76-80

*Chapter 76: The Sound of Explosion*

The walls were freshly painted white. In the small, narrow room, there was only a wooden bed and a simple table with chairs. Cold light shone down from above, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was hunched over the desk, practicing calligraphy. The living conditions here weren't great, but as a former Hokage, his treatment wasn’t too bad.

As long as his requests weren't excessive, the guards usually granted them.

This was a small favor from Torifu Akimichi to his old friend. After all, they had been classmates once.

“Whew!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled softly, holding up the character he had just written. He examined it closely under the light—bold strokes forming the character for “忍” (ninja)—and nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad! My skills haven’t deteriorated," he thought, considering whether to hang the piece on the wall.

Just as he was deciding where to place it, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway outside.

“Father!”

The visitor caught Hiruzen Sarutobi by surprise.

Standing at the door was his younger son, Asuma Sarutobi.

“Asuma?”

Hiruzen stared at his son, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected to see this rebellious, headstrong son of his here. Asuma looked taller than when he had left the village. His beard had grown into a full scruff, and there was a sash at his waist, symbolizing his membership in the Twelve Guardian Ninja. It seemed that life outside the village had treated him well.

“Father... how did things end up like this?”

Asuma stood outside the door, gripping the railing, his heart heavy as he looked at his father, who now wore a simple gray robe, his hair white and his face lined with wrinkles, looking more like an old farmer than the proud Hokage he once was. The resentment and misunderstandings Asuma once held began to melt away, replaced by a deep concern.

“What happened?”

“It’s not something you need to know,” Hiruzen said, shaking his head. “I just... lost, that's all.”

He didn’t want his youngest son to get involved in these matters.

In the past, Asuma would have immediately argued or gotten angry at such a dismissive answer. But today, after a brief silence, he didn’t respond with his usual temper. Instead, he glanced at the guards at the end of the hallway and asked, “How are you living here?”

Seeing his son display restraint and patience, Hiruzen felt slightly more at ease. “It’s alright. I’m fed and have what I need to write. Although the space is a bit small, I manage. But, Asuma, why have you come here?”

“I returned because of a letter from Cousin Zōemon.”

“Zōemon?” Hiruzen frowned at the mention of his unremarkable nephew.

He had been removed from power too quickly to arrange family matters properly. His nephew wasn’t the kind of person who could handle big responsibilities. A new clan leader would need to be chosen soon, or the clan would struggle to survive the coming turmoil.

“How is the clan?”

“The clan? Well... it seems like the village is preparing for a war with the Hidden Mist. Cousin Zōemon complained to me that over 200 of our clansmen were conscripted.”

“Over 200?” Hiruzen’s frown deepened.

“Akimichi Torifu... damn it!”

His mood darkened instantly. This was undeniably bad news. He knew that with his downfall, the Sarutobi clan would face suppression, but he hadn’t expected Torifu to act so quickly and harshly.

At that moment—

“Boom! Boom!”

Distant explosions rumbled, causing the ground to shake slightly. The ceiling light swayed, and small bits of dust and debris fell from above.

“What’s going on?”

Asuma instinctively reached for his weapon pouch, only to find it empty. He remembered that before entering this secret prison, he had been forced to surrender all his weapons—his chakra blades, his kunai—everything was left at the entrance. He was now completely unarmed.

“Asuma Sarutobi, don’t move!”

The warning came from a member of the Aburame clan standing at the end of the hallway. And he wasn’t alone—two more guards appeared beside him. One had pure white eyes, and another bore the fan symbol of the Uchiha clan. The sight of them made Asuma freeze.

“To avoid any misunderstandings, stay where you are until the alarm is lifted, and please refrain from any suspicious actions,” the Hyūga clan guard warned.

Asuma glanced at the tense guards and then seemed to realize something. “You don’t think the explosion has anything to do with me, do you?”

“Enough talk! Whether it’s related or not, someone will investigate. If it has nothing to do with you, just stay put. If it does... don’t even think about escaping!” The Uchiha guard’s cold voice dripped with hostility, his attitude infuriating Asuma, whose face darkened with anger.

Never in his life had anyone spoken to him like this.

Having a father who was the Hokage meant very few people in the village dared to show him disrespect. Even when his father reprimanded him, he had the nerve to leave the village in defiance.

“Don’t act rashly, Asuma!” Hiruzen quickly grabbed his son’s arm, knowing this was not the time for impulsiveness. If Asuma caused trouble here, it wouldn’t end well. Though being imprisoned was lonely, Hiruzen didn’t want his son joining him in confinement.

“Damn it!”

Asuma gritted his teeth and relaxed his fist.

