Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi

After entering the Hokage Building, Yunyan approached the ninja handling administrative affairs in the lobby downstairs.

He first verified his identity, then produced his transfer order, stating his request and purpose.

The administrative ninja first confirmed Yunyan's status as a Konoha jonin, then verified that the transfer order in his hand was genuine. Finally, he let Yunyan through and told him to head upstairs to report to the Hokage himself.

That was exactly what Yunyan wanted.

After dealing with these trivial formalities, Yunyan headed straight upstairs, making for the Hokage's office on the top floor of the Hokage Building.

Upon arriving outside the Hokage's office, Yunyan could not help but examine his surroundings.

Hmm. Several ANBU were concealed both outside and inside the door.

Oh? They were all elite jonin. Not bad.

These ANBU ninja were probably responsible for protecting the Hokage, and naturally, they were also the people Hiruzen Sarutobi could command and dispatch at any time.

But that was unimportant. Yunyan merely swept his gaze over them, confirming their presence.

Then, Yunyan casually knocked on the door to the Hokage's office.

Very soon, Hiruzen Sarutobi's somewhat aged voice came from within:

"Come in."

Yunyan pushed the door open without ceremony.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that the person entering his office was someone unfamiliar, almost a stranger, his first reaction was confusion.

Who was this person? What did he want with him?

But soon, based on the ninja records he had pulled up some days ago and the photograph attached to them, Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized who this person was.

Wasn't this the Uchiha Clan brat who had caught his attention a few days ago?

He hadn't died!?

Ah, no. He had actually returned safely!?

That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's first reaction upon recognizing Uchiha Yunyan.

What about Yunyan?

After pushing open the door and entering the Hokage's office, the first thing he saw was Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting behind his desk, apparently processing documents.

This old man was exactly as Yunyan remembered him—kind-faced on the surface, treacherous underneath.

Yunyan also noticed that when Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at him, he was first puzzled, then enlightened, and finally showed a fleeting trace of mild astonishment.

The initial confusion and realization were easy enough to understand. Yunyan had only met Hiruzen Sarutobi a few times before, so it was normal for him not to recognize Yunyan immediately.

But that final flash of surprise, so quickly concealed that it lasted only an instant, was interesting.

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face had already become as still as a calm lake without the slightest sign of anything amiss, Yunyan revealed a faint, meaningful smile. His steps were steady and his bearing calm as he walked forward.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Why had Hiruzen Sarutobi been startled upon seeing him?

Had he not expected Yunyan to return successfully? Or had he realized that his plans had gone awry?

A little probing would reveal the answer.

With those thoughts in mind, Yunyan came before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk and calmly met his eyes.

Meeting the so-called superior, Lord Hokage, Yunyan could not be bothered to put on a show, but he still had to make some gesture. So he bent slightly at the waist in a shallow bow, counting it as a greeting.

"Lord Hokage, I am Uchiha Yunyan, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Fire Country daimyo. By order of the Hokage, I have now returned safely to Konoha."

In that final sentence, Yunyan put a little extra emphasis on the word "safely." He did not know whether Hiruzen Sarutobi understood the hint.

In truth, looking at the completely unharmed Yunyan before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not picked up on Yunyan's emphasis at all.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently full of doubts.

This Uchiha clan brat had really returned so smoothly?

What was going on? Had Danzo, for once in his life, decided not to act?

Or had the Root ninja Danzo sent out failed to find him along the way?

Forget it. He was back, so he was back. At most, Konoha had gained one more Uchiha jonin. It was no major issue.

From this, one could see Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts and roughly infer his earlier actions.

In fact, aside from transferring Yunyan back to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly had made no additional moves. He had neither actively sent anyone to assassinate him nor deliberately leaked anything to Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was simple: It did not matter. I would do what I should do. If you, Danzo, managed to uncover it, that was your own ability. Whether you acted after learning of it had nothing to do with me.

Even whether Uchiha Yunyan could successfully return to Konoha in the end was not something Hiruzen Sarutobi particularly cared about.

No matter how this matter turned out, it would not cause him any particular loss. He would remain firmly seated, unmoved.

Yes, that was Hiruzen Sarutobi. An old schemer.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had not actively leaked anything, Danzo did later uncover the matter. He learned of Yunyan's transfer order and also found out that Yunyan was favored by the daimyo.

Just as expected, Danzo could not tolerate an Uchiha like this—one who threatened him and whom he instinctively despised. He sent two ninja to intercept and kill Yunyan on the road.

In fact, Danzo had barely dispatched the ninja when Hiruzen Sarutobi learned of it not long afterward.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could immediately guess that Danzo had uncovered the matter and that the Root ninja he sent were likely going to deal with Uchiha Yunyan.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi made no further move. His approach was still one of letting things take their course.

It did not matter. If the Root ninja wanted to intercept and kill him, then let them. At worst, the Uchiha Clan would lose one more jonin. The Uchiha Clan had been giving him quite a headache lately, so weakening them would be beneficial.

And if the brat was lucky enough to return, that did not matter either.

He was only a jonin. Hiruzen Sarutobi did not consider him worth worrying about. The conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper ranks was not something a single jonin could interfere in.

So what if this Uchiha jonin brat was favored by the daimyo?

If he died outside, that favor would be worthless.

Even if he returned successfully, the Fire Country daimyo's favor would not amount to much. The daimyo's hand could not reach into Konoha!

Those were Hiruzen Sarutobi's later thoughts. In short, four words: let it be.

The only thing Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly not expected was that Yunyan would return safely, whole and completely uninjured.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's estimation, it was possible for this Uchiha Clan brat to return, but the odds were not high—roughly three to seven against him.

He had not expected the brat to be so lucky. He must have evaded the Root ninja's interception and never been found by them.

That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's guess in that brief span of time.

After all, no matter what, Hiruzen Sarutobi could never imagine that Yunyan possessed the strength to kill a Root elite jonin and a jonin in return. He could only attribute it all to Yunyan's good luck.

But regardless, he was back, and one more or one fewer made no difference.

As long as this brat was no longer allowed to stay at the daimyo's side, it would be fine. If the daimyo continued favoring this Uchiha clan brat, it really could cause trouble.

Since you have returned to Konoha, then behave yourself. Do not entertain thoughts you should not have.

With that in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly adjusted his mindset. The momentary surprise vanished completely, as if nothing had happened.

Next came the pleasantries—the welcome and encouragement from him, the benevolent elder Hokage, toward an outstanding junior who had returned.

Yes, Hiruzen Sarutobi had cultivated that persona so deeply it was second nature to him. Nothing was more familiar to him, and nothing was easier.

Looking at Yunyan before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a reassuring, kindly smile, his tone equally gentle.

"Oh, it's... Uchiha Yunyan. You're back.

It's good that you're back. Good that you're back..."

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly seemed like a kind old superior, sincerely delighted to welcome back an outstanding junior.

Anyone without sufficient cunning would surely be led around by the nose when facing such a Hiruzen Sarutobi, and would surely be moved beyond reason.

Then, if Hiruzen Sarutobi deceived them with a few more words, or showed a little concern and granted a few small favors, they might even devote themselves to him wholeheartedly.

This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's usual routine. His way of handling people had fooled countless individuals, and his Will of Fire had brainwashed even more.

Unfortunately, Yunyan did not fall for it.

Looking at the warm and kindly Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing what appeared to be sincere concern and affection, Yunyan's heart remained perfectly still.

Then, maintaining that persona, Hiruzen Sarutobi began showing Yunyan further concern, gently asking about his years serving as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.