Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Mitokado Homura and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Yi has been training in Shikkotsu Forest. When Tsunade was in danger, she used Reverse Summoning to bring him to her. That's perfectly reasonable."
After all, Uchiha Yi was on his side. If Hiruzen made an issue of this now, it would amount to targeting Yi. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru would all lose faith in him. Whatever way he looked at it, he had to make sure Yi's paperwork was in order.
"I wonder how much stronger Uchiha Yi has become in the past two years," Shimura Danzō asked with some curiosity.
Two years ago, Uchiha Yi had seemed to possess strength comparable to a Jonin. Danzō had found it hard to believe even then. How strong was he now?
After all, Uchiha Yi was still at an age when his strength was growing rapidly.
"I don't know, but he probably isn't any weaker than Tsunade and the others," Hiruzen said uncertainly. "Lady Mito sent him to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode. I don't know whether he's mastered it, but if he has, his strength may have reached another level.
"We can't deny Uchiha Yi's talent for learning."
Danzō fell silent. If he and the others could learn as quickly as Yi, they might have grown stronger themselves.
"Once this matter is settled, let Uchiha Yi join the Anbu.
"That would make many things easier to justify," Mitokado Homura said. He had no intention of targeting Yi over this. If he did, Orochimaru would become his enemy too.
"That works." Hiruzen did not object. Between sending Yi to the battlefield, leaving him in the village, and having him carry out covert Anbu missions, he chose to keep Yi out of the public eye.
After