Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

"Hiruzen, I need an explanation."

Danzo's cold, one-eyed gaze fixed intently on Hiruzen Sarutobi. "You'd better not have been involved in this incident... otherwise..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted Danzo impatiently. "Are you suspecting that I was planning to harm Gengetsu, and that's why you leaked the information to Iwagakure?"

Danzo scoffed, "You wouldn't do that, but don't I know you? Indulging you is also a form of fueling the fire."

He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi too well.

Neither the former Land of Whirlpools nor the former White Fang, Hiruzen Sarutobi, intervened.

Simply by sitting on the Hokage throne without expressing his own attitude or opinion, and waiting for the situation to develop, he easily achieved his goal.

"I had absolutely no idea!"

A flash of anger crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. "Why do you think I would harm Gengetsu? He's your grandson, which means he's my junior, Danzo. Do you really think I'm that worthless?"

"The mission was chosen by Hizashi on a whim. The Root has always been responsible for collecting information on the Land of Earth. Danzo, I haven't even questioned you about it yet!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's aura grew stronger and stronger. "Two Jonin, three Special Jonin, and a group of Chunin have entered the country, and your Root organization didn't even get a word of it. I gave you the authority to command Root independently, and this is how you repay me?"

"If something really happens to Xuan Yue, causing the village to lose a genius for nothing, then you should be blamed for your poor handling of the situation!"

"Blame me?"

Danzo's one eye suddenly widened, revealing an incredulous look. "I would harm my own grandson?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, "It's your incompetence that has dragged him down!"

"Fine, fine, fine." Danzo laughed angrily. "I am incompetent. I have implicated Xuan Yue. Then this task of investigating the leak of intelligence will be assigned to me so that I can make amends."

"No!" Hiruzen Sarutobi refused decisively. "I've already sent out ANBU to investigate. This is not within your jurisdiction!"

"That's my grandson!"

"Danzo, I am the true fire..."

boom!

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish speaking, Danzo slammed the door and left.

The attack on Shimura Gengetsu made him lose interest in arguing with Sarutobi Hiruzen any longer. Just because you won't let me investigate doesn't mean I won't investigate.

Everyone involved in this matter, regardless of their identity or which ninja clan they belong to, must pay the price!

Danzo left, but Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger was only half released, leaving him feeling neither satisfied nor relieved.

It took him quite a while to calm himself down and continue thinking about the attack.

More accurately, he was pondering Shimura Gengetsu.

The strength that Xuan Yue displayed far exceeded his expectations and judgments, making him arguably the strongest genius in Konoha in recent years, and the next Minato Namikaze.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reservations, after all, Gengetsu came from a respectable family and had been tested by Jiraiya to confirm that he was a good kid.

But what he wanted was a Shimura Gengetsu who could grow up as he envisioned, not a next Root leader who, under Danzo's influence, loved the village but was extremely skeptical.

However, he couldn't go too far with his actions, lest his relationship with Danzo deteriorate further.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi has always adopted a roundabout strategy, taking care of Izumi Uchiha within the school and showing kindness to Yugao Uzuki and Kurenai Yuhi within the team.

These three people represent the bonds that Zhi Xuan Yue has with the village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi originally thought that there was still a lot of time before Gengetsu Shimura came of age, and he could slowly and subtly influence him. However, Gengetsu's progress was too fast, and he couldn't afford to dawdle any longer.

We must find a legitimate reason to transfer Xuan Yue to his command and gradually win her over.

The border of the Fire Nation.

After a night's rest, the Richa team was about to leave the camp.

Bai Yun, who was in charge, personally saw them off early in the morning.

Originally, the teams were supposed to go their separate ways on the return trip, since the supplies had already been delivered and the escort mission was considered over.

However, for the safety of the three Chunin squads and to prevent any remaining Iwagakure ninja from remaining within the Land of Fire, Hyuga Hizashi decided to act together, so their return journey was not very fast.

"Xuan Yuejun."

Before leaving, Baiyun called out to Shimura Gengetsu in the morning.

Shimura Gengetsu looked at Shirakumo Hayato with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong, Shirakumo Jonin?"

"This is for you."

Baiyun smiled and took a scroll from his ninja tool bag, handing it to Xuan Yue. "Jonin Hizashi told me about your outstanding performance. Although the village will increase the mission reward, you have also helped the front line a lot. This is my personal way of expressing my gratitude to you."