Seeing this, the Uchiha guard clicked his tongue in disappointment, muttering insults like “coward” and “weakling” loud enough for the whole corridor to hear. The taunts made Asuma’s veins bulge in anger, and he bit his lip so hard that blood trickled down his chin.

“By the way, wasn’t that explosion near where Danzo is being held?” the Hyūga guard asked, interrupting his companion’s taunts as he activated his Byakugan, curious about what was happening.

“Yes, it did come from that direction.”

The Uchiha guard, abandoning his trash talk, looked in the direction of the explosion with interest.

“Could someone be trying to rescue Danzo?”

“Maybe it’s some remnants of Root?”

“No way! I thought Root had been wiped out? The village practically united to eliminate them. If there are still members of Root left, that would be a miracle!”

“If it’s not Root, who else would be trying to save Danzo?”

“Hmm... you’ve got a point!”

The Uchiha and Hyūga guards continued their heated discussion, while the Aburame guard stood silently to the side, listening but not participating, as was typical of his clan.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 77: Let’s All Have Fun Holding Each Other Back! (Please Vote!)*

“What did you say?”

“Someone has infiltrated the secret prison holding Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and others?”

In the Hokage’s office, the acting Fifth Hokage widened his eyes, looking incredulously at the intelligence officer who had just barged in.

“Yes, Lord Hokage, this is the transmission we just received.”

“And the identity of the intruder?”

Akimichi Torifu pressed for more details.

“That’s still unclear. The intruder was highly skilled, using explosive tags to break through from the weakest points in the defenses. They also caused chaos with water clones. The guards still haven’t identified them, but given their familiarity with the secret prison, it seems like an insider, likely someone from the ANBU or Root.”

The intelligence division not only gathers information but also analyzes it.

“An insider, huh?”

Akimichi Torifu, now calm, wasn’t surprised.

This outcome was already expected. The only ones who would be interested in Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura at this time—and capable of acting on that interest—were from within the village. Whether they wanted to kill or rescue them, it wasn't that surprising.

“Mobilize the ANBU. I’ll go and check it out myself.”

Akimichi Torifu gave the order.

He wanted to see who this audacious intruder was. Could it be someone from the Uchiha? The Hyuga? The Aburame? Or perhaps some remnants from Root that weren't accounted for? With the war with the Mist approaching, the village couldn’t afford internal chaos right now.

“Yes, Lord Hokage.”

The ANBU stationed at the Hokage building sprang into action.

Before long, a large contingent of ANBU left the Hokage building, heading quickly towards the secret prison in the village's northwest corner, following Akimichi Torifu.

---

It wasn’t only the acting Hokage who received the information about the prison break. The guards of the prison came from trusted subordinates handpicked by the clan heads of the Uchiha, Hyuga, Aburame, and others. As soon as the intruder appeared, the various clans were alerted by their respective methods.

“Is the intruder Kakashi Hatake?”

Hiashi Hyuga narrowed his eyes.

He had received this intel even earlier than the acting Hokage, and his information was more detailed.

Kakashi Hatake... the son of the legendary Konoha White Fang, Sakumo Hatake. He was a student of the late Fourth Hokage and was injured during the Third Great Ninja War, after which he received a Sharingan transplant from the Uchiha. The Uchiha never reclaimed that Sharingan, allowing Kakashi to keep it. Currently, he’s serving in the ANBU.

Various details about Kakashi ran through Hiashi's mind.

As the head of the Hyuga clan, he had to keep an eye on the entire village, not just his family.

A special individual like Kakashi Hatake wouldn’t go unnoticed.

“The son of Sakumo Hatake... Could it be?”

After contemplating for a few seconds, Hiashi Hyuga had an uncertain guess. He immediately ordered the Hyuga clan guards at the prison to withhold any reports about Kakashi’s involvement, instructing them to say they didn’t get a clear look, and to avoid interfering with Kakashi’s actions as much as possible.

Then, Hiashi Hyuga also set off for the secret prison.

This was definitely going to be a big deal!

The Hyuga clan couldn’t afford to sit this one out!

The son of the Konoha White Fang, the genius Jonin Kakashi Hatake, seeking revenge for his father by killing the notorious Danzo Shimura, the former Hokage advisor—that would be far more interesting than a public execution! After all, beheading a man in his sixties wasn’t exactly a sight anyone would enjoy.

Some people, untouched by Danzo’s actions, might even feel a sense of pity.

---

The Police Force.

“... Someone infiltrated the secret prison?”

Sougen, who was still in the Police Force headquarters, was startled by the news. He instinctively looked down at the floor, where Juzo Biwa was still asleep in a secret cell deep underground.

"What the... Who’s stealing my job?”

Sougen was baffled.

He had just been planning to make his move, and someone beat him to it.

“Ranzan, what exactly is going on? Tell me in detail.”

