Threat of Clan Extermination

While pressing down on Hiruzen Sarutobi, Yun Yan said to Hiruzen Sarutobi in a low voice:

"Old man Sarutobi? Why are you so agitated? I was just making a hypothetical statement. I mean, if you attack me or betray me during the battle ten days from now, I will wipe out your Sarutobi Clan and kill your grandson Konohamaru."

If, do you understand? This hasn't happened yet; it's a hypothetical situation.

Or do you, old man Sarutobi, really think this scenario will definitely happen? And that you'll inevitably attack me then? And that your Sarutobi Clan will definitely be wiped out?

Hey, don't stay silent! Answer me directly: is this hypothetical scenario possible? And if it happens, will you be tempted to make a move against me?

I'm putting this out there: I don't care what you're thinking, but if you dare to make a move, even with the slightest inclination, the Sarutobi Clan will be wiped out.

So stop running away, answer me directly, promise me honestly, can I be at ease during the battle ten days from now? Will you take action?"

Feeling the terrifying force pressing down on his shoulders, and realizing that he couldn't struggle against it even with all his strength, Hiruzen Sarutobi his spine.

Hearing Yun Yan's heart-piercing words, he trembled slightly. Although he was extremely unwilling, the situation was beyond his control, and he had no other choice since he was already in this predicament.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed dejectedly for the nth time, and finally made a serious promise to Yun Yan:

"Don't worry, you can rest assured about the battle ten days from now. I will absolutely not lay a hand on you. I promise you this with the money of my Sarutobi Clan."

"Unfortunately, I don't believe you, even if you promise me with the promise of your Sarutobi Clan."

This was Yun Yan's direct answer.

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi was both anxious and furious. He turned to look at Yun Yan in disbelief, his mind racing. "Are you kidding me? I've gone through all this and you still don't believe me!?"

As if sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts, Yun Yan bluntly stated without giving him any face:

"Yes, that's right. You even made promises to me using your Sarutobi Clan as leverage, but I still don't believe you."

"Hey old man Sarutobi, you don't actually think you have any credibility left in front of me, do you? Your credibility score has long been zero, so no matter what promises you make, I won't trust you. Even if you brought your grandson Konohamaru to me as a hostage, I still wouldn't believe you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely angry, but he didn't dare to retaliate. In short, he was very resentful and frustrated.

"If you don't trust me, why do you need me to make promises?"

"Because this is the attitude I want from you. Sometimes attitude is very important. At least it makes me feel better, and at least it saves me from annihilating your Sarutobi Clan right now, doesn't it?"

Yun Yan's direct answer left Hiruzen Sarutobi speechless, and Hiruzen Sarutobi even thought that what Yun Yan said made perfect sense.

Exhausted, he let out a deep sigh. At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi even seemed to be pleading with Yun Yan:

"Yun Yan, what exactly do you want? Just tell me your demands, and I'll agree to anything as long as it's not too outrageous."

Yun Yan patted Hiruzen Sarutobi on the shoulder and smiled:

"Okay, that's straightforward, then I'll get straight to the point."

Actually, I don't think much of Konoha as a whole, and I have no concerns about it.

There are only two people who are truly a concern for me: Izumi and her mother. I believe you know what kind of relationship I have with these two people.

I can go to Cloud Thunder Gorge and fight Kumogakure by myself in ten days. I'm fine on my own.

But who knows, during my battle, some damned old bastard might attack Izumi and her mother, and I absolutely cannot tolerate that, absolutely.

If I find out later that something happened to Izumi and her mother... let alone an accident, even the slightest unpleasantness will make me explode when I return to Konoha.

Sarutobi, let me put it this way.

If I am the one who causes trouble in the battle ten days from now, if I am betrayed or ambushed, then it will only be your Sarutobi Clan that will be wiped out afterwards.

But if, after the battle ends in ten days, it is Izumi and her mother who have problems, then it will not only be your Sarutobi Clan that will be wiped out, but also the Shimura Clan, the Utatane Clan, and the Mito Clan.

I mean what I say.

