Chapter 30

"This disturbance, in the end, was caused by traitors inside the village working with traitors outside."

"Mizuki was also part of that line."

Ibiki summed up the conclusion in a few words, then handed the interrogation reports to the clan heads one by one.

Shibi Aburame was the first to stand and state his position. "I support Police Force Captain Fugaku's proposal. As for reconnaissance, the Aburame Clan can help."

Shikaku Nara, beside him, also spoke up. "I have no objections. When the time comes, I'll coordinate tactically."

Hiashi Hyuga tossed out, "Since it's been cleared up, I'll be leaving first," then turned and left.

The people from the other clans also found excuses to slip away one after another, their excuses so lazy they could not even be bothered to make up a proper leave request.

In the blink of an eye, only Uchiha Fugaku and Hiruzen Sarutobi were left in the meeting room, facing each other. "Fugaku, you handled today's matter quite beautifully."

"Now you finally look a bit like the captain of the Police Force."

"I approve what you proposed earlier. The treatment of everyone in the Police Force will be raised, and the village will cover the cost."

"Also, I'll leave the matter of the investigation team to you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Fugaku with a satisfied expression on his face. Since the man had taken the initiative to give him a way down, he was not stingy either and threw the benefits right back on the spot. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Then I'll go prepare at once."

"I'll try to give you an explanation as soon as possible."

"Also, if it's convenient, can we Uchiha move back to the ** land?"

Fugaku seized the chance to press for one more promise. "Once this mission is finished, I'll make arrangements."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not give a firm answer, but he did not completely refuse either. It was as good as drawing Fugaku a tempting picture. "Then it's settled."

Fugaku nodded, then turned and left the meeting room.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched that back disappear through the doorway, and his mind began to calculate.

The current Uchiha really were much easier to use than the Root Organization. And this clan still had enormous potential. Most importantly, they would not start making a mess at every turn like Danzo.

It seemed it was time to seriously think this over...

The moment Fugaku stepped through the gates of the compound, the smile on his face could no longer be hidden.

Although the old man had not nodded and agreed on the spot, the words had already been put there—that was clearly an affirmative signal.

He called over all the elites of the Uchiha Clan for a meeting and announced the order on the spot. "We're going after Orochimaru?"

"If the village had let us out earlier, how could it have dragged on until now?"

"Once this job is done, can we move back to our old place?"

"The clan head is amazing. He even managed to convince the higher-ups!"

The entire clan burst into an uproar, the atmosphere lively beyond belief.

To be honest, although these guys were all arrogant as hell, their minds were actually very simple.

Just this little mission was already enough to make them delighted.

But where some people laughed, others cried.

Danzo Shimura was currently standing dazed in the Root Organization's headquarters. His whole body was like a block of wood, and he sat there for ages without moving. "My lord, someone sent a letter."

A subordinate walked up to him with a snake.

The moment Danzo saw that snake, the anger he had been suppressing shot up with a whoosh. "Hiss!"

With a casual slash of his hand, the snake was cut cleanly into two.

Then he took a tiny scroll from the snake's head. "Operation postponed. Wait for an opportunity."

Those were the only words on the scroll.

The fire Danzo had just forced down surged up again, and his teeth ground with a creak.

Was this some kind of joke?

He had already gone all in on his side, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi was planning to use the Root Organization as the blade.

And in the end, that ** Orochimaru ended it with a light and easy "the time isn't right"?

Back then, after that man defected, he had come to Danzo and painted him a grand picture, saying there would be great plans in the future.

And Danzo had actually foolishly taken it seriously, even held expectations?

Orochimaru!

Pfft!

A burst of Wind Release chakra suddenly exploded in Danzo's palm, and the scroll instantly burst into fragments.

He no longer had the slightest bit of trust in Orochimaru.

Since he had already been ** to this point, he could only think of another way to get himself out. "It's time to use that."

The corners of his mouth slowly pulled into a smile that made one's hair stand on end.

Three days later.