Sougen fixed his gaze on Uchiha Ranzan, questioning him.

“There’s not much intel yet. All we know is that the intruder used Earth Release to tunnel underground, then used explosive tags to break through the barrier around the secret prison. They seem to be heading straight for Danzo’s location. The guards are trying to surround and intercept them, but they haven’t encountered the intruder yet, so their identity remains unknown.”

“Danzo, huh? Hmm… wait a minute! This might be an opportunity!”

Sougen’s eyes lit up.

No matter who was targeting Danzo, this was an excellent chance. With everyone’s attention focused on Danzo, fewer eyes would be on Hiruzen Sarutobi, clearing a lot of obstacles for him.

“Ranzan, contact our clan members guarding the prison. Tell them to hold back and prioritize their own safety. If they encounter the enemy, don’t fight head-on. Also, have the clan members stationed elsewhere in the prison go support them.”

Uchiha Ranzan frowned deeply at these strange orders.

“Minister, what are you planning?”

His eyes asked the question—who were they planning to trap?

“Less talking, more acting. Get the message to them quickly. Tell them to put on a show if needed, but don’t go rushing in foolishly.”

After finishing, Sougen used a Body Flicker Technique to vanish, leaving Uchiha Ranzan to sigh in resignation as he carried out the orders, while wondering what Sougen was up to. Danzo had already been sentenced to death and was just waiting for the execution. There was no way Sougen was targeting him...

That means...

Recalling the last part of Sougen’s instructions, Ranzan suddenly had a guess.

His pace quickened.

If they could really get rid of that “cancer,” it would be a major victory for the clan.

At that moment, Sougen arrived at the secret underground cell in the Police Force headquarters. He formed a shadow clone, which used a simple transformation jutsu for disguise, and then picked up the still-unconscious Juzo. The clone used a secret tunnel to leave the building, avoiding the attention of the clan members on the surface, and surfaced in the forest not far from the Police Force headquarters, heading swiftly toward the secret prison.

Once the clone left, Sougen leisurely returned to the Police Force, gathered a team, and took a different route toward the prison.

(End of Chapter)

---

Chapter 78: His life doesn’t need a ninja dog to worry about! (!)

A stack of explosive tags was slapped onto the wall.

Although the barrier here was set up by experts from the barrier squad, it wasn’t as strong as the "Four Violet Flames Formation," which is a powerful defense barrier. This one was merely a multifunctional barrier meant to prevent people from using Earth Style techniques to sneak in and serve as an early warning system. Naturally, it couldn’t withstand the destructive power of over ten stacked explosive tags!

"Boom!!"

With a deafening explosion, the barrier was, of course, destroyed.

The intruder didn’t immediately leap through the newly blown hole. Instead, they stood still, calmly formed hand seals, and five water clones appeared beside them. Without any words, the water clones transformed using the Transformation Technique, took the already prepared explosive tags from the original’s hands, and headed in different directions. They were to create distractions at various points to divert the attention of the guards.

Then,

The intruder turned to the ninja dog lying at their feet.

"Pakkun! I’m counting on you."

"Kakashi, do you really know what you’re doing? You’re playing with fire!" Pakkun looked up at Kakashi, who was no longer the boy he once knew, his voice full of concern.

The intruder—Kakashi—nodded lightly, his voice calm and composed. "I know. This is revenge. Although it’s a little late... I think my father probably wouldn’t blame me for being slow or foolish. He might even scold me for taking unnecessary risks. Pakkun, my father was so kind—why did they force him to die?"

Pakkun remained silent.

It couldn’t answer this question.

Even though the ninja dogs had intelligence comparable to humans, they were still not human. They didn’t understand human morals or emotions, so the love, hate, and conflicts between humans were beyond their comprehension.

All Pakkun could do

was help Kakashi achieve his goal.

That was the contract between a ninja and their summoned beast.

"Follow me!"

Pakkun was not a combat-type summon. Small in stature, its expertise lay in sensing. Its "Scent Tracking Technique" could track enemies’ movements even underground. Using the Earth Style: Hiding Like a Mole Technique, Pakkun dove underground, leading Kakashi behind it, skillfully avoiding the guards rushing in from various directions. Even though they took a longer route on purpose, they successfully shook off the pursuing guards.

By the time the water clones caused commotion in different locations, drawing the guards' attention,

Kakashi’s real body had silently arrived outside the cell where Danzo Shimura was being held.

There were guards at the door.

But oddly enough, there were no Uchiha or Hyuga; only two ordinary Anbu stood at the entrance. This was something Kakashi observed with his Sharingan. He didn’t believe there was any trick that could deceive the insight of the Three Tomoe Sharingan.

"Pakkun, do you sense anything?"

