August 16 was the day Uchiha Hei's son, Uchiha Fugaku, was born.
This should have been a joyous occasion within the Uchiha Clan, but Chishima Chiba's arrival gave it a slightly different flavor.
Chishima Chiba did not bear the Senju name, but anyone who was not cut off from information knew of his relationship with the Senju Clan.
Chishima Chiba's visit to the Uchiha Compound to offer congratulations could be seen as his personal action, but it could just as easily be associated with the Senju Clan.
Yet as long as the Senju Clan said nothing, Chishima Chiba said nothing, and the Uchiha Clan said nothing, outsiders would not casually wag their tongues.
But when Sarutobi Hiruzen received the news, his heart was anything but calm. The two founding elders of Konoha were finally about to join hands once more.
What was laughable was that the link between them was actually Chishima Chiba, a nine-year-old brat.
Though it was somewhat absurd, Chishima Chiba had already become a focus of attention for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others. They had even connected it to the letter Senju Tobirama had left specifically for Chishima Chiba.
"Hiruzen, you never should have..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and cut off Shimura Danzō. "Danzo, that was something Sensei entrusted to me. How could I possibly keep it hidden?
Besides, Chiba is only a child. He merely went to the Uchiha Compound to offer congratulations. There's no need to be so nervous."
"Hiruzen, stop deceiving yourself!" Shimura Danzō's gaze was icy. "Chishima Chiba is mentally mature beyond his years. You should know that."
"Danzo, sometimes it's better to be a little muddleheaded." Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, turned around, and patted Shimura Danzō on the shoulder. "Think less about these matters and focus more on government affairs.