Danzo Was Still Too Green

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Shimura Danzō glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If he could take Uchiha Yi and mold him into his own tool, the Hokage's seat would be his. He would unite the Shinobi World under his rule. Then the First, Second, and Third would all be nothing before him—Shimura Danzō, the Fourth Hokage.

He would be the one who truly led Konoha to greatness!

He would prove to Tobirama Senju that he had been wrong, that Danzō had been the best choice for Hokage all along.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi's refusal to cooperate left Danzō seething.

"I'm the Hokage, Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi radiated the authority of a Kage. "Whatever the future holds, Uchiha Yi is a Konoha ninja and one of the pillars of this village's future.

You are not to lay a hand on him!"

"Hmph!" Shimura Danzō snorted and slammed the door behind him, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting there, staring blankly at it.

He knew Uchiha Yi was the right choice. But for the sake of his Family, he had to pass Yi over.

Of course, he would not actually turn against Uchiha Yi. He would still be a good Hokage, still be Uncle Sarutobi to him. He simply would not help him as much anymore.

When Uchiha Yi competed for the Hokage's seat, Hiruzen would offer him no help.

I'm sorry, Yi. A Hokage with a Family to protect can't be a good Hokage!

To spare you from facing the same dilemma one day, I can't let you become Hokage.

I'm sure you'll understand someday!

By the end of that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze had hardened with resolve.

Unless something unexpected happened, Danzo would probably target Uchiha Yi next. Hiruzen only had to give Yi a little help when it was necessary.

Danzo was still too green.

Uchiha Yi knew nothing of the conversation between Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi. If he had, he might have coughed up blood. He had even defended Hiruzen in his mind before, dismissing the theories about the Hokage's schemes as nonsense.

He had thought that, as long as he joined them, he would not have to worry about being suppressed for the time being. Yet he was not even eight, and that was already what he faced.

Unlike before, Tsunade deliberately slowed the group down this time. They traveled at the pace of a leisurely outing.

Along the way, Tsunade guided the three in their training and taught them what to watch for while traveling. She also told them about places she had visited, interesting things she had encountered, and where to find comfortable hot springs and good food.

"Say, kid, your Lightning Release has improved quite a bit again, hasn't it?" Tsunade could not help remarking when she saw Uchiha Yi practicing his Lightning Release nature transformation even on the road.

If Nawaki worked as hard as Uchiha Yi, she would not have to worry about him.

"Yeah, I've made some progress lately.

I've heard the Raikage and his people have a Lightning Release Chakra Mode. It gives them tremendous destructive power and terrifying speed, and it even boosts their defense. Too bad I've never seen them use it in person. Otherwise, I'd definitely study it properly." Uchiha Yi's talent for Lightning Release was already among the finest in the Shinobi World.

You could mock Sasuke for always getting beaten up or being on his way to his next beating, but you could not deny his talent for Lightning Release.

Sasuke was based on Takemikazuchi, after all.

He mastered Chidori in a short time, then went on to develop all sorts of variations.

Every ninja had different talents. Uchiha Fugaku had dismissed Sasuke's talent because he was less gifted at Fire Release than Itachi. Wasn't that like deciding Naruto Uzumaki could not be part of the Uzumaki Clan just because he was bad at Sealing Jutsu?

And was it really surprising that Sasuke lost to Killer B after awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan?

Was Sasuke at his peak back then?

Yes, he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he had not yet grown accustomed to those eyes.

Itachi had wiped out the Cursed Seal he usually relied on. It would have been strange if Sasuke had won.

At that stage, Sasuke was probably weaker than he had been during his fight with Itachi. He had not even found a new way to fight yet.

After acquiring Sasuke's talent for Lightning Release, Uchiha Yi had developed Lightning Bird Style with ease. It had hardly seemed difficult.

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode? I'd rather not run into those people." Tsunade's mouth twitched. It was not something an ordinary ninja could learn.

Anyone who mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode would be at least as strong as an Elite Jōnin.

There were probably not many Cloud Shinobi who had mastered it.

Uchiha Yi's small frame could not withstand an attack from someone that powerful.

Tsunade thought it best if he never ran into them at all.

"Heh, I'd actually look forward to it. The Third Raikage, though? I'll pass." Uchiha Yi could not help feeling wary at the mention of the Third Raikage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi might match the Third Raikage in overall strength, but in a one-on-one fight, the Third Raikage would probably have the edge.

Even if Yi awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan now, he probably could not beat the Third Raikage without an exceptionally powerful Dōjutsu.

The Mangekyō Sharingan was powerful, but it was not invincible.

"What you lack most right now is Battle Experience and time. Someday, you'll be every bit as strong as they are." Tsunade patted Uchiha Yi on the shoulder reassuringly. "But tell me, kid, have you started growing up? You must have shot up at least ten centimeters this past year."

You're the one who's been developing. You've gone up at least three sizes this year.

Uchiha Yi muttered it inwardly, but he did not dare say it aloud. If he did, he would probably end up no better off than Jiraiya.

"Probably not. I'm just getting taller at a normal rate.

You're a medical ninja. You should be able to tell if you look closely." Uchiha Yi paused, then added, "It might also have something to do with my recent Lightning Release training.

Lightning Release stimulates the body's growth. But I'm probably still a few years away from puberty."

"All right, I suppose you haven't started yet." Tsunade checked Uchiha Yi's cells and nodded slightly. "You'll probably grow quite tall, then. Maybe over a meter eighty-five.

Nawaki would cry if he knew. You've already caught up to him in height.

I'll be happy if he even reaches a meter seventy-eight."