Sarutobi Hiruzen slightly opened his mouth, his expression becoming somewhat distorted.
He had just received a lot of information...
Sarutobi Hiruzen originally thought that Hatake Sakumo had left the village to wander the Ninja World due to an internal struggle. He was even thinking about how to console him and bring him back to Konoha to contribute again during the Third Ninja World War!
He never expected that he had already been recruited into Root by Aomi?
And that Kakuzu, wasn't he the strongest bounty hunter in the Ninja World? He was rumored to have power comparable to a Kage!
How did he join Root?
Aomi gazed at Sarutobi Hiruzen's strange expression, curled up the corners of his mouth, and asked softly, "Hokage-sama, is it that Root's current actions are somewhat inconsistent with the Will of Fire?"
"Please guide us, Root welcomes the Hokage's inspection at any time."
If Aomi calling him Hiruzen made this Third Hokage feel some pressure, then this "Hokage-sama" made his heart skip a beat completely!
Aomi would never address him like that; such a half-threat half-dissatisfied way of addressing—there's only one person who would be so ambiguous...
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly switched to a smile and said loudly, "Very consistent, very consistent with the Will of Fire!"
"In order to protect the comrades of the village, using some Kinjutsu, recruiting like-minded talents from the Ninja World, this is the true Will of Fire!"
"It's just that you've done so well, Aomi, that it makes me, as Hokage, a bit ashamed..."
Aomi nodded knowingly, with sincerity in his eyes: "If there's a problem, you must give timely guidance to Root. You, after all, are the Hokage of Konoha!"
But this sentence in Sarutobi Hiruzen's ears changed to another tone—
"Monkey, I've done nothing wrong. If there's nothing else, just step aside and wait for orders. I am the Hokage of Konoha!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen forced a stoic expression: "Rest assured, Aomi, certainly, certainly!"
Only Tsunade shook her head quite dissatisfiedly, rubbing Aomi's black hair fiercely: "If it weren't for you, this evil Uchiha brat, I would never use Medical Ninjutsu to make poison!"
"Come on, old man, criticize Aomi, I see no Will of Fire in him!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen lightly coughed, pretending not to hear. After all, he was just the pitiful disciple of Senju Tobirama, not the favored granddaughter. Some words, once said, would definitely be accounted for later...
"Aomi, the future of the village will be entrusted to you!"
Aomi nodded: "I will do my utmost..."
#
Meanwhile.
At the Uchiha Clan Land, Clan Leader's Mansion.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Yakumi sat opposite each other, silently drinking tea.
Lately, Uchiha Fugaku had keenly observed changes in the Uchiha Clan. Many clan members with the three Tomoe Sharingan were inexplicably disappearing from the village, and they were all supporters of Aomi; who knows where they went...
Combining this with the news of Aomi taking control of Root, even if Fugaku was not the brightest, he could connect these two matters.
Though he racked his brains, he could not foresee the day when an Uchiha would control Root. But as the Clan Leader of the Uchiha, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't bear the situation where his clan members quietly abandoned him.
And before him sat Uchiha Yakumi, currently a member of Root, and once the staunchest supporter of Uchiha Fugaku among the Uchiha Clan, also one of his good friends.
"Yakumi, regarding the recent situation of the Uchiha Clan, do you have anything you want to tell me?"
Uchiha Fugaku slowly spoke: "I need to understand some situations."
Uchiha Yakumi thought for a moment, resolutely shook his head: "Fugaku, I have nothing to disclose."
"I can only say, both the future of the Uchiha and the village rest on Lord Aomi; I hope you can recognize this."
Uchiha Fugaku's expression changed.
How long has it been?
His once best friend now calls Aomi "Lord," loyal to the point of chilling...
"Yakumi, I still need to know some information in order to make judgments."
Uchiha Fugaku gazed at his friend and said in a deep voice: "I am the Clan Leader of the Uchiha. For more than ten years, I have maneuvered with the village's upper echelons for the sake of the clan. Do I not have the right to know the whereabouts of the clan members?"
"It is true that Uchiha Aomi has obtained high-level power, but my contributions to the Uchiha are also real, and you have witnessed them with your eyes!"
Uchiha Yakumi looked at Uchiha Fugaku with a complicated expression.
Has Uchiha Fugaku ever strived for the Uchiha Clan?
Perhaps, but from the result, it is as if he hasn't.
In the past, compared to Uchiha Setsuna and other Uchiha clan members, Uchiha Yakumi could only support the somewhat rational Uchiha Fugaku.
But since Aomi appeared, Uchiha Yakumi deeply realized the vast difference between those who get things done and those who don't...
"Fugaku, you need to reflect on what you call efforts..."
Uchiha Yakumi sighed: "I know you can feel that the clan members have all chosen Aomi. You, as the Clan Leader, are gradually becoming a mere figurehead, and it's discomforting for you..."
"But there is no choice; the Uchiha Clan is one that worships the strong. Your hard work, in the face of real achievements, is something no one will consider. Let go of your pomposity and welcome the new era."
"The future clearly only lies in Lord Aomi's hands; whether in strength or foresight, you're too far behind compared to him."
Uchiha Fugaku felt a pang in his heart.
Uchiha Yakumi was once his most supportive friend!
He was not making excessive demands, just wanting to know about Aomi's intelligence in Root and the Uchiha. Can he not even be told?
"Yakumi, for the sake of our friendship..."
Uchiha Fugaku had just opened his mouth when Uchiha Yakumi rudely interrupted him.
Uchiha Yakumi coldly stated: "Fugaku, for the sake of our past friendship, I will bury the fact that you probed into Lord Aomi's matters today in my heart, as if I never heard it..."
"But only this once, and this is the last time."
"Fugaku, your eyes do not have enough power, nor can they see a hopeful future. Accept this fact."
Uchiha Yakumi decisively turned around and left without hesitation.
Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists tightly, watching his friend leave with sharp words and a back, tomoe appeared in his eyes and then quickly connected into a pattern, murmuring to himself:
"Uchiha Aomi, I am not inferior to you!"
"These eyes can see a future that no one else can see!"