Leaf Dragon endured the children's daily interruptions, watching them come against their will, forced to visit day after day.
He could never help treating them more harshly, hoping they would grow quickly and break free of their restraints and shackles.
And interrogation and undercover techniques might have been his gift to the two children...
If they could not break free, at least they could learn to disguise themselves and suffer a little less.
Hiruzen Sarutobi let his imagination run even wilder, galloping headlong down the wrong path.
It seemed Leaf Dragon's recent change in temperament was not a sign that he was healing and gradually improving. Rather, he had realized that Konoha did not trust him, and he was angry and irritable.
But what could he do?
He could do nothing!
It was difficult for someone under suspicion to testify on their own behalf. Proving one's innocence had always been the hardest thing to do.
He wrote medical textbooks, stayed obediently at home, avoided socializing, and did not even speak at meetings of the village leadership. He watched every word and action, all because he did not want Konoha to suspect him...
Damn it, I was so completely focused on the Shadow Organization back then that I never noticed anything was wrong with Leaf Dragon!
Then, later, I let Hatake Sakumo carry on with our plan and deceive Leaf Dragon a little.
That well-intentioned deception was meant to make Leaf Dragon feel useful, to show him that he was an indispensable part of Konoha, that he was needed, and give him another reason to keep living.
But what would he think?
Would he feel hurt? Or lost?
Would he wonder why he was being doubted like this?
*If I were Leaf Dragon, I would surely see that kindness as yet