"No, there are only three people’s scents here—assuming no barriers are blocking the flow of smells."

Hidden in the shadows, Kakashi thought for two seconds and made up his mind.

Trap or not, he could only push forward. He had come this far, and there was no turning back.

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"

The attack came from below.

Caught off guard, the two Anbu were buried underground with only their heads exposed. Before they could struggle or resist, a pair of scarlet Sharingan eyes appeared in their vision, and, realizing their peril, their consciousness involuntarily sank into darkness.

The two Anbu were dealt with.

From here on, there were no more obstacles.

Kakashi used Earth Style to enter the cell, where he saw Danzo Shimura lying on a wooden bed, emaciated and looking like a dried-up corpse. Although he resembled a corpse, Kakashi’s Sharingan detected the faint flicker of chakra still within his skeletal body.

Danzo Shimura was still alive.

Even though he appeared to be on the verge of death!

But he was indeed still alive. His body still breathed, and his chakra still flowed... although he was also definitely dying.

"Kakashi, he’s almost dead!"

Pakkun’s exceptional sense of smell easily picked up the overwhelming scent of decay on Danzo’s body.

"Even without your intervention, he won’t last much longer."

"Danzo Shimura has already been sentenced to death. Even without me, he’s doomed!" Kakashi drew the small short sword he had brought. This was a gift from his father when he was promoted to chunin at the age of six. Unfortunately, his father’s short sword was broken and lost during the Third Great Ninja War.

Otherwise, it would have been more fitting to use that blade.

He wiped the blade of the short sword, which he hadn’t used in a long time. This was a top-quality, specially made weapon by Sakumo Hatake. Despite the years, it was still as clean and sharp as new, with no trace of rust. The cold, gleaming blade even reflected the deep hatred and anger in Kakashi’s eyes!

"I know Danzo Shimura is as good as dead. I could even apply to be the executioner. But... that would be the village’s execution of Danzo Shimura. What I want is revenge—for my father’s death!"

"And besides, just Danzo isn’t enough!"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly as fresh memories surfaced in his mind. While carrying out a mission for the Anbu, he had found some documents in a secret compartment in Danzo’s office. Those documents contained many things he had never heard of before, including records about his father.

His father had indeed committed suicide, but it wasn’t out of guilt over a failed mission. His father had been driven to death by malicious manipulation of rumors!

What enraged and devastated him the most, however, was that

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s signature was on those documents.

The Third Hokage, whom he had once respected as an elder, had agreed to and tacitly allowed Danzo Shimura’s persecution of his father.

As for the authenticity of the documents, Kakashi had been in the Anbu for nearly six years. He wasn’t so inexperienced as to be unable to distinguish real from fake.

Pakkun closed his mouth.

Its last attempt at persuasion had failed.

It could only sit quietly by, watching as Kakashi slowly approached the wooden bed, stood in front of it, and gradually raised the short sword in his hand before swinging it down.

A cold, sharp flash of light gleamed.

Amid the faint, crisp sound of bones breaking,

Danzo’s head rolled off the bed, his withered face still bearing a look of endless numbness and a hint of unresolvable regret.

And then...

Blood spurted out like a fountain, though the actual amount wasn't much. That withered and decaying body couldn’t produce much blood, and the droplets splattered onto Kakashi's forehead and mask, casting a resolute red glow over the killing intent in his eyes.

He wiped the blood off his small sword with his sleeve.

"Pakkun, let's go! This is just an appetizer! The real main course is still ahead!"

Pakkun sighed helplessly. At this point, there was no turning back. He could only do his best to help Kakashi achieve his goal. As for what would happen in the end... that wasn’t something he could influence anymore!

Kakashi was no longer that small kid from back then! He didn't need a ninja dog worrying about his life anymore!

———

Akimichi Torifu arrived quickly, but he was still a step too late. Before he could enter the secret prison, the latest intel came in: Danzo Shimura had been beheaded.

"Danzo's dead?"

Upon hearing this, Akimichi Torifu didn't even blink. He just scratched his forehead. "So, the intruder came to kill him? Doesn’t he know that Danzo had already been sentenced to death?" From Danzo’s death, a lot could be inferred. The intruder wasn’t there to save anyone, meaning he probably wasn’t a remnant of Danzo’s Root. More likely, he came from one of the clans or individuals who wanted Danzo dead.

"Shikaku, what do you think?"

"Maybe... it's personal revenge."

Nara Shikaku gave his answer, then fixed his gaze on the Hyuga clan guard captain present and asked, "Have you confirmed the intruder’s identity?"

"Sorry, Lord Hokage. The enemy used Water Clones and Transformation Jutsu to confuse the Byakugan. I couldn’t confirm his true identity, and his chakra signature isn’t anyone I recognize," the Hyuga captain respectfully explained to Akimichi Torifu.

