Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 16 Yes, Hiruzen

"Be careful, don't let anyone die."

After opening the door and entering the secret chamber, the Third Hokage gave a few instructions to the Explosion Squad guarding outside before leaving the Anbu and returning home.

From beginning to end, neither the Third Generation nor Yamanaka Kou spoke a single word to the awakened Li Yao.

Because it is not necessary.

In their minds, anyone who entered the secret interrogation room was doomed to die.

Regardless of whether or not he obtains intelligence, Li Yao's fate is sealed: death.

Unaware that he was doomed, Li Yao learned from the conversation between the Third Generation and Yamanaka Kou that he had not been lured by illusions or had his memories probed by the Mind-Body Disorder Technique. He thought that his identity could still be salvaged and that he still had a glimmer of hope.

This body does indeed belong to Kimura Yo.

He does indeed possess Kimura Yo's memories, though not many.

However, the original Kimura Yo was only a six-year-old child. How much memory could he possibly have in six years?

Although Li Yao inherited few memories, they were more than enough for him to impersonate a real Kimura Yao.

As long as he insists that he is Kimura Yo, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Li Yao bets that the Third Hokage will show a kind side as depicted in the original story, caring about the lives of the villagers and not easily killing any Konoha villager.

If the third generation acknowledges that he is Kimura Yo, he has a great chance of surviving.

"Next, it's time to show off your acting skills."

As Li Yao carefully recalled Kimura Yao's memories, he pondered what kind of expression he should use when he got the chance to speak.

Given his current sudden predicament, how should he react to fit Kimura Yo's character?

That night, Li Yao racked his brains for a solution, desperately seeking a chance to survive.

……

"Grandma, I'm going to school."

"Okay, slow down, Minato, don't fall."

"understood."

The same scene repeated itself at the entrance of the Shuimen family's villa the next morning.

Minato smiled and waved goodbye to his grandmother, still holding a large lunchbox for two, filled with the rice balls that he and his friend Kimura Yo liked.

The only difference from yesterday morning was that the water gate was more rushed this time. He responded hastily to the greetings from his classmates and quickly walked through.

A night has passed.

How is Yao's situation?

Has the Hokage caught that bastard who controlled Yao?

Did Yao get home safely and go to sleep last night?

Will I be able to see Yao when I get to school today?

Minato was filled with anxiety and unease, unsure of the best possible outcome for his friend's situation.

With this feeling of unease, Minato arrived at school early.

Upon arriving at his classroom and pushing open the back door, Shuimen's eyes immediately turned to the third row, left side, near the window.

"Um!"

Minato's eyes darkened; his friend Kimura Yo was nowhere to be seen in his usual familiar spot.

"Perhaps... they haven't arrived yet?"

"Yes, that should be it."

Then, Minato remembered something and, with a smile on his face, went to sit down in their usual spot.

Time passed slowly.

More and more students gradually filled the classroom.

"Good morning, Minato."

"Morning, Shota."

"morning……"

As Minato smiled and responded to the students who walked into the classroom and greeted him, he looked towards the back and front doors, hoping to catch a glimpse of that familiar figure.

However, even after the school bell rang and the teacher entered the classroom, his friend still hadn't arrived.

"Hmm, was that kid late or didn't come at all?"

The ninja teacher glanced at the seat next to Minato and noticed that Kimura Yō, who had come to class yesterday, was not there. He frowned slightly, wondering what was going on with that kid.

"You guys..." Just as the ninja teacher was about to ask the students who lived near Kimura Yao if anyone had seen Kimura Yao.

Clang!

Minato suddenly stood up, his face filled with anxiety. Before he could turn around and leave his seat, the teacher's words came over.

"Minato, what do you want?"

"Teacher, I..." Minato hesitated, but ultimately decided against revealing his friend's situation because he didn't know what was going on with the Hokage and dared not speak carelessly.

"Then sit down and let's start class. We can talk about Yao's matter after class."

The ninja teacher gestured for Minato to sit down first, assuming that Minato was worried about Kimura Yo's absence.

In fact...that's right.

"understood."

