Protecting the loyal and virtuous

Kakashi took out the letter and hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to open it. After a quick glance, he stared blankly at Uchiha Yan, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"How did you know? Do you have the Byakugan's ability to see through things too? No, even the Byakugan couldn't read what was in this letter."

"I guessed!"

Uchiha Yan stood up and brushed the rainwater off himself.

"Since Amegakure has agreed not to take part in the war, and the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth can't pass through the Land of Rain, our mission is complete, right? Can we head back to the village?"

"One more thing. What was going on with that Fireball just now? I didn't see you make any hand seals."

"I streamlined the hand seals. Two light taps on my leg are enough to release it. I normally keep chakra gathered in my throat. That's how I do it.

"In other words, I've already completed half the seals before a fight, and I replace the other half with other movements.

"Oh, and don't forget my Lightning Clone!"

"I know! I'll give it to you when we get back!"

Kakashi wondered whether he could use this method too. An instantly released ninjutsu might save his life in battle.

So that was why he kept stopping halfway through his hand seals on the way to Amegakure. He was using this method to gather chakra in his throat.

How does this guy's brain work? He's nothing like a newly graduated genin.

The Third even called him naive. Should I tell him?

Forget it! He hasn't awakened his eyes yet. He just likes acting. That's hardly a serious flaw.

He is a little like Obito. Obito liked protecting the weak, and so does he.

What Kakashi didn't know was that this decision of his nearly cost Uchiha Yan his life.

Not long after Kakashi and the others left, Zetsu and Obito abruptly appeared where they had been.

"Obito, Uchiha Yan is pretty clever! He can deduce so much from the tiniest bit of information."

"He's trash who still hasn't awakened his eyes at twelve. Don't bother with him!"

"Obito, why do I feel like you're talking about yourself?"

"Shut up! I'm a genius. Could he awaken two tomoe right off the bat?"

"But you and Nagato both seem a little stupid. Wouldn't it be better to recruit him?"

"You said yourself that he's clever. What if he figures out our plan? I say we find a chance to kill him!"

"But he's planning to compile a genealogy for the Uchiha, and to record your deeds in it too. It'll be passed down through the generations so that the Uchiha of the future will all know about Konoha's hero, Obito Uchiha."

"Ahem!"

Obito coughed twice, a blush flickering across his face beneath his mask.

"After thinking it over, I still think we should wait and see. Maybe he's a genius like me.

"He's young, after all. We have to give young people some time to grow."

"Shameless!"

"Shut up! Hurry up and send White Zetsu to follow Uchiha Yan. I want to know his every move from now on!"

"Got it!"

Uchiha Yan had no idea White Zetsu was already watching him. He was still thinking about how to provoke conflict between the Yamanaka Clan and Danzo.

The Uchiha alone definitely wouldn't be enough to crush Danzo. Bringing the Yamanaka Clan on board would mean bringing in all the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans.

Should I go looking for Mukade? This timeline isn't right. The Ryuumyaku might not have the ability to travel through time yet. I'd be better off going to Kirigakure to trick Shisui.

"Senior Kakashi, are we really not bringing any gifts back? Everyone brings souvenirs home from a trip. Wouldn't it be inappropriate if we didn't?"

"Senior Kakashi, how about having a golden bracelet made for the Fourth Hokage's child? I think that would make a nice gift."

"Taichi, what do you think? I heard the Hyūga's next clan head is about to be born too. Shouldn't you bring a gift back and pay a visit?"

"You're from the branch family. You need to get along with the main family. Don't tell me you're planning to wipe out the Hyuga Clan!

"That's not a good idea. You don't have the Tenseigan or the Jōgan, after all. You could easily get killed.

"How about learning the Daoist Five Thunder Method from me? If you master it, you might awaken a Lightning Eye or a Taiji Eye. Then you'd have some strength."

"Senior Kakashi, do you want to advance your Sharingan into a Mangekyō Sharingan? The Mangekyō lets you pilot a Gundam. You could even grab the Nine-Tails with one hand.

