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Bonus Chapter
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The Third Hokage and Asuma arrived at the scene of the incident swiftly.
Several Anbu operatives followed closely, as was customary whenever the Hokage moved.
Upon his arrival, Kurenai Yuhi, Uzuki Yugao, Might Guy, and Hayate Gekkō quickly approached.
Uchiha Haru, as always, stood alone off to the side.
He didn't join the others, simply giving a slight nod when the Third Hokage looked in his direction.
Once on-site, the Third Hokage immediately began questioning those present about what had happened.
What they said aligned with Asuma's report—no major discrepancies. But from their testimonies, the Third Hokage detected something significant.
From beginning to end, there was only one person who had truly been involved in the confrontation: Uchiha Haru.
The rest had simply arrived in time to witness the aftermath.
What had happened in between—how exactly the envoy from Kumogakure had died at Haru's hands—was a mystery to them all.
The Third Hokage approached Haru, his expression gentle, as always.
"Haru, this time you've done us a great service. If it weren't for you... Hinata may have been taken, and we wouldn't even know it."
"I'll speak with Clan Head Fugaku personally and see that you're well rewarded."
"Thank you, Lord Third," Haru said, feigning mild surprise, though inside he remained utterly composed.
Reward?
What a joke.
In the end, the Uchiha Clan would be wiped out. What use was a reward now?
The Third Hokage paused and then continued, "Asuma mentioned it was you who realized Hinata had been kidnapped, then pursued the Kumogakure ninja."
"Can you tell me in detail what happened in between?"
Haru's mind sharpened instantly.
Suspicious already?
He really lived up to his title—this was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Professor.
But Haru gave no sign of unease. He simply said flatly, "After I caught up with him, I didn't know he was Kumogakure's envoy. In order to rescue Hinata, I had no choice but to engage him."
"He was strong. I was forced to go all out, and... I killed him. I didn't mean to."
The Third Hokage's eyes flickered slightly, though he kept his expression neutral.
He nodded. "Understood. All of you are dismissed for now."
"This area is now under the jurisdiction of the Anbu. Send a team to inform Kumogakure of what's happened."
"Yes!" one of the Anbu said before vanishing with a flicker of movement.
None of the others questioned the order.
After Hinata was safely returned to her family, everyone else dispersed.
Such high-level matters between villages always fell under Anbu authority.
Even Asuma couldn't pry further.
The Third Hokage then ordered the Anbu to search the scene for any remaining clues.
Afterward, he returned to his office and stared out the window into the night.
"That Uchiha kid is lying."
Danzo appeared behind him once more, as if conjured by the darkness itself.
"A battle where he had to go all out? But there's barely any trace of fighting at the scene. Ha..."
"Unless the difference in power was overwhelming, there should've been damage."
"Uchiha Haru… he's becoming more and more interesting."
He paused for a moment, then continued. "That envoy from Kumogakure wasn't weak. Stronger than most elite jonin—about on par with Kurosuki Raiga, whom Uchiha Haru also killed."
"Haru took him down without breaking a sweat. His strength can't be underestimated."
The Third Hokage stood silently, eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the window, saying nothing.
He had already come to the same conclusion when Haru gave his report.
But he hadn't called it out.
Not because he didn't want to... but because he couldn't.
Haru's identity was far too sensitive.
Tensions with the Uchiha Clan were already explosive.
To accuse an Uchiha of murdering an allied envoy without cause? That was tantamount to lighting the fuse to a powder keg.
Such a move could spiral the entire situation out of control.
He already had to worry about how to explain this to the hotheaded Raikage. Dragging the Uchiha into it right now would be suicidal.
So, he pretended not to know. Sent everyone away. He'd reassess the situation once things settled.
Danzo, as usual, was undeterred by the silence.
He continued, slowly and deliberately, "With such power, failure was impossible."
"In other words, Uchiha Haru intentionally killed that Kumogakure ninja."
"We all know his reputation—calm, steady, cunning, composed. Do you really think he didn't understand the consequences of killing a foreign envoy?"
"Or perhaps he did understand... and wanted exactly that outcome."
"To spark a war between Konoha and Kumogakure, destabilize the village—and let the Uchiha clan take advantage."
"Or perhaps... this was Fugaku's order all along."
The Third Hokage still faced away, silent.
But Danzo knew him too well.
He was shaken.
Danzo pressed on. "Konoha may still appear strong, but there are eyes on us everywhere."
"If we go to war with Kumogakure—especially after a drawn-out internal battle with the Uchiha—what do you think Suna, Iwa, and Kiri will do?"
"How many vultures will swoop in to carve up what's left?"
"Third... for Konoha's sake, my plan must be enacted. No one will stop me."
This time, the Third Hokage didn't respond with fury.
He didn't snap or argue like before.
He simply remained still. Silent.
Danzo didn't push further. He stood there, waiting.
He knew the silence meant he had won.
Eventually, the Third Hokage let out a long, heavy sigh.
"The Uchiha... they were the ones who helped build Konoha alongside the First Hokage."
"If we slaughter them now—what will future generations think of us?"
"No one will know," Danzo replied, lips curling ever so slightly.
"There are no perfect walls in this world," the Third said quietly. "No matter what you do, someone always finds out."
Danzo sneered, amused.
"This will be entirely handled by me. You can wash your hands of it completely."
"Later, if anything is discovered, you can place the blame on me alone."
The Third's aged shoulders trembled.
He turned to face Danzo.
"To take on such a sin alone... I…"
"As it should be," Danzo interrupted, voice cold and resolute.
"You are the Hokage. The branch that reaches the sky. The symbol of light."
"I am the root. Hidden in the earth. I exist to cut down anything that threatens Konoha."
"This is my duty."
The Third Hokage stared at him.
Regret flickered across his face, along with hesitation, sorrow, and something like mourning.
In the end, all of it faded into a single, weary sigh.
"...Haaah."
He turned back toward the night beyond the window.
Danzo was already gone, vanished as if he had never been there.
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This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones
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📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
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