In the Hokage’s office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, while working on his paperwork, took a drag from his pipe. Just as he was about to put pen to paper, there was a loud bang as the door was violently kicked open.
He furrowed his brows.
“Danzo, this is the third door this month.”
Before he could finish, a rough hand slammed down on his desk.
“Hiruzen, Mirai went to the Uchiha compound. Did you know that?”
Danzo was panting heavily, spittle flying as he spoke.
“I know. So what?”
The ANBU had been monitoring the Uchiha compound, so it wasn’t a secret to him that Mirai had gone there.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t see it as a big deal.
He shook his head and resumed his unfinished work.
Bang!
The table shook violently, and his pen flew out of his hand.
“Danzo, what do you want to do?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression turned displeased as he glared at his old friend, his voice tinged with anger.
Danzo’s behavior today seemed a bit over the top.
“Mirai going to the Uchiha compound is not simple. There might be a conspiracy!”
Danzo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Reminded by his old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmed down as well.
“What do you think the conspiracy might be?”
“I don’t know.”
Danzo spoke emphatically.
How could he know? He wasn’t inside the minds of the Uchiha.
How could he know what they were plotting?
His strong reaction was purely due to his inherent dislike of the Uchiha.
Anything involving them couldn’t be good!
The evil Uchiha—they couldn’t be spared.
“Perhaps he just wants to find out what happened that night. After all, the Sharingan was seen in the Nine-Tails’ eyes. Mirai can’t be unaware.”
After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi provided what he considered a reasonable explanation.
His brother and sister-in-law had died, and the Uchiha seemed to be involved. Even for that reason alone, Mirai had to go to the Uchiha compound.
“But what if that’s not the case?”
Danzo’s eyes were dark as he stared at his old friend.
“Hiruzen, you’ve noticed the Uchiha’s restlessness, haven’t you? Have you forgotten the Second Hokage’s teachings? The Uchiha are inherently evil. They’ve always coveted the village’s power, biding their time.”
“The Blue Flash is also an evil person. When Minato became Hokage, do you remember what he did to us?”
“Now these two evil beings are coming together. Hiruzen, I shudder to think what will become of Konoha’s future.”
Listening to Danzo’s indignant words, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gray-brown eyes grew heavier.
“We can’t confirm their intentions yet. The Uchiha are linked to Minato and Kushina’s deaths. It’s unlikely that Mirai and the Uchiha would align.”
“Are we just going to let him run rampant?”
Before he could finish, Danzo cut him off rudely, pressing his left hand on the desk and leaning forward, his posture menacing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
The Hokage’s office became abruptly quiet.
Indeed, he had worried about this.
Before Mirai returned, Konoha had only one unstable factor: the Uchiha.
With Mirai’s return, Konoha now had two unstable factors.
Now, these two unstable existences were beginning to interact…
No matter how he tried to reassure himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry deep inside.
What if…
“But don’t worry, I’ve already made preparations.”
Danzo’s eyes held a sinister glint.
“Danzo, what are you planning?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a vague sense of foreboding.
Had Danzo gone behind his back and done something again without his knowledge?
“Since Mirai is the root of the problem, wouldn’t solving this root issue resolve everything?”
Danzo smiled confidently.
In his mind, he could already see Mirai’s execution scene.
“Danzo! Are you out of your mind?”
A surge of anger shot to his head as Hiruzen Sarutobi glared furiously at Danzo.
“Don’t you realize he’s Naruto’s uncle, his only remaining family! If something happens to him and Naruto loses control, do you want a repeat of three years ago?!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his blood pressure rising.
Danzo had done something foolish behind his back again!
Didn’t he want to deal with Mirai himself?
After disappearing for three years, he returned and caused a scene in the Hokage’s office. Where did that leave him as Hokage?
But he couldn’t!
Naruto, as a Jinchuriki, had not yet been fully assessed.
He couldn’t control the Nine-Tails’ rampage at only three years old.
If something were to happen to Mirai, and Naruto lost control, unleashing the Nine-Tails, it would be a disaster!
Konoha couldn’t handle another night of the Nine-Tails’ attack right now!
“Hmph! Hiruzen, you’re as weak as ever.”
Danzo scoffed.
“Rest assured, I’ve made thorough preparations. The Foundation will handle it cleanly. And if it comes to that, isn’t there still the Sealing Team?”
After taking a deep breath, Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually calmed down.
“Don’t forget, his strength is not below Minato’s.”
“So what?” Danzo sneered. “I’ve studied all his abilities. It’s just a special Magnet Release. I’ve handpicked elite Foundation members who are perfectly suited to counter his abilities!”
“No matter what, this time he won’t escape.”
“By my calculations, it should be starting now.”
…
The sun was setting, casting a blood-red glow.
Mirai walked hand-in-hand with Naruto on their way back. Under the evening glow, their shadows stretched long.
“Naruto, you’ll have to head back on your own from here. Your uncle has some things to take care of.”
Mirai knelt, ruffling Naruto’s hair with a gentle smile.
“What? But didn’t you promise to make dinner tonight?”
Naruto tilted his head, looking confused.
He had just been told they would have dinner together.
Why the sudden change?
“Something urgent has come up, Naruto.”
“But…”
Naruto hesitated, looking at the empty street. Nothing seemed urgent around here.
Ruffling Naruto’s hair again, Mirai’s eyes turned into crescents as he smiled.
“Don’t worry. Your uncle is very strong!”
Naruto finally relaxed, nodding with a bright smile.
“Then you have to come back and make dinner after you’re done!”
“Of course, I always keep my promises. Pinky swear!”
“Okay, pinky swear!”
Satisfied, Naruto walked away, and Mirai watched him until he disappeared down the street.
“Come out.”
His voice was as cold as ice.
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