Tsunade and the others have deteriorated to this point?

This so-called "old comrade-in-arms" had become increasingly devoid of scruples.

He kept eyeing the Hokage's seat all day long. Did he think Hiruzen couldn't see it?

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

Could he bear the weight of that position?

"Hiruzen, you're actually pinning this on me?"

Danzo's eyes widened as he stared at the Third Hokage with an aggrieved expression, his voice full of anger. "Who have I risked my life for all these years? Wasn't it all for you?"

"If I hadn't secretly built Root and handled all those unsavory matters for you, could you have sat securely in the Hokage's seat? Could you have the authority you enjoy today?"

He looked like a wronged little wife.

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

At the thought of Kato Dan, Danzo gritted his teeth in hatred.

That traitor.

He had been sent to get close to Tsunade and control her, yet that bastard had turned against him over a woman.

Then he could not blame Danzo for being ruthless.

Nobody betrays me without paying the price!

Danzo roared inwardly.

Seeing Danzo stubbornly refuse to admit anything, the Third Hokage felt even more stifled.

The evidence was right in front of him, yet this old bastard was still lying through his teeth without a shred of shame?

And yet, he truly could not do without Danzo. He could not tear things apart completely.

How humiliating.

"Enough. We're not talking about this anymore!"

The Third Hokage waved his hand impatiently and continued, "You heard what Tsunade said just now. She's fiercely protective of this disciple, so don't cause trouble for Uchiha Yan."

"Put away those little schemes of yours. If you truly infuriate Tsunade and suffer for it, don't say I didn't warn you."

In the Third Hokage's view, it was not a bad thing for Tsunade to take Uchiha Yan as her disciple.

Ever since Kagami's death, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village had grown increasingly strained. On the surface, they remained cordial, but in truth, they had long since become estranged.

That was not what he wanted to see.

He admitted that he did want to suppress the Uchiha a little.

But more than that, he wanted to win them over and make them wholly useful to him.

After all, the Uchiha Clan was truly formidable in battle, with geniuses emerging one after another.

They were indeed a useful blade.

If Konoha wanted to establish itself firmly in the Ninja World, it could not do without the Uchiha.

Now that Uchiha Yan had become Tsunade's disciple, he was also the Third Hokage's granddisciple.

Moreover, the boy was Uchiha Senichi's son.

Senichi was an influential figure in the clan and the deputy captain of the Police Force.

The Third Hokage calculated that he could use Uchiha Yan as a link to ease the tense relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village.

The Third Hokage considered it carefully. This would benefit him as well, making it easier for him to keep the Uchiha Clan under control.

"I need to find an opportunity to meet Uchiha Yan and see what he's really like. If he's worth nurturing, I'll win him over completely."

"When the time is right in the future, I can even push him into the position of Uchiha Clan head and use him to keep the entire clan in my grasp."

He lowered his head and turned the idea over and over in his mind for a long while.

"Hiruzen, has water gotten into your brain?"

After hearing the Third Hokage's decision, Danzo's face filled with resentment. He slammed his cane against the floor twice, keeping his voice low but unable to hide his fury.

"It's precisely because that boy's talent is so monstrous that Tsunade must not be allowed to 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 put into Uchiha Yan's head?"

"Besides, she can't keep an Uchiha under control at all."

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

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

The more outstanding Uchiha Yan was, the less willing Danzo was to let go. He did not want to miss such a fat morsel already at his mouth.

He sneered inwardly. That boy might really awaken the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan. When that happens... those eyes will be mine, won't they?

He craved the Uchiha's power too deeply.

Give him a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, and he was confident he would not be inferior to Uchiha Madara.

Unfortunately, the Wood Release experiments kept failing. If he could obtain Wood Release and pair it with the Mangekyo Sharingan, even the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara would have to step aside. The future Ninja World could only kneel at his feet.

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

"Danzo! Have I given you too much face? Are my words nothing but fart to you?"

"How much clearer do I need to be?"

"Uchiha Yan is my granddisciple! I'm warning you, don't get any crooked ideas about him. Otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding our relationship! Hmph!"

The Third Hokage saw through Danzo's petty schemes perfectly. If the boy truly fell into Danzo's hands, he would sooner or later be used against Hiruzen himself. Danzo had never concealed his ambition.

Besides, they had already agreed that Uchiha Yan's matter concerned whether he could bring the entire Uchiha Clan under his control. There was no room for negotiation.

Danzo was bent on destroying the Uchiha Clan. That idea was too foolish, too crude. Wouldn't it be better to subdue them and use them for himself?

From beginning to end, neither of these two old men had considered asking whether Uchiha Yan himself was willing.

Those two had already been secretly delighted, convinced that Uchiha Yan was as good as theirs.

They did not care about Tsunade's opinion in the slightest, much less ask Uchiha Yan a single question.

As expected of old foxes who wore the same pair of pants—their ugly faces were exactly alike.

"You..."

Pressed so bluntly by the Third Hokage, Danzo's face immediately turned black as the bottom of a pot. A fierce glint flashed through his eyes as he slammed his cane into the floor and gritted out, "Hiruzen, you'll regret what happened today!"