The guards responsible for the secret prison were mainly from the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Aburame clans. Due to ties with the Sarutobi clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio didn’t send anyone to join. Akimichi Torifu had only dispatched a batch of fresh recruits from the ANBU to assist.

So, when the Hyuga and Aburame deliberately played blind, Akimichi Torifu genuinely had no clue about the intruder's identity.

At that moment, all the sensing ninjas present instinctively turned their heads toward the east and southeast. Two groups of powerful chakra were approaching at high speed.

"It’s the Uchiha and Hyuga clan leaders."

Yamanaka Inoichi whispered to Akimichi Torifu.

"They’re quick to arrive!"

Akimichi Torifu’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Within just a few seconds, the figures of Uchiha Sōgen and Hyuga Hiashi appeared in everyone’s view. They weren’t alone either—there was a considerable number of their clan members accompanying them. After all, as clan leaders, it wouldn’t make sense for them to roam around alone.

"Lord Hokage! You’re looking quite well today!"

The two leaders greeted Akimichi Torifu simultaneously, offering their compliments.

"Enough flattery, my ears are already tired of your sweet talk," Akimichi Torifu replied with a chuckle, joking with them as if they were all old friends.

After exchanging some small talk, Aburame Shibi arrived as well.

Now, the new core circle of Konoha’s high-ranking leadership, formed after the recent political upheaval, was complete.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Uchiha, Hyuga, and Aburame clans—they now represented the strongest force in Konoha. Naturally, they had become Konoha’s new leadership. Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi, Akimichi Torifu didn’t exclude the Uchiha from the center of power.

Whether it was by choice or necessity didn’t really matter.

What mattered was that the Uchiha were now part of Konoha’s inner power structure. They had a seat at the table, rather than being used as pawns.

"Alright, enough chit-chat."

Seeing that everyone he had been waiting for had arrived, Akimichi Torifu clapped his hands to stop the conversation and got to the point. "Gentlemen, Danzo Shimura has been killed by an intruder, who is now heading for the prison where Hiruzen Sarutobi is being held. Any thoughts?"

Yamanaka Inoichi, standing next to Nara Shikaku, blinked in confusion.

He didn’t understand why Torifu was asking such a strange question.

Shouldn’t they focus on catching the intruder first?

"What about the intruder’s identity? Still no clue?" Uchiha Sōgen asked.

The Uchiha’s Sharingan had insight that was nearly on par with the Byakugan in terms of precision, but it lacked the large-scale and long-range reconnaissance abilities of the Hyuga’s Byakugan or the Aburame’s insects. So, like Akimichi Torifu, Uchiha Sōgen had no idea who the intruder was.

"Not yet," Akimichi Torifu shook his head.

"… Danzo’s dead, and you still don’t know who the intruder is?" Uchiha Sōgen’s expression turned strange. Wow! It looks like I'm not the only one stirring things up! Could the intruder be working with the Hyuga or Aburame?

But then again...

Probably not! The Hyuga and Aburame didn’t have such serious grievances with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other elders that they'd risk their lives to eradicate them. Besides, with the Uchiha clan standing as a big target upfront, the ones who wanted Hiruzen gone the most were definitely the Uchiha. They wouldn’t risk helping the Uchiha share the blame.

So… was Hyuga Hiashi or Aburame Shibi deliberately letting the intruder act? This intruder was starting to look interesting!

The next second, Uchiha Sōgen’s suspicions were confirmed.

"Lord Hokage, how about we go to the scene of Danzo’s murder? Maybe we can find some clues to identify the intruder," Hyuga Hiashi suggested.

"If I’ve encountered him before, my insects can detect his chakra," Aburame Shibi added, agreeing to inspect Danzo's death site.

"I have no objections!"

Uchiha Sōgen welcomed their proposal. The more time they spent here, the higher the chances that Juzo’s mission would succeed. That is, as long as the unknown intruder didn’t get in the way!

"Then let’s go check out the scene!" Akimichi Torifu agreed readily.

And so, a bizarre situation unfolded.

While the intruder headed toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Fifth Hokage and the clan leaders casually made their way to investigate Danzo Shimura's murder site. Even the prison guards gathered to protect the Hokage, leaving huge gaps in the defense elsewhere!

(End of chapter)

Chapter 79: Two Intruders

"The explosions seem to be getting closer?"

Asuma Sarutobi stood outside the cell, a bit uneasy.

"Something's off!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the old monkey, had a much sharper intuition than his younger son. The explosions drawing nearer were one thing, but the guards who had been watching them from the hallway had also disappeared without a trace. This corridor, lined with numerous rooms, only held him as a prisoner; there was no one else.