After being interrupted by the ninja teacher, Minato calmed down and obediently sat down.

If anything changes in his friend's situation, it's no use him going to the Hokage now.

It's easy for unforeseen circumstances to arise because of your own actions.

He should do what he did yesterday and go ask the Hokage after school to find out how Yao is doing.

Deep down, Minato didn't want to think about the possibility that his friend might be gone.

Hokage Building.

in the office.

The third generation had just sat down and hadn't even had a chance to light the pipe he was smoking when the door was forcefully pushed open.

"Hiruzen, I've heard about what happened last night. The Uchiha clan is too arrogant."

Before anyone even appeared, Danzo Shimura's voice reached the Third Hokage's ears, showing no concern whatsoever about his unfriendly words towards the Uchiha clan spreading.

The Third Hokage frowned slightly as he watched Danzo walk in with a gloomy expression, somewhat displeased.

Is it necessary for this guy to hold such a grudge?

He's held the position of Hokage for so many years, yet he still refuses to call me Hokage-sama.

If all else fails, Hiruzen-sama will do!

The third generation thought to himself, then said, "What are you doing here?"

As they were talking, two more people walked in behind Danzo.

"Yes, Hiruzen, the Uchiha are too arrogant. They even dared to attack the Hokage's direct ANBU. They are really too lawless."

Mitomon Homura stood beside Danzo, his expression equally unpleasant.

Last night, two brats from the Uchiha clan confronted the Anbu. If Hiruzen hadn't intervened, they might have even started fighting.

Even with Hiruzen's intervention, those two brats from the Uchiha clan still dared to speak up; they were too arrogant.

By this morning, almost all the high-ranking members of the major clans in Konoha knew about this incident after one night.

It goes without saying who leaked it.

It couldn't be anyone other than the Uchiha.

The purpose was nothing more than to undermine Hiruzen's authority as Hokage.

Once the Hokage's authority diminishes to a certain extent, the Uchiha clan can launch an impeachment campaign to remove Hiruzen from power.

Such blatant and despicable behavior was unacceptable to the Hokage's advisors, whose fates were intertwined with Hiruzen's. They could no longer tolerate the Uchiha clan's unbridled actions.

"Yes, Hiruzen." After closing the door, Koharu Utatane walked over. Although she was a woman, she had a ruthless look on her face at this moment. She said, "This can't go on any longer. The Uchiha clan's arrogance must be suppressed, at all costs."

"That's right, Hiruzen," Danzo suggested. "Since it's inconvenient for you to take action, let me establish Root specifically to eradicate the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha clan cannot be allowed to continue to be allowed to run rampant."

state!

No sooner had Danzo finished speaking than the Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table, glared at him, and said righteously, "Watch your words, Danzo. The Uchiha clan is also a member of Konoha. Is this kind of talk about eradicating our own people?"

"Come on, Hiruzen, there's no one else here, so you don't need to maintain your Hokage persona anymore."

Danzo subtly curled his lip. These were all people who had inherited the will of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, and they were all very clear about the Second Hokage's plan to eliminate the Uchiha clan.

Similarly, Danzo was well aware of how much Hiruzen wished for the Uchiha clan to disappear.

If we were to ask who among the four most wanted the Uchiha clan to disappear, it wouldn't be him, nor Homura or Koharu, but Hiruzen himself.

Even though he himself is the one who most wants the Uchiha clan to disappear, he always puts on an attitude of standing on Konoha's side when talking about him.

If it weren't for the years they spent together, Danzo would have truly believed that Hiruzen was a Hokage without any selfish motives.

Unfortunately, one can act out one's attitude, but not one's actions.

"In short, I don't want to hear the term 'Uchiha' anymore, understand, Danzo?"

There are some things he can do but can't say, because he is the Hokage, and he can't tolerate others saying them in front of him. That would be a challenge to his position as Hokage, and Hiruzen wouldn't let anyone off easily, no matter who it was.

"Hiruzen, you..." Danzo wanted to retort, but in the end he yielded under Hiruzen's serious gaze and replied, "I understand."

The third generation nodded, and then finally had time to light his own cigarette.

(End of this chapter)