"I have some experience in combining swordsmanship with wind-style techniques, as well as in using the Body Flicker Technique, which should be helpful to you."

"Thank you, Jonin Shirokumo. Then I won't be polite."

Shimura Gengetsu smiled and accepted the gift without hesitation.

Although Baiyun only appeared once in the anime, she left a very deep impression on Xuanyue.

His Body Flicker Technique and swordsmanship were absolutely top-tier among Jonin. It can be said that in an era before power levels were inflated, Hayato Shirakumo's strength was comparable to Kakashi's at that time.

This is not the most critical.

Most importantly... Ye Shunshen is so cool.

Strength is temporary, but being handsome lasts a lifetime.

Without any mishaps on the journey, the group arrived in Konoha three days later.

"Kurenai, Genyu-kun, I'm going to find Kakashi now!"

After handing in the report, Might Guy flashed his kind teeth and signature smile, gave Xuan Yue and the others a thumbs up, and then disappeared in a few leaps.

Gengetsu Shimura was speechless at Might Guy calling him by the wrong name; arguing with him would only exhaust him.

Watching Kai leave expressionlessly, Xuan Yue glanced sideways at the two women who were snickering, "Is it funny?"

“It’s not funny at all, Xuan Yu Jun.” Hong suppressed a laugh and teased again.

"Xi Yan, don't let Hong go out for free meals next week."

"Xi Yan, you won't listen to her, will you?"

"Sorry, Red."

"No! Xiyan! Aren't we best friends?"

"Sorry, we're not going back."

While the three were fooling around, an ANBU member suddenly appeared and took them to the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the four of them with a gratified smile.

"Hisashi, you and your men did a great job. If your team hadn't taken on this mission, not only would there have been problems with the supply of materials to the front lines, but there would have also been casualties."

Hiruzen Sarutobi first praised everyone, his tone as if the four members of Gengetsu were the pillars of Konoha, the golden beams that held up the sea, and that Konoha would collapse without them. This made Hyuga Hizashi and the others blush.

Only Xuan Yue remained unmoved, and even yawned boredly, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi's verbal sparring:

"Old Deng, you owe us an explanation."

"They didn't mention being attacked by elite Iwagakure ninjas when we went on the mission, but suddenly more than twenty of them jumped out. If it weren't for my exceptional talent, we would all have died at their hands."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze, and his wrinkles all crumpled together.

That kid is so cunning. He thought he could get away with it by saying a few nice words, but it had no effect at all.

Helpless, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said solemnly, "Xuan Yue, don't worry, I have already ordered the Anbu to investigate. Don't make any rash moves. I will give you an explanation."

"Okay."

Shimura Gengetsu gave a perfunctory reply, "You decide what to do. If we can't find the culprit, I'll just kill all the ninjas in the intelligence department. Anyway, keeping them around is just a waste of their salaries."

"Ahem! You, you've learned too much from Danzo, you're not allowed to do anything reckless!"

The Third Hokage, who was drinking water, almost spat it out. He quickly stopped him, saying, "Ninjas are human too, and mistakes can happen. You don't need to worry about this. Go back and prepare. In a month, ninjas from the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and several other small countries will come to participate in the Chunin Exams. Konoha's reputation depends on you. If anything goes wrong, see how I punish you."

After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi kicked the man out.

He feared that if he continued, Shimura Gengetsu would utter something even more shocking.

After everyone left, Hiruzen Sarutobi wiped away a cold sweat.

No, this child is already on a dark path; we must quickly pull him away from Danzo's influence.

After leaving the Hokage Building and parting ways with Yugao and Kurenai, Shimura Gengetsu turned around and headed to the Root base.

He became angrier the more he thought about it on his way back.

Danzo is usually the one who ambushes others and stabs them in the back, so why is it that he himself has been ambushed?

Isn't this making the King of Blame lose face?

Since birth, Shimura Gengetsu has never suffered such an injustice and must seek justice.

What I just said in the Hokage's office was definitely not a joke. If we can't find the culprit, the intelligence department is the best candidate to take the blame.

The roots have already taken too much blame; it's time for others to taste the bitter fruit of this.

He believed that Danzo must have thought the same thing.

Sure enough, after arriving at Root, there were far fewer ninjas stationed there, and the huge cave seemed very empty.

Xuan Yue met Danzo in the familiar office.