The sudden absence of guards made the place feel eerily quiet.

"Asuma, something’s wrong. You need to leave."

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly made a decision. His instincts told him that big trouble was on the way. Although he didn’t believe that Akimichi Torifu and the others would openly kill him, as an experienced Hokage, he knew that nothing was absolute. There are always loopholes, and it all depends on whether someone finds one.

"Leave?"

Asuma Sarutobi was no longer a clueless kid.

In the two years he served as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, he had witnessed all kinds of political struggles within the Daimyo’s palace. It didn’t take long for him to understand what his father meant by "leave."

"Old man, could it be that someone actually dares..."

When they first met, Asuma called him "Father." However, due to his rebellious nature, he quickly reverted to calling him "Old Man."

"I underestimated their boldness," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly.

It seemed he was indeed getting old. Not only was his body deteriorating, but even his mind wasn’t as sharp as before. Being a former Hokage wasn’t the protection he thought it was; instead, it had become a death warrant.

Those who forced him out of the Hokage’s seat would never want to see him rise again. How could they prevent his return to power?

Only a dead man stays quietly in a coffin.

But—

"Kakashi, who sent you here?"

Hiruzen looked at Kakashi Hatake, who had appeared at the end of the hallway, with some confusion.

"No one sent me. I came on my own." Kakashi walked forward, holding a small blade.

"On your own?"

Hiruzen’s confusion deepened.

He prided himself on knowing Kakashi well. The boy, around the same age as his own son, was far more talented than Asuma. However, Kakashi had suffered a deep psychological trauma after his father’s suicide. Later, his teammates and teacher also died, causing him to shut off his emotions, numbing his soul with endless missions.

A person like Kakashi didn’t act on his own. His actions were always driven by tasks or orders.

"I’m here for revenge! For my father!!!" Kakashi spoke each word clearly.

"Revenge?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

"Kakashi, I don’t know who told you this, but I can assure you, Sakumo’s suicide was the last thing I wanted. His death was an irreparable loss to the village."

"But you never punished Danzo for it, did you, Lord Third?"

Kakashi's gaze shifted from Asuma to Hiruzen inside the cell, his eyes gleaming with a sharp intensity. "I don’t know if you ever truly regretted my father’s death, but I do know that in the last ten years, you never sought justice for him."

"And I saw it. The action report with your signature, hidden in Danzo’s private archive. You probably wanted him to destroy it, but unfortunately, he kept it as a weapon against you."

Kakashi raised his sword, ready to strike.

"Danzo…" Hiruzen’s expression grew grim, though he remained composed.

"Kakashi, what you saw might not be the truth. If you know Danzo’s ambitions, how can you be sure that report wasn’t forged?"

"Don’t take me for a fool!" Kakashi growled.

In a flash of lightning, Kakashi appeared midair outside the cell, raising his blade high. Thunder roared as he slashed down with lethal intent.

Clang!!!

The blade was blocked by an iron bar.

Wind-natured chakra spun like a chainsaw around the bar, leveraging its elemental advantage over lightning to deflect Kakashi’s strike. Asuma Sarutobi, however, was drenched in sweat, knowing he had taken a risky move.

After all, he hadn’t brought his usual chakra blades. In desperation, he had broken off an iron bar to use as a temporary weapon. He had no real confidence that it would hold against Kakashi’s strike.

Fortunately, it worked. He wasn’t sliced in half by Kakashi’s blade.

"Asuma Sarutobi."

Kakashi leaped back, locking eyes with his peer. Though they were technically classmates, Kakashi had graduated from the Ninja Academy at age five and became a Jonin at six, so their relationship had always been distant. In fact, calling them acquaintances might be more accurate.

"Are you going to protect your father?"

"Kakashi! Do you realize what you’re doing right now? Attempting to assassinate a former Hokage? Are you planning to betray the village?" Asuma, gripping the iron bar, was sweating profusely as he rebuked Kakashi’s actions, though he inwardly felt a tinge of fear.

There was no need for a prolonged battle; the brief clash just now had made Asuma realize why Kakashi was the most famous genius of their generation.

That strike had been fast, steady, precise, and ruthless.

Even though wind chakra countered lightning, Asuma wasn’t sure how many more strikes he could block.

"Just like you’re protecting your father, I only want justice for mine. And don’t try to guilt me with that talk about betraying the village—it makes me sick!" As Kakashi finished speaking, his killing intent surged as he charged at Asuma again, engaging in a fierce battle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood inside the cell, unmoving.

His focus wasn’t on Kakashi for long. He sensed another presence filled with killing intent. This intruder, hidden in the shadows, wasn’t as strong as Kakashi, but he was definitely a cold-blooded killer.

Asuma might not be Kakashi’s match, but he could hold him off for a while.