No one mentioned that whole trial business anymore, and everyone returned to their daily life in the classroom. "Sasuke, this is for you..."

Hinata handed over a nicely wrapped lunch box. "You made it yourself?"

"Thanks. Let's have lunch together."

Sasuke did not refuse.

After all, if he wanted to cut off that puddle of nonflammable stuff at the root, dealing with Hinata was the most direct way.

Besides, Naruto was still chasing after Sakura in the back right now.

Since he had transmigrated here, he had to play the dream-fulfilling uncle at least once, right?

No, Naruto was his brother.

How could he push him toward Sakura?

Mm... doing this was pretty fitting. "Mm."

Hinata nodded with a red face.

After that little episode, school was soon over.

Their current routine was killing time at school and training like mad at the training ground.

And this little circle's team was also growing larger and larger.

After the last group mission, the relationships between them had suddenly grown much closer.

Even those who had previously had opinions about Naruto had changed their views now.

After all, they were all children born to ninja clans. Their elders more or less knew some inside details about what had happened back then.

Since their parents did not stop them, naturally they no longer had any knots in their hearts either.

They were children, after all. How could there be so many twists and turns in their minds? "Begin group training."

The little ones' training was being watched closely by the Anbu, who did not miss even the movements of their attacks.

In the Hokage's office, the Third stared at the report in his hands and frowned deeply. "With this level, it's not very likely they could injure members of the Root Organization."

His fingers tapped against the desk, and his gaze darkened. "In that case, the one who acted outside the Uchiha Clan Compound last time was most likely either Itachi or Shisui."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put the pipe to his mouth and took a deep breath. "Danzo, Danzo... your eye for picking opponents really is something."

He had already made a decision in his heart.

Even without this matter as an excuse, he would have to make this choice.

Compared to that old fox Danzo, the Uchiha Clan was still more reliable—especially now that they were willing to listen.

Besides, he and Danzo were both this old already. How many more years could they live?

If he could grasp the power of the Uchiha in his hands, Asuma's future seat as Hokage would also be a little more secure.

That was right. The Third was no longer only considering the matters before him.

He had already gone over the arrangements for the next Hokage again and again in his mind.

That boy Asuma was not lacking in ability, but he was still a long way from the threshold of Kage level.

Without a few capable assistants supporting him at his side, he would not be able to sit in that position for long. "Lord Hokage."

The door was pushed open, and Asuma walked in. "Come take a look at this."

The Third pushed several documents onto the desk and pointed at the photos on them as he spoke. "There are a few promising seedlings in the school. I think these three would be quite suitable as your students."

Asuma lowered his head and looked—Shikamaru, Ino, Choji. "The Ino-Shika-Cho Formation?"

He raised an eyebrow, but his hand did not take those three files. Instead, it pressed down on another sheet of paper.

Printed on it was unmistakably Uchiha Sasuke's face. "I think this kid's performance is more eye-catching than all of them."

Asuma glanced again at the grouping notes beside it. "And he pulled in the Nine-Tails jinchuriki and the eldest ** of the Hyuga Clan. Isn't this lineup even better?"

The Third moved his pipe away and sighed. "I've already promised Sasuke's group to Kakashi."

His tone allowed no argument. "Just follow my arrangement."

"Understood."

Asuma took the files on the three of them and turned to leave.

He understood his old man's intention.

To put it bluntly, he also wanted to climb a little higher.

Since his own father had paved the road, he would walk it.

As for Kakashi... in Asuma's eyes, that guy did not count as a threat at all.

After Asuma walked away, the expression on the Third's face did not relax in the slightest.

Just now, in his own son, he had not seen a single quality that made his eyes light up.

The boy had probably not even fully understood the meaning behind this arrangement.

There was only one reason he did not let Asuma lead Sasuke's group—the backgrounds of those three children were far too eye-catching.

Uchiha Sasuke, the little genius who had just emerged from the Uchiha family.

Hiruzen Sarutobi set his pipe on the desk and rubbed his temples.

