Konoha.
Guard Headquarters.
Interrogation Room.
The pressure in the room was stifling.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, restrained and seated under the chakra-sealing cuffs developed by the Uzumaki clan, stared at the blade in Uchiha Itachi's hand with a trembling heart.
That blade had just been used to disable Danzo's... "operational privileges."
And now, it hovered near him.
Danzo, once feared, had screamed like a coward. But Sarutobi wouldn't stoop so low. Not yet.
"What are you waiting for?"
Uchiha Satoshi's brow twitched with irritation at Itachi's hesitation.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen and former Hokage Advisor Utatane Koharu are both officially recorded offenders. The trial is scheduled for tomorrow."
"Don't falter."
"In this room, justice is delivered — not mercy."
"Captain Bai Ye reminds us often: law enforcement has no room for soft hearts."
In Satoshi's eyes, this was more than punishment. It was a formative moment for Uchiha Itachi.
He had long believed Itachi's ceiling was far above that of a squad vice-captain. Someday, he'd lead an entire department.
This assignment? A golden opportunity to stamp "judgment of a Hokage" on his shinobi record.
He imagined Itachi's file one day boasting the entry: "Oversaw the castration of the Third Hokage." Satoshi could already see himself bragging: "That's my protégé."
Unfortunately, Satoshi couldn't hear the storm within Itachi's heart.
Every step forward felt like an eternity.
As a double agent, placed into the Guard by Hiruzen himself, Itachi had been navigating a razor-thin line. He hadn't even tipped off Sarutobi before today's action.
That, in itself, was betrayal.
But now… what could he do?
Some shinobi might leap at the chance to etch "Third Hokage Neutralizer" onto their resume. But for Itachi, loyalty was more than a line in a record — it was a core belief.
He had always obeyed Hiruzen's orders.
But now… he had orders from another.
He was Vice-Captain of the Third Guard Unit — Bai Ye's unit.
"Uchiha Itachi! You dare?!"
Sarutobi roared, struggling against the restraints that nullified chakra and physical strength alike.
"I am the Hokage! The Hokage!"
"You would raise your hand against your superior?!"
His tone was trembling — a mixture of disbelief, fury, and maybe… desperation.
In truth, Sarutobi knew.
He had arranged Itachi's infiltration into the Guard, after all.
Was he threatening to expose that now?
Was he trying to guilt him? Warn him? Remind him?
Itachi's hand shook.
But then…
Clarity.
Yes. I was under your command.
But now, you're a prisoner. Tomorrow, you won't even be a shinobi — let alone Hokage.
The dilemma that once gnawed at his conscience?
Gone.
I will be both — a loyal Konoha shinobi and a righteous Guard operative.
Forgive me…
Lord Third.
With cold resolve, Itachi lunged forward and aimed the blade.
But again—!
The blade sliced empty air.
Just like with Danzo… he missed.
"What the—?! Danzo said you had worse aim than him. I thought he was just salty!"
Satoshi stared in disbelief.
Then with a sigh, he muttered, "Focus, man. It's not even that big of a target. Activate your Sharingan if you have to."
Itachi wordlessly nodded and refocused.
One clean strike.
A breath later, a piercing scream ripped through the interrogation room.
The number one criminal tool of Sarutobi Hiruzen was successfully neutralized.
The number two? His ape summon, Enma — sealed away, awaiting testimony.
With Sarutobi's "loss" complete, the Guards shifted into overdrive.
Some verified evidence brought in by Tsunade, others followed up on secret documents that Kushina obtained from the old Anbu archives — records from the Fourth Hokage's era.
Meanwhile, in the lounge…
Bai Ye sat with a relaxed expression, glancing between a dazed Naruto and Kakashi, who seemed conflicted.
"Father!"
Naruto suddenly shouted the word, prodded by a small nudge from Kushina.
Bai Ye blinked.
Hold on — since when did I earn that title?
He wasn't sure how to react. Naruto's forgiveness had always struck him as… unnaturally generous.
Even with a system-enhanced mind, Bai Ye couldn't fully grasp how Naruto could forgive someone like Nagato — the man who razed Konoha — even before knowing he could resurrect the dead.
And Obito? The mastermind behind the Fourth War, the man who killed his parents?
Naruto had hugged him.
Just like that.
Forgiveness or foolishness?
Whatever the case, Bai Ye couldn't help but feel weird hearing "dad" from this kid.
"Come here."
With a casual gesture, Bai Ye motioned for Naruto.
He wasn't interested in being anyone's adoptive father. But curiosity tugged at him.
What would Naruto be like without Ashura's soul constantly nudging his ideals?
Resting his hand on Naruto's head, Bai Ye closed his eyes.
In a blink, his consciousness reached into the boy's soul.
And he found it — the imprint of Ashura Ōtsutsuki.
Found you.
A flick of his fingers. A soul-level technique. Instant obliteration.
No more Ashura soul. Only Ashura's Chakra remained — just like what lingered in Sasuke, without Indra's actual consciousness.
Bai Ye withdrew.
"I hope you grow up true to yourself, Naruto."
Maybe his behavior wouldn't change.
Maybe it would.
Either way, Bai Ye had cleared the board of outside influence.
He chuckled quietly.
"Hagoromo's gonna throw a fit in the Pure Land when he sees this."
The Sage of Six Paths — the grand puppeteer of reincarnated brothers, always trying to fix the world by recycling conflict.
Well, not this time.
Naruto blinked in confusion. Kushina raised an eyebrow.
Only one being in the room had noticed the shift.
Nestled in Bai Ye's arms, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's bunny-like eyes stared wide at Naruto.
Only she — a primordial goddess — had seen what Bai Ye just did.
He reached into the lineage of the Sage… and severed it.
This child's soul no longer bore Yūki's will. Only raw chakra.
Meaning…
Bai Ye could rival or even surpass her own son.
She stared at Bai Ye in a daze.
Is this man my future rival…
…or my future master?
While her thoughts ran wild, Bai Ye didn't even spare her a glance.
She was used to being ignored by now.
Finally, Bai Ye turned to Kakashi.
"Now, it's your turn."
Kakashi looked up.
Bai Ye crossed his arms and said, "About your father's case. Two things don't add up."
"One — your father's teammates. They were saved by him. At first, they praised him. But days later, they condemned him with the villagers."
"Even a traitor takes time to flip. That change was too fast. Too coordinated."
Kakashi's silence confirmed he had thought the same.
But there was more.
"Two," Bai Ye leaned in, eyes gleaming.
"Your father — Sakumo the White Fang. A man of that caliber wouldn't commit suicide over a few words."
"So…"
He smiled.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 30+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Prince209