The Third Hokage's Explanation, Uchiha Chuan Refuses to Accept It

"Hehehe, so this is Uchiha Chuan? He actually demanded an explanation from Teacher Sarutobi the moment he opened his mouth. Interesting, truly fascinating!" Orochimaru stood to one side, excitement gleaming in his golden vertical pupils as though he had discovered some priceless treasure. His gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Chuan, and a meaningful smile curled across his lips.

Uchiha Chuan felt Orochimaru's hungry, fanatical gaze and frowned slightly. He glanced at Orochimaru before turning his attention back to the Third Hokage. After all, his main purpose today was to demand an explanation from the Hokage.

The clan heads of the other shinobi clans stood quietly to the side without interrupting. Shikaku Nara gave Uchiha Chuan a few extra looks, a trace of contemplation flashing through his eyes before he quickly returned to calm.

"Hehe, little Uchiha Chuan, what sort of explanation do you want from me?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, wore a kindly smile, his tone soothing, as though he were humoring an unruly child.

Uchiha Chuan sneered, his voice laced with mockery. "Lord Hokage, are you trying to humor me like a child? Hehe, this 'spy chief' just tried to intimidate me the same way. Why don't you ask him whether he still dares to do that now?"

"Damn Uchiha! I am the Hokage's assistant, not some spy chief!" Shimura Danzō finally snapped and roared in fury. His face had turned livid, and his clenched fists crackled. He was clearly on the verge of exploding.

"Lord Hokage, this is one of the explanations I want—does he really hold the position of Hokage's assistant?" Uchiha Chuan asked calmly, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.

"Yes, he is the Hokage's assistant. Everyone knows that. Only children like you do not. Still, ignorance is no crime. I will not hold it against you." The Third Hokage maintained his benevolent smile, speaking with apparent magnanimity.

"Oh, so he is the Hokage's assistant. Then it seems I misunderstood." Uchiha Chuan nodded as if enlightened, then abruptly changed tack. "However, Lord Hokage, you still owe me an explanation. Since he is the Hokage's assistant, why did he meet with me in private? Could that be considered building a faction in preparation for a coup? Or did you deliberately send him to test our loyalty? Lord Hokage, can you explain?"

Uchiha Chuan's tone remained calm, but his words were like a sharp blade, cutting directly to the heart of the issue. Everyone present held their breath, their gazes shifting back and forth between the Third Hokage and Uchiha Chuan.

The Third Hokage's expression changed slightly before quickly settling again. He knew that Uchiha Chuan had him in check. Either he admitted that he had been testing the Uchiha's loyalty, or Shimura Danzō had been gathering a faction for a coup. Either choice would put Konoha's higher-ups at a disadvantage.

"Uchiha Chuan, I want you so badly!" Excitement flickered in Orochimaru's eyes as he murmured under his breath. Though his voice was quiet, everyone present heard him clearly.

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment before ultimately choosing to protect Danzo. After all, Danzo still had to carry out all those dirty jobs that could not see the light of day. If Danzo lost the authority to contact other shinobi in private, many things would become impossible.

"I was the one who told him to find you." The Third Hokage spoke slowly, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness. "I thought you could join Root and become a reliable member of the ANBU. After all, you are an Uchiha genius. I could not openly ask your clan head to give you up, because he would never let you go. That was why I had Danzo approach you, hoping you would voluntarily join Root. Then I could speak to your clan head more easily. I never expected it to cause this misunderstanding. I apologize on Danzo's behalf. I am sorry."

The Third Hokage's tone was sincere, as though he truly regretted this misunderstanding. Yet Uchiha Chuan did not accept it.

"Lord Hokage, I do not accept your apology," Uchiha Chuan said coldly. "Because the people you have wronged are not just me, but everyone in Konoha. You are dividing and dismantling Konoha. Human nature cannot withstand being tested, yet you dare to test it. You are not a qualified Hokage. You are not even worthy of being Hokage."

Uchiha Chuan's words were like a heavy hammer, slamming viciously into the Third Hokage's heart. His expression instantly darkened, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Insolence! Who do you think you are, speaking to the Hokage like that?" Shimura Danzō could no longer endure it and barked furiously.

Uchiha Chuan sneered, his voice full of ridicule. "Why are you angry? The Hokage tested me, so I am not allowed to test the Hokage in return? What, you are allowed to test us, but we are not allowed to test you?"

"That's right, Lord Hokage. Are you going to 'set the facts aside' again?" The Uchiha Police Force members immediately resumed backing Uchiha Chuan. Their Sharingan glowed scarlet, and they were clearly ready to fight.

Uchiha Chuan swept his gaze across everyone present before finally looking at Shikaku Nara. He asked calmly, "Would any of you care to ask who said human nature must not be tested? Or question whether there is anything unreasonable about that statement?"

Shikaku Nara stared at his nose, his nose at his heart, as though he had not heard Uchiha Chuan at all. He knew that whatever he said now would only invite trouble.

Seeing that no one spoke, Uchiha Chuan said to the Police Force members, "Uncles, let them go. Lord Hokage has already said it was a misunderstanding."

The Police Force members released the two Root shinobi as instructed. Though they felt somewhat unwilling, they had already gotten their satisfaction, so they showed no displeasure. Instead, their faces were full of delight.

"Lord Hokage, although I said you are unworthy of being Hokage, there is nothing I can do if you insist on being one. I only hope that you will stop testing human nature in the future. I also hope you will apologize to everyone in the village. Of course, I know that is wishful thinking. You will not do it, and there is nothing I can do about you. So let us end things here today. Goodbye." After saying that, Uchiha Chuan turned and left. The Uchiha Police Force members clustered around him, wearing smug, triumphant expressions.

"Uchiha Chuan!" The Third Hokage muttered as he watched Uchiha Chuan's departing back. He had nearly failed to maintain the hypocrisy he had cultivated for years. Yet he ultimately held himself back, proving himself worthy of being called the Professor.

"Uchiha Chuan!" Shimura Danzō growled through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with fury and killing intent. Today, he felt as though Uchiha Chuan had pinned him to the ground and rubbed his face in the dirt, leaving him utterly unable to fight back.

"Teacher, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first." Orochimaru smiled in farewell, then slipped away before the Third Hokage could respond.

"I have matters to attend to as well, so I'll be leaving first." Seeing this, the clan heads of the other shinobi clans also took their leave one after another. Only the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō remained, and the atmosphere became especially oppressive.