During that time, Hiruzen had to deal with the hidden threat.

The enemy lurking in the shadows was clearly a skilled infiltrator, someone highly proficient in stealth. Hiruzen could sense the murderous intent, but he couldn’t pinpoint the exact location.

Hiruzen didn’t hesitate. He wasn’t going to sit back and wait for death.

Whether it was Kakashi or anyone else, they wouldn't take his life easily.

Boom!

Hiruzen gathered what little chakra he could and unleashed a powerful shockwave, shattering the restraints on his wrists. Though the shackles were meant to suppress chakra, they were ineffective against a ninja of Hiruzen’s caliber.

In truth, he could’ve broken out anytime. The question was: what then?

Even if he escaped the secret prison, the political landscape in Konoha wouldn’t change. Staying here gave him time to think of a solution. He hadn’t expected someone would try to kill him so soon, giving him no time to plan.

"Let’s see who’s after my life. The Uchiha? The Hyuga? Aburame? Or… Torifu?"

With his chakra no longer suppressed, Hiruzen’s hands blurred through a series of seals. "Barrier: Celestial Dome!"

A transparent barrier expanded rapidly from Hiruzen, detecting all chakra within its range.

In less than two seconds…

"Found you!"

Hiruzen looked up at the rocky ceiling.

He made another series of hand seals.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

He spat a barrage of fireballs upward.

"Impressive as always, old man!"

A voice filled with admiration echoed.

Before the flames could hit the wall, the hidden intruder revealed himself. With a powerful swing of a large broadsword, he shattered the incoming fireballs, standing upside down on the ceiling, looking down at Hiruzen.

"A Mist ninja? One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen… Biwa Juzo?"

Hiruzen stared at the man in shock, his mind reeling. What was going on? A Mist ninja had come to assassinate a former Hokage? Why?

And this was deep within Konoha! How did a Mist ninja get in here?

"Who sent you to kill me?" Hiruzen demanded.

"That’s a question I’ll answer after I take your head." Juzo sneered, completing a series of hand seals as he spoke. "But for now… let’s play! Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

Thick mist spread through the underground prison.

chapter end

*Chapter 80: A Tacit Understanding (Belated Dragon Boat Festival Greetings!)*

The emaciated corpse remained on the wooden bed, untouched. The severed head was not taken away but discarded like trash in the corner of the room.

Even the two Anbu agents buried outside the cell were still trapped in the illusion. Since the acting Fifth Hokage and the clan heads were coming to personally investigate, everything had been preserved as it was. The guards who arrived early had shifted their task from investigation to securing the scene.

"Is this the Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu?"

Seeing the two Anbu buried outside the cell, Torifu Akimichi immediately recognized the jutsu used against them.

"They're still alive. It seems the intruder had a clear objective," commented Hiashi Hyuga as he glanced at the two unfortunate Anbu, his brow furrowing slightly. "But... is this a genjutsu? It feels like..."

"It's the Sharingan!"

Sougen Uchiha finished Hiashi's sentence.

His eye twitched.

This was unexpected. Before coming here, they were speculating about the intruder’s identity, wondering who could have made Hiashi Hyuga and Shibi Aburame deliberately allow them to act freely. Could this person have gotten caught up in the conflict themselves?

Could it be that someone from within the clan had dared to defy his orders and planned to personally end the lives of Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi? Did Hiashi and Shibi think it was his doing, so they covered for him?

Sougen stepped forward, crouching down, and pried open the eyelids of the two Anbu agents to examine them carefully.

“This feels... it’s definitely the Sharingan, but something seems off!” Sougen was puzzled. The intruder had indeed used the Sharingan to cast a genjutsu on the two Anbu, but the execution was rather crude.

The person who did this felt to Sougen like a mid-level ninja from the clan, someone who had only recently begun practicing genjutsu.

They hadn’t yet grasped the true subtleties of Uchiha’s illusion techniques, relying instead on the brute force of their strong eye power to drag the targets into the illusion.

"Release!"

Sougen formed a one-handed seal, dispelling the genjutsu on the two Anbu.

Rather than waste time guessing the identity of the intruder, it would be faster to ask the two Anbu directly.

Still groggy, the two Anbu forced themselves to concentrate under the watchful eyes of so many important figures, racking their brains to recall any details from their brief encounter with the intruder. "The intruder was very skilled with Earth Release. We were dragged underground before we could react..."

"It seemed like there was only one person. We didn’t see anyone else."

"...The Sharingan, yes, I saw the Sharingan... But it was strange. It seemed like there was only one Sharingan?"

"Yes, only one Sharingan."

Their responses provided a new clue.

One Sharingan?

This new information immediately expanded Sougen’s thoughts.