Whether it was combat strength, brains, or that set of Will of Fire principles, that boy could be considered one of the standouts of any generation. But when it came to being a teacher, if you did not have some presence and ability capable of holding the field, your students simply would not accept you. Unfortunately, Asuma was severely lacking in both.

Besides, if he really stuffed Sasuke under him, that would be openly falling out with Danzo. At this critical juncture, it was not yet time to tear their faces apart.

Then there was the Nine-Tails vessel—Naruto Uzumaki.

That thing itself was a ** barrel that could explode at any moment. Even if Naruto remained obedient the whole time, were there few forces outside keeping an eye on the tailed beasts? Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want Asuma touching that hot potato.

As for that little girl from the Hyuga family.

That clan's internal workings were very deep. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew perfectly well that with Hinata alone, there was no way to move the stance of the entire Hyuga Clan. Since they were not willing to sincerely stand on his side, there was no need to waste effort.

The Ino-Shika-Cho Formation was different.

The Nara Clan—the best-minded strategists.

The Yamanaka Clan—their sensory abilities were first-rate.

The Akimichi Clan—their defensive methods were extremely solid.

These three clans had deep roots in Konoha and carried considerable weight. If he could win them over, Asuma's position would sit much more firmly.

There were also the Aburame Clan and the Inuzuka Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already arranged for Kurenai Yuhi to take them. Then he would add in Sakura Haruno, an honest girl with decent aptitude.

Putting down the pipe, the old man pinched his aching brow bones. On one side, he had to deal with Danzo's messes; on the other, he had to worry about the candidate for the next Hokage. This night, he probably could forget about closing his eyes again.

--

The moonlight was as cold as a knife, shining on the ground of the Hidden Sand Village and reflecting a dark red.

Gaara's still-childish face was filled with disbelief. He stared at the man before him, trembling violently all over, unable to even speak a complete sentence. "Uncle... you..."

"Gaara, the one who wants your life isn't me. It's your father." Yashamaru's voice was frighteningly calm. "You're nothing but a failed experiment, a monster who could bring trouble to the village at any time. I did want to like you, but your mother lost her life giving birth to you. I can't get past that."

He paused, and the corner of his mouth pulled into a bitter smile. "There isn't anyone in this world who cares about you. Although this is Lord Kazekage's order, to be honest—I'm also happy to come do this."

"Go die!"

Yashamaru tore open his clothes, revealing that the underside was covered in explosive tags.

Boom—

The explosion was not weak, but it was all blocked by the layer of sand in front of Gaara.

But the words Yashamaru had just spoken drove into Gaara's bones like nails.

The seal inside his body began to crack bit by bit. Shukaku's chakra surged out like a tide, frantically gnawing away at Gaara's consciousness.

The sealing team ninja soon arrived and firmly suppressed Gaara, who was about to go berserk.

In the final second before losing consciousness, Gaara's vision caught the wavering shadow of the Kazekage, Rasa. "Why..."

Before he could finish, his eyes closed.

The Anbu carried Gaara away and sent him into a room to rest.

Rasa stood in the Kazekage's office and turned to look at the two figures hidden in the shadows. "It's done." His tone was flat, as though he were talking about today's weather. "Right now, that boy should hate me to death in his heart. What else needs to be done next?"

"No need."

A low voice came from the shadows. "Just obediently be your Kazekage."

"Remember this. Don't develop real feelings for the jinchuriki. Treat the other villagers the same as before."

Under the moonlight, that pair of red Sharingan glowed with a demonic light, chilling to look at.

A flash of red crossed Rasa's eyes, and he turned and left the Kazekage's office. "This move of yours... does it really work?"

"What if he breaks it himself?"

"Aren't there quite a few ways to undo genjutsu?"

The other person hidden in the shadows looked suspiciously at the owner of those Sharingan. "Are you questioning me?"

A burst of chakra suddenly exploded in the darkness, pressing down until one could hardly breathe.

The hood was blown back, revealing a deathly pale face underneath—Orochimaru!

"No, no, no, I'm just being cautious."

"No need to get so angry."