Danzo's Conspiracy

Looking back, perhaps even this failed mission had been no coincidence. Without this failed mission, there would have been another!

It was impossible to guard against!

"Uncle Sakumo, it seems you already know about this? Do you know who was pulling the strings behind it?" Koki gave Sakumo a searching look.

Sakumo pondered for a moment, then replied, "I don't know exactly who, but I suspect it was a member of Konoha High Command."

Sakumo was unwilling to mention a certain person's name. He feared Koki would be dragged into it, and feared even more that Kakashi would act impulsively and make a terrible mistake.

Koki nodded in confirmation. "That's right."

"You're an elite Jonin of Konoha, a genius ninja with tremendous strength. You're unstoppable on the battlefield, and people call you Konoha's White Fang. Your name is known throughout the nations, and even the Konoha Sannin hold you in some regard." Koki's voice was full of respect as he spoke of Sakumo.

His gaze fell on a sleeve over Sakumo's left shoulder. It bore the flame crest of Konoha in the Land of Fire, something only the Hokage was entitled to wear! Koki continued, "And you're the most outstanding ninja in Konoha right now. Even the Sannin can't compare with you, and you've been given the Hokage's half-sleeve. It's only natural that you'd become the next Hokage's successor."

The Third Shinobi World War had yet to begin, and Minato Namikaze had yet to make his name as the "Yellow Flash" on the battlefield. Minato was probably still pursuing Kushina right now.

As for the legendary Sannin, Tsunade had lost heart after the deaths of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan Katō in the Second Shinobi World War, and had left Konoha; Jiraiya was traveling through the nations because of the Toad Sage's prophecy, perhaps teaching the Frog Squad in the Land of Rain; as for Orochimaru, no one knew his whereabouts. Perhaps he was immersed in his research.

In Konoha now, no one could rival Hatake Sakumo in reputation or popularity, and no one had a better chance of becoming Hokage!

But, unpleasant as it was to say, Sakumo had the absolute strength to become a Kage, yet lacked the connections!

How could someone so outstanding not stand in others' way? How could those forces lurking in the shadows stand by and do nothing?

Wasn't he blocking the path of a certain old scoundrel who dreamed of becoming Hokage? If they didn't target him, who else would they target?

Perhaps this failed mission was also a plot by Shimura Danzō. It was impossible to guard against, and the arrows fired from the shadows were hard to dodge. Even without this incident, there might have been another. He just didn't know what role the two comrades Sakumo had saved had played in it.

Furthermore, did Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi know everything? Or had he stood by and done nothing, even though he knew?

Koki was full of doubts.

Sakumo nodded in agreement.

Koki continued, "Uncle Sakumo, forgive me for speaking frankly, but you're already standing in certain people's way! So they had to act to get rid of you completely. These rumors are probably only the beginning! They want to destroy you completely, so you'll never be able to recover and will lose any chance at the Hokage Position for good."

Koki's analysis surprised Sakumo somewhat. He hadn't expected this adorable child to have such a deep understanding of Konoha's situation. He looked at Koki, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"You're right, Koki," Sakumo said. "There are indeed people in Konoha High Command who are unhappy with me. They're worried I'll become the next Hokage and undermine their positions and interests. However, I tell you sincerely, I have no desire to pursue the Hokage Position."

Koki frowned deeply and replied, "Uncle Sakumo, I'm afraid this is no longer something either of us can control. If this doesn't completely cut you off from the Hokage Position, they'll surely stir up more trouble, including but not limited to framing and assassinating you. Their schemes will come like a violent storm, impossible to guard against."

Everyone in Konoha High Command was a schemer!

Besides, an innocent man could be condemned for possessing a treasure!

He claimed he had no interest in the Hokage Position, but who would truly believe him? Danzo would probably be the first to question it!

"Dad, what should we do now?" Kakashi's face was grim. As one of Konoha's geniuses, he had quickly analyzed Koki and Sakumo's conversation and gained a general understanding.

He had never expected his father's situation to be so complicated, or that it would involve Konoha High Command. Though much still puzzled him, he knew someone wanted to harm his father.

Kakashi gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He swore he would make that person pay!

Seeing Kakashi's anger, Sakumo slowly crouched down and looked him in the eyes. He glanced at Koki beside him and said gently, "Kakashi, don't worry. Leave everything to me. I'll protect you both."

He would protect those dearest to him!

"Mm." Seeing the unprecedentedly serious look on Sakumo's face, Kakashi turned his head slightly away.

"Don't worry." Koki also came over and spoke softly. "Our Uchiha Clan has also suffered persecution from High Command for a long time, so we're in this together. Kakashi, I won't let them hurt you either. We may still be weak now, but who can say what the future holds? The future will surely be ours!"

Beneath the warm yellow streetlamp, soft light spilled down, illuminating a small patch of the world.

Kakashi gazed at the pretty boy in the center of the light. His expression was solemn, a faint blush colored his fair face, and a moist gleam shone in his large, dark eyes.

The sight struck the softest place in Kakashi's heart! His heartbeat instantly fell out of rhythm.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Whose heartbeat was that? Was it his? It was so loud... Kakashi didn't know what was happening to him. Was he sick? Koki's appearance made his heart ache, as though some emotion was about to burst forth.

Sakumo watched Kakashi's pathetic display and shook his head inwardly. In the future, wouldn't Koki be able to toy with his son as easily as playing with a dog?

If Koki had known what Sakumo was thinking, he would surely have cried out that he was being wronged!

Putting his private quip aside, Sakumo said to Koki with an unchanged expression, "Koki, you just said that your Uchiha Clan has also been persecuted by Konoha High Command? Where did you hear that?"

Koki smiled faintly. "Uncle Sakumo, my dad is Uchiha Fugaku, so I've heard a few things."

"So you're Clan Head Fugaku's son!" It all made sense. It seemed Fugaku intended to nurture Koki and didn't exclude him when discussing matters, which was why he knew so much about the affairs between Konoha High Command and the Uchiha.

"Koki, do you trust me?"

"Of course!" Koki nodded without hesitation.

"Good. Then, sorry for the trouble, but please go home and tell Clan Head Fugaku that Hatake Sakumo is willing to help with all his strength!" For the sake of this adorable child, the Uchiha must not lose. He would do everything he could to help the Uchiha Clan.

"That's great!" Koki shouted excitedly!

His joy came from the heart. Although Shisui, Obito, and Itachi were all powerful, that was in the future. They were all still young now, and the Uchiha had only Fugaku's pair of Mangekyo, so they absolutely could not openly turn against Konoha. Now, with the help of a powerhouse like Sakumo, the Uchiha had undoubtedly gained a major ally!