The Master of Konoha's Legacy

The more I look at the eyes of the person in this photo, the more I feel that he has a lot on his mind.

Could it be... that this Abe no Seimei is an imposter?

As Uchiha Tonan spoke, his pace slowed, and a hint of insecurity crept into his words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled by what he heard and picked up the photo again to examine it carefully.

After Uchiha Tonan's reminder, Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt that the people in the black and white photo had the simplicity of middle-aged people in their eyes.

However, in another color photograph, "Abe Seimei" has a sinister smile on his face, and his eyes reveal a sinister and vicious nature, giving the overall impression of someone who wants to devour others.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the photo, looked into Tonan Uchiha's sincere eyes, and said:

"That is indeed possible, but there is at least a 30-year gap between these two photos. People always change over time."

Do you think there are any other possibilities?

Uchiha Tonan pretended to recall for a moment and said:

"Although I don't know much about the situation in Daming Prefecture, I took the time the next morning after the incident to inquire through various channels."

The daimyo died, and at the time, only Shinnosuke-senpai and the prince were in the room.

Both accused each other of killing the daimyo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "Yes, the news has spread."

Uchiha Tonan said with certainty, "I believe it was His Highness who killed the Daimyo."

Based on my understanding of Shinnosuke-senpai, I firmly believe that Shinnosuke-senpai would never do such a thing.

A man of his integrity would not stoop to lying about such a thing.

Hearing Uchiha Tonan's unwavering trust in his deceased eldest son, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sliver of solace.

Hearing this, he sighed and his gaze towards Uchiha Tonan softened considerably.

"This matter is very complicated. Don't talk about it to outsiders in the future. Just continue talking about Abe Seimei."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt heartbroken again.

His own son died, yet he could not avenge him.

Neither the Daimyo's mansion nor the Konoha leadership would agree to his investigation to find out the truth.

Because if it turns out that he really is the Crown Prince, then they will be in a dilemma.

Uchiha Tonan noticed the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, hesitated for a moment, and then voiced another guess of his.

"Could it be that Abe no Seimei is a spy from an enemy country, and has somehow bewitched His Highness?"

They attempted to use this method to sow discord between the Daimyo and Konoha.

Of course, this is just a possibility.

Because all I could think of was that this would benefit the enemy country.

Both the Daimyo's residence and Konoha were victims.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi keenly sensed something, took a puff of his cigarette, and said:

"I understand. You should go back and rest. You don't need to worry about the rest."

Uchiha Tonan didn't say anything more, only replying, "Hmm..."

Then he turned and walked slowly toward the gate.

Suddenly, Uchiha Tonan stopped in his tracks and stood there motionless.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to look through the documents, he saw Uchiha Tonan still standing at the door. He exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Tonan, is there anything else?"

Uchiha Tonan stood with his back to Hiruzen Sarutobi, his head bowed and his fists clenched.

Looking from behind, Uchiha Tonan's body trembled slightly, as if he was trying his best to restrain something, and he said with a somber expression:

"Lord Hokage, you must be very sad right now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his cigarette, expressionless, and said nothing.

With a look of reminiscence on his face, Uchiha Tonan spoke in a calm tone:

"Shinnosuke-senpai was very kind to me. I was a complete stranger in the Fire City, and he always took care of me."

Worried that I was too young and would be harassed by my superiors, he even introduced me to the Minister of Oversight.

He works so hard, yet he still comes to teach me ninjutsu from time to time.

As Uchiha Tonan spoke, he became increasingly agitated, and his voice began to tremble slightly.

"I know Asuma doesn't like me, and Shinnosuke-senpai often scolds Asuma because of me."

As he spoke, Uchiha Tonan raised his hand, took off his glasses, and wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye with his finger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked faster and faster, incessantly sucking on the pipe.

The smoke obscured his face, making it impossible to discern his expression.

"Shinnosuke-senpai also said that after the Fire City mission is over..."

He planned to get married and wanted me to be his child's teacher.

This move was used by Hiruzen Sarutobi against Tonan Uchiha.

The essence lies in the acting, in portraying that feeling of heartache.

Today, Uchiha Tonan will show him what true empathy is.

Don't you love your son?

What a coincidence, your son and I like each other.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Tonan's words, images of Shinnosuke from birth to adulthood flashed before his eyes.

My eyes gradually became cloudy and red...

"But now, he's dead... and he was framed to death!"

Uchiha Tonan clenched his teeth so tightly that they clicked, and tears streamed down his face.

It seemed like a mixture of anger and sorrow...

"Stop talking!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if his heart was being squeezed by a pair of giant hands, and the pain was unbearable.

Fearing that his emotions would get out of control, he quickly took deep breaths to calm himself down, but the smoke was so thick that he coughed twice.

Uchiha Tonan tilted his head back, rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and then put on his glasses.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and forced a smile at Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage, I've made you laugh."

Shinnosuke-senpai told me that ninjas must control their emotions and never cry, no matter what the situation.

Having said all that, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of sorrow welling up inside him, and his eyes stung with tears.

He immediately reached up to support his forehead, and a tear slid from the corner of his eye to the tip of his nose.

Uchiha Tonan was taken aback upon seeing this. He quickly stepped forward and tremblingly reached out his hand, seemingly wanting to wipe away Hiruzen Sarutobi's tears.

"Lord Hokage, what's wrong...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked hard, rubbed his nose, and said, "It's nothing, I just smoked too fast and it stung my eyes."

Uchiha Tonan said in a panic:

"Lord Hokage, don't cry... don't cry... I..."

At this point, Uchiha Tonan quickly withdrew his hand, pushed his glasses up to his forehead, and rubbed his eyes repeatedly with his other hand.

He said in an extremely suppressed sob:

"It's all my fault, I'm an unlucky person."

It's my destiny that everyone around me will leave me one by one.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, composed himself, and offered words of comfort to Tonan Uchiha:

"Child, it's alright now."

The Shinnosuke incident has already happened.

Asma's whereabouts are currently unknown.

I know what happened in Fire City must have been a huge blow to you.

Now is not the time to be sad. I will find a way to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Go back and rest for a while, and don't think about this anymore.

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, reached out, and gently patted Tonan Uchiha on the shoulder.

Uchiha Tonan still covered his eyes with his hands, his body trembling, and said in a forcedly strong tone:

"Lord Hokage, please don't be sad. Konoha needs you, and the truth will surely come out."

I'm leaving now...

After saying that, he quickly turned and left the office, as if he didn't want Hiruzen Sarutobi to see his cowardly side.

[Chapter 100: The Elder's Visit Subsides the Situation]

Uchiha Tonan lit a few sticks of incense for the row of wooden carvings as soon as he arrived home.

The Grand Elder, like an old dog that has caught a scent, came knocking on the door.

Upon entering, the elder gave Uchiha Tonan a once-over before sitting down at the tea table.

Uchiha Tonan brewed tea for the Grand Elder and sat upright, saying, "Grand Elder, please ask whatever you wish to ask."

The elder did not immediately inquire about the important matter, but instead chatted casually, saying, "The news about the City of Fire has already spread. It's good that you're alright."

Uchiha Tonan smiled and shook his head, saying, "As long as I don't deliberately get involved, I won't encounter any trouble."

The elder nodded upon hearing this and stared at Uchiha Tonan for a moment.

Upon discovering that Uchiha Tunan was almost as tall as him and had lost his former childishness, he couldn't help but sigh, "Tunan, you've grown up."