A Plot Against Ye Liang

The next day, Ye Liang brought the bound Ibiki to the Hokage Office, while Kushina sobbed beside him.

"What happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting on the sofa, reading a book.

To protect Kushina's reputation, Ye Liang had arrived early. There were no ninja in the Hokage Hall to collect missions.

"This bastard snuck into Kushina's home last night and tried to violate her!"

"Hm?" Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately perked up. "Did he succeed?"

"..."

Is that even something a person should say?!

Ye Liang glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi irritably, leaving the latter thoroughly embarrassed.

"Ahem. So that's what happened. Do you have any direct evidence?" Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice and asked again.

Smack!

A poison-blowing tube and a bottle of blue liquid were tossed onto the floor.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sucked in a breath.

He immediately understood everything.

As the Professor of Ninjutsu, he had naturally dabbled somewhat in the Interrogation Studies practiced by Ibiki. At a glance, he knew what the items on the floor were for.

"What a beast!" The Third Hokage rushed forward and slapped Ibiki across the face.

Ibiki had only just regained consciousness, yet the Third Hokage knocked him unconscious again.

"I'll have him thrown into the dungeon!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, taking Kushina's hand.

As the Fourth Hokage's widow, Kushina was now the family of a fallen hero. She had to be given an explanation.

"But how will her safety be guaranteed afterward? Ibiki managed to break in today. Won't it be even easier for others later on?"

"I'm willing to pay for a property in the city center. There are more people there, so it'll be safer. Besides, you should move in as well. It'll make it easier for you to look after her!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Ye Liang.

"Alright."

Ye Liang nodded.

This was the best possible outcome. Ye Liang could not exactly ask Hiruzen Sarutobi to kill Ibiki when he had not actually succeeded in committing the crime.

"Kushina, go back first. Don't tell anyone about this incident. I still have some things to discuss with Ye Liang."

"Okay."

Seeing that the Third Hokage had turned serious, Kushina obediently left the office.

"What is it, Lord Hokage?" Ye Liang asked.

Hiruzen Sarutobi never wasted words with him. Since he had kept him behind, there was naturally something he wanted to discuss.

"Do you think Ibiki really planned this incident himself?"

"What do you mean?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow. "I know Ibiki. Though he isn't a particularly good person, he wouldn't go so far as to do something like this. I feel that someone must have orchestrated this behind the scenes!"

"Orchestrated it?"

After hearing that, Ye Liang suddenly took a black Shuriken from his Ninja Tools pouch.

"I gave this to Anko. It bears a Flying Thunder God mark. I originally intended to use it to protect her in time if Anko was ever in danger, but it mysteriously disappeared a few days ago."

"What does that mean?"

"It means exactly what you think it means. I found this on Ibiki when I captured him last night. If I'm right, Ibiki was planning to frame me, but he didn't expect me to ambush him first."

"Frame you!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

He had originally thought someone was plotting in secret, with the widowed Kushina as their target. But now it seemed that Ye Liang had been the target all along.

"Someone doesn't want you to remain in Konoha!"

"I think so too." Ye Liang nodded.

But who could it be?

Hiruzen Sarutobi sank into deep thought, but Ye Liang already had someone in mind.

To construct such an elaborate setup, it had to be someone with considerable authority. When Ye Liang fought Ibiki yesterday, the commotion had clearly been loud, yet no one nearby came over. Someone must have kept the crowd away behind the scenes!

Apart from Hiruzen Sarutobi, only the elders, Utatane Koharu, and the rest could accomplish that.

But there was only one person Ye Liang truly suspected.

Shimura Danzō!

That was right. As the ruler of the Anbu, Shimura Danzō had never meant Ye Liang well. And now that Ye Liang had become Konoha's hero, all the more so!

Under such circumstances, ruining Ye Liang's reputation seemed to be the only way to drive him out.

"I think it was Danzo!"

"Impossible! Danzo has always protected Konoha. Though his methods are extreme, he would never give up such a powerful asset as you!" Hiruzen Sarutobi declared firmly.

"But other than him, there's no other possibility, is there? And while I'm a powerful asset, I'm also a powerful risk, aren't I?"

"This..." Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless.

He naturally knew that what Ye Liang said was the most likely possibility.

"Alright. I'll keep an eye on him for the time being. We're all from the older generation. I hope Danzo doesn't truly do anything foolish."

"Fine. Then that's it."

Ye Liang stretched and prepared to leave.

"Oh, right. We still need you to serve as an examiner for the Chunin Exams!"

"Got it."

While the two were talking.

The Anbu.

Conference room!

Danzo was coldly staring at the Anbu subordinate before him.

"Did you fail, Shisui?"

"My apologies, Lord Danzo!

I had already successfully controlled Ibiki, but who knew Ye Liang would step in at the end? He knocked Ibiki unconscious, and now Ibiki has been sent to the village dungeon."

"Hmph! What a worthless fool!"

After saying that, he made a throat-slitting gesture at his subordinate, who immediately understood.

"By the way, how are things going with your Uchiha clan?"

"Itachi is already making plans. This concerns the survival of the clan. Please give us time to think!"

"Hmph! Then make your choice quickly. Will you live and die with the clan, or be decisive and slit your own throat to atone for your crimes? I trust you understand clearly!"

"Yes, my lord!" After speaking, Shisui instantly vanished from the spot.

Danzo's eyes flickered.

"That brat's Body Flicker Technique has become so powerful. I wonder how it compares to Ye Liang's?"

Ye Liang happily left the Hokage Office.

He had solved Kushina's safety issue and successfully secured a property for himself. It gave him a small thrill.

Should I bring Anko along when I move?

Or move in together?

Move in together?

Ye Liang pondered.

Important questions had to be considered three times.

At that moment, a green figure came running from afar. He was extremely fast, kicking up clouds of dust behind him.

"That looks like Might Guy, doesn't it?" Ye Liang recognized him from a long distance away.

Right, Might Guy had apparently been Ibiki's student before. Though Ye Liang did not know how close they were, Might Guy might seek revenge over this matter.

I should get out of here quickly!

Having figured it all out, Ye Liang immediately prepared to flee. But he had barely gone far before Might Guy blocked his path.

"Please duel with me, Teacher Ye Liang!"

Might Guy suddenly bowed deeply to Ye Liang!

A duel?

Ye Liang found it strange. He had run all this way just to challenge him to a duel?