"Why don't you beg me? Then I'll teach you the Mangekyō Sharingan Advancement Secret Technique.

"Why aren't you two talking? Were you born hating conversation?"

Bzzzt...

Lightning shone around Kakashi's right hand as he fixed Uchiha Yan with a hard stare.

"One more word of nonsense and I'll send you to see Obito."

"You deserve it!"

Hyuga Taichi glared fiercely at Yan. "You've been chattering nonstop the whole way. Even a chatterbox couldn't outtalk you.

"The village is right ahead. If you have anything else to say, go home and say it to a mirror."

Uchiha Yan had no other virtues, but he did listen to advice. Since they had told him to keep quiet, he covered his mouth himself and said nothing more.

Two hours later, the three met the Third in the Hokage Building. He looked somewhat exhausted, his face full of worry.

"Third Hokage, Hanzō is dead. We couldn't deliver the letter."

The Third shot to his feet, his pupils trembling. "Hanzō is dead? How did he die?"

"Yan, you explain!"

"Oh!"

Uchiha Yan stepped forward, a smile appearing on his face.

"Third Hokage, don't worry. It was your grandstudent, Senior Yahiko, and his companions who did it.

"Hanzō had been exploiting the people of the Land of Rain. Senior Yahiko couldn't stand it, so they joined forces with the other peace-loving ninja in the village and killed him.

"The people of the Land of Rain now live without worry. Everyone's lives are peaceful and secure."

"My grandstudent? Yahiko?"

A thoughtful look appeared in the Third's eyes. Why didn't he know of any ninja in Konoha named Yahiko?

"He's the student Senior Jiraiya taught in the Land of Rain. Have you forgotten?"

"Oh..."

The confusion gradually faded from the Third's eyes, and he lightly tapped his forehead.

"Yes, that did happen. Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato, right?

"They do count as Jiraiya's students. He taught them for three years, after all."

"As expected of Lord Jiraiya's student, he's just as kind and peace-loving as the Fourth Hokage.

"He asked me to pass a message to you, Third Hokage. The Land of Rain won't take part in the war, and it won't allow anyone to pass through its territory to take part either."

"Is that so?"

The Third turned his gaze to the side. "Kakashi, how strong are Yahiko and his two companions? Can they hold off an invasion by a major nation? Do they really have no intention of joining the war?"

Kakashi nodded slightly. "They're very strong. Their leader has the Rinnegan, and his chakra reserves rival a tailed beast's.

"Just as Yan said, they only want to protect the people of the Land of Rain. They have no intention of starting a war.

"Before we left, Konan said she would write to Senior Jiraiya. I imagine they bear Konoha no ill will."

"Very good! Although you didn't see Danzo, we can still count your mission as complete.

"Rest in the village for now. In a couple of days, you'll need to head to the Land of Water Border to reinforce the main force."

"Yes!"

After they left, the Third breathed a sigh of relief. With the Land of Rain keeping Iwagakure in check, Konoha wouldn't have to divert too many people to guard against it.

He didn't care whether Hanzō lived or died, nor did he care who governed Amegakure. All he cared about was whether Amegakure would get involved this time.

Now that he had reliable information and knew Jiraiya's three students were running Amegakure, he could focus his attention on the Land of Water and the Land of Lightning without worry.

From what Kakashi said, the Rinnegan should have awakened. I wonder what abilities it has.

Never mind! I'll deal with Danzo first. I can send someone to investigate the Rinnegan when there's an opportunity later.

The Third was more concerned with how to deal with Danzo than with the Rinnegan. He had considered the possibility that Danzo would move against him, but he hadn't expected Danzo to deploy most of Root.

Root had suffered heavy losses in this battle. The ninja from the other clans had merely protected him, but the Uchiha Clan's two jonin had fought to kill, showing no mercy whatsoever.

The Third rose and walked to the window. Looking toward the distant Uchiha Clan Compound, he murmured:

"Protect the loyal and virtuous, root out evil! The Uchiha seem to look down on the Hokage position. Was I wrong about them?"