Boom, boom, boom...
The street cracked, rubble flew, and clouds of dust instantly swallowed everyone's view.
Yet the Anbu members who had accompanied Hiruzen Sarutobi remained motionless, showing no intention of intervening.
Their mission was to evacuate the civilians.
And to watch for any other dangerous individuals who might appear!
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Teacher Chen's appearance was far too strange. Other forces might well be involved!
Better to misjudge the situation than overlook a threat!
"Cough, cough, cough. Not bad, Hiruzen."
"You too. That move is still as powerful as ever."
Teacher Chen and Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged from the center of the explosion together.
Although their clothes were somewhat tattered, both wore bright smiles.
At the sight, Uchiha Itachi's eyes lit up.
"He... he can actually hold his own against the Third Hokage?"
"Yes. I told you he was strong."
Shisui Uchiha patted Uchiha Itachi's head and smiled.
"So? What do you think of this Taijutsu teacher now?"
"A Taijutsu teacher?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had still been assessing the limits of Teacher Chen's current strength with a Shuriken beneath his sleeve ready to throw, turned to Shisui Uchiha in surprise.
Shisui Uchiha answered honestly.
"I thought Itachi's physique was too weak, so I brought him out to find a Taijutsu teacher."
"I originally wanted Might Guy to teach him, but now there's clearly a better choice."
"A Taijutsu teacher?"
Someone from the Uchiha Clan learning Taijutsu...
Uh, what's going on here?
"That's right. Shisui said I needed to learn Taijutsu, so here I am."
Seeing the innocent smile on Uchiha Itachi's face, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
"I see. That's wonderful. Keep at it, little one."
After all, the Uchiha Clan's power was so difficult to control precisely because their Sharingan was such a fearsome ability.
If Uchiha Itachi, the clan leader's son, divided his attention by studying Taijutsu and thus achieved less in the future...
That would be good for peace in Konoha.
With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Teacher Chen.
"Itachi is the current Uchiha Clan leader's son. His talent is certainly beyond question. What do you think of taking him as your disciple?"
"Spare me all that nonsense. Do you think I care what clan someone belongs to when I take a disciple?"
Teacher Chen waved a hand, then gave Uchiha Itachi a small smile.
"You're a polite little fellow. Well? Would you like to study Taijutsu under me?"
"Yes!"
Uchiha Itachi waved excitedly.
"Hahaha! Today's trip certainly wasn't wasted. I've already found a fine disciple!"
"Good. I'll have to keep working hard from now on, too! I'm going to spread Taijutsu throughout Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment as he watched Teacher Chen and Uchiha Itachi chat, getting to know each other as master and disciple.
Finally, he walked over to Shisui Uchiha and discreetly handed him a scroll.
"Shisui, work with the other Anbu members to handle things in this area, and remember the mission I gave you."
"Yes, Third Hokage."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, Shisui Uchiha opened the scroll, a flicker of mockery crossing his eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually ordering him to monitor Teacher Chen and immediately report any suspicious individuals who made contact with him.
So this was an old friend. This was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
One face in public and another behind people's backs. Truly disgusting.
Still, thanks to that old man's help, Itachi had successfully become Teacher Chen's disciple.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, before long, you'll realize just how wrong the decision you made today was!
For now, enjoy your little moment of satisfaction.
Deep inside a dark, secret chamber.
"You're saying the Konoha Dragon God has emerged, and he even took Uchiha Itachi, that fellow Uchiha Fugaku's son, as his disciple?"
"A member of the Uchiha Clan studying Taijutsu instead of properly developing his ocular powers? What a waste of talent."
Shimura Danzō slowly wiped the Longsword in his hand, his eyes filled with cold derision.
"By the way, did Teacher Chen make contact with any other suspicious individuals this time?"
"Well... we haven't found any."
At the Root member's reply, Shimura Danzō suddenly stopped wiping his Longsword.
"You haven't found any?"
"Come to think of it, you didn't fully complete your last mission either, did you?"
"Y-yes, Lord Dan... zo?"
Slash!
A blade flashed, and the Root member suddenly felt pain in his neck as blood gushed wildly from the wound.
The next moment, his headless body collapsed, lying motionless in a pool of blood.
"In that case, there's no value in keeping you around. Root has no need for useless trash."
"Take him away. Then go test that old man and see just how much strength he has left."
As Shimura Danzō finished speaking, several Root ninja silently emerged from the darkness and dragged the corpse away.
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
"The Konoha Dragon God? Hehehe. Whoever dares stand in the way of my plans, no matter who they are, must die!"
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