Itachi and Shisui

Shisui and Itachi looked at each other, unable to understand why the Third Hokage had changed from a stooped old man into the middle-aged man before them.

"Hahaha, even if I'm getting on in years, it's not unreasonable to use a secret technique to make myself a little younger, is it?"

Hearing the Third Hokage say that, Shisui and Itachi nodded, accepting the explanation.

The Transformation Technique was a basic ninjutsu taught at the Ninja Academy. It was not strange for the Third Hokage to know a more advanced transformation technique.

Still, his expression and presence were truly puzzling. He really did not seem fake.

"Lord Third Hokage, why is the village targeting the Uchiha Clan?"

Itachi's words were astonishing. Though still young, Fugaku had taken him onto the battlefield, and he had already come to understand the cruelty of war and the ugliness of human nature.

Fugaku could never have imagined that he had merely wanted his son to see the world, only to raise the Shinobi World's greatest "filial son."

"Itachi, that was a little too direct!"

Shisui was somewhat helpless. The atmosphere within the Uchiha Clan was currently oppressive. Everyone in the clan believed that Orochimaru would move against the Uchiha Clan and further suppress the clan's standing within the village.

The radicals believed that Konoha was weak at the moment, making it the perfect time to rebel. Once Jiraiya brought Tsunade back, they would no longer have the chance.

The entire village was like this. Since becoming one of Konoha's higher-ups, Orochimaru had done little besides reveal Naruto Uzumaki's background and handle the village's miscellaneous affairs. Hiruzen Sarutobi had yet to issue any other decrees.

Everyone understood that once Jiraiya and Tsunade returned to Konoha and the Legendary Sannin reunited, the true sweeping reforms to Konoha's central leadership would begin.

The Third Hokage had been gone for several days, Danzo was still lying in the hospital, and the two advisors had gone home to retire.

Although Orochimaru was currently only the Hokage's advisor, he had been helping handle most of Konoha's affairs. Orochimaru definitely would not be a conservative like the Third Hokage.

Itachi Uchiha was naturally no fool. The Third Hokage was barbecuing alone, and this was clearly a good opportunity to learn about the relationship between the village and the clan.

"Because the Uchiha Clan's power is too great. Most people fear you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi answered Itachi Uchiha's question while tending the barbecue.

"The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan were hereditary enemies. The First Hokage put aside that hatred, but the Second Hokage did not."

"And as disciples of the Second Hokage, old men like Danzo and I naturally targeted the Uchiha Clan as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not beat around the bush. He directly told Itachi Uchiha the most straightforward reason.

Itachi Uchiha fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"However, the village should not target you so much in the future. Of course, that is assuming the Uchiha Clan cooperates with Konoha's orders."

"Really, Lord Third Hokage?"

Shisui was overjoyed. If the village stopped targeting the Uchiha Clan, he believed that as long as they worked hard, the relationship between the village and the clan would surely improve!

"Wait and see. Would you two like to have some barbecue with me?"

Itachi had a rather quiet personality, even somewhat socially anxious.

Still, eating with the Third Hokage might let him learn more.

Like Shisui, Itachi hoped that the village and the clan could coexist harmoniously.

"Okay."

The two sat down and watched Hiruzen Sarutobi barbecue the meat.

Who knew how that black bear had grown so large? Still, in the Shinobi World, the strength of summoned beasts seemed to be tied to their size.

The meat did not need to be cooked through. Hiruzen Sarutobi used Fire Release to sear the skin until it was crisp, sealing the juices inside. With simple seasoning, it was absolutely first-rate delicacy.

He tossed the two youngsters a hind leg.

That hind leg was larger than both youngsters combined. But they were ninjas, after all. Shisui quickly used his ninja blade to cut it into two portions and handed one to Itachi.

A normal person's craving for meat was impossible to restrain. Even though Itachi loved sweets, he had sparred with Shisui for a long time today and was already starving.

Seeing the meat Shisui handed him, he accepted it and began to eat.

The bear meat was truly delicious. After two bites, Itachi wanted to turn and continue discussing the Uchiha Clan with the Third Hokage, but the moment he turned his head, he saw an astonishing sight.

The Third Hokage, who had somehow used a secret technique to become younger, had already eaten half the roasted bear by himself!

And he was still stuffing bear meat into his mouth bite after bite, like a Taotie that was forever hungry.

Shisui's mouth also fell open. Those who could become Hokage truly were extraordinary. His eating speed and appetite were simply shocking!

At the end of the day, Shisui and Itachi were still children. They merely marveled at the Third Hokage's appetite and did not think much more about it.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, although he looked much younger on the surface, his body was actually extremely weak. Besides absorbing spiritual energy, he also needed to eat enough meat to replenish himself.

Before long, Hiruzen Sarutobi had eaten an entire bear clean. The two bear paws restored quite a bit of his strength.

After finishing, he let out a long breath. Looking at the two dumbfounded Uchiha youngsters, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

In truth, every member of the Uchiha Clan was a hopeless tsundere. The villagers feared the Uchiha Clan, but in reality, the Uchiha Clan's desire for friendship and recognition far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Fostering the Uchiha Clan's recognition of the village was far better than destroying the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan was uncontrollable, but were the other people in the village any more controllable?

Many times, the straightforward Uchiha Clan was actually more trustworthy.

"Alright, you two should hurry back. I'm going to find something else to eat."

Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt that his vitality and blood were depleted. He needed to replenish himself with more nourishment.

He still was not full? Hokage were monsters!

Itachi and Shisui looked at each other, feeling that something might be wrong with Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.

"Alright, Lord Third Hokage. We'll head back first."

Both Shisui and Itachi felt that the Third Hokage was somewhat abnormal, so they chose to leave.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mind. His body had only just recovered, and with Qi Refining entering his body, he was naturally very different from before.

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of hiding it. He would simply let things take their course.

After staying in the Forest of Death for nearly another week, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally returned to the Sarutobi Estate.

Shinnosuke and Asuma questioned their entire lives as they stared at their younger-looking father.

After not seeing him for a few days, their father had actually become younger? Even his temperament had changed?

"I already told you that Konoha needs to undergo some changes. I need to make some changes too."

At the dinner table, the Third Hokage smiled at his two sons and explained.

"How is that possible!"

Asuma did not believe Hiruzen Sarutobi's nonsense. Even if stepping away from village affairs made life much easier, there was no way he could have changed this much!

"It is a secret technique that I'm still developing. The price is that my chakra is gone."

"??"

Asuma and Shinnosuke widened their eyes and carefully sensed him. Sure enough, they could no longer feel any chakra within their father.