Suddenly enlightened, Sougen realized that, perhaps because he had been overly concerned with internal issues within the clan, he had forgotten that the Uchiha were no longer the only ones in Konoha with Sharingan. There was also an outsider who, for certain reasons, possessed a single Sharingan.

"Kakashi Hatake?"

Torifu Akimichi recalled the name. “Hatake… the son of Sakumo. This really is quite a dilemma for me.”

He felt a headache coming on.

Although he hadn’t been involved in Sakumo Hatake’s suicide, he wasn’t blind or deaf. With the Nara clan's help in analyzing the situation, it wasn’t hard for him to see what had happened.

He was, after all, an outsider with a clearer perspective. In his view, 60% of the responsibility for Sakumo’s death lay in Danzo’s scheming, 30% in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s passive inaction, and the remaining 10%...

Who could have predicted that the feared White Fang, who terrorized enemies on the battlefield, would be so fragile? Just from a bit of gossip, without seeking anyone’s counsel, he chose to end his own life.

In Torifu’s opinion, Sakumo Hatake’s death marked the beginning of Konoha’s decline.

Losing such a pillar of strength made Konoha, once steady and confident, start to falter. It was like a chain reaction of collapse. Tsunade’s hemophobia, which she had developed during the Second Great Ninja War, finally reached its peak, completely breaking Konoha’s princess. From that point on, the legendary Sannin became one person short.

After that, the Fourth Hokage died young, Orochimaru defected, Jiraiya wandered, and the new generation of leadership was almost entirely wiped out. Konoha, once mighty, was now supported by a few elders well into their sixties and seventies. Torifu sighed deeply at the state of things.

If only... if only Sakumo Hatake had not died.

Even if Tsunade's hemophobia was inevitable, having a fighter of White Fang’s caliber during the Third War would have meant Konoha wouldn't have struggled so much. Despite being the victors, they had to make concessions to Iwa to secure peace, making it feel like they had lost!

This left Torifu deeply disappointed in Hiruzen and Danzo.

"Kakashi Hatake... Yes, he does possess a Sharingan. But to be honest, even we Uchiha aren't sure if all our Sharingan have been accounted for. There are many clansmen who died in battle and whose bodies weren’t recovered. To avoid making a mistake, I think we should investigate further," Sougen said.

Though Sougen was sure the intruder was Kakashi, he knew there was another person—Obito Uchiha—who also possessed one Sharingan. However, Obito had controlled the Nine-Tails before, so his genjutsu skills would be far more refined.

Besides, if it were Obito Uchiha, he wouldn't have left anyone alive.

In contrast, if the intruder were Kakashi, everything made sense: the rough use of the Sharingan and the mercy shown to the Anbu. It was at least understandable.

However, what Sougen thought in his mind was one thing; what he said aloud was another.

It didn’t matter whether Hiruzen Sarutobi died at the hands of Zabuza or Kakashi. As long as Hiruzen died, that was all that mattered.

His priority was to delay as much as possible and not let anyone here interfere with the battle.

“That’s true. We can’t jump to conclusions just because they saw a Sharingan. It would be rash to assume Kakashi is responsible. We should investigate thoroughly to avoid accusing an innocent man. Hokage-sama, what do you think?” Hiashi Hyuga spoke, fully supporting Sougen's suggestion, then looked to Torifu Akimichi for approval.

Seeing Sougen and Hiashi in agreement, along with Shibi Aburame nodding in agreement, Torifu sighed. Although he didn’t feel particularly motivated to stop Kakashi’s revenge...

"Delayed vengeance?" Torifu Akimichi was silent for a few seconds before nodding slightly. "Very well, let’s investigate thoroughly."

With that, their attention finally turned to the corpse inside the cell.

As for whether Kakashi was a match for Hiruzen Sarutobi...

That was a matter of opinion. Hiruzen’s strength was undeniable, and even Sougen wouldn’t underestimate him. After all, Hiruzen had managed to keep Danzo under control as his enforcer, which wasn’t out of choice—Danzo simply couldn’t defeat him.

However, Kakashi wasn’t weak either. He became a Jonin at twelve, and now, seven years later at nineteen, he had shed his youthful inexperience. If he fought Hiruzen, it would definitely be a tough battle, not one where he’d be easily defeated.

What’s more, if Kakashi were to die at Hiruzen’s hands, that fact alone could be used to damage Hiruzen’s reputation. The man who drove White Fang to his death would now have killed White Fang’s son. Just spreading that news would be enough to tarnish Hiruzen’s reputation completely.

Many of the older generation, like Torifu, who lamented Sakumo Hatake’s death, would feel strongly about this. While Kakashi didn’t seem to have many friends, as the top of his class, his name still held significance to many of his peers.

(Chapter end)