Upon hearing about the other three clans, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew without a doubt who Yun Yan was targeting—clearly the other three elders.

Upon further reflection, Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that this was indeed the case. He had no hope of swallowing this loss, but the other three old men certainly wouldn't.

Given their personalities, after suffering such a huge loss, they will definitely be angry and resentful, and they will definitely fail to see the situation clearly. They will certainly be eager to make a move.

At that time, it doesn't matter whether those three old guys or their three families live or die, as long as they don't implicate themselves or their Sarutobi Clan.

In other words, Yun Yan's demand is that Izumi and her mother be absolutely safe during his absence from Konoha, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.

Understanding this, and to avoid the terrifying consequences that even the thought of it sends chills down his spine, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly became cold-hearted and hardened his resolve, and was exceptionally determined.

He knew that the friendship he had grown up with in his youth had to be severed at this time, and the friendship he had built with each other over the years also had to be cut off. He knew he had to take the initiative in some matters.

For example, as promised to Yun Yan, he would lock Danzo in the deepest and most secure prison, so that he would have no chance to cause trouble.

As for the other two elders Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura... they don't need to be imprisoned, but they still need to be closely monitored.

It's not that Hiruzen Sarutobi looks down on these two; fine, Hiruzen Sarutobi just looks down on them. No matter how unwilling or restless these two are, with Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressing and guarding them, they absolutely cannot cause the slightest disturbance.

Having made this decision in his heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi solemnly and sincerely told Yun Yan about it:

"Yun Yan, don't worry, I promise you... uh, I guess you don't like hearing my promises, you don't believe my promises."

I have decided that immediately afterwards, I will Danzo in the deepest special prison of the Anbu, keeping him under absolute and strict control, preventing him from contacting anyone or taking any action.

Dismantling the Root directly won't work, but I will take direct control and ensure that there are no problems with the Root.

As for Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, I can definitely keep an eye on those two. You can rest assured about that.

With so many measures in place, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

Yun Yan smiled, a rather satisfied smile.

"Hmm, so many measures do show your attitude, and at least it's a pretty good attitude."

Haha, Sarutobi, I've noticed you're still the same old dog... You know, you're still the same kind of person who's all smiles and nods to outsiders but strikes hard at home.

Hmm? Unwilling to accept it? Strange? Don't understand? Isn't it obvious enough?

I've done so much today, there's no point in saving face between us anymore, we can't have any good relationship left to have. We're not enemies, but we're definitely not friends either.

So to you, I am an outsider.

But even if you really do something to those three old guys, they're still your own people.

When dealing with me, an extremely tough outsider you can't handle, you're meek, weak, and readily submit. But when it comes to your own people, you're still ruthless and precise.

So think about it carefully, are you still using the same old approach?

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, that's just who you are at heart, beyond saving, unchangeable."

After saying this, Yun Yan shook his head.

Having been given such a definition, Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat dazed. He began to think back carefully, especially to confront his own heart and question his true self.

Am I really that ugly and despicable?

It seems... yes.

Sigh... Yun Yan is right. I'm beyond redemption and I haven't changed. I'm not just a failed Hokage anymore; I'm practically a sinner against the entire Konoha.

Regardless of Hiruzen Sarutobi's dejected state, Yun Yan Hiruzen Sarutobi up to him and added:

"To avoid regretting it for the rest of my life, after I get out this time, I will ask Kakashi and Guy to help protect and take care of Izumi and her mother at my house."

So for the time being, don't assign any tasks to Kakashi and Guy. Just let them focus on protecting my family."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively became angry again:

"Yun Yan, doesn't this mean you still don't trust me?"

Yun Yan's answer was logical and natural:

"When have I ever trusted you? I have never trusted you from the beginning, I haven't trusted you before, I don't trust you now, and I won't trust you in the future."

Therefore, I have to prepare a backup plan and ask my only two friends to protect Izumi and her mother.

What? Is there a problem?

Hiruzen Sarutobi, extremely frustrated, stammered for a long time before finally saying, with considerable helplessness:

"No problem, no issues."