If You Refuse Me...

"Danzo, you cannot touch this child."

The Third Hokage uttered his usual line without hesitation... anyone Danzo specifically asked for was usually someone he could not touch.

Danzo's face darkened. "There are too many complications surrounding him. If the Hyuga Clan or Uchiha Clan discover him, it will inevitably cause a huge uproar!"

"After he enters the Anbu, I'll do my best to assign him missions outside the village. Once he is strong enough, he can even carry out espionage missions," the Third Hokage said, as though he had long considered it. "That way, he can reduce contact with other ninja."

Danzo frowned and turned to the two advisors. "What do you think?"

Koharu Utatane pondered for a moment. "It does not matter which Anbu division he joins, but his temperament is still immature. If he exposes himself during a sparring match at the Ninja Academy someday, that would be troublesome."

After thinking it over, the Third Hokage said, "Then arrange for him to challenge upperclassmen and apply for early graduation."

"That will work," Homura Mitokado said with a nod.

Danzo gave a low snort... Hiruzen, so you intend to train him into a blade for your hand alone!

Such an excellent pawn had immense potential value in the future, whether for impersonating a Hyuga or an Uchiha. He could not be given up so easily.

"Hiruzen..."

Just then, Mito Uzumaki looked over. She took in the differing expressions on their faces and sighed inwardly.

"Lady Mito, I'm here. Do you have any other instructions?"

The Third Hokage immediately crouched beside Mito Uzumaki... he knew that this old woman had reached the end of her life.

Danzo and the other two hurriedly dropped to one knee as well. "Lady Mito, please give your orders."

"A ninja's life... is not determined... by what they did while alive..."

"It depends on... how they choose their death..."

Mito Uzumaki stared at the hollow rock ceiling and murmured.

"I could have waited until Kushina came of age before transferring the Nine-Tails... that way... perhaps I could have lingered on for a few more years..."

"But what meaning would that have? Kushina has already found a place of belonging to fill the emptiness in her heart..."

"If I dragged it out any longer... it would only be an old woman's... final attachment... to life..."

The Third Hokage and the others could not help showing sorrowful expressions... the founders of the village were passing away one by one, as though the pillars in their hearts had vanished, leaving them lost.

"That child, Hyuga Wuye... harbors no evil thoughts... he is the most suitable person... to accompany Kushina as she grows up..."

Hearing this, Kushina suddenly looked up in surprise... yesterday, Mito had clearly said that he had evil thoughts in his heart too.

But then Mito Uzumaki secretly winked at her, looking a little like a mischievous old child.

The four men kept their heads lowered and did not see it.

Kushina wanted to laugh, but her nose suddenly stung and tears slid down her cheeks... she knew this was Grandma Mito's final gift.

"Hiruzen... I decided to transfer the Nine-Tails early... and successfully leave Kushina with the key..."

"It was to preserve the possibility... that Konoha might one day possess a perfect jinchuriki..."

"And Hyuga Wuye... is the most crucial part of it..."

"You... must not make things difficult for him..."

Mito Uzumaki took a breath.

The Third Hokage immediately agreed. "Everyone has seen the bond between him and Kushina. I will arrange for him to enter the Anbu afterward, and I will no longer prevent him from seeing Kushina."

"Hiruzen..."

Mito Uzumaki's speech grew slower and slower.

"If he does not act according to your wishes... show him a little more tolerance and trust..."

"Just as... Hashirama, Tobirama, and I... trusted all of you..."

"The same way..."

Life gradually left her body.

"Goodbye... little ones..."

"Goodbye..."

"...Konoha."

Her soul departed, taking with it all the memories and attachments of this life.

"Grandma—!"

Kushina suddenly threw herself down beside her, tears streaming down her face as she wept uncontrollably.

"Lady Mito... may you... rest in peace..."

The Third Hokage spoke in a low voice, grief filling his eyes.

Danzo and the other two remained silent, quietly seeing the old woman off on her final journey.

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire endures..."

"The shadow of fire shines upon the village..."

"And new leaves will sprout."

"..."

Figures in black densely filled his field of vision. Hyuga Wuye could not see the Third Hokage's back at the very front, only hear his solemn eulogy resounding throughout the gathering.

It was now three days later. Most of the ninja had returned to the village to attend the memorial, including the elusive head of the Hyuga Clan.

Wuye's mother belonged to the branch family tasked with guarding this clan head, and she had always accompanied him on missions outside the village.

It was strange that the head of the Hyuga Clan did not stay properly in the village and instead spent year after year outside it.

But Hyuga Wuye had no interest in investigating. He had never even met the man. All he cared about was whether his mother had returned this time.

That gentle... yet always absent... mother...

"She didn't come back?"

After the memorial ended and he returned home, Hyuga Wuye shook his head, unable to describe how he felt.

So much chaotic nonsense had happened, yet there was not even anyone who cared about him. It was a little disappointing.

"Hyuga Wuye, have you considered it?"

At that moment, a figure with bandages covering his right eye appeared abruptly beside him.

"Lord Danzo, this is the Hyuga Clan's territory, after all..." Wuye felt a headache coming on.

Over the past three days, he had been endlessly bothered.

Not only Danzo, but also the Third Hokage had constantly urged him to challenge upperclassmen, make a name for himself, and then apply for early graduation.

Danzo, meanwhile, did nothing but threaten and entice him—his usual specialties.

"The Hyuga Clan does not value you as much as I do." Danzo's gaze was sharp, but his expression seemed gentle. "If you join Root, the Hyuga Clan will one day look at you with new eyes."

"But I have already promised Lord Hokage that I would apply for early graduation and join the Hokage's direct Anbu," Hyuga Wuye said.

"As long as you are willing, I guarantee Hiruzen will not make things difficult for you." Danzo was unconcerned. "Root is also part of the Anbu. Here, you can receive more comprehensive training. There are many things Hiruzen will not give you, but I can. For example..."

He lowered his voice. "Records and experience regarding the awakening of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, even the secrets of the Hyuga Clan's taijutsu. These things cannot see the light of day. Hiruzen cannot produce them, and even if he could, he could not give them to you. But I can."

Seeing the sneaky look on this guy's face, Hyuga Wuye became even more wary.

What kind of person Danzo was... there was truly no redeeming him.

For him to say such things and wear such an expression—if Wuye believed him, who knew how miserable his future would be?

Just that Tongue Eradication Seal alone was something Hyuga Wuye absolutely did not want branded on him.

"Lord Danzo, I know you mean well, but if I defy Lord Hokage, then in the future..."

Hyuga Wuye put on a bitter expression.

Danzo snorted coldly. "If you want benefits, you must naturally pay a price. You awakened the Sharingan at seven, learned the Uzumaki clan's secret technique after seeing it once, and possess extraordinary talent. It would not be impossible for you to surpass Hiruzen in the future. But if you truly become Hiruzen's subordinate, he may not devote all his efforts to training you. After all..."

"A subordinate who can be controlled is a good subordinate, especially with Uzumaki Kushina involved."

"Only I will not restrict you. I am not afraid of you surpassing me. I merely need you to do a few things for me before then."

This guy truly spared no effort in fooling children... if Hyuga Wuye really counted as a child.

A few things? Heh... who knew whether it would mean framing the Hyuga Clan or harming the Uchiha Clan?

In any case, it would be nothing good. He might even end up taking the blame...

"Lord Danzo, I will consider it carefully. Please give me a little more time," Hyuga Wuye said sincerely.

"You should know that the Root under my command has always handled affairs that cannot see the light of day." Danzo suddenly revealed a sinister smile. "If you refuse me..."

Before he could finish, his